Hideaki Anno’s 1/700 scale Space Battleship Yamato has been redesigned and is now available as a standalone product!
Published May 19 by Hobby Japan Web. See the original article here
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Space Battleship Yamato, the 1/700 Yamato plastic model, which was included as a bonus in the Yamato TV DVD-BOX (February 2008), will be re-released with new molded colors under the supervision of Hideaki Anno. It also features newly illustrated packaging. This is a limited edition product available only through pre-order. [Closed as of May 30.] Delivery is scheduled for Friday, January 30, 2026.
Enhanced sharpness and lighting effects highlight the kit’s appeal
In anticipation of the release, we present a kit review by Hiroshi Sarai, a monthly Hobby Japan pro modeler from the generation that experienced the original Space Battleship Yamato. The kit has been sharpened and smoothed where necessary for molding, finished with color modulation emphasizing shadows and light with weathering, and as a bonus, LED units extracted from battery-powered candles purchased at a 100-yen shop have been installed to illuminate the main and sub engine nozzles.
In addition, the antenna parts have been replaced with 3D-printed parts that are currently under consideration for sale, which are smaller in size and have modified details, bringing the model closer to Hideaki Anno’s ideal image of Yamato.
Introduction
Finally, my dream model of the Space Battleship Yamato! It’s the kit that Hideaki Anno dreamed of and idealized, produced by Anno himself for the 50th anniversary of the broadcast! As a fan of Space Battleship Yamato, I am truly overjoyed. For this model, I focused on enhancing the kit’s appeal by thoroughly smoothing the main hull (especially from the bow to the central section), sharpening all parts, and adding LED lighting to the engine section. The painting emphasizes depth and detail through the use of light and shadow, while the weathering is delicate and realistic, taking scale into consideration.
The example follows the molded colors, and the colors were mixed to match the blue-gray of the TV series. The assembled size is approximately 38cm long and 12cm high, and the dedicated base is approximately 11.5cm long and 6cm high.
The bridge radar has been replaced with a smaller 3D-printed version. This replacement part was created under the supervision of Hideaki Anno and Shoichi Manabe, who designed the original prototype for this model. In addition to the size reduction, several improvements have been made, including the addition of rear details.
The replacement part is sold as a single-piece resin component by arrangement with the Tristar company. See it at the Tristar website here.
Electric lighting
Three LEDs have been installed in the main and sub engines. The LEDs are battery-powered candles from a 100-yen shop, and their orange color flickers like flames, perfectly matching the image in the movie.
The switches are located under the bulge parts (removable with magnets) in the center of the port side, and two switches appear when they are removed. The main and sub engines can be lit separately. To replace the batteries, remove the main nozzle and the large D1 part at the rear of the hull.
The secondary cannons cannot be pointed sideways as delivered in the kit, so the bases have been moved forward by about 1mm.
The line on the lower side of the guide wall has been shaped to connect in a straight line from the tip to the rear. The rocket anchors have been sharpened.
The muzzles of the pulse lasers on each part were painted black to create depth. The muzzles of the main and secondary cannons were carved deeper with a pin vise.
Work and processing points
I sharpened the three bridge antennas. It’s easier to process them while they are still attached to the runner. There are areas on the lower sides of the bridge where the seams need to be removed. Part A9, which is related to these areas, was cut along the line below the point where the clear parts of the second bridge are inserted, and then processed to fit into place. The radar uses a new 3D-printed part provided by the user (sales method is currently under consideration). It has been miniaturized for better balance. The mold on the back side is also excellent.
The main and secondary guns have had their existing gun ports deepened. It is recommended to use a drill bit slightly thinner than the original diameter. The positions of the secondary guns cannot be aligned sideways as they are in the kit, so each has been moved forward by approximately 1mm.
The lower line of the guide wall has been straightened from the front to the rear.
The auxiliary engines are made by combining two types of parts: clear parts and red molded parts. The rocket anchors have been sharpened.
Finishing
To express the enormous size and three-dimensionality of this 270-meter-long battleship, light and shadow have been emphasized using color modulation techniques. Weathering was applied delicately and carefully, taking into consideration the 1/700 scale. We also incorporated the atmosphere of the illustrations used on the 2008 edition package (drawn by Kazutaka Miyatake and painted by Naoyuki Kato, which had a huge impact on me when I was in elementary school!) and the 1/500 Yamato package art.
In conclusion
My encounter with Space Battleship Yamato made me a model enthusiast. It continues to have a significant impact on my life. I am truly grateful.