Building the 1/350 Hyuga

Posted on March 2, 2025 by TimEldred

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A photo journal of my experience building this model with spicy commentary. If you’re in a position to build it yourself, there will be tips and tricks. If you’re not, this can simply be a vicarious experience. And at the end, unlike me, you won’t have to figure out where to put the thing. Completion posted March 15.

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Be Forever Yamato REBEL 3199 Report 15

Posted on March 1, 2025 by TimEldred

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February was less about products and more about announcements, but you can’t lament a month that includes two concerts, a major hobby show, and a brand new trailer for REBEL 3199 Chapter 3! Here’s the wind that kept the flags waving in February…

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Vintage Report 34: 1981, second quarter

Posted on February 19, 2025 by TimEldred

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After the final episode of Yamato III aired in early April, Exec Producer Yoshinobu Nishizaki found himself in an uncommon situation. For the first time since early 1978, he had no new anime in production. As echoes of his massive success story continued to ripple outward, conversations began about where the ship would go next.

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Vintage Report EXTRA, 1978-1981

Posted on February 18, 2025 by TimEldred

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It may be impossible to construct a complete timeline of Yamato history since previously unknown artifacts can emerge at any time, and sometimes in waves. This happened in early 2025 with a motherlode that was big enough to get its own page. It is presented here in chronological order.

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Yamato in 8mm, 1977

Posted on February 17, 2025 by TimEldred

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Publisher Asahi Sonorama became the very first source for Yamato anime-on-demand when they released a set of three 8mm film reels on November 1, 1977. Each included sound and color with a running time of 10-12 minutes. Thanks to modern technology, the 8mm films can be seen again here and now.

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Be Forever Yamato REBEL 3199 Report 14

Posted on January 25, 2025 by TimEldred

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As a new year began, Yamato world added another month of activity to the record. Most of it happened online, but the 50th anniversary screenings and a few physical products made their way into reality as well. He’s the record for January 2025…

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Vintage Report 33: 1981, first quarter

Posted on January 24, 2025 by TimEldred

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After a banner year like 1980, it could only be expected that Yamato activity would decline, and it certainly did. In this time period, the second half of Yamato III was accompanied by a slew of publishing and two new albums, as the appearance of a new competitor inspired Yoshinobu Nishizaki to take action…

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Ryusuke Hikawa Interview 2024, Part 1

Posted on January 23, 2025 by TimEldred

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From the pages of Spectator magazine, August 2024: O.G. superfan Ryusuke Hikawa discusses the birth of Yamato fandom in Japan with an unprecedented level of detail, including his visits to the production studio during Series 1 and what he did with the treasures he was given there.

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Symphonic Suite Yamato liner notes, 1977

Posted on January 21, 2025 by TimEldred

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When Symphonic Suite was released to the world in December 1977, it revolutionized the field of anime music. The liner notes presented a conversation between the two men most responsible for making it happen. They are translated here to enhance your appreciation of this amazing body of work.

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Yamato Years in Review

Posted on January 12, 2025 by TimEldred

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Starting in 2008, an annual year-in-review was written to look back at the ever-expanding world of Space Battleship Yamato; music, publishing, products, public events, and more. These articles map out the living-legend status of the original saga to confirm that Yamato is alive and well. Year 2024 added January 2025!

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Final Yamato novelization, 1982/83

Posted on January 11, 2025 by TimEldred

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Of the four different Final Yamato novelizations, the one most strongly remembered was published by Tokuma Shoten in the “AM Juju” library. Written by Keigo Masaki and illustrated by animator Yoshinori Kanada, it is presented here chapter by chapter in English.

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Be Forever Yamato REBEL 3199 Report 13

Posted on January 10, 2025 by TimEldred

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REBEL 3199 Chapter 2 dominated theaters in December with new things constantly popping up. When the Studio Khara screenings took over, it meant Yamato was on the big screen literally every day for the entire month. Here’s how you bring an already banger Yamato year to a close. [3 pages]

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3199 Mecha designer interview, November 2024

Posted on January 9, 2025 by TimEldred

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From the pages of the REBEL 3199 Chapter 2 program book: Junichiro Tamamori discusses the evolution of Yamato‘s design into the realm of a Be Forever remake, along with the genesis of the Cosmo Hound based on its earliest development in 1980.

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REBEL 3199 Animator interview

Posted on January 8, 2025 by TimEldred

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Would it make you smile to know that one of our own, a member of the English-speaking Yamato fan community, has served as an animator on the current Yamato remake series? If so, then flash those pearls because it is 100% true. Get to know that animator right here!

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Vintage Report 32: December 1980

Posted on January 7, 2025 by TimEldred

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As we look back over the entire sweep of 1980, December was the lightest month with the least amount of activity. That wasn’t the case for Yoshinobu Nishizaki, since the cutdown of Yamato III made the future less certain. But the present was still a great place to be if you were a fan. Here’s how this rollercoaster year came to a close…

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A new voyage for the masterpiece Symphonic Suite Space Battleship Yamato

Posted on January 2, 2025 by TimEldred

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Published December 2024 on Phile Web: an extensive interview with the sound engineers who revived and remixed the classic 1977 Symphonic Suite album for Yamato‘s 50th anniversary. What did it take to make a revered masterpiece sound even better? Find out here.

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Be Forever Yamato REBEL 3199 Report 12

Posted on December 1, 2024 by TimEldred

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November 2024 ticked all the boxes for what makes a Yamato month great. News and products from every front, live events, media coverage, and a brand new chapter in theaters to really tie the room together. Here’s the whole gigantic laundry list. [3 pages]

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REBEL 3199 Chapter 2 Interviews

Posted on November 27, 2024 by TimEldred

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Interviews for Chapter 2 didn’t get rolling until the premiere on November 22, but they delivered plenty of food for thought on the unexpected direction the story takes us in. More will be added to this collection as they appear.

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REBEL 3199 Character Guide

Posted on November 22, 2024 by TimEldred

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Art and descriptions published at the official website. Updated December 2024!

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REBEL 3199 Mecha Guide

Posted on November 21, 2024 by TimEldred

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Art and descriptions published at the official website. Updated December 2024!

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Vintage Report 31: November 1980

Posted on November 19, 2024 by TimEldred

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After Yamato III‘s first month on the air, Be Forever was still rippling through the publishing world and all seemed well in camp. At least on the surface. Underneath, things were less secure. What was going on, and why was the home office suddenly changing its name?

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Why did Office Academy become West Cape Corporation?

Posted on November 18, 2024 by TimEldred

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This was more than just a name change. It involved a frozen food company, a buddhist organization, a shady lawyer, a former prime minister, accounting malpractice, and a near-catastrophic level of personal loyalty. How did those things lead to the founding of West Cape Corporation? Find out here.

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Be Forever Yamato REBEL 3199 Report 11

Posted on November 7, 2024 by TimEldred

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It should come as no surprise that the 50th anniversary month was an absolute juggernaut with an outpouring of passion and attention from all corners. The events of October 6 got their own report, but that was only one day out of a very packed month. Here’s the rest…

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Mono magazine articles, 2024

Posted on November 6, 2024 by TimEldred

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Just before the release of REBEL 3199 Chapter 1 in July 2024, Mono magazine No. 942 (published by World Photo Press) became the first to carry a Yamato cover story for the big event. And what a story it was; 44 pages of features covering Yamato both old and new.

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Vintage Report 30: October 1980

Posted on November 5, 2024 by TimEldred

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You have to push pretty hard to top the premiere of a new TV series, but the publishing community did its best with the last big wave of Be Forever books as Yamato III moved toward center stage. Here’s how it all played out…

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Yamato 2205 media catalog

Posted on October 29, 2024 by TimEldred

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A collection of Yamato 2205 publications, video, and music releases.

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Yamato 2205 theater & event goods

Posted on October 29, 2024 by TimEldred

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A collection of products given away or sold in theaters and other venues.

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Yamato 2205 model catalog

Posted on October 29, 2024 by TimEldred

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A collection of model kits released for Yamato 2205

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Yamato 2205 games and other products

Posted on October 29, 2024 by TimEldred

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A collection of various mobile games and other products released during the tenure of Yamato 2205.

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Be Forever Yamato REBEL 3199 Report 10

Posted on October 13, 2024 by TimEldred

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While animators toiled away on 3199 Chapter 2 for its November release, Yamato activity in September held steady as news trickled in from all corners and the 50th anniversary approached. We’ve already passed that date as of this writing, but the celebration has only just begun.

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