From the 2205 Chapter 2 program book: the elite mecha designers who updated the mecha world for The New Voyage all comment on their work with extensive art and insight. This collection is expanded to include mecha from “another dimension” that may point the way to Rebel 3199.
Artworks 2205
Here we introduce the design work for Yamato 2205. We hope you enjoy this new mechanic design, which is suitable for Yamato‘s new voyage.
Earth side designs by Junichiro Tamamori
In Yamato 2199, Mecha Designer Junichiro Tamamori revived the fictional Yamato with overwhelming presence and density, and he continues to supervise the design of the Earth side. His Yamato, like all the visuals of the “remake” series, is oriented toward combining the realism of industrial design with an enduring love and respect for the original.
This is the basic design of the so-called 2205 version of Yamato, which is labeled the “3rd refit.” The differences of the drawn images depending on the time frame of the original Yamato saga are incorporated into this story in the form of “renovation.”
This is the instruction sheet summarizing the main changes from the 2202 version. There is no change in overall length, and the main content is adjustment of the form. The points marked in red are the changes. The important principle of “pursuing Yamato‘s uniqueness” is also noted.
Detailed modification instructions. The bridge, which is the “face” of the ship, as well as Wave-Motion Gun port and the main engine nozzle viewed from the rear are important parts that determine Yamato‘s visual image. The large hatch added behind the port side missile array is an important change in anticipation of the future. The main and secondary turrets also have increased volume due to added armor.
Explanation of Asuka‘s design by Mr. Tamamori. The text describes his own ideas. Its function and structure were already established, to be reflected in the script and direction. Explaining the “intentions of the drawing” is essential.
Hyuga drawing. Like Asuka, Hyuga uses a dreadnought-class hull. The angled deck is adopted to provide a range of carrier functions.
Hyuga design image. The contrast between Hyuga, a light aircraft carrier with limited functions, and a full-fledged aircraft carrier, gives a sense of the size of Hyuga‘s size. It proposes a direction for Earth-side naval vessels of this era.
Asuka and Hyuga exterior color reference
The Cosmo Hound was reborn for the present day and decorated by Mr. Tamamori for its debut. While the overall impression and form follow the original, the lower portion of the hull can be converted according to the application.
The 2205 mobile armor is the successor to the 2202 version, a new type of mobile armor designed by Tamamori. It is a miniaturized, reinforced exoskeleton worn by the Space Cavalry.
A design rough describing the concept.
The newly-designed Cosmo Python includes many ideas by Mr. Tamamori, such as stealth form and variable functions. It is, so to speak, a modern version of Cosmo Tiger II.
The landing craft, which appeared in the original series after Farewell, is revived as a new version in this work. It has been refined by incorporating images of a real infantry fighting vehicle and the function of linking with the mobile armor. “Landing craft” is applied as a generic name. One of the variations is “Cavalry Combat Boat.”
Designer Comment: Junichiro Tamamori
Space Battleship Yamato
In the final stages of the original saga, there were many powerful and voluminous depictions of the hull shape, Wave Gun port, and other parts. This time, we aimed for a balance that is not overemphasized.
To reduce the width of the first and second bridges, the outer window frames have been trimmed. The upper tip of the bow is slightly sloped and the aft nozzle is shortened by the same amount. The overall length of 333m is the same. The rear engine nozzle is narrower and closer to the 2199 version.
Supply Carrier Asuka
Based on the Space Carrier that appeared in the Yamato 2 series. Katsumi Itabashi designed the original version, which is still very popular. How could it be incorporated into the remake series? We completed Asuka first, then put together the design for Hyuga.
Combat Carrier Hyuga
The port side of the ship, where the Cosmo Pythons are housed, is equipped with a launch mechanism similar to that of Andromeda in 2202. It allows for higher acceleration launches than the upper flight deck. Although the ship has an angled flight deck, only the area from the main gun to the bridge is asymmetrical. The hull itself is symmetrical.
Cosmo Python
We had a hard time coming up with a name. Should we take it from a famous war plane, or from the cat family? Is the nose movement snake-like? What about sea creatures? When we couldn’t narrow it down, Director Yasuda murmured, “How about python?” I can just picture it wrapping itself around an enemy and clamping down.
Mobile armor
The image is of the arms of Saito, a large man who protects his men as if wrapping around them from behind. Due to the limitations of CG, the human arms are fixed, to be drawn if necessary.
Cosmo Hound
In the past, Katsumi Itabashi drew a version without large triangular wings in his design proposal. It is precise and futuristic, but also has a human touch, which is the charm of Itabashi mecha. That is what we cherished.
Itabashi’s work-in-progress designs for the Cosmo Hound
Garmillas side design by Yasushi Ishizu
Yasushi Ishizu, who has been participating in the remake series since 2199, has designed most of the Garmillas side mecha. Over and above the updated ships, he has also worked on the remake’s original designs such as Deusula III and Neu Deusula. His detailed sketches are full of information, a great attraction of the work.
The Deusula III, Dessler’s new flagship. It has been refined to a form and shape similar to the original so-called Dessler battle carrier. The hull is wider than that of the existing Gelvades-class naval combat carriers.
An illustration describing the size of the ship and its aircraft. The silhouette behind them is of the real carrier George Washington, which has the same overall length as Yamato.
These drafts of the Deusula III are at early stages.
This drawing shows the Dessler Gun carriage and torpedo launchers rising from below deck. When the Dessler gun is retracted, the launcher moves to the center of the deck.
A Lambea draft showing the heavily armed “Lambea Kai.” The structure of one level of the multistage carrier has been changed, and the openings on the sides and rear have been removed.
Designer Comment: Yasushi Ishizu
The Gelvades class, which gave the impression of a cruiser, has been replaced by the Deusula III, which is a more modern version. The ship is in the battleship class and has more of an aircraft carrier image. Since the Dessler Ggun is installed, space was arranged for its stowage and deployment, which caused the flight deck to be widened. Aft landing ports are provided for easy return to the ship. The initial discussions called for a 350-meter length. Since that would be smaller than the Gelvades class, its length is set at 402 meters.
The new armament for the Gaipellon class carrier allows Berger to play an active role with Lambea. We added a unit that we had been thinking about for some time. Many of you remember the Akagi before its refurbishment. Lambea, a survivor of the Rainbow Star Cluster, has become a warship with quite a history.
It is a strange feeling to be involved with all of the ships of Dessler’s fleet from 2199 to this point. I have watched Yamato mecha since the 1974 edition and find it fascinating. It seems like it will live forever.
Dezarium/Bolar Federation side design by Mika Akitaka
The design of Dezarium and the Bolar Federation, the new antagonists, allowed Mika Akitaka to participate in Yamato, for the first time. The rough draft presents the overall form, and the final shape is created in the CG model.
Mr. Akitaka’s rough draft of Great Pleiades, which determined the direction of Dezarium ships. While the form and overall atmosphere are unchanged from the original, the pointed bow and other bold interpretations are also included.
Great Pleiades final draft. The details of the comb-shaped fins on the front of the bridge and the edge of the disk are impressive.
The Pleiades-class battleship for this work, which looks similar to the original Pleiades.
Left: Heades class rough draft. Right: Caterpillar class rough draft.
The design of each ship was adjusted based on Great Pleiades.
Left: Saucer-shaped fighter rough draft. Right: Saucer-shaped bomber rough draft.
Rough draft of Dezarium mecha, Autoplanet Goruba, along with Pleiades. It depicts the form of Goruba with respect to the original. The original was set at a height of 720m, but this time it is 10km.
Image of the multi-legged tank, reminiscent of the mop-up tripod tank that appeared in Be Forever Yamato. It can transform from a bipedal to a quadrupedal form.
The Bolar Federation vessels are a compilation of features extracted from the various vessels that appeared in Yamato III. The wreckage of a Type A Battleship appeared in a preceding for in Age of Yamato, which was produced a little later than 2205.
Roughs for the Bolar tanks were drawn directly for each shot they were in.
Designer Comment: Mika Akitaka
Both Dezarium and Bolar were originally designed by Katsumi Itabashi, and we have also tried to respect the lines drawn by Mitsutake Nakamura and the artists of Studio Submarine. I gathered as many books and other materials as I could get my hands on before starting work.
For Great Pleiades, I first made a rough draft as a trial at Mr. Fukui’s request before participating in the series. The degree of rearrangement keeps the shape intact, so it doesn’t feel out of place in the remake series. I knew I could do the job with the one I submitted, so I continued with the other vessels in the same manner.
Still, it took me a little while to decide on the Goruba. I wanted to include its original features in the remake, including the fact that even the Dessler Gun doesn’t work on it. It took a lot of time and effort to make that adjustment.
The multi-legged tanks that appear in Chapter 2 are images from Be Forever‘s family of mop-up tripod tanks. I had some ideas for mecha that might appear in their early stages of production and developed things from there, but the image of the body was almost completed at that time.
Since the number of Bolar Federation mecha was small, we proceeded by adopting them from my roughs. I extracted a few features and summarized them.
The tanks were drawn directly into their scenes without creating designs first, because there were only a few shots of the tanks. The layout was done by an animator, and I just drew them into the layout.
For the shot of the vehicles parked outside the cathedral, I examined original materials and I was able use the missile battle vehicle as is. I can tell you now that when the handouts were distributed before the script meeting, I was pretty excited about the Bolar Federation coming out.
I had always been a fan of the original and the remake series, but I never thought I would be a part of it. I am more than happy to be working on the Dark Nebula Empire, which I loved when I was a student. I was worried about whether I would be able to measure up to Mr. Tamamori and Mr. Ishizu, the two main designers. It was also good that I was able to take on the challenge by borrowing from my own heart.
For further reading
Yamato 2205 Character and Mecha Guide
Mecha designer interviews, October 2021
Mecha design/Concept research interviews
Mecha design from “another dimension”
When Space Battleship Yamato Playstation games went into production in 1998/99, the premiere mecha designer for the original series and Farewell was called back into service: Kazutaka Miyatake.
He single-handedly updated every mecha design that was used, an enormous undertaking. Shown below are his designs for Playstation 2 games based on The New Voyage and Be Forever Yamato (read more about them here and read a contemporary interview with him here).
At this point, we can’t count on these designs showing up in Rebel 3199 or other future stories, but even a quick glance makes it clear that this body of work has already influenced Yamato 2205 to some degree and it should surprise none of us to see more echoes of it in the future.
Earth Defense Forces
Andromeda II
Andromeda II
EDF Battleship
EDF Carrier (compare to 2205 designs for Asuka and Hyuga)
EDF Destroyer
Yukikaze Kai
Type 2 medium range bomber
Type 2 medium range bomber
Gamilas Forces
Dessler’s Battle Carrier
Dessler’s Battle Carrier
Destroyer
Hargel
Saucer ship
Three-deck Carrier
Dark Nebula Forces
Large Battleship Galiades
Aggressor-class Battleship
Aggressor-class Battleship
Destroyer-class Battleship
Destroyer-class Battleship
Large Main Carrier class
Large Battleship Grodez
Unagi Destroyer class
Battle Carrier
Supply Base
Supply Base
Hyperon Bomb
Autoplanet Goruba
Goruba-deployed Large Interceptor
Heavy Fighter
Heavy Fighter
S-class Interceptor
Combat Machine
3-Legged Tank
Patrol Tank
Small Multi-legged Tank (compare to 2205‘s multi-legged tanks)
Funny, we see all these conversions of battleships to hybrid battleship-carriers and then we see the Lambea going the other direction- a carrier converted to a hybrid carrier-battleship.
Well our carriers (Starfighter capable ships ) are either having Cylindrical Rapid launch systems like on Yamato with 36 and 2 starfighters , or the Andromeda Carrier Variant Apollo Norm style or the Gamilas Carrier Variant CCC have around 180 starfighters in hanger and even capable of larger craft on top side deck …. The Gaiperon class , which include Lambea or the Gelvades class Battle Carrier have only around 50 Star fighters in Hanger ….. We already have a Better Armed , Fast and Larger hanger Capability Battleship Carrier ,,, But following your point Our Carriers wouldn’t be Open decked but Completely Closed except the Launch bay openings , that to with Armor bulkheads so it would be a Giant Box with defensive Guns ……
You know I really want to see what a Earth-used version of the Gaiperon Class Carrier. As Garmillas got their own versions of the Andromeda Class, both regular battleship version and the hybrid carrier version, so why can’t Earth get their own versions of some of older Garmillas ship designs.