A double crisis closes in!
Kodai and Yuki to become independent soldiers of love!
Thorough pursuit of the story
To the prayers of everyone on Earth, Yamato departs on a voyage of no return into space!!
Story Digest 1/3
Pursuing the story up to Yamato‘s launch
This story digest collects what has been already published, and is configured to include new information. We had Mr. Nishizaki check the points we were worried about. This represents 1/3 of the entire script, up to Yamato‘s launch.
PROLOGUE
The universe spreads into infinity. The countless stars shine beautifully, alive with many forms of life. The birth of life is a mystery of the universe and the grand providence of nature. The birth of Earth was no exception.
According to the mythology of space, water planet Aquarius entered the Milky Way Galaxy 4.5 billion years ago when Earth was still a planet of burning rock, and brought water to it as the seed of life. However, the great Paleozoic deluge and the rise of the Mesozoic oceans also caused great misfortune, such as the flood of Noah and the ice age of 3,000 years ago, all said to have been influenced by Aquarius.
Check 1: What is the energy of Aquarius?
The energy source is its core, which forms about 1/3 of Aquarius. Approximately 2/3 is composed of water that covers the heat energy in the center, which lights up the surface in a form similar to solar energy. It is the opposite of Earth. Energy from the core is reflected by the icy rings, which cultivates plant life on the floating continent. But energy also comes from beneath the continent in a manner similar to Earth. It becomes a world unlike Earth with a fantastic surface, but underneath it is a world of antimatter.
SCENE 1
It is the year 2203. Another galaxy emerges from a dimensional fault and merges with the Milky Way, causing many collisions between stars in the core solar systems. Under this influence, the interstellar Bolar Federation and the Galman-Gamilas Empire ruled over by leader Dessler are devastated. The Earth Defense Forces detect this accident and space battleship Yamato is dispatched to investigate, with Susumu Kodai as the captain.
Check 2: Scale of the spectacle?
The early beginnings of the Milky Way, the galactic collision, and the flooding of Dengil are three great spectacles that appear in rapid succession. After that comes the familiar launch of Yamato, then the first full appearance of Aquarius in front of Yamato, the collapse of Uruk, the spectacle of Yamato preventing the flooding of Earth, the last moment of Yamato, and then the explosion scene that lingers on. There’s an intensity that’s different from what we’ve seen before, because the entire staff was brought in on it.
SCENE 2
Yamato advances to Planet Galman-Gamilas through the violent tides of space influenced by the galactic collision. There, Kodai sees Dessler’s palace, which has collapsed into ruins. Planet Starsha floats quietly in the sky as a symbol of loneliness. Was it Dessler’s fate to be lost…?
Kodai: Dessler, we sometimes hated each other, but you were a rare friend. I will never forget your friendship…
Kodai drops a bouquet into the ruins. It flutters in the wind and scatters as it falls.
Suddenly, that area of space begins to rumble powerfully. Two stars collide nearby and cause a great explosion. Yamato is struck by the intense blast and heat.
Kodai: Shima! We can’t escape from this! Do a warp!
Shima: I haven’t done any warp calculations. There’s no telling where we’ll warp out. It’s too dangerous!
Kodai: We have no chance at all here. Warp anyway!
Shima: There’s no help for it! Free warp!
SCENE 3
The fourth planet of the Dengil star system. Water planet Aquarius, which once brought blessings and trials to Earth, approaches the planet. Yamato‘s free warp brings it out nearby. A picture of hell appears on Yamato‘s video panel: a city has been flooded by a terrible rain storm, and people flee while screaming for help. Kodai goes to save the people of Planet Dengil, but the cost is the lives of many crew members, and only one boy is saved in the end. Kodai’s confidence as the captain is shaken. This sacrifice was too great to save only one boy. Moreover, it was not possible to recover the bodies of the victims.
Check 3: is this the first time a child of the enemy appears in Yamato?
The boy saved by Yamato brings a clear meaning at the end of the story. I gave instructions for the design to evoke the empathy of a leading role (and be cute enough to be mistaken for a girl). The other children were not intended to be specific characters.
SCENE 4
As Yamato leaves Planet Dengil for Earth, the radar catches Aquarius. It is realized that this was the cause of the flood, with water from Aquarius being attracted by the gravity of Dengil as it approached. Aquarius is now moving toward Earth’s solar system and will reach Earth in 6,000 years. It is understood that it will cover Earth in water, but it is believed that after 6,000 years Earth’s civilization will come up with some kind of solution, so there is no present danger to humanity.
On the other hand, the boy saved by Yamato turns out to have a biology identical to Earth people except for his skin color. Furthermore, Yamato observed the explosion of Planet Dengil, so there is nowhere for the boy to return.
Check 4: Why does Planet Dengil explode?
Dengil is a dry planet. It is covered in water, and when the water permeates the ground, it reacts with the core. Critical mass is exceeded, and it explodes.
Text in green box:
Final Yamato New Information Presentations
Sapporo, January 29 (Saturday)
Fukuoka, February 5 (Saturday)
Nagoya, February 11 (Friday)
Osaka, February12 (Saturday)
Participants: Yoshinobu Nishizaki, Isao Sasaki, Tomoko Kuwae.
In addition, film screenings are planned in Nagoya and Osaka.
Text in tan box:
Storyboard Premiere!
This is an excerpt of Yamato‘s launch scene. The usual launch preparations are taken, and Okita says, “Raise anchor! Prepare for launch!” Yamato cruises out of the dock made of rock and takes off.
It almost stalls once, but recovers and then launches toward the morning sun, leaving for a battle of no return.
SCENE 5
After picking up the Dengil boy, Yamato advances toward Earth and is caught in a surprise attack. It is a fleet with tremendous destructive power that has never been encountered before. A Hyper Radiation Missile breaks through Yamato‘s armor, and the crew falls one by one after being exposed to space radiation. Unable to send a transmission, Yamato drops to the ninth planet of the Dengil star system.
SCENE 6
The mysterious fleet that attacked Yamato returns to City Satellite Uruk. After Emperor Lugal of the Dengil Empire escaped the mother planet in Uruk, he devised plans to emigrate to Earth. After allowing Earth to be flooded, they will wait for the waters to recede and then take over the planet. Therefore, they will use their super thermonuclear energy to warp Aquarius to Earth. The approach of Aquarius, which was to cause a crisis 6,000 years in the future, will now flood the Earth in only 16 days.
SCENE 7
The shock of Yamato falling to the ninth planet activates an automated navigation system to conduct repeating warps and return to Earth. However, many crew members are injured, and Kodai is mortally wounded. Watched over by his lover Yuki Mori, Kodai is operated on at the federal hospital. Whether or not from the devout prayers of Yuki, Kodai is revived from the verge of death.
At that time, Dengil’s solar system suppression fleet moves to destroy the planetary bases. Earth is conquered by a large mobile fleet lead by Lugal II, along with an emigration convoy that is escaping from the flood crisis. Earth is approached step by step. There are only nine more days until Aquarius comes close enough to flood the Earth. Yamato is the only ship left that can face this powerful enemy. Yamato is rushed through extensive repairs.
SCENE 8
Kodai has revived, and takes responsibility for sacrificing so many crew members in the rescue operation at Dengil, and losing the battle near the ninth planet. He steps down from his position as Yamato‘s captain.
Yamato is repaired. It is the night before launch. Kodai stands on the bridge.
Kodai: Yamato…I said good-bye to you…but being with you made me what I am. I want to start over with you again!
Kodai then hears the nostalgic voice of Juuzo Okita.
Okita: That’s right! The way you live, there is only Yamato.
However, the figure of Okita is not there.
The morning of Yamato‘s launch. Kodai’s face is seen among the others lined up for the ceremony. There will be a greeting by the new captain. Who is the new captain? The commander says the new captain has already boarded Yamato.
Okita: Prepare Yamato for launch! All hands to your posts!
The voice resounds. Juuzo Okita is alive! He sits in the captain’s seat on the first bridge!
It is six more days until the arrival of Aquarius. Yamato launches!
Yamato The Final Chapter Route Map
This is the new battlefield of Yamato!!
Powerup Yamato
There has been no change to Yamato up to now, but slightly new designs have been made. Interceptor missiles are devised to counter Dengil’s Hyper Radiation Missiles. Does the shuttle appear in the last scene?
What is Yamato‘s fate after leaving Earth!? Tracking a big story!
Thanks to the protection of the remaining ships in the Earth Defense Forces, Yamato at last reaches Pluto airspace. Although the subsequent story has not yet been revealed, we were able to obtain fragments of new information here. As with the first part, we summarize and describe it. We asked Mr. Nishizaki to check points we were worried about.
Can Yamato save Earth after rushing into battle!?
After Yamato leaves the atmosphere, it is joined by Fuyuzuki, Yukikaze, Ryotsuki, Isokaze, Kasumi, Hamakaze, Hatsushimo, and Yahagi and they sail together. Finally, the flames of battle erupt in the Pluto sky. Isokaze and Hamakaze rush toward Hyper Radiation Missiles fired at Yamato, then others rush forward to protect Yamato one by one, making themselves into shields and getting shattered. The boy of Dengil, who stowed away on Yamato, watches the battle in surprise.
Check 5: Are there highlight characters in the Earth Defense Force?
The story is narrowed down to the main characters. We can’t depict more than that. There is a character among the staff officers who resembles Mamoru Kodai, but it was not done intentionally. Characters from Yamato III also appear in their positions, but they have no lines.
Bottom portion:
The Yamato crew is all present!!
How is the love of Kodai and Yuki depicted on the battlefield?
With a missile launcher that has been sent on a small warp, Kodai and Yuki track the enemy in the Cosmo Zero. Kodai is wounded when they discover the enemy fleet, and reports their position to Yamato. Yamato immediately fires Wave-Motion Cartridges! Lugal II’s enemy fleet is annihilated, but he makes it back to Uruk with great difficulty.
Check 6: What is the intention of the color change in Yuki’s uniform?
Simply put, everyone on the staff liked it. I don’t dislike the yellow version, though.
Check 7: Why is there a new gun turret monitoring room on Yamato?
At first I planned to stage a certain part of the story there, but since time was unavoidably lost, we can’t count on it so we weren’t able to show it in detail.
Check 8: Why is Uruk divided into a scientific area and a religious area, and what is the meaning of the ziggurat?
Of course, the Temple of Uruk was on the mother planet Dengil. It is the single symbol of their 4,500-year history. The other part was built up by great developments of modern science, and all of this is gathered together in Uruk.
The mystery of Dengil’s origin is revealed by Emperor Lugal!
Lugal II is surprised by what the facts he learns from Emperor Lugal.
“I will tell you the secret handed down through the royal family. Our ancestors were those who built the first civilization on Earth, thousands of years ago.”
The ziggurat of Uruk symbolizes their connection with the earth. Lugal leads the entire fleet and wages the battle as the legitimate ruler of Earth.
There are two more days until Aquarius approaches Earth.
A new message from Mr. Nishizaki
Kodai and I – we have a common attitude toward life
Yoshinobu Nishizaki
It is a well-known fact that Mr. Nishizaki is the model for Dessler, but we wonder if his shadow touches the lead role of Kodai.
When Yamato became a hit, various things came to me. Whenever I thought I had reached the mountaintop, I fell off and had to climb back up. It feels like repetition has been my life.
However, when I overcame such a thing, I’d always walk forward without looking back, and I think that became a plus. Especially in boyhood, I’d blame my failure on others, and I don’t think you can make any progress if I you’re stuck in the past. Such things definitely influenced the depiction of Kodai, but I never intended for Kodai to overlap with me.
In the proposal for the first series, the words “risking oneself for greater things” were used. Although this is an extraordinary way of speaking, it assumes an attitude toward life in which the basic spirit is to ask what is possible, and the origin of this is expressed through Susumu Kodai.
It is not only a good thing because it is a human trait, it is also good to cleanse one of hubris. When you fall, there is nothing for it but to move forward.
For the good things, the bad, and the things you’re proud of, you have to acknowledge that reality is reality and stay positive. However, just saying that you have to keep moving forward is a dangerously simplistic way of thinking.
The Final Chapter becomes a 4-hour radio drama
Broadcasting January 15 on All Night Nippon (from 1:00 a.m. to 5:00)
Another 4-hour radio drama is being made for The Final Chapter. It is now in production with Mr. Nishizaki himself serving as a host. We asked him what this broadcast will be like.
I’ll express my true feelings with no falsehood. I definitely intend for you to hear it with music. The rest is the content of the story. Since it’s impossible to show everything I want on the screen, this serves as an introduction to the world. At this stage, since I’m the only one who can describe the story in its entirety, the better part of it may be me talking, but we intend to cast voice actors to tell the rest of the story.
The highlight of the casting this time is Lugal and son. And also the Queen of Aquarius. Therefore, we must decide on the casting by January 15.
Text in blue box:
Information odds and ends
1. There is a possibility that the March 12 premiere may be delayed by a week.
2. 30 items were submitted for special effects tests. Tests are in progress using a combination of light, slit-scan, scanimation, and brushwork.
3. Indications are that the film will exceed two and a half hours.
4. New attempts are being made to distinguish ally from enemy with sound effects.
5. On the sound side, in addition to Atsushi Tashiro and Mitsuru Kashiwabara, it has been decided that Katsumi Ito (Future War 198X) will participate.
6. Isao Sasaki’s rendition of the Yamato theme will be heard only once, and there is the possibility of it being newly recorded this time. However, it has been said that his voice was destroyed by the original ten-hour recording session, so it would be hard to throw that master away.
7. It has been decided that Isao Sasaki will perform Kodai and Yamato and Poseidon (tentative title).
8. Junko Yagami sings the feelings of Yuki Mori in Love Supreme (tentative title), to be inserted in the last scene.
9. Tranzam performs Rainbow to Tomorrow (tentative title). Inoue Daisuke (Gundam II) participated in the composition.
10. Tomoko Kuwae sings about Yuki’s memories in Love of Two (tentative title) with lyrics by Kuni Kawachi and composition by Inoue Daisuke.
11. A big-name singer is being sought for Music of Yamato‘s Ten Years. Yu Aku is writing the lyrics while on retreat in the Izu Mountains, and the song is likely to run to 10 minutes.
12. If Kodai and Yuki Mori unite in body and soul, will a child be born? Mr. Nishizaki says, “I don’t know yet. There may be a wedding scene…”
13. Yamato has been completely overhauled, and all the basic contradictions cleared away.
14. The name Lugal seems to have the meaning of “king of kings.”
15. It was scriptwriter Hideaki Yamamoto who created Hajime Saito for Farewell to Yamato and Taisuke Tokugawa of The New Voyage.
16. Daisuke Shima dies.
17. Nishizaki’s old associate Hiroshi Miyagawa laments, “It’s awful at Mr. Nishizaki’s condo since he’s shut up in the room next door. Since he’s writing, it makes me shiver.”
18. There are almost no new Yamato interiors, but many settings have been redrawn. Longtime fans should look closely.
19. Mr. Udagawa, being the general director, has been nicknamed “Toku-san.” Likely because he’s unique for his large body and in so many other ways. The Sanada drawn by Toku-san is popular.
[Translator’s note: “Toku” is short for “Kantoku” (director), but also sounds like “toku” in “tokubetsu” (special).]20. There is likely to be a full-fledged love scene with Kodai and Yuki Mori. The staff wants to make it something close to live-action quality.
21. Mr. Nishizaki says, “It took me two weeks to convince the staff that it would be necessary to revive Okita.”
22. It has been said that “Yamato will sacrifice its own hull to save Earth from the flood crisis, and then Yamato will truly rest.”
23. It has also been said that, “The figure who will go off and disappear with Yamato is Juuzo Okita.” In other words, that would be the ending.
The End
Special thanks to Neil Nadelman for translation support