January 3: Yamato movie in 4K on Star Channel
It was a big month for viewers of Japan’s Star Channel with the premiere of the first Yamato movie in 4K only a week after it closed in theaters. Both the 1977 edition and the 1978 recut edition were shown multiple times throughout the month on Star Channel’s affiliates.
It was accompanied by the HD remaster of Series 1, which ran from Monday through Friday starting January 8 and Saturday night marathons starting on the 13th.
Photo posted on Twitter by marrobru15
January 5: Farewell to Yamato 4K remaster in theaters
As it happens, this wasn’t the world premiere of Farewell in 4K; the initial remastering was completed and given a very limited screening in 2019 (read about it here). However, there were some differences; Imagica, the studio that did the work, put it back into the mill and ran it through an upgraded process after they handled the first movie. This gave the film a further boost, as described in an in-depth interview here.
The program book and theater merch carried over from December, so the rest of the story is told by the fans in these comments, collected from Twitter…
I remember all the scenes and lines. Still, I cried. – bashiyan2012
The seats were almost full! On the first day at the Shinjuku Piccadilly, there was applause after every screening. – aoi2199
I rented the video many times and used to watch it often. I never thought I would see it on the big screen! – Yanroncha
As expected of longtime Yamato fans, they didn’t make a single sound during important scenes. Trustworthy. – cityhunterAA
I’ve seen it many times, but it’s especially powerful and moving when you see it on a big screen in a theater. (I feel like I said that last time…) – SORAI
It’s been more than ten years since I actually watched Farewell. In my opinion, the unfolding story in the first half is quite interesting, even from today’s perspective. – merumeru1701
Photos posted on Twitter by Morisawa and Inrin
I’ve seen it many times, but it’s been a long time since I last saw it on the big screen. I don’t think there are many works that receive a lot of applause at the end. I was once again impressed by the detailed portrayals of the characters. – KIYO
I watched it for the first time in my life. I thought the work would convey to future generations the precious memories of Yamato, who fought to the death for family, loved ones, and country. That’s why we realize we have to live and fight together with Yamato. – rukatakko
I have mixed opinions about the ending, but the direction, animation, and music were all top notch. Of all Yamato content, including the original, remake, and live-action version, I personally think Farewell is the best. – marrobru15
I think I shed more tears than at any other movie I’ve ever seen in the theater. Toward the end, I could hear the sound of tears being shed in various places in the theater, and I was filled with emotion thinking that it must have been like that back then. – S Meijin
I was the only one there in my 30s, the others were all in their 50s and 60s. I finally got to see the giant battleship on the big screen. I recommend watching from the front seat, even if you have to look up. – konakanaCRZ
In the minds of Farewell supporters, Yamato2, New Voyage, Be Forever, Final, and Resurrection have all disappeared. Be careful if you talk about them in a cheerful manner, as you may be targeted with murderous intent. – KEI-mk1
Yoko Asagami’s happy voice makes me laugh. I was moved by the bravery of Kodai and his friends as they stood up against an overwhelming enemy and died. I couldn’t watch Captain Okita’s words at the climax without crying. The best page from my youth! – otoyanNARA
I haven’t seen it in a movie theater since 1978!! I know everything about the development, dialogue, music, and I memorized it, but I don’t care how many times I watch it! I cried! Thank you for the 4K remaster! – NABEchan
Photos posted on Twitter by S Meijin and Nonnon
The clear picture is based on the original, so Yamamoto’s elbow sticks out, and the message at the end is from the first-release version. The music is also a restoration of a monaural sound source, which really shines in theaters. – fa_tachibana
I was 7 years old at the time of release. When I went to see it with my parents, I think all I thought was, “Yamato is so cool.” But when I watched it again on the big screen at this age, I found that the story touched a lot of heartstrings. I almost burst into tears. – masatoshi-sagami
Although I’ve said that I love Yamato, I’m embarrassed to say that I’ve only seen the remakes, so this was my first time watching Farewell. Yep, I cried. Kodai and Yuki, I wish you happiness in space. – pkmn1997
HDR 4K is great after all. In the area where the orange ghosts appear, only the area around the captain’s seat is brightly lit, and the surrounding area is dark as if it blends [into the theater itself]. A flash of light and the sound of an explosion followed. I can’t stand it. You have to see this in the theater. – TOM2199
Before watching it, I didn’t think there would be much to it, since I knew how it would unfold, but I enjoyed it. It was really amazing…the atmosphere inside the theater was more unified than I’ve ever felt before, and it was the first time I’d ever seen a movie where no one tried to leave during the end credits. – pincet_no_3410
I followed the example of a proper old man and watched the 4K remaster of Farewell. I’m not from the real-time generation, so this was actually my first time. It’s hard to see these days, and it’s an irresistible performance. The music that I can enjoy thoroughly is truly amazing. The White Comet theme that rumbles is the best! – MAJIKONOV
Many people in my age group were there. It’s amazing that it was made decades ago by painting cels in anime colors. It’s still incredibly hot. Hiroshi Miyagawa’s musical accompaniment is the best. When I was in elementary school, I was stunned, but now I’m crying all over the place. – ShiuichiTsuzure
Photos posted on Twitter by Amachi Papa and Sorai JS
The colors were so beautiful that it looked exactly like a cel image. You can clearly see the reverse thrust of the main battleships during the Earth fleet’s multi-formation. The sound is also clear and impressive. A clear screen that makes you feel like you’re there, and a sound that combines power and silence. Wonderful. I can’t believe I get to see this again in a theater for the first time in 45 years. I am overwhelmed with emotion. – kanaeyokosuka
When the film was released in 1978, it was 33 years since the end of the war, and there were still memories of the war and folklore about it from elders, so for people at the time, I think that ending must have resonated more deeply in their hearts than it does for us 45 years after its release.
It changed Japanese film history. Among the Yamato series, this is the masterpiece among masterpieces. As expected, I failed the “I won’t cry” challenge. I cried three times, even though I must have watched it many times. Once again, the synergy between production and music is amazing. – sumikojo
Yuki is just so cute and energetic. In the early department store scene, I started crying thinking about the fate that would happen after that.
Overwhelming visuals of the city empire. The impact on the big screen is incredible. The images are of course amazing, but the sound is also amazing. I’ve watched it dozens of times, but I was surprised to hear sounds I’d never noticed before. The music sounds good and gives me a new impression. – Amachi Papa
There was a time when I couldn’t cry even when I saw this movie, but this time I watched it in a theater for the first time in about 46 years, and I shed a lot of tears. The beauty of the picture is as expected from the trailer! It truly felt like a “moving cel image.” The shot where Teresa’s praying figure appeared for the first time in front of Telezart took my breath away at how beautiful it was!
The clarity of the sound is also noteworthy! The sound has become much denser, and scenes such as the ignition of the Wave Engine are even more powerful. The lines are clear enough to highlight the actors’ performances, especially in the scene with “Here we go!” The sound pressure itself seemed to increase, and my heart was shaken! – M.T
The 4K release of Farewell brought an interesting tidbit out of the trivia vault. It fully restored the 1978 version of the film for the first time. Up until now, only the 1979 re-release version has been available on video. What’s the difference? A caption screen after the end credits.
Both of the caption screens are shown here, 78 on the left and 79 on the right. Here’s what they say:
Thank you for loving Yamato
Everyone…goodbye
It will never be seen again
But it will certainly live forever
In your hearts and in your souls
Thank you for loving Yamato
Goodbye everyone…
As long as you live, Yamato will live forever
When you think of Yamato, always remember this
You can only be happy when you make others happy…
Why two different captions? Because in 1978, they thought this would be the last Yamato story. Even with the second TV series on the way, they initially assumed it would have the same ending. It wasn’t until late 78/early 79 that it was decided to end the series differently and keep going. At that point, “it will never be seen again” was patently untrue, especially since the ’79 edition premiered in theaters just two weeks before The New Voyage premiered on TV.
Photo at right posted on Twitter by TOM2199
January 5: Week 1 theater handout
Like the first movie in December 2023, Farewell would run for three weeks in 36 theaters. Each week featured a free gift for ticket holders while supply lasted. The first gift was a card featuring the original movie poster art.
January 5: Farewell to Yamato 4K Blu-ray, limited edition
Once again, you had the option to take the movie home with you that very day, thanks to the limited edition Blu-ray set. It contained the film on both standard and 4K discs along with an internal booklet. This constituted the regular edition, which would go on sale March 27.
Photos posted on Twitter by X0_BR and capsule_agila
But the real prize for dedicated fans was the bonus item that made it a limited edition: a 300-page book containing the complete storyboard for the movie by Yasuhiko Yoshikazu. It was offered in digital form on previous Blu-ray in 2013, but until now it had never been issued in print.
Inset photo posted on Twitter by neginuki. Photo at right posted by ayaka19790825
January 12: Week 2 theater handout
Farewell 4K’s second week began with a new gift for ticket holders, a plastic ticket sleeve modeled on the original 1978 version with a REBEL 3199 reminder inside.
January 19: Prize lottery
As the third and final week commenced, the Yamato Production Committee announced a prize campaign for those who applied and posted about it on Twitter to help get more customers into theaters. The prizes (awarded by lottery) were the promo flags unveiled in November 2023 and five pairs of original-style movie posters.
January 19: Week 3 theater handout
The last theater handout was a set of three postcards with key images from the film. Photo at right posted on Twitter by chihiroo2202.
January 23: Star sighting
On this day, singer Yamano Satoko posted this photo on Twitter with the following caption:
At the invitation of Kazuko Kawashima [at far left], Yuka Yaedon and I went to see the 4K remastered version of Farewell to Yamato at the Shinjuku Piccadilly. I remember seeing it at a movie theater in Namba [Osaka] a long time ago. Even after the ending, I couldn’t stop crying. Kenji Sawada’s song was also included.
Unless you’ve been asleep for the last 50 years, you probably know that Kazuko Kawashima was the original “voice” of the stars when she sang the original vocal for the Infinite Universe theme. The voice that struck a billion hearts.
Their friend Yuka Yaedon (also a singer) posted her own photo with this to say:
As was the case with the Space Battleship Yamato movie, I was moved every time I heard Kawashima-san’s beautiful voice. Kenji Sawada’s singing was also wonderful. It was such a luxurious time as we talked about our impressions after watching the show.
January 25: Official Tweet
On the final day of the three week run, the Yamato Production Committee closed the curtain with the following message to everyone on Twitter:
The 4K remaster of Farewell to Yamato, Soldiers of Love finished showing today. Thank you very much to everyone who watched. We hope you continue to enjoy the Space Battleship Yamato series, which has reached a milestone.
February 4: Farewell to Yamato 4K broadcast debut
Just over a week after it left the theaters, Farewell could be seen again on the Star Channel satellite network. It was shown four times in February, accompanying an ongoing revival of Yamato 2. Yamato III would follow in March.
Visit Star Channel’s Yamato page here
February 14: Blue Noah announcement
As it turns out, the 50th anniversary of Yamato is just one week off from the 45th anniversary of another Office Academy production, Space Carrier Blue Noah! Premiering in October 1979, it followed the adventures of a high-tech transforming submarine in a global battle against alien invasion (it ultimately gets rebuilt into a spaceship, hence the title). In the early 80s, a dubbed version made the rounds under the name Thundersub before vanishing into obscurity.
But no longer! On this day, the Star Channel satellite network announced that the series would join the Yamato lineup for its first revival in decades on March 25.
Read more about Blue Noah in Vintage Report 21 here
Watch the first episode on Youtube here
February 23-29: Namba Parks Cinema Film Festival
If you happened to be in or near Osaka during the last week of February, it would have been hard to keep yourself away from the Parks Cinema theater in Namba, where a host of classic anime movies was plugged into a can’t-miss marathon.
During this week you could not only see the 4K versions of Space Battleship Yamato and Farewell to Yamato (two screenings apiece), you could also witness Cowboy Bebop, the movie versions of Macross Plus and Macross Delta, and a little thing called Macross Do You Remember Love, all on the big screen. Not to mention the all new Gundam Seed Freedom.
Didn’t make it? You were missed.
May 23: TV announcement
50th anniversary plans were announced by Japan’s BS10 Star Channel, which would roll out the full catalog of movies for summer viewing through August. For the first time, the series would also include the ultra-rare Yamato 2 and Yamato III compilation films.
Read the official announcement here and see a 30-second TV commercial here
June 2: The New Voyage on BS10 Star Channel
The marathon continued when June kicked off with 1979’s The New Voyage (HD remastered version). Read our commentary on the film here.
June 9: Be Forever Yamato on BS10 Star Channel
One week after The New Voyage, Star Channel brought back Be Forever Yamato (HD remaster version). Read our commentary on the film here.
June 25: TV news
Star Channel’s broadcast dates for July were announced via a 30-second commercial for “Round 2.” See the “Round 2” commercial on Youtube here
July 14: Yamato Resurrection on BS10
Next up in the marathon was 2009’s Resurrection (original cut), broadcast on Star Channel BS10. Read all about the film here.
July 30: Yamato Resurrection Director’s Cut on BS10
The 2012 Resurrection Director’s Cut was shown on Star Channel BS10 to close out the summer marathon.
August 4: Yamato 2 Complete Edition on Star Channel
Next, Star Channel brought a piece of history out of the archives. The Yamato 2 Complete Edition is a condensed version of the 26-episode series that has an interesting history all its own. First broadcast on the 5th anniversary of Series 1 (October 6 1979), it was meant to help fans through the long wait between The New Voyage and Be Forever. The editing was supervised by writer Eiichi Yamamato and the length clocked in at 96 minutes. Though the story was unchanged, the music was reorganized to incorporate BGM tracks that had neither been heard in Yamato 2 nor released commercially until decades later in the Yamato Sound Almanac CD series.
Read about the making of the Complete Edition here
August 11: Yamato III compilation on Star Channel
BS10 brought summer to a close with another rare video artifact, a compilation TV special titled Yamato III: Destruction of the Solar System (named after Episode 1). The 93-minute program originally premiered on December 28, 1983. It came out on home video in 1985 and 1994, and was relegated to a DVD bonus feature after that. This was probably its first time back on the air since the original showing.
September 8: Odin on Star Channel BS10
After Star Channel pulled Blue Noah out of cold storage, it was no surprise that they finished the marathon with Yoshinobu Nishizaki’s 1985 SF feature film Odin: Photon Sailor Starlight.
If you’ve seen Odin, you already know that it’s…unforgettable. If it’s new to you, click here for a pair of overviews written to promote this broadcast.
See a 30-second Youtube promo for the Odin broadcast here
September 19: TV news
On this day, Star Channel announced a commemorative broadcast to mark the 50th anniversary (though, in deference to other events, it was scheduled for October 13). It would consist of two parts: the first free broadcast of the 1977 Yamato movie (4K remastered version) and a special program made with fan participation. An article on The Television read as follows:
The monumental sci-fi anime Space Battleship Yamato 4K remastered theatrical version broadcast for free for the first time on BSJapanext
BSJapanext currently broadcasts a variety of content including travel shows and dramas. The theatrical version of Space Battleship Yamato, a masterpiece that the Japanese anime world is proud of, will be broadcast in 4K remaster!
■ A timeless SF anime masterpiece with fans around the world, remastered in 4K with cutting-edge technology
■ Space Battleship Yamato Theatrical Version 4K Remaster Sunday, October 13th, 5:30pm-8:30pm
Space Battleship Yamato revolutionized the Japanese animation world with its romantic story of a journey to the far reaches of the galaxy to save the Earth. It offered intense human drama and SF-minded images such as warp navigation and the ultimate weapon “Wave-Motion Gun.”
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of its broadcast, BSJapanext will broadcast Space Battleship Yamato Theatrical Version 4K Remaster for free, and a special program will touch on the first live-action version of Space Battleship Yamato (2010). Director Takashi Yamazaki of will make a live appearance, and there will also be a simultaneous viewing project on the official app.
■ Brilliantly restored by elite staff
The original negative, which had been lost throughout history, was unearthed and restored. The data was recorded in 4K size, and any damage or scratches on the negative were thoroughly erased, re-emphasizing the fresh colors of the original Yamato.
■ Charming characters
The main character of this work is Susumu Kodai (voice: Kei Toyama), who boards the Yamato as a combat squad leader and accomplishes the great voyage to Iscandar, as well as Yuki Mori (Yoko Asagami), a crew member of Yamato who later marries Susumu, and Juzo Okita (Goro Naya), who served as the first captain of Yamato with an indomitable spirit.
Photos posted on Twitter by henkyousubcul and Tom 2199
October 6: 50th Anniversary screening event
Three of the most famous Yamato fans in Japan took the wheel for this special event, based at the Shinjuku Piccadilly in Tokyo and live-streamed to 42 other theaters. Together they presided over a special screening and sat down for an engaging conversation that led to what had to be the most unexpected – and appropriate – announcement of the day.
Since this event was planned and hosted by Studio Khara, you’ll find more info on the Studio Khara page of this lookback.
Photo posted on Twitter by TETSUO
October 13: 50th anniversary TV special
Star Channel’s anniversary special aired simultaneously on a handful of affiliates and ran for three hours. Live-action Yamato/Godzilla Minus One Director Takashi Yamazaki was one of the guests, and the subject was all things Yamato, including fan content curated from Twitter.
November 22: Yamato III on Star Channel
If you still hadn’t gotten enough Yamato on the day of REBEL 3199 Chapter 2’s premiere, there was one more option waiting for you: a revival of Yamato III, broadcast on Star Channel’s satellite network middays. Episodes were shown in batches: 1-6 on the 22nd, then two episodes on each weekday for the next two weeks (ending December 6).
December 29: Star Channel movie marathon begins
Star Channel BS10 restarted the clock once again with a Yamato movie marathon to flow into the new year. This time it began with the live-action movie on December 29 and would continue daily all the way through the Yamato Resurrection Director’s Cut on January 5.
See a TV commercial for the marathon here