Summer doldrums (or whatever) caused activity to drop in the month of July, but the hits were still solid, especially an unexpected announcement that pulled an exceedingly rare gem out of the history vault. Here’s what July had to offer…
July 5: 1/350 Diecast Gimmick Model Vol. 224
Hachette began the month with the simplest of volumes for Hyuga; the next portion of the platform that will hold up the finished model.
See Hachette’s instruction video here
See an unboxing video (Vol. 224-226) here
See a modeler’s blog here
July 7: Taito game announcement
After this news, Yamato world could have shut down for the rest of July, and it still would have been an amazing month. To explain how amazing it is, some historical review is necessary.
Back in 1985, the hot new trend in video games was laserdisc technology. Pre-made animation was created, and you navigated through it in an electronic version of a “choose your own path” adventure. You’d watch a scene, respond to a prompt, and jump to a different scene to avoid trouble. Several anime-based games were created using this technology, available to play in Taito arcades in Japan.
One of those games was based on Final Yamato, and had a lot of custom animation built into it. When these games went extinct, the only hope you had of seeing this animation was to get your hands on one of the VERY limited number of leftover laserdiscs. (Japanese fans are quite resourceful when it comes to such things, by the way.)
Quite out of the blue, Taito announced on July 7 that remastered versions of three vintage anime LD games will be released for the Nintendo Switch in December: Time Gal, Ninja Hayate, and…Space Battleship Yamato!
Against all expectations, this unique game will get a new lease on life. According to reliable sources, the cartridge for this game will be compatible with a Nintendo Switch purchased in the US, so potentially more people will have access to it than ever before!
Read much more about LD games and see scenes from the Final Yamato game here.
Visit the official Taito site here
Preorder it from Amazon.co.jp here
Photos posted on Twitter by Haneken Official and The Udoneeds
July 8: Tokyo Symphony Orchestra concert
Kentaro Haneda’s exquisite Yamato Grand Symphony got another shakedown on this day when it was performed live at Muza Kawasaki Symphony Hall under the baton of conductor Tatsuya Shimono. On average, this hour-long tour de force has been heard live once a year for about a decade, which seems to be exactly the right amount.
July 10: Fan film by Haru
There is no shortage of homemade CG Yamato fan films these days, but you know a masterwork when you see one. A fan with the online name “Haru” has become a true standout with highly elaborate “process movies.” Haru’s latest such work visualizes the complete takeoff and launch procedure for a Cosmo Python from the deck of the Hyuga.
See it on Youtube here.
July 10: Shinya Takahashi art auctions
Animation director/character designer Shinya Takahashi was at it again in July, debuting new original works for sale at Yahoo Japan Auctions.
They’ve been added to the gallery for June 2023, which can be seen here.
July 12: 1/350 Diecast Gimmick Model Vol. 225
The second volume for July delivered the third portion of Hyuga‘s platform, which will house the sound features and other electronics.
See Hachette’s instruction video here
See a modeler’s blog here
July 19: 1/350 Diecast Gimmick Model Vol. 226
Next up, modelers received the support pillar for the right end of the platform, which contains the connector to the model itself. Once the internal elements of the platform are assembled, power for all of Hyuga‘s electronics (other than sound) will be fed through this connector.
See Hachette’s instruction video here
See a modeler’s blog here
July 26: 1/350 Diecast Gimmick Model Vol. 227
The last volume for July contained all the electronic components for the platform, which will provide sound and feed power to the connector. Still to come were the battery tray and the “floor” that goes underneath. With this, there were 23 more volumes to go.
See Hachette’s instruction video here
See an unboxing video here
Photo posted on Twitter by nabesiro
July 30: Wonder Festival 2023 Summer
If July was destined to be a slow month for Yamato activity, there was no better way to end it than with a bonanza of fresh new garage kits at the bi-annual Wonder Festival hobby show.
Photo posted on Twitter by Gpapabutchy
Many long-respected manufacturers rolled out new kits with the first strong showing of mecha from 2205, and some new players joined the game as well. Fortunately for us, plenty of fans showed up with their cameras.
See a photo gallery here
Also spotted in July
Fan art
Kodai’s birthday fueled a lot of well-wishings from artistic fans in July, backed up by many creative and eclectic choices in other categories. See a character gallery here and a mecha gallery here.
Fan models
July brought us a satisfying mix of classics, variants, and original takes from the workbenches of Japanese modelers. See a photo gallery here.
Custom-built 1/500 Yamato model
Once in a blue moon, ye editor finds a custom-built Yamato model kit in an online auction that is SO packed with intricate craftsmanship that he puts in a bid. If that moon is a very rare shade of blue, ye editor wins the auction. (In fact, this is the only time it has happened so far.)
This one-of-a-kind 1/500 Yamato was built and sold by an artisan with the online handle “reisiki211966.” Attempts to communicate with the builder were unsuccessful, but this astonishing piece is now proudly displayed in the Cosmo DNA nerve center.
What makes it so special? Find out for yourself here
More musical power incoming
Twitter user wasabiimo shared this photo from a train station in Nagano of a billboard promoting the next big music event, a new performance of the Yamato & Villains concert with Akira Miyagawa and Sienna Wind Orchestra. More info in our next report.
Shinya Takahashi sighting #2
This rarity was posted on Twitter by a fan named Satoshi Shimada, who wrote: “At the time, production materials were so expensive that I couldn’t get them, so I asked the legendary animator for a commission and he drew a new one.”
In other words, you’re looking at a 2019 Takahashi original on the right that matches one of his 1980 production drawings on the left. See larger versions at the original Twitter post here.
Prizewinning smile
When the latest Radio Suite Yamato was broadcast back in May, a handful of listeners won a very special prize: original drawings by manga artist Michio Murakawa. In early July, this lovely art was received by prizewinner “TOM2199” who posted it on Twitter with the words, “Hyaaaaaaa, thank you thank you” and whole bunch of happy emojis.
See the post here.
Fan Artist Profile
Time to meet another of the talented and dedicated Yamato fans who delivers some of the amazing artwork we see here in the character galleries month after month. (Hot tip: enter the words “character fan art” or “mecha fan art” in the search bar to bring all the galleries to the top.)
3MAI0R0SI
1. What was your first Yamato experience?
When I was in elementary school, my grandmother bought me a Yamato and Gamilas destroyer Mech Collection (models). Then I started watching Yamato 2199.
2. What is your favorite aspect of Yamato?
The abundance of fascinating mecha and the lively discussions among fans about their designs and background concepts.
3. Are you a Yamato collector?
I’m collecting plastic models and books little by little. They serve as a source of inspiration when I draw.
4. What is your most treasured Yamato item?
My most treasured item is a Yamato plastic model from 2202. I spent a lot of time making it, so I am attached to this model.
5. What are your favorite drawing tools?
I draw digital illustrations with an iPad Air. I use software like ibisPaint and Procreate.
6. Where can your work be seen?
My work can be seen on Twitter and Pixiv.
7. Does your family share your hobby?
Unfortunately, they don’t seem to have much interest. However, my mother mentioned that she watched the first Yamato series on TV when she was a child.
8. Please tell us something about your life outside your art.
I am a university student, studying engineering. I would like to be involved in research on ship performance.
9. Are you involved in Yamato activities with other fans?
I mainly enjoy interacting with other fans on Twitter. (Note: 3MAI is fluent in English, so say hello!)
10. What do you hope to see in a future Yamato anime?
I’m looking forward to the appearance of the Space Battleship Arizona. It would be exciting to see the revival of beautifully designed spaceships using modern animation techniques.
11. What is your favorite anime after Yamato?
I enjoy Mobile Suit Gundam: THE ORIGIN and works directed by Hideaki Anno, like Aim for the Top! GunBuster.
12. What would you like to say to Yamato fans around the world?
I’m delighted to know that there’s a large community of Yamato fans outside Japan. Let’s continue to support and enjoy Yamato together in the future.
13. What should everyone know about Japan and its people?
Japan is a maritime nation. If you visit Japan, I hope you’ll enjoy various ferry and sightseeing boat trips. The scenery from the sea offers a different charm from the usual tourist spots. If you’re lucky, you might even see Japan’s self-defense forces’ vessels. (Though they won’t go to space…)
Yamatunes for July
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