From the Star Blazers/Yamato Premium Fan Club magazine, Vol. 15
The story of Yamato will be passed on to the next generation
Star Blazers Lambda finally reached its conclusion in August 2022. Through this work, which is a completely different story from the remake series, many readers may have discovered new charm of Yamato. We interviewed the author, Ryuko Azuma, before the release of the latest book. We asked him about his current state of mind as he marks a new page in Yamato‘s history. We also asked him about his thoughts on Yamato, which he realized through the writing of Lambda.
What kind of universe did Yu want to nurture from the author’s hand?
Interviewer: Thank you very much for your hard work in writing this series for almost two years. Were there any particular challenges in creating the story?
Azuma: The most difficult part was the scene where Laine dies and Yu returns to Earth. It was the “depressing part” of the story. The atmosphere was heavy, the relationship between Topness and the others changed, and it was hard to make a funny scene after everything that had accumulated. From that point on, I wondered, “Will the readers still follow me?” It was also difficult to solve the mysteries that were scattered throughout the first three volumes. I was worried about whether I would be able to finish so as not to leave anything out. But I think I did a good job.
Interviewer: Contrary to the parts that aligned with your assumptions, did the story expand in any way that you didn’t anticipate?
Azuma: What was unexpected wasn’t so much the story as the characters’ behavior. In my case, I draw a scene after I write the script. I don’t know how the character will behave until I actually draw the scene. For example, the scene where Yu returns to Earth and says to his grandfather, “It would have been better if I died!” his grandfather admonishes him. He started to speak on his own (in a way different from my intention).
Interviewer: I think Yu was able to go up into space again because of his grandfather’s words.
Azuma: Yes, that’s right. At the time of writing the script, I had only a vague idea that Yu would be a bit whiney and then go back up into space. That’s all I was thinking. But when I started to draw it, I thought, “this is different.” It was more natural. I felt it would be better if the reader could be convinced that Yu would go up to space again. Grandpa did a great job.
Interviewer: I feel like the characters came to life in a good way.
Azuma: At first, Yu’s grandfather was not going to be deeply involved, but he ended up playing an important role. It reminded me once again how interesting it is to draw a story.
Interviewer: In the last part of the story, a Sanskrit character that can be read as “Yu” emerges. It means “Maitreya Bodhisattva (future savior, salvation in the next life)” in the new world. That world where Yu and the other Topnesses live. Was it the new universe Yu wanted?
Azuma: It’s exactly the universe Yu wanted. The story is about “paying a price” for a new universe where Yu is not the only survivor. Without the Seireness crisis, they get the lives they would had lived. Yu’s wish was to regenerate the Topnesses’ lives by regenerating the universe. That’s why Yu remained in the “Cocoon of Intelligence,” even at the cost of his own life. I believe that Yu wanted to change the future to one his friends were supposed to live in, even if it meant sacrificing himself.
Extra episodes that came out of the editor’s plan
Interviewer: During the serialization, I heard that you added an episode that was not in your original plan.
Azuma: The Mifune episodes, 9 and 10. At the time, the editor in charge said, “I’d like to include a story about becoming a bridge here.” We talked about it. The intention was that Lambda shouldn’t be a story about only Topness saving mankind, but also about defeating Seireness from a different perspective. So we said, “Well, Mifune…” (Laughs). From there, I thought about how to have Mifune and Seireness fight and I came up with the “poison gas ship.” I set it up so it would be like, “Mifune, you’re all we’ve got here.”
Interviewer: The Mifune episode is certainly an interval in terms of the story, and while the depiction is exciting, the tense development was fascinating. I really felt that you were having fun drawing it.
Azuma: It was certainly a very enjoyable episode to draw. Of course, every episode was drawn with a sense of tension. But I may have paid special attention to the Mifune episode. It was an unexpected twist for me as an author. It felt a little sad, so I’m glad I was able to draw it.
Interviewer: When I read the story again in book form, I was surprised to see how the characters’ expressions become richer as the story progresses.
Azuma: Looking back on it myself, I can feel that all the characters have changed. The “what the character will be like” setting is still relatively unchanged, but as I actually drew the characters, I felt that they became more and more human. In the beginning, there are a lot of things that depict the character’s personality and backbone. Each member of Topness has a past, a family, and various conflicts. After conveying this to the audience, the idea was to start the “mystery part” of the story from Volume 3 onward.
Interviewer: I think one of the fun things about Lambda is that as you read it, the characters’ expressions soften and their hidden faces start to show through vividly.
Azuma: I’m very happy to hear you say so.
A new story about the “Cocoon of Intelligence” is also in the works
Interviewer: I heard that you had Junichiro Tamamori create CG images for drawing reference. Did you have any difficulties in depicting the mecha, which is a symbol of the story of Yamato?
Azuma: The CG models Mr. Tamamori created for me were very close to a mockup, so to speak. I placed it on the screen and added details and perspective while referring to the blueprints. I remember that it was difficult at first because I wasn’t accustomed to this method. Another thing was the depiction of the Wave-Motion Gun. I was going through a lot of trial and error until the very end, trying to figure out how to make the battleship and the surrounding objects look cooler.
Interviewer: Among all the efforts, you yourself said, “This is the best work I’ve ever done.” What mecha scene left an impression on you?
Azuma: The scene where the Mark 6 is lying like a shipwreck in the “Cocoon of Intelligence.” It was difficult to draw, but I think it turned out very well. I wanted to express, without words, that even if the universe cycles many times, human beings are defeated. This may deviate from the purpose of the mecha depiction, but I like that scene when I look back on it.
Interviewer: Do you have any ideas for the next story that will be connected to the world of Lambda?
Azuma: If a new “Cocoon of Intelligence” is to be created after this one, it will have to be a story in which mankind (Yamato) becomes the “Cocoon of Intelligence.” There may be a reason someone has to go and meet Yu. Someone with the idea of “taking over Nirvana’s will and remaking the universe to nothing” may emerge. That might be a reason. With that kind of feeling, a story that grows out of Lambda may turn out to be rather esoteric. I don’t have a clear idea at the moment, but I’m sure I’ll be able to come up with something someday, even if it takes time.
“Space Battleship” is the power to confront aliens
Interviewer: You have now completed Lambda as official content. Please tell us your honest impression of your involvement in the great history of Yamato.
Azuma: To be honest, I was not that enthusiastic when the project started. Perhaps it was because I had the impression that it was an anime work from a generation ago. But as things progressed, I came into contact with the world of Yamato and the passion of its fans, and it felt like the pressure gradually increased. (Laughs) However, thanks to all the Yamato fans who warmly watched over this work, I was able to complete it, and I’m very grateful to them.
Interviewer: I think this work is a response to the passion of fans who want to pass on the world of Yamato to the next generation.
Azuma: Thank you very much. I think it is no exaggeration to say that the culture of SF anime in Japan started with Yamato. So, through Lambda, I’d like to shed light on the world of Yamato from a different angle, to convey the appeal to a new generation. In fact, there’s something that I felt again through writing this. If the human race were to be attacked by aliens like Seireness in the future, I think we’ll have to confront them with space battleships.
Interviewer: What’s the rationale for thinking humans would fight against aliens with space battleships?
Azuma: I thought it would give more reality to the story, and I thought I could depict human drama. I read a Chinese SF novel, Three Bodies (written by Liu Jixin, published by Hayakawa Shobo) and thought, “There’s going to be a space battleship!” I thought using a military-style space battleship would be the most realistic scenario for fighting aliens. Depending on the situation, a long voyage may be necessary, and even if forces are deployed in various places, it’s more rational to use battleships rather than fighter planes or robots. Yamato realized this almost half a century ago, which makes me think, “amazing!”
The “meme” of Yamato that I want to pass on to the next generation
Interviewer: Last question. What does Space Battleship Yamato mean to you now that you have completed Lambda?
Azuma: It is the “grandfather” of memes. If the “parent” of memes is Evangelion or FLCL, then the staff who created them was influenced by Yamato. I’m not from the generation that was directly targeted, but the memes that started with Yamato are flowing through me as well. Through my work on Lambda, I’m connecting with new memes, and the readers connect with them next. It would be great if we can all connect to new memes.
Interviewer: Lastly, please give a message to the fans who have supported Lambda so far.
Azuma: It is because of the support of our readers that I was able to complete the two and a half years of serialization. I really appreciate it. If you have a chance, please give me your support for my next work as well.