June was about as lively as May (meaning not very much). On the other hand, live music was performed, the 2199 manga returned, a new game arrived with access for all, and we finally learned the fate of the long-rumored Star Blazers movie. Here are all the deets…

June 2: Shinya Takahashi art auctions

It’s always nice to start a new month with a familiar face. “Classic Sasha” reappeared in seven new watercolors by her original designer Shinya Takahashi, sold on Yahoo Japan Auctions.

This was far from the first time; auction art by Takahashi first emerged in 2019 and has been popping up periodically ever since.

Get a better look at this set here and find more at these links: 2019 set | 2020 set | 2021 set

Photo posted on Twitter by Walkon7

June 3: Leiji Matsumoto’s galactic funeral

After Leiji Matsumoto’s passing in February 2023, his wife and daughter addressed his countless bereaved fans in Japan and around the world, announcing that in due time a public event would be held to give everyone an opportunity to grieve together. On June 3, they did so in grand style.

See an extensive report on the event here.

June 7: 1/350 Diecast Gimmick Model Vol. 220

The first volume of Hyuga parts for June consisted of the “elevator protector” for the starboard side of the ship. More specifically, it’s the hatch covering for the elevator that lifts fighters from the internal hanger to the upper flight deck.

See Hachette’s instruction video here

See an unboxing video here

See a modeler’s blog here

June 11: Organ recital

Organist Yuka Ishimaru has been a key performer in the Yamato & Villains concerts that Akira Miyagawa has been conducting since June 2021. As a result, she’s added the White Comet theme to her own repertoire, playing it with bravado at her own solo performances. There were two in the month of June, the first held at Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall on the 11th.

See her play the theme in a 2021 performance here.

June 14: 1/350 Diecast Gimmick Model Vol. 221

This week’s Hyuga volume allowed builders to complete assembly of the starboard side of the flight deck, wire it up, and attach it to the main hull. At this point, the “basin” became fully formed.

Photo posted on Twitter by Uta

See Hachette’s instruction video here

See an unboxing video here

See a modeler’s blog here

June 18: Live-action movie on TV

This was the second time in 2023 the live-action Yamato movie aired on channel BS12’s Sunday Anime Theater, this time as part of a suite of Leiji Matsumoto-related works. When it was previously shown in February, Animage Plus published an article touting its actors (read it here). This time, they had more to say…

In watching this film, there is one point Yamato fans should pay attention to. The visuals and settings have been updated from a modern perspective, but there is one important element that makes the viewer feel this is still Yamato after all.

Dessler/Gamilas and Iscandar are depicted in this film as different life forms, significantly changed from the original anime. But the voice of Dessler is by Masato Ibu, who played Dessler from the first anime to the last. The voice of Iscandar is by Miyuki Ueda, who played the goddess Teresa in Farewell to Yamato and Starsha, the Queen of Iscandar, in The New Voyage and later films. The presence of these voices, etched in the hearts of the fans, undoubtedly makes a strong impression that this film is Yamato.

On board Yamato, one of the most interesting characters is the robot Analyzer, with the primary mission of research and analysis. This famous character, beloved by fans throughout the series, appears as the AI of a small computer carried by Kodai. It was originally an expansion unit for Kodai’s beloved Cosmo Zero, and its voice is provided by Kenichi Ogata, who played the role of Analyzer in the anime.

Although the concept is completely different, when you hear his voice, you will think, “It’s Analyzer!” The lonely Kodai, who has lost his loved ones, tells him, “You’re like family to me,” and his activities and choices will move you to tears, even if you’re not a fan of the original anime.

Furthermore, the story opens with narration by Isao Sasaki, whose overwhelming voice has defined the heroic image of Yamato. With this, the viewer is undeniably invited on a voyage through “the infinite expanse of the universe.”

See the original Animage Plus article here.

June 20: Collider article

Speaking of live-action movies…what about that other one that was going to be made in America? From the moment we first heard about the possibility (nearly ten years ago), reactions have been split about 50/50 between dread and skepticism. After a lengthy stretch of time with no news other than “it’s in the works,” the skeptics were proven right when Collider published an interview out of the blue with Director Christopher McQuarrie. It states pretty firmly that this movie will not be made. Whether you wanted it or not.

Read the article here.

June 21: 1/350 Diecast Gimmick Model Vol. 222

Since these huge Hachette models become heavy and difficult to handle once they’ve reached their full length, that’s a point where a platform is necessary to continue. Hyuga reached that point with its 51st volume, so that was the cue for the first segment of a platform to turn up.

See Hachette’s instruction video here

See an unboxing video here

See a modeler’s blog here

June 22: Voyagers of Tomorrow game launch

For every one of the many Yamato online games that have launched in the last ten years, the story has always been the same: looks cool, but only playable on a Japanese service provider. At last, that story finally changes: Voyagers of Tomorrow not only looks cool, you can also play it in English! It’s a browser game rather than a download, so odds are you can access it from the very same screen you’re reading right now!

Visit the official Twitter page here

See a Japanese promo video here

Start in English here

See an extensive (unofficial) English guide here

June 23: Yamato 2199 manga Chapter 55

When Michio Murakawa returned from his multi-year hiatus to continue his adaptation, he vowed to do his best to keep up with it despite his many other obligations. We got a sense of how deep those obligations go when it took five months for the next chapter to appear. But Yamato fans are used to waiting, and it usually pays off handsomely.

This time, the ship plunges into the “blue space region” on its way to the dramatic battle of the Rainbow Star Cluster. The next chapter is expected in August.

See all the pages here

See them at WebNewtype here

Photo at right posted on Twitter by Kumamonsuki3

June 23: Organ Hour concert

Yuka Ishimaru’s second live appearance of the month took place at Aichi Prefectural Arts Center, where she delivered two performances in one day. A Yamato fan in the audience, going by the Twitter name Kumamonsuki3, had this to say about it:

“I was most excited about the White Comet theme!! I have the soundtrack and have listened to it hundreds of times, but this was the best viewing experience. It looked like a fleet would come out of the Comet Organ, and the bass at the beginning was amazing!! As I listened to the whole song, I recognized again the greatness of the composer!!”

June 28: 1/350 Diecast Gimmick Model Vol. 223

The last Hyuga volume for June delivered the second piece of the platform, requiring modelers to only attach the first to it. Over the month of July, it would stretch to its full length to provide a solid base for ongoing construction. This left just 27 volumes to go. If they all stay on schedule, the last one will roll out in the first week of January 2024.

See Hachette’s instruction video here

See an unboxing video here

See a modeler’s blog here

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