Activity ticked up slightly in July with the arrival of a new pachinko game, a live-action TV appearance, and the first large-scale hobby show in QUITE a while, all bolstering the regular pace of what we’ve grown used to. Here’s what kept fans on their toes…

July 4: Mandarake art auction

Keisuke Masunaga has graced these pages many times before (starting here), and his work popped up again in an online auction from Japanese megastore Mandarake. This original art of Sasha (sketch and finished) sold for 72,000 yen (around $570 as of this writing). It probably won’t be his last.

July 6: 1/350 Diecast Gimmick Model Vol. 172

This was only the second volume of the 1/350 Hyuga model, but it already had all the Hachette trademarks; intricate electronics, a battery pack, and fiber optics splaying out in multiple directions. And this was the just the top of the bridge tower. It’s gonna be another one of those builds.

See Hachette’s instruction video here

See an unboxing video here

See a modeler’s blog here

July 7: Akiba Souken poll

The latest fan-driven poll at the Akiba Souken website asked participants to choose their favorite Susumu Kodai quote from across the entire Yamato catalog from 1974 to today. 23 different lines were ranked by 419 participants.

What were the selections? See the original poll here and read the results here.

July 8: Star Blazers Lambda Chapter 27

This super-sized chapter of the Space Battleship Yamato NEXT manga followed the Topness pilots in their daring incursion against the enemy Seireness, throwing them into pitched battle on their way to the enemy stronghold. Who rises and who falls?

See the chapter with description here.

July 10: Animage & Ghibli Exhibition closes

On April 8, this event opened at the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, a display of artifacts from Tokuma Shoten Publishing that present the genesis of Animage magazine, which directly contributed to the rise of the world-famous Ghibli Animation Studio. Since Space Battleship Yamato played a pivotal role in the founding of Animage (learn more about that here), it was prominently displayed.

The exhibition reopened in Hiroshima, where it will be on display through September 4, then will travel to Fukushima from September 17 to December 11.

See a photo gallery of Yamato displays here.

July 11: TV news

Today it was announced that three movies would soon find their way to the BS12 Network “Sunday Animation Theater” time slot: A Voyage to Remember on August 21, Ark of the Stars on August 28, and Age of Yamato (for the first time on TV) September 4.

See a 30-second commercial here.

July 13: 1/350 Diecast Gimmick Model Vol. 173

Hyuga‘s bridge tower continued to grow, and a few other parts showed up in this volume to be secured in place later.

See Hachette’s instruction video here

See an unboxing video here

See a modeler’s blog here

July 15: Kazutaka Miyatake in the news

Back in February, we learned of a Gofundme campaign for veteran Mecha Designer Kazutaka Miyatake (now 72), who tragically lost both his beloved wife and home studio to a fire in May 2021. Fans came to his aid from around the world, and as of this writing their contributions are approaching $60,000. (You can still donate here.)

On July 15, news media in his hometown of Yokosuka reported that Miyatake (now 72) was selected to take residence in a former government building that has been repurposed in a special project to benefit members of the arts community.

“My elementary school was very close to a U.S. military base,” Miyatake said, “and I could not have done my work if I had not been born in a city with a military base.” He still has three to four jobs a month, and is always pressed for time to meet deadlines, but said, “I would be happy to present the charms of the city (in my works) from now on. I would like to pass on my self-taught know-how to those who want to study animation.”

See the original article here.

Miyatake himself issued this thank-you message on August 6:

Hello everyone! I’m sorry for causing you all so much concern last year. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your kind support! I lost my wife to that fire, my irreplaceable life partner. When it came to the arts, she was infinitely more talented than I am. But for reasons unknown even to me, I survived and continue to depict the world through my art!

As such, it seems that my role on this earth is far from complete. So, I’ve resolved to give my work my all. In this manner I can both honor my late wife and, if my work is something everyone enjoys it may also, in part, act as a token of my gratitude to you all as well.

As I write this, the final design I’m working on for a certain new theatrical anime sits before me on my desk, awaiting some finishing touches. And as some of you may have noticed, since last summer I’ve worked on designs for several other productions as well.

These projects have been my first step on the road to recovery, so I wanted to share this news with you all. Everyone, it appears that my work is just getting started! I hope you’ll continue to support it and look forward to what’s to come.

July 19: Yamato 2202 pachinko game

The latest Yamato pachinko game appeared in casinos on this day, based on 2202 with a new round of artwork and gimmicks. As with previous games, we have little (if any) chance of seeing it outside Japan, but the art and video footage is accessible if you know where to look.

Click here for a gallery of promo art, and find a large collection of demo movies here

July 20: 1/350 Diecast Gimmick Model Vol. 174

Builders reached the base of Hyuga‘s bridge tower just four volumes in, even securing all the fiber optics into their sockets, but it’s evident from a glance that more bits were still to be added.

See Hachette’s instruction video here

See an unboxing video here

See a modeler’s blog here

July 21: Mass Production Rico TV series

Yamato is approaching its 48th anniversary on Earth, but still managed to squeeze out another first. This drama series on TV Tokyo, subtitled Plastic Model Girl’s Life Assembly, stars Yuki Yoda as Riko Komukai. In the first episode, a coworker derides her as “mass-produced” because of her average, unremarkable lifestyle. While wandering through a model store, she spots a “Mass-Produced Zaku” from Mobile Suit Gundam and investigates model-building as a path to something new. She learns life lessons through her new hobby and those she meets along the way.

In the fourth episode, Mr. Kimura, the 30-year deputy director at Riko’s company, begins to lose confidence as he approaches retirement. When Riko takes over some of his work, she wonders if she will follow in his footsteps, and decides to take on the challenge of a new model: a 1/1000 Yamato. As a former model buff himself, Kimura regains his passion as he advises her on the build, and the two of them find themselves capable of new things.

Bandai is a participant in the making of Mass Production Riko, so naturally the show is populated with Bandai models.

Fan art by Samurai

LINKS: Promo for Episode 4 | Footage from the episode | Modelbuilding scene from the episode | Creditless end sequence

July 23-24: Wonder Festival 2022 Summer

After a very long, Covid-induced dry spell, the first big hobby show returned to life. Bandai didn’t use it to announce any new Yamato kits, but thanks to the wonders of 3D printing, smaller garage kit companies were able to keep the flame lit. See more photos in this month’s modeling gallery below.

July 25: Concerts announced

The ship will soon fly again! Akira Miyagawa and his musical friends will perform an all-new concert under the title Hiroshi Miyagawa X Kentaro Haneda, Space Battleship Yamato of Two People. That probably indicates that all the compositions will come from the original saga rather than the remake era.

The concert will be performed February 23, 2023 at Fukuoka Symphony Hall. Fingers crossed HARD for a video or CD afterward!

July 27: 1/350 Diecast Gimmick Model Vol. 175

Hachette’s last volume of the month finished off the bridge and jumped forward to the prow of the ship. From here on, the build should proceed from front to back.

See Hachette’s instruction video here

See an unboxing video here

See a modeler’s blog here

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