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.

Photos posted on Twitter by elfriede

September 4: 1/350 Diecast Gimmick Model, Vol. 271

Hachette started the month with the first of four new volumes for the UNCF patrol ship model. This time, parts were supplied for the port side gun deck stretching from the second turret all the way back to the intake near the bridge tower.

See Hachette’s instruction video here

See a modeler’s blog here

September 6: Return to Earth

According to Yamato canon, September 6 (2200) is the date Yamato returns from Iscandar. Or is it? Here’s a Tweet from Japanese fan Hazuki to give us some schooling on the matter:

Today is the return day of the TV version of Space Battleship Yamato. In the movie version, there is no attack by Emperor Dessler right in front of Earth, so the return occurs one day earlier. This is a subtle but detailed piece of work.

September 6: Studio Khara announcement

This special date did not escape the attention of Hideaki Anno’s Studio Khara. With one month to go until the 50th anniversary, they released the following news…

The first project to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the broadcast of Space Battleship Yamato!

A one-night special screening event planned and produced by Hideaki Anno will be held on Sunday, October 6th! The 50th anniversary logo of “Space Battleship Yamato” has also been unveiled!

A special project to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the TV broadcast of “Space Battleship Yamato” has been launched. Today, September 6th, is the special day when Space Battleship Yamato returned to Earth from the planet Iscandar. Here we deliver special information to coincide with this.

As the first project to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the broadcast, it has been decided to hold an anniversary day screening. And the 50th anniversary logo has finally been completed! This special commemorative logo was created by Hideaki Anno, who worked on the overall design and the handwritten lettering, and by Yutaka Izubuchi, who worked on the rocket anchor-style emblem and the number “50.”

Exactly 50 years after the TV broadcast began at 7:30 p.m. on October 6, 1974, the special one-night screening event will be held at Shinjuku Piccadilly on the same day and time in 2024. There will also be a special talk event! Hideaki Anno will act as the host, and the event will feature Yutaka Izubuchi, general director of Yamato 2199, and anime/tokusatsu researcher Ryusuke Hikawa. This event will also be broadcast live to movie theaters nationwide (further information will be announced soon).

Photo at right posted on Twitter by imakenken1

September 7: Kansai Character Modeler Festival

The first of two September hobby events took place today in Osaka. There wasn’t much of a Yamato presence (apparently just the kits shown above), but Osaka is a hotbed of fan activity, so there was plenty more to entertain the eyeballs.

Click here for the Twitter page | Click here for a video report | Click here for a photo collection

September 8: Odin on Star Channel BS10

Star Channel spent the entire summer taking us through the Yamato catalog and even pulled Blue Noah out of cold storage, so it should come as no surprise that they finished the run 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 10: SF Anime and War

Today, Tatsumi Publishing added a new textbook to the ever-growing library of Yamato and SF analysis. Its author, Sugio Takahashi, brings a whole new pedigree to the table.

Front cover text:

A unique interpretation of the view of war depicted in many SF anime works from the perspective of international politics!

In light of past and ongoing wars, this book explains the concepts, worldviews, aspects of war, and weapons that appear in each work. It also touches on the depths and messages of these works, and will give you an opportunity to think about the future and “war” once again.

Back cover text:

Through a number of masterpieces of SF anime, a super specialist in security talks about “war” and “international politics,” sometimes coldly, sometimes passionately, and hopes to gain insight into the future of humanity.

Read a book report (including an author commentary) here

Photos posted on Twitter by elfriede

September 11: 1/350 Diecast Gimmick Model, Vol. 272

The second volume for September was the flipside of the first one, delivering the same hull piece and intake for the starboard side of the gun deck.

See Hachette’s instruction video here

See a modeler’s blog here

September 13: Shochu wine announced

Want to toast the 50th anniversary properly? A shochu wine distillery called Oshika Shuza (based in Kagoshima Prefecture) will have you covered with a limited edition set of Yamato bottles. The company’s description is as follows:

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the anime version of Space Battleship Yamato, we will be releasing the Yamato 50th Anniversary Commemorative Box. We have designed the box and label with scenes and lines from Yamato, which is still loved by many fans, to create a product that commemorates the milestone 50th anniversary.

The shochu used in this product is made from “long-aged” sweet potato shochu raw liquor that has been filtered less than regular products to create a rich, mellow taste, so you can enjoy it in a variety of ways.

The deadline to preorder a case of six bottles, each with its own label, is October 15. The cases will begin to ship on December 5 (to Japanese stores only).

See the product website here

September 14 & 15: Yokohama Modeler’s Club Exhibition

The second hobby event for September, which took place one week after the first, brought a legion of Yamato modelers together for one of the largest single displays of fan-built kits seen in a very long time.

We glimpse their work month after month in the fan model photo galleries, but it’s not until you get a look at them all in one place that the sheer volume of their work becomes apparent. Fortunately, an army of photographers showed up to make that possible for all of us.

See a collected photo gallery of the display here

See the event’s Twitter page here

Find another photo collection here

See a video report here: Part 1 | Part 2

September 15: Kansai University Symphonic Band Concert

Composer/conductor Akira Miyagawa continued to be the busiest of musical bees when he turned up at the 70th anniversary concert for Kansai University (in Osaka) and ran them through their paces. The set list included his best-known pieces and his father Hiroshi’s 4-part Yamato Suite.

After this, Akira presumably went into boot camp mode for his next project on October 6, a 50th anniversary concert that presented Symphonic Suite Yamato from start to finish. Keep reading for more news about that.

September 17: Hobby Japan Web

Back in the model kit world, Hobby Japan Web published a photo feature of a customized supply carrier Asuka (built from the latest DX kit from Bandai) with built-in lights and motors.

See the article here

Photo above left posted on Twitter by elfriede

September 18: 1/350 Diecast Gimmick Model, Vol. 273

With the patrol ship’s gun deck now fully assembled, it came time to do the unsexy but necessary work of installing the internal electronics to provide lighting to the guns and superstructure.

See Hachette’s instruction video here

September 19: TV news

Star Channel strikes again! On this day, they 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.

September 20: REBEL 3199 Chapter 2 promotion

You may have noticed that there’s not much 3199 news in this 3199 report, but what we got in September counted for a lot. First, a new flyer showed up in theaters to display the main visual for Chapter 2. The text on the front reads:

We won’t let them take it. Never.

The Dezarium invaders tell us the cruel truth. Turning its back on the changing Earth, Yamato now heads into the unknown universe.

See the image without text at the end of this page.

The back of the flyer offered an overview of Chapter 2, which also appeared at the official site (along with a new home page) and read as follows:

Finally, Dezarium’s gigantic mobile fortress, Grand Reverse, landed on the coast of the new capital.

After conquering Earth, Dezarium’s Holy President Skaldart explains the 1,000-year history of the planet to the people, saying, “We are you.” They are searching for the “fragments of Iscandar” to change the future of Earth, which is heading toward destruction.

Surprisingly, they are not the “enemy”!!

Meanwhile, the crew of the old Yamato fleet reaches the Icarus Observatory, where the new Space Battleship Yamato is waiting. However, Susumu Kodai, who lost Yuki Mori, is so devastated that he is not in a position to command. He has no idea that his beloved Yuki is being cared for by Major Alphon of Dezarium…

Who really is Dezarium? What is their true purpose?

Yamato is about to depart in search of answers to all the mysteries!!

Simultaneously, a new wave of advance ticket vouchers for Chapter 2 went on sale (two styles) with a poster displaying the same image as the flyer.

But the best part of this wave was a brand new minute-long trailer that picked up where the last one left off!

See it on Youtube here and learn more about it in our breakdown here.

September 20: Studio Khara announcement

The next big news flash for September 20 was a followup from Studio Khara to clue everyone in on the plan for October 6. First, the anniversary screening got its very own poster design, created by Hideaki Anno. Next, this description was posted on the Khara website:

Space Battleship Yamato: The long-lost 8mm film version will be shown in theaters for the first time

Screening event to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the broadcast, planned and produced by Hideaki Anno

Published at Mantan Web on September 20. See the original article here.

Exactly 50 years after the TV broadcast began at 7:30 pm on October 6, 1974, a one-night-only screening event will be held at Shinjuku Piccadilly (Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo) on the same day and at the same time in 2024. It is planned and produced by Director Hideaki Anno, known for the Evangelion series, among others. This is the first event in the project to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the broadcast of the popular anime Space Battleship Yamato.

The first episode of the TV series will be screened, along with different versions of the opening title including one without captions and another described as the “phantom 5th version.” A special talk event will be held, with Anno as the host. Joining him will be Yamato 2199 Director Yutaka Izubuchi and anime and tokusatsu researcher Ryusuke Hikawa. The event will be viewed live at cinemas nationwide.

It has been revealed that all three parts of the legendary 8mm film version of Space Battleship Yamato will also be shown. This is a re-edited version of the 26 episodes of the TV series. The 8mm film version, with 3 volumes totaling about 36 minutes of footage, was released in 1977-78. At the time, video tape recorders had just started to be sold, and 8mm film was released in which movies were edited into short versions or recorded in several volumes. Unlike the edit of the 1977 Yamato movie, it uses new narration, making it a “hidden gem.” It will be shown in theaters for the first time.

Comment by Hideaki Anno

Japanese “anime” began 50 years ago on October 6, 1974. The appearance of the TV series Space Battleship Yamato, produced half a century ago, shocked us at the time. It later created and established the word “anime,” influencing and changing the flow of Japanese anime and the values of the world. I hope that this screening event will leave a lasting impression of the greatness and fun of Yamato in the hearts of people living in the present 50 years later. I hope that this event will be a success. To all fans, past and future, I ask for your support.

– Hideaki Anno, fan of Yamato for 50 years since junior high

Comment by Ryusuke Hikawa

When I first encountered Space Battleship Yamato 50 years ago, I felt as if a veil was lifted from my eyes. “TV manga” was reborn as “anime” and was no longer aimed at children. It was as if Space Battleship Yamato had appeared from the rusted battleship Yamato and set off on a journey…

The second shock came when I immediately tracked down the production studio, talked to the creators, and witnessed the original drawings and concept materials in their raw form. During my second year of high school, I felt deeply that “there is a reason why great works become great.”

As I shared that excitement with others and transformed it into action to spread it farther, it felt like 50 years passed in the blink of an eye as I resonated with the enthusiasm of the people I met through Yamato. I hope that even greater leaps will come from here.

Comment by Yutaka Izubuchi

This is a singularity of the era, a work that became a paradigm shift in the history of Japanese anime. Space Battleship Yamato evolved Japanese animation into what it is today. At this time, Japanese anime certainly, definitely changed before and after Yamato.

It was 1974, 50 years ago, when Space Battleship Yamato was born. People born in that year are now 50 years old! And 50 years is half a century! It’s amazing! With this work, we can celebrate the 50th anniversary of the show with the people whose lives were enriched in a good way, and I would like to express my gratitude for this moment. “Yamato, launch!”

Fans were overjoyed at the prospect of getting to see the long-lost 8mm version of Yamato on the big screen. Released in November 1977, they have a special place in history as the first on-demand version anyone could get. It consisted of three reels sold separately by Asahi Sonorama, each running 10-12 minutes with newly-written narration and re-edited music.

Longtime fan Popoki Cat posted the photos at right on Twitter with this message:

The elusive 8mm film for Yamato‘s 50th anniversary event! I never thought I’d be able to watch this movie I have at home for the first time in decades! And not on a sliding screen, but on the big screen in a theater! Thank you!

Yamato Music FE added this backgrounder:

The 8mm film version was a three-volume set released at the end of 1977, re-edited based on all 26 episodes. While the new narration tends to get the most attention, the music was also newly edited, and in fact has a piece only used in this work for the first time!

The price for one volume was about 12,000 yen. It would easily cost 30,000 yen to collect all the volumes, and you also needed a projector, so just watching the movies was a considerable hurdle. However, this was the only video media available for sale at the time.

September 20: Novel news

Yet another hot news item for this day was the official announcement for the next installment of the ORIGINAL Yamato saga. In 2021, we got the first novelization in the “Dawn Chapter” trilogy, titled Aquarius Algorithm. The second volume, titled Malignant Memory, is scheduled for publishing by Kadokawa on November 1. Set between Final Yamato and Resurrection, the story was conceived by a consortium of Yamato experts called “Asteroid 6” and this volume is written by author Tatsuyuki Hanawa with illustrations and cover art by fan artist “Umegrafix.”

See a 30-second video promo for the book here

See a 15-minute explainer here

Preorder it from Amazon.co.jp here

A 20-minute video interview was conducted with Hideki Oka, scriptwriter for REBEL 3199 and charter member of “Asteroid 6.” Watch it on Youtube here with captions and auto-translate to get the gist of the conversation. Among other things, he teases the appearance of the experimental Wave-Motion ship Musashi, the Bolar Empire, and Dessler.

September 20: Yamato 2202 Super Wave Pachinko promotion

It’s been a while since a pachinko game entry has appeared in these reports, but Yamato‘s pachinko game presence has continued steadily throughout the remake years. The next game to join the lineup, titled Yamato 2202 Super Wave, was rolled out on October 7. It got its promotional push today when the Fields company released a 2-minute video that will ASSAULT you from start to finish.

See the teaser trailer (from August) here

See it the full trailer here

September 22: Space news

It doesn’t happen often, but every time it does we charge all the way up to 120%. Space Battleship Yamato has had an influence on real things actually happening in space exploration, and thanks to an ongoing NHK series titled Project X ~ Challengers we learned of a Yamato connection to the real-life Hayabusa asteroid sample return mission operated by JAXA from 2003-2010.

Want to know more? Click here for the full story.

September 22: Music news

After REBEL 3199 Chapter 1 reused a song from 1980 as the end theme, you might have wondered if that would set a pattern. But nope, the end theme for chapter 2 is written and performed by none other than Daisuke Ono, the voice of Kodai. His comment on it was published at the official website:

The lyrics this time include “reach for the stars,” which has come to mean “to have high hopes” or “to make something that seems impossible come true.” Even though we know it will not come true, we still wish upon the stars. We cannot go back to the past. That is why we live in the present and move forward into the future. I put that message into the lyrics.

The journey never ends, forever. I hope that with this song I can pass on the passion that the Yamato crew has shared up to this point to the next generation.

September 22: Fan film news

As it turns out, Hideaki Anno is not the only member of the Anno family who carries a Yamato torch; the same can be said of his wife Kunihiro, who posts on Twitter under the name kuniQ216. For a while now, “KuniQ” has been working on her own CG Yamato model, and she finally revealed her goal on this day.

Her fan film is titled Yamato 2199 Chapter 7.5, Journey’s End. She describes it thusly:

I’m working hard on making videos for Yamato‘s 50th anniversary. There are no battles, it’s a short drama, the visual quality is pretty much what you’d expect, and the script is a first-time original, so please lower your expectations. I’d like to have it out by mid-October.

Naturally, we’ll keep this on the radar.

Photos posted on Twitter by elfriede

September 25: 1/350 Diecast Gimmick Model, Vol. 274

Hachette’s last volume for September moved down beneath the ship for more electronics installation. Specifically, a lighting distribution box was attached to the inside of the large ventral intake. These lights will supply numerous fiber optics throughout the hull.

This volume brought builders to the halfway point with 25 more to go. If Hachette has another model planned after this one, we should start hearing about it in early 2025.

See Hachette’s instruction video here

See a modeler’s blog here

September 26: Studio Khara goods announced

Since no Yamato theater experience is complete without some swag, Studio Khara announced a handful of items to be sold in theaters for the one-night-only 50th anniversary screening. They consist of a clear acrylic stand (featuring the poster art), an acrylic keyholder, a clear file, a button, and a coffee mug. A diecut sticker of the logo would be given out for free to ticket holders at the screening on October 6.

Photos posted on Twitter by aoi2199 and warp2220

September 29: Fan party

Are fans holding their own anniversary events? You bet they are. A few of those whose names we see in these reports gathered on the 29th at a karaoke venue in Ueno (Tokyo) for a pre-event they called the “One week until the 50th Anniversary” party that included a custom poster (illustrated by fan artist DARTS) and Yamato cake.

And, of course, karaoke. Wonder what they sang together…

September 29: Political news

Don’t worry, it’s still the policy of this website to keep a thick wall between Space Battleship Yamato and the daily mudfights. But when Japanese politics step over that wall, it’s usually worth a moment of our time. Japan got itself a new prime minister in September named Shigeru Ishiba. He’s a self-professed Yamato fan and claims to have seen Farewell over a hundred times.

Does this sound like someone worth getting to know? If so, click here. (You won’t regret it.)

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