SPECIAL PROJECT
Can you do it? Can you live the life of Susumu Kodai?
What were those tears you shed when you saw Space Battleship Yamato? It must have been because you were moved by the beautiful life of Susumu Kodai. But if you were Susumu Kodai, could you have done that?
Susumu Kodai’s empathetic sense of justice
A defense conference is being held. The Secretary of Defense, politicians, the Director General of the Science Bureau, and generals are seated at the main table. Space soldiers Kodai, Sanada, and Shima are also present as observers. Although the White Comet is approaching the solar system, the politicians have no sense of crisis. The data Kodai and his team submitted to the conference is said to be inconclusive. The government cannot act on that basis alone, they say.
Kodai stands up and addresses the politicians. “I ask you, does Earth not have a duty to protect the peace of the universe? If we, the people of Earth, truly want peace in the universe and coexistence among people, we must seriously analyze and clarify the contents of that message, and offer a helping hand wherever it may be, even to the end of the universe!”
Kodai clearly envisions Yamato‘s departure in his mind. He calls out to the other space soldiers, “We’re in a crisis, and if we sit back and do nothing, we’ll only cause more damage.” One after another, the soldiers gather and Yamato flies into space again.
This was the beginning of the film Farewell to Yamato. It is also a scene set by Susumu Kodai for the benefit of mankind.
There are several reasons behind Susumu Kodai’s decision. For one thing, as a soldier of the Earth Defense Headquarters, it would be natural for him to take a stand against danger. Secondly, he has his own sense of justice to fight evil.
“I don’t care what happens to me. We cannot allow evil to infest the world.”
However, Kodai’s sense of justice is much larger in scale. His goal in helping one individual is to save “all mankind” on Earth. It just so happens that Kodai’s “war business” includes the mission of defending Earth, so it is possible to save all mankind as long as he has this motivation.
It is almost impossible for you, a middle school student, to save all mankind on Earth even if you have the same “sense of justice” as Susumu Kodai, because you do not have his position or occupation. But that sense of justice can be utilized to save your “neighbors.”
For example…
A child gets stuck in a river right in front of you, and will drown. No one else is around. If you don’t jump into the river and save him, he will die. But you cannot swim. What would you do? Either watch or jump into the river. Here, “jump into the river” is the best course of action, which we have in common with Susumu Kodai’s “sense of justice.” Saving one child and saving all mankind are the same in the sense of “saving.”
Even if you break the rules…persistent beliefs
Yamato‘s first bridge: Kodai and the others have completed preparations for launch. At that moment, an emergency message comes from the command center, which has caught wind of their intentions.
“Leave the ship immediately! Your actions are treason against the Earth Federation Government. Failure to comply will result in your arrest!”
Kodai and his crew are prepared to face punishment. In the mind of Space Soldier Kodai, he must have known how great and unforgivable their actions against the orders of the state would be. But they cannot ignore the impending danger, even if they are called traitors. Kodai’s thinking is that if he can prevent the crisis, he is willing to be punished for it.
This may be a little different from Kodai’s thoughts, but the penal code recognizes “justifiable self-defense.” I killed my attacker to defend myself…if you would otherwise have been killed, self-defense is recognized and you are acquitted.
It is a given that the “social rule” stipulated by law must not be violated under any circumstances. However, there are some cases in which exceptions are permitted. As you may remember, the Japanese government’s action a few years ago in agreeing to hijackers’ demand to exchange passengers for criminals was an “extra-judicial act.” The people approved of the government’s action in breaking the law. It was called an “extrajudicial act” because hundreds of lives were at stake. The actions of Kodai et al. could be considered “extra-judicial acts” in this sense.
In today’s world, every little thing is subject to rules. However, the courage of Susumu Kodai tells us that sometimes rules must be broken.
Volunteer activities you can do
If you want to do something to help your community, service opportunities are available. Japan TV’s “Love Saves the Earth” charity is already closed. About 1.2 billion yen was raised. The “Red Feather Fund” has also ended, but NHK’s fundraising campaigns begin at the end of each year, such as the “Mutual Aid Campaign” and the “Social Pot.”
Newspapers have their own “welfare organizations” that usually accept donations. Blood donation is a well-known activity. There are also programs to donate eyes or hearts after one’s death. If you want to help the physically disabled, there are volunteer organizations throughout the world. If you want to help others, start with what you can do.
You also have “love for humanity”
Susumu Kodai is on board Yamato. He places Yuki Mori, who died in the battle, in the chair next to him before launching Yamato. From inside the lifeboat, Shima and Aihara look at Kodai with hands raised in salute. Tears well up in their eyes…
This is the last scene of the movie. You probably cried along with Shima and Aihara at this moving scene.
What were those “tears” that you shed? Perhaps it is better to ask, “Why did you cry?” You might say, “I can’t explain it in words.” Yes, indeed. Kodai’s action was not something that could be easily explained in words. His deep love for humanity, his compassion for his fellow space soldiers, and his sympathy for his girlfriend Yuki are just a few examples.
In her book For Whom I Love, author Ayako Sono defines “love” as “whether or not you are willing to die for that person. When a child is left alone in a burning house, most mothers, if they there is nothing to stop them, will jump into the fire. That is love…”
I believe that Susumu Kodai acted in accordance with Mr. Sono’s definition of love. As she says, Kodai died “for that person.” But that person is not Yuki Mori, it is “all mankind on Earth.”
Needless to say, Kodai loved not just one individual, but all mankind. Kodai died for the sake of all mankind. In exchange for his life, he prayed for the life of all mankind. It’s called self-sacrifice, but can you really live Kodai’s way of life? The tears you shed were probably in sympathy with Kodai’s self-sacrifice.
At the end of World War II, the Japanese military was being soundly defeated and sent Kamikaze pilots into action; young men who flew their fighter planes into enemy ships for the sake of Japan. They never came back. It is said that Kodai’s way of life is similar to the spirit of the Kamikaze pilots. While this may be true in some respects, it is not quite true in others.
The young men of the Kamikazes were ordered to die. Kodai, on the other hand, voluntarily plunged into what was about to happen to Earth. There is a big difference in meaning. For this reason, Kodai’s actions are heroic and moving to those who see them.
People all over the world think of others and love each other. If only a fraction of Susumu Kodai’s way of life could be imitated, we would all be able to live in harmony with each other. There would be no fights, conflicts, or wars on Earth.
“Humanity must not fight. We must love each other.” These words of Susumu Kodai in Yamato Part 1 are exactly the same, words he spoke to us “human beings.”
SPECIAL NOTE
It is you who will revive Yamato!
Yamato blew itself up in Farewell to Yamato, and Susumu Kodai died. However, there is a strong desire among the fans for a sequel. So we asked Producer Yoshinobu Nishizaki to talk about “Yamato from here on.”
Yamato is all finished!
First of all, I would like to make it clear that I do not intend to create Yamato Part III at this time. Contrary to my intention, I’ve heard that some Yamato fans are calling for a “Yamato Part III.” But at the moment, I would like to say that Space Battleship Yamato Part III will not be made. I have my own reasons for this.
I love Yamato and the character of Susumu Kodai. I think my attachment to Yamato is probably stronger than anyone else’s. You may ask, “Then why?” Because I think I’ve done everything with Part II.
The decision to make Part II was made in November of last year. There were only nine months until the August release date. If I wanted to make a good film, I had too little time. In fact, I didn’t really want to make it.
There were two reasons for my reluctance. One of them was the drama of Susumu Kodai’s growth as a human being, since Part 1 had already covered that. The other reason was that the important thing is not to fight, but to love.
Part II is about “Love” and “the end of Yamato“…
The reason I was so motivated to create this work is because one day, I suddenly had a strong desire to depict the end of Yamato. I thought of “love” as the theme. Love is mentioned at the end of Part 1, but only in a very abstract way. This story was created from the point of defining it. In other words, I thought that human beings should love, not fight. But that is an ideal. What must we humans do to realize that ideal? That became the focal point. It is, so to speak, a demonstration of love.
For example, are you willing to risk your life for the sake of the one you love? We must risk our lives to fight against those who would disturb love and peace. This is not an affirmation of war, but of our attitude in pursuit of love; love made tangible. This is the basic theme of Part II.
While depicting the way of life of the main character, Susumu Kodai, I wanted to depict his love for his lover and also his love for the people of Earth. In the last scene, Kodai says, “Listen everyone, Earth must survive. To do so, I will defeat that giant battleship. Yamato and I alone are enough for that.”
“You probably think I’m going to die. It is not so. I am also going to live. Life is not something so small that it ends after only a few decades. It is something that spreads throughout the universe and lasts forever. That’s the kind of life I am going to change myself into. This is not death.”
“But there must also be those who live in the real world and create warm-blooded happiness. Shima, you go back to Earth and live out your life in this world no matter what. Let the battle of Yamato live on forever, and work to build the wonderful Earth of tomorrow.”
To live is sometimes harder than to die. But as long as there is life, it is the way of man to live. Life and survival…
A heart swayed by the eagerness of fans…
I’m sure each of us has our own “evaluation” of the film’s quality. I think Kodai’s “demonstration of love” was meticulously portrayed. The reason I chose the title Farewell is because I really intend to make this the last Yamato film.
I’m happy to have been able to connect with hundreds of thousands of people across Japan through Yamato, and I will continue to cherish them. However, this connection does not necessarily have to be made through Yamato.
I’m very relieved to hear that Part II has been released to good reviews, and it’s hard to think about a Part III when I’m feeling relieved. However, the fact that demand for Part III is as strong as it was for Part II gives me complicated feelings.
Since “demonstration of love” is a recurring theme, a Part III may be possible. But I wouldn’t allow it to just be a repetition of Part I and Part II. However, if hundreds and hundreds of people still want Yamato Part III in years to come, my heart may be swayed, and I will be able to think about Yamato with a fresh mind. Then I may consider making Yamato Part III.