Space Battleship Yamato 2202 Report 42

The last month of the last year of Yamato 2202 ended with an easy slide into the first month of the first year of Yamato 2205. If you knew where to look, it was a month of surprises and delights from unexpected corners – which is always the case in Yamato world. Here’s the roundup for December 2019.


Photos posted on Twitter by Hachi Kuji and Take Channel 36

December 4: 1/350 Diecast Gimmick Model Vol. 45

The first volume released by Hachette in December was widely hailed as the most difficult stage to date in the construction of the giant Yamato model – attachment of the LED board for all the lights in the bridge tower.


Photos posted on Twitter by CorgiStar52

Just about everyone complained (on Twitter and elsewhere) how challenging it was to get all the sockets into their respective ports. Yet, they persisted. And then there was light.

See Hachette’s instruction video here.

See an unboxing video here.

See a builder’s blog here.

December 5: Mecha Collection model #16

This reissue of the Garmillas flagship Zoellegut came with two ships, one molded in black and the other in grey.


Photo at right posted on Yahoo Japan by Takamamachan

Three sets of filigree decals (red, white, and purple) allowed modelers to recreate the three ships seen in the first episode of 2202. Those modelers ran right home, got them built, and flooded Twitter with photos. See a gallery here.

December 6: Yamato Crew goods

The Yamato Crew online store rolled out new products throughout the month, filling in categories we would normally expect to see at a movie premiere. First up was a new polo shirt, scheduled for January release.


Photos posted on Twitter by Hachi Kuji and Take Channel 36

December 11: 1/350 Diecast Gimmick Model Vol. 46

This volume provided ribbon wires to connect the bridge’s LED board to the previously-supplied power pack and give everyone the delayed gratification of a full-up lighting test. Also included were the first parts for shock cannon turret #2.

See Hachette’s instruction video here.

See an unboxing video here.

See a lighting test video on Twitter here.

December 7-12: Boat Race Omura continues

The summer/fall boat race in Omura City had more events for attendees in December, and more prizes to tie in with Yamato 2202 as the event’s mascot. This included phone cards (left) and stainless steel mugs (right).

December 13: Yamato Crew goods

The next new item to roll out – just in time for the holidays – was a new set of four clear files with the leading men of Yamato with Christmas bouquets. The art had appeared earlier in the year in the pages of the Star Blazers/Yamato fan club magazine. These files shipped out in late December.


Photos posted on Twitter by Hachi Kuji

December 18: 1/350 Diecast Gimmick Model Vol. 47

With this volume, the weekly parts returned to outer hull segments. This one was to be placed on the starboard side and included a magnetic plate for the forthcoming starboard wing.

See Hachette’s instruction video here.

See an unboxing video here.

See a builder’s blog here.

December 21 & 24: Nobuteru Yuuki on Twitter

We all got an early Christmas present when Character Designer Nobuteru Yuuki announced on the 21st that he would be releasing a new art book at the upcoming Comiket: a 116-page full color collection of his Yamato 2202 genga (animation art).

Visit his Twitter page here.

Three days later, he Tweeted again to share this photo of an exquisite new art print, which follows on from an image he painted for the final storyboard booklet that accompanied the Chapter 7 Blu-ray. He’d just received a framed copy from Yamato Crew and said it would be made available in the coming year.

December 23: Music news

On this day, pianist Chiko Miyagawa (the daughter of Akira Miyagawa) shared the exciting news of music events on the horizon. First, Akira would maintain the tradition of including Yamatunes in his annual New Year’s Eve concert. Second, he will conduct an all new symphonic concert called Yamato Meets Classics in April, in which Chiko will perform.

Chiko’s Tweet read as follows: “2019-2020 is likely to be my Yamato year. As you can see, Akira Miyagawa’s music is in my blood. To put it simply, I’m using the score written by Akira to pay my food expenses, education expenses, etc. Akira also lived with Hiroshi’s music. Three generations of Space Battleship Yamato music. I’m looking forward to it.”


Illustration by Ryuji Umeno

December 24: Yamato Crew news

Today, we heard again from Katsuya Takashima, the author of the new Yamato side story Aquarius Algorithm, which recently kicked off serialization in the fan club magazine. Here’s what he had to say on the Yamato Crew website:

Aquarius Algorithm series begins – Christmas Eve, 196 years from now

In November 2019, the first episode of Space Battleship Yamato ~ Aquarius Algorithm was published in Yamato magazine Vol. 5. The series has started. We’re grateful to have received supportive comments from many people on blogs and social media. Along with the staff, including Illustrator Ryuji Umeno and Mecha Designer Shinji Nishikawa, I am very encouraged. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you.

Aquarius Algorithm is a story that connects the end of the original series with Yamato Resurrection. Beyond Kodai and Yuki, many people who have appeared in the Yamato world will play more and more active roles from here on. The genius girl Maho Orihara and Miyuki, the only daughter of the Kodai family, both appeared in the first episode of the serial. What are their unknown sides? What about the mysterious new ship Hihana [Ice Flower], and how will Analyzer’s successor Papilizer get involved with Miyuki and Maho? Please give it your attention.

To get in sync with Resurrection, there is Tasuke Tokugawa, who serves as Yamato’s chief engineer, and there is one more person; the story also features Helmsman Tetsu Kitano from The New Voyage. He demonstrates outstanding maneuvering techniques while maintaining a tight face.

I think you already know that Makio Inoue, the famous actor who played Kitano passed away recently. He breathed life into many characters, such as Mitsuru Hangata (Star of the Giants), the 13th generation Ishikawa Goemon (Lupin III), Sleggar Law (Mobile Suit Gundam), and Captain Harlock. Everyone on the staff regrets his passing and we offer our deepest condolences. Tetsu Kitano, who was played by Mr. Inoue, will play an active part in Aquarius Algorithm. I hope you will think of his fearless voice as you read it. I will do my best to write sentences that worthy of his voice.

An algorithm connects the past and the future. Can Kodai and the others find a solution in the Aquarius iceberg? The second episode, Alliance, will appear in Yamato magazine Vol. 6 in February 2020. We are now preparing to make it even more enjoyable with Mr. Umeno’s beautiful illustrations and Mr. Nishikawa’s enhanced mecha column. Thank you for your support in the new year.

Aquarius Algorithm takes place in 2215, 196 years from now. Thanks to all of you from the staff on this Christmas Eve, which is also Yuki’s birthday.

– Katsuya Takashima

December 24: Concert commercial

Everyone who unfortunately missed the Yamato 2202 concert Close to You Tonight got a month closer to hearing and seeing it when Bandai Visual released a 15-second commercial for the CD/Blu-ray release, scheduled for March 27.

See the commercial on Youtube here. Preorder the discs at Amazon.co.jp or CD Japan.


Photo at right posted on Twitter by O-chan1967

December 25: 1/350 Diecast Gimmick Model Vol. 48

The last volume of the year brought the red hull segment that fit below the previous plate, and the gun barrels for turret #2.

See Hachette’s instruction video here.

See an unboxing video here.

See a builder’s blog here.

December 25: Official site update

On Christmas day, the official 2202 website went public with data that had previously been seen only in the latest fan club magazine: birthdays for all the major characters. From this we learned that Yuki Mori was born on Christmas Eve and Hajime Saito on New Year’s Day.

Get a better look at the list here.

December 28: Naoyuki Katoh on Twitter

Today the great Naoyuki Katoh shared with us an uncluttered version of a magazine cover he’d painted for the July issue of Model Graphix, which featured a profile of the famed Studio Nue. Visit his Twitter page here and see a larger version of the painting at the end of this page.

You can still get a copy of the July Model Graphix here.

December 28 & 29: Comiket 97

For Yamato fans, the highlight of the 2019 Winter Comiket was the release of Nobuteru Yuuki’s new art book, which collected his genga for the 2202 series. A copy did not reach the Cosmo DNA nerve center in time for coverage here, but we’ll make up for it next month.


Posted on Twitter by Temasa2199 (Pixiv page here) and Kureo55

New Yamato doujinshi (fanzines) make an appearance at every Comiket, but online finds were very light this time. Not to worry though, the bi-yearly Yamaket is always right around the corner.

December 28-30: Family Theater TV

The 45th anniversary Yamato Project continued to its conclusion as Satellite TV channel Family Theater rebroadcast the entire saga (with the exceptions of 2520 and the live-action movie). December 28 featured Series 1, the 1977 Yamato movie, and the newly-remastered Farewell to Yamato (shown in 4K on the big screen in November, now reduced to 2K for TV). December 29 featured Yamato 2, The New Voyage, and Be Forever, and it all wrapped up on December 30 with Yamato III, Final Yamato, and Resurrection.

December 31: New Year’s Eve concert

If you happened to be in Tokyo on New Year’s Eve, you had another opportunity to see Akira Miyagawa live when he performed with the New Japan Philharmonic at Triphony Hall in the Sumida district. The venue happened to have a pipe organ…


Photo posted on Twitter by NewJapanPhil

…which meant that in addition to a selection of pop hits from the 60s and 70s (including the Rocky theme, which refuses to die), you could have been one of the lucky fans to feel the world premiere of Akira Miyagawa’s White Comet Concerto rumble through your very bloodstream. Let’s hope it was recorded.


Photo posted on Twitter by the Yamato Production Committee

If you were extra lucky, you caught a glimpse of some Yamato veterans, such as manga artist Michio Murakawa, perennial MC Osamu Kobayashi, organist Hiroko Yoneyama, and a couple other guys you may have heard of.

December 31: 2020 greetings

The year ended with a lovely pair of New Year’s wishes from the Yamato Production Committee. They posted the photo at left on Twitter as holiday cards were arriving in the mailboxes of premium fan club members. The one shown here was posted by Sousui.


Also spotted in December

Hero’s Record promo art

Another month of slick artwork promoted various campaigns for this mobile game on Twitter, including this Happy New Year image. See a gallery of the rest here.

Fan art

It was another great month for fan art in both the character and mecha categories. Click on each of those words to see the latest galleries.

Fan models

More and more customized model kits flew off the workbenches of fans and onto the internet for all to enjoy. See a gallery of December finds here.

Cosplay

How does a Yamato cosplayer command the attention of the entire fandom? By being the ONLY one to post cosplay photos on Twitter for the entire month.

That’s what cosplayer Hime37Olive did when she dropped these gorgeous pics of herself as Akira Yamamoto. Visit her Twitter page here.

Straw Yamato drone footage

The giant straw Yamato sculpture in Chikuzen Japan stood proud for the entire month of December, due to be dismantled in January. On December 13, Twitter user Hanamizaka treated us to unprecedented views via drone footage. See it for yourself here.



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