July 1 (See original post here)
Introduction
I want to see Space Battleship Yamato!
I can’t remember why I suddenly thought that. I’ve never actually watched Yamato properly. I’ve never seen the old TV series, and the only thing I’ve seen from the old movie versions is Be Forever Yamato that was shown on TV. I actually watched a bit of the remake version, 2202, when it was broadcast on TV, but I started watching halfway through, so I didn’t really understand it. I’ve always wanted to watch it properly someday.
So, I looked for Yamato, but neither Amazon Prime nor DMM TV, which I subscribe to, had the old TV version available for free streaming. Well, it can’t be helped, it’s an old work, so I decided to start watching the remake version, 2199, for now.
Impressions
Yamato 2199 was a very passionate, fun, and energetic work. The human drama is quite complex and captivating, and above all, the battleship Yamato is cool. I was quite surprised at how exciting the fleet battles against countless enemy ships were.
Probably because it was remade as Yamato 2199, there are many parts that feel like they have been modified to suit modern tastes, such as the addition of female characters and the addition of a wave barrier to Yamato, but I found that to be enjoyable. Every time a battle began and the familiar Yamato theme song started playing, I felt a rush of excitement.
I enjoyed the new cast without feeling any sense of incongruity. Daisuke Ono’s Kodai and Yamachan’s Dessler were both very cool and human, and I fell in love with them. Akio Ōtsuka as Domel was, of course, also very cool. Garmillas was portrayed as not just evil aliens, but as attractive enemies with a sense of aesthetics. Also, Domel’s predecessor, Gehl, is a hopelessly petty villain, but I like him because he is so human (laughs).
A few questions
There are a few points that left me wondering, such as the sudden obsession Dessler seems to have for Yamato toward the end.
In the early stages, Dessler seemed to have completely forgotten about Yamato, leaving it to his subordinates, and in the middle stages, he disappeared from the screen while dealing with the rebellion. Finally, in the latter stages, Dessler and Yamato faced off, but even so, it seemed sudden that Dessler felt a sense of destiny toward Yamato. This is where I felt a sense of suddenness. Perhaps this is due to changes from the original TV series.
In this work, I imagine that the human drama aspects, such as the ensemble drama within Yamato, the internal conflict, and the internal strife within Garmillas, were given ample screen time, and each battle scene was depicted on a large scale. As a result, the “accumulated fate-driven drama between Yamato and Dessler” may have felt a bit underwhelming.
I would like to compare this with the original Yamato to confirm my thoughts. And so, having finished watching 2199, I dove right into watching the original TV series. I’m going to watch the entire original series!
SERIES 1
July 1 (See original post here)
The beginning of a legend, the original TV series Space Battleship Yamato!
Intro
I want to watch Space Battleship Yamato!
After watching the remake version 2199, which was available for free streaming, I jumped right into the original TV series, which had just started streaming for free on Amazon Prime, and I was surprised that the Gamilas aliens’ skin isn’t blue. Do they turn blue later on?
In the old TV version of Yamato, Analyzer keeps making sexual advances toward Mori Yuki, which is hilarious. That’s the era, huh? This isn’t 2199, is it? Instead, the women’s uniforms are pretty wild!
Episode 6
Analyzer, you’re really strong! You threw a tank! This was quite unexpected. Analyzer wasn’t just a mascot!
Episode 7
The depiction of the waves after Yamato falls into Pluto is amazing. The artwork that shows the enormity of Yamato‘s giant ship is also wonderful. The animation in TV anime from this era is really impressive when they put their minds to it.
I wonder how many bottles of sake Mr. Sado brought onto Yamato? There’s even a theory that they’re making it onboard.
The depiction of the mob being sucked into space every time the 2199 Yamato takes damage, as if their lives were worthless, was based on the old TV version, but it turns out it’s unique to 2199.
Episode 10
Yuki’s parents brought up the idea of an arranged marriage, but it’s adorable how she’s shocked by the blank communication screen for Kodai, and suddenly becomes closer to him.
However, since I watched 2199 first, I thought Yuki was being cold toward Kodai at first, but in the old TV version, she wasn’t like that at all. From the beginning, Yuki seemed to have a fairly high opinion of Kodai. I like the 2199 route, but this cute Yuki is also good.
Episode 11
The Gamilas aliens’ skin finally turns blue. As Dessler, the supreme commander, walks past his ministers, the lighting changes midway, and it seems like there’s a half-hearted explanation that the blue skin was just due to the lighting.
The pun-loving old man scene with Dessler is here! This is definitely the fault of the pun-loving old man who can’t read the room, lol.
I wonder how this pun-loving old man managed to rise to such a high position, it’s puzzling, lol.
Episode 15
In the old TV version of Yamato, General Domel is a bit of a jerk compared to 2199. Even if his taste is bad, destroying his predecessor’s furniture with a whip is cruel.
Episode 16
Yuki almost dies from the Analyzer’s sexual harassment. It’s not so much sexual harassment as Analyzer’s shocking statement, “Let’s get married.” Calling it sexual harassment makes Analyzer seem a little pitiful, lol. And Yuki, who almost crashes from the shock, is pretty funny too, lol.
This is Analyzer’s big moment. His speech in prison was amazing. Even robots have lives! They’re alive! The old Yamato series is great for these long monologues!
The conclusion that Yuki’s love for the robot wasn’t unrequited because he was a robot, but because Kodai was there, is wonderful.
Episode 17
Okita’s determination to keep his captain’s hat on even while sick in bed. Hey, they started the surgery with his hat still on!
Episode 18
Oh no, a reconnaissance plane! The face of the pilot inside the torn-apart reconnaissance plane was shown for a moment. This might have been traumatic for kids back then.
Sanada’s moment is also intense! His passionate speech, “Humans will not be killed by science! Humans will defeat science!” was wonderful.
Episode 20
The battle of Balan. General Domel tries to destroy Yamato by using an artificial sun to destroy the base. Deputy Commander Gehl sabotages the plan by informing the Supreme Commander. Supreme Commander Dessler interferes during the operation and ends up ruining everything. Each character is well-defined, and the human dynamics of the Gamilas are interesting.
Personally, I like Gehl, who is a minor character but very human. I couldn’t hate Gehl even in 2199.
I feel like the old TV version gives a better sense of the size of the spaceships. It’s not just the exaggerated perspective, but the overall slow movement and sluggishness that make them feel bigger.
Episode 22
The drill missile is way too powerful! Yamato isn’t completely destroyed, but there’s something about it that’s irresistible. The detailed damage depictions are amazing.
Episode 23
Yamato, which was so badly damaged, was completely repaired by the next week. The factory team led by Mr. Sanada is excellent. Well, I guess quite a few days have passed since then. The automatic machine that completed the airplane in no time at the beginning of the series is effective. I guess the damage to Yamato itself can be repaired in a few days in the same way.
As for where they got the materials, I guess that’s explained in an episode where they took a detour to collect resources.
Dessler himself presents his plan to the entire army. He’s taking charge without appointing anyone else. If he fails, he’ll lose his authority, but he must be absolutely confident.
Yamato, why does your third bridge always get destroyed so quickly?
Episode 24
The decisive battle at the capital of Gamilas concludes! Wow, the conclusion in the original TV series was also amazing! Actually, the plot development in 2199 is completely different, which surprised me.
After the battle, seeing Yamato covered in corpses and Gamilas turned into a dead world, Kodai’s grief and wailing were heartbreaking. It was wonderful. In 2199, with its different resolution, this scene was omitted. Kodai mourns the great destruction they have caused.
Meanwhile, in 2199, Yamato fires its Wave-Motion Gun to protect the people of Garmillas. I love both of them.
Episode 25
Wow, the third bridge and main gun turrets have all been repaired between Gamilas and Iscandar. Yamato is amazing. However, once they arrive at Gamilas, the plot diverges significantly from 2199, making it quite enjoyable. I never expected the outcomes of people’s lives to differ so drastically.
The biggest surprise was that Mamoru Kodai, who had already died in 2199, was still alive. They went ahead and made such a bold change. Mamoru Kodai, you’re a real man!
Episode 26 (Final Episode)
Kodai’s monologue while holding Yuki in his arms is the best. Come to think of it, Analyzer was the same. Sanada was the same. Yamato‘s passionate narration is really good. If this were done in a modern work, it might sound corny, but I’m in love with the beauty that comes from this era.
The famous line from Captain Okita is so powerful when you watch the entire series, but the silence of Dr. Sado as he leaves without saying a word just before that is also wonderful. The pain of choosing silence because you can’t say anything.
Dessler destroys himself with a reflex attack! At that moment, I thought, “Sanada, that’s cheating! That’s too much!” However, Dessler had more screen time than in 2199, actively fighting Yamato from the beginning, and his all-out effort at the end was very satisfying and made him a very appealing final boss. He is truly a memorable rival. I had a feeling that the parts around Dessler had been changed in the remake, and it turns out I was right. I’m glad I took the time to watch the original to confirm.
The 2199 version has more main characters on Yamato, which makes it more like an ensemble drama, but that means there are fewer battles with the Garmillas and fewer close calls in the bizarre situations in space, so I think the original TV version wins in that regard.
Yamato was so interesting. I think I’ll watch the second one too.
Farewell to Yamato, Soldiers of Love
July 2 (See original post here)
Impressions
Amazing recovery! It seems to be set one year after the battle with the Gamilas, but Earth has completely recovered in just one year! The once barren sea is now beautiful and vast, as if nothing had ever happened, and the city is filled with magnificent skyscrapers, suggesting that people’s lives have returned to normal and prosperity has been restored. It’s amazing that the restoration and reconstruction era is already complete and they’ve even built a new battleship.
I imagine that the high-speed automated factories that were probably used in Yamato are now operating all over the world. In a world where things can be made automatically at such speeds, buildings and anything else can be constructed in no time. Wow, the technology of the future is incredible.
This rapid transformation is difficult for modern Japanese people, who have experienced the slow pace of recovery and restoration after disasters such as earthquakes, to imagine. But I think that for the generation of Yamato creators who experienced the tremendous energy of post-war Japan, this may feel more realistic. That generation rebuilt Japan from the ashes with tremendous energy.
The Yamato launch scene! I felt a strong attention to detail in the water effects in the TV version, but the movie version is on a whole different level! The overwhelming power! It’s thrilling! Just watching the Yamato launch scene was quite satisfying (laughs).
Yamamoto! Hey, that’s Yamamoto from the Yamato Air Corps. Is that Yamamoto, one of the heroines in 2199? So the character in 2199 isn’t completely original, but was originally a male character who was changed to a female. 2199 really is doing something bold. There must have been criticism, but it’s an interesting challenge.
Bad news! Yuki doesn’t take her clothes off in the movie version!
The Comet Empire’s battleship design is really cool. It’s so awesome!
Multi-warhead cannons are so cool! They have tremendous destructive power! It reminds me of Crusher Joe‘s plasma bullets. Actually, this came first in terms of expression, though.
Dessler appears! But is that really okay for you? Are you the kind of man who would serve under someone else?
“Board Yamato!” I wondered when they would say this famous line, since they didn’t say it in the TV version. I think it first appeared in Farewell. It’s Dessler, after all. The moment Dessler appeared, the drama suddenly became much more interesting.
The robot soldier idea from Dessler’s ship was imported into 2199. In 2199, the Garmillas were still completely unknown when the robot soldiers first appeared, and then it was revealed that they were actually humans, which was a surprise. And finally, the fact that they had studied the robot soldiers became the key to a major reversal. I think this idea was very good.
Andromeda! Heroism and defeat! Dispersion Wave-Motion Gun?! What kind of destructive power is that?!
Gatlantis is strong! The Earth fleet, which managed to wipe out the Gatlantis fleet, is in turn wiped out in a spectacular seesaw battle. The Earth fleet and Andromeda suffer a crushing defeat. I should be disappointed, but for some reason, I feel a little relieved (laughs). It’s like watching a cocky, slightly arrogant, overly talented newcomer fail miserably, and feeling like a senior who has seen it all before.
With all the buildup, it’s as if Yamato is stronger after all! Andromeda is nothing! That feeling is perfectly captured. It’s a bit of a harsh story (laughs).
A torrential annihilation! A torrential scattering of flowers! Crew members scatter one after another! Yamato, are you going to be completely destroyed?
Kodai, a passionate speech as captain! Just like in the TV version, I truly believe that these soulful speeches are what make Yamato so exciting.
However, Emperor Zordar, who has been waiting all this time, is also a good guy. He’s like a villain who watches over the hero as he transforms.
The phantom conclusion! A Kodai narration following a torrential collapse that burned everything to the ground. This is what men’s romance is all about! What a perfect ending! A fiery climax. Yamato gave it everything it had, burning to a crisp white, and I thoroughly enjoyed the ending. It’s easy to see why Yamato was supposed to end here, as it was a beautiful burnout.
Even though they said, “You will never see it again,” the sequel was announced immediately after, and the series has continued ever since, so this Yamato movie, which ended with the destruction of everything, may have ended up in a rather strange position, but I think it’s a beautiful work in its own right.
Yamato 2
July 3 (See original post here)
(Added and revised from posts dated April 21 to May 6, 2025)
Impressions
Episode 1
Dessler appears earlier than Yamato in the first episode. He seems to be treated better by Gatlantis than in the movie. But the vassals seem to look down on him in a subtle way.
As expected of the TV version. They have more time to include Analyzer’s sexual harassment scenes than in the movie.
Episode 2
Sanada: “We are currently 150,000 parsecs outside the solar system, 500,000 ‘space kilometers’ away.” One parsec is an actual unit of measurement, approximately 3.26 light years. 150,000 parsecs is approximately 489,000 light years. Yamato‘s unique unit of measurement, “space kilometers,” seems to be roughly equivalent to light years. (At least, that’s what I thought at first…)
I thought Earth had recovered really quickly in just one year, but it seems that’s not the case. It seems to be critical of materialism and mechanization during the period of rapid economic growth. Did Japan rush through the 30 years after World War II in just one year?
Episode 4
The movie’s brief depiction of Shima’s suffering has been reinforced.
The strategist who tries to stop the Yamato from departing at all costs is really hateful, but as a huge organization responsible for the safety of humanity, it’s only natural.
Episode 5
I thought I was going to find out how the men’s urinals on the Yamato work, but Andromeda got in the way. What a waste of a precious scene!
Episode 6
The 11th planet. It’s a battle within the solar system, but they say “distance 11.5 cosmic kilometers!”, so the theory that 1 cosmic kilometer = 1 light year no longer holds true.
I think inflation is the essence of space opera. Space Battleship Yamato does a great job of inflating the scale of the enemy from Gamilas in Series 1 to the Gatlantis in Series 2. The Andromeda Galaxy is so huge that it makes the Great Magellanic Cloud of Gamilas look tiny, and the Gatlantis Empire has completely conquered it. Of course, the size and strength of nebulae and galaxies are not necessarily proportional, but it’s easy to understand visually.
Episode 7
The contrast between the dictator Dessler, who rules his subjects with fear, and the charismatic Emperor Zordar, who leads with a bold and generous spirit, is also interesting.
Episode 8
Come to think of it, the captain who appeared in the movie (Hijikata) didn’t join them.
Episode 9
Glory to Gatlantis! He was only a guest character in one episode, but he was very impressive and cool.
Episode 10
Finally! Sanada-san, “I thought something like this might happen,” I got it!
Like Dessler’s “Yamato crew,” it was surprising that famous lines that represent the work didn’t appear in the first episode.
Episode 11
The deck of the Gamilas battle carrier flips over, and the cannons line up. It’s really cool.
Episode 12
Yamato is in a tight spot, trapped by magnetic force on a tube-shaped asteroid, falling into Dessler’s trap.
Did they not come up with a pun like “Dessler Coil” instead of “Tesla Coil”? I don’t like Dessler’s puns.
Yuki: “1,500 space kilometers to the fleet! We’re within effective firing range!”
Hey, just last week you said the main guns had a range of 10 space kilometers! How much did you extend the range in just a few days (?)! lol
Yamato‘s strength lies in its overwhelming firepower and toughness. The enemy battleships can be sunk with just a few hits from the main guns or missiles, but Yamato can withstand countless attacks and damage, even if it’s battered and bruised. Even without the Wave-Motion Gun, it feels like it’s a completely different class of battleship.
Episode 14
Dessler is cool, even when he’s captured by Sabera’s plot and doesn’t lose his dignity. He sees through her strategy and remains calm and composed. His arrogance and comical naivety from his early appearances have faded, and he is becoming more like a great king.
Episode 15
In the movie, Teresa, who was supposed to be made of antimatter, seems to be able to touch Shima normally. Is this Teresa made of ordinary matter?
Episode 16
Teresa emits intense radio waves when her emotions run high, destroying Yamato‘s communication equipment. This girl is dangerous.
Episode 17
Telezart’s self-destruction attack! Energy erupts. The Gatlantis fortress is damaged. This is where the animation really shines!
Episode 18
Dessler makes a great escape. Emperor Zordar, who understood the situation, sends him the Dessler ship. However, I think they should have executed Sabera here. I have a feeling that the worm in the lion’s belly will prove fatal.
Episode 19
The episode where Saito finally trusts Kodai. Series 2 seems to be about Kodai growing as a leader while dealing with troublesome new recruits as the new captain. For that reason, the military discipline and hierarchical order are much more vague than in Series 1, and the atmosphere feels more like a company than an army. It also gives the impression of a drama about a second-generation young president struggling with company management.
Episode 20
Yamato attempts a surprise attack on the enemy fleet. If the surprise attack is successful, it will be one-sided. The Gatlantis forces are about to let their guard down, but the captain’s noble decision to commit suicide shows that the Gatlantis forces also have a respectable commander.
Episode 21
The Hijikata fleet battles the Gatlantis fleet. The Hijikata fleet is cornered by the enemy’s superweapon, a direct-fire flamethrower, but his tactics, which take advantage of Saturn’s rings, turn the tide.
However, the power of the Comet Empire’s giant fortress renders such tactics meaningless! Gatlantis is really powerful!
Yamato is on the verge of explosion and feels quite hopeless. As expected of the climax, the excitement is building!
Episode 22
The Gatlantis megacity fortress approaching Earth destroys the moon as a demonstration. The sight of the massive fortress floating darkly against the backdrop of the moon, now melted into a ball of fire, is incredibly striking. It must have looked like a symbol of terror to the citizens of Earth. What an amazing scene. As expected of a scene directed by Yasuhiko. I suddenly thought that this image might have been inherited by the image of Axis seen against the sun in Char’s Counterattack.
Episode 23
The final battle with Dessler! The flow is almost the same as the movie, but dodging Dessler’s cannon with a short-range warp and ramming him head-on is still incredibly intense.
Wait, Shima, are you really going to die in such an accident?
Episode 24
The duel between Kodai and Dessler. The drama of Dessler’s heart being freed from his revenge-driven state after the battle is very good. He’s a truly fascinating rival.
The final battle takes place in the oceans of Earth, unlike the movie. That was unexpected. The first underwater battle in Yamato! It’s even more emotional when you think that it’s the same sea that was revived in Part 1. We must protect this sea!
I once wanted the climax in an RPG to be a classic battle between large fleets, but I also wanted the final showdown to be the protagonist’s ship boarding the enemy flagship or large fortress and settling the battle in hand-to-hand combat. However, I was wondering how to make that work. I watched Yamato 2 and figured it out. If you destroy each other’s fleets, it works out fine, right?
Episode 25
The Yamato crew members fall one after another. However, with Sanada’s leg broken, it seems that history has changed a little from the movie.
From a comet to an urban empire, and from an urban empire to a super-giant battleship. The final boss, who changes form and grows stronger over and over, is like Frieza’s ancestor.
Episode 26
Grand Finale! Emperor Zordar does whatever he wants! Not satisfied with firing on Yamato, he starts destroying the Earth. It feels like the true face of a childish leader hiding behind the mask of a great emperor has been revealed.
In the movie, Kodai was tormented by the helpless sense of guilt that Earth would be destroyed because Yamato resisted, leading him to decide on a suicide attack. The flow where the emperor is so obsessed with destroying Earth that he even allows Yamato‘s suicide attack feels more natural than in the movie version.
Summary
If Yamato is a strict military organization, wouldn’t Saito, who often disobeys his superiors, be sent to the punishment room in no time? But that’s not the case. In Yamato, hot-blooded men gradually come to understand each other through fistfights.
The contrast between the two rulers, Emperor Zordar and Commander Dessler, was also fascinating. At first, Zordar, who ruled with fear and arrogance, seemed like the superior leader compared to Dessler, charming everyone with his magnanimity and charisma. However, it gradually becomes clear that this is not the case.
While showing cute moments like “I can’t sleep here!” and growing as a character, Dessler became an increasingly attractive leader, while Zordar showed that he couldn’t control his subordinates. And in the end, his cruel and childish mentality, which enjoyed destruction, was revealed. The gradual changes in the two rulers were a highlight.
And, of course, there’s Yamato.
Seeing Yamato fight relentlessly despite being battered and bruised time and time again, I was once again struck by the romanticism of this series.
And Earth is once again in ruins! But Earth did recover from death in the war with Gamilas, after all. I’m sure it will be back to normal in a year!
The New Voyage
July 7 (See original post here)
(Added and revised from a post on May 6, 2025)
Impressions
A new engineer with Amuro’s voice has appeared! If he rides the Cosmo Tiger, he’ll be the strongest!
In the first series, Dessler didn’t seem to care much about Starsha, but now he’s finally realized his feelings. He’s become very human. This is also the influence of Kodai.
The young reinforcements undergo intense training. New recruits grow up fast.
This time, the enemy is a hairless alien, so it’s a little hard to tell them apart.
“Shoot me!” is the classic line! Or rather, is Yamato the pioneer of Japanese anime?
I didn’t expect Dessler to give us such an intense drama in order to destroy such a powerful enemy fortress.
Continuing from Part 2, a woman carries out a suicide attack again. A lesson taught by Yamato. Women’s destructive power is the most devastating.
And it continues. I see, so this movie was the first half of the battle against the Dark Nebula Empire.
Summary
The end of Gamilas and Iscandar. Following Teresa in Part 2, we are once again shown the end of a planetary civilization. Teresa leaves a part of herself behind in the blood of Shima. Starsha leaves Sasha behind.
Dessler sets off on his journey with the memories of Gamilas in his heart. As long as someone inherits their feelings, I feel that it will surely become proof that civilization once existed there.
Having watched the Yamato series up to this point, I feel that the underlying theme is not so much “hope for a better tomorrow” as “what can people do when they are about to perish, and what can they leave behind?” It is a “desperate desire” and “prayer-like wish.”
Perhaps that is because the feelings of the generation that lived through the war and its aftermath are still alive. The incredible energy that allowed the scorched earth to be restored in just one year must have been the fierce determination of that generation.
Be Forever Yamato
July 8 (See original post here)
(Significant additions and revisions made from the May 6-7, 2025 post)
Impressions
This time, it’s the theatrical version of Be Forever. This is the only Yamato movie I ever saw when I was little. I think I recorded it on video when it was broadcast on TV. But it was quite a long time ago, so I don’t remember much of the story. So, I started watching, wondering how much I would remember.
Theatrical quality! What’s this? The animation and music seem to have improved! The images and music are completely different from the previous Yamato series, and I was mesmerized by the theatrical quality. However, I like how even aliens with incredible technology attack using human soldiers.
A handsome guy appears! And he has thick blond hair! Even among the bald-headed race, only the handsome ones are allowed to have hair. The Dark Nebula is a cruel world with extreme inequality.
Mamoru, forever! I thought he was going to self-destruct behind the door to save the commander, but he did it right in front of us. The commander almost got blown away. But then I realized, in 2199, Mamoru died without ever meeting Kodai, but in the old series, he also met such an end.
A captain I don’t know has appeared. I wonder what kind of person he is.
I don’t remember anything that happened up to this point. I’m starting to wonder if I really watched this (laughs).
He has a great voice! Lieutenant Alphon, he’s handsome, has a full head of hair, and a great voice! Isn’t that Natsuki Nozawa? Ah, but he seems like the type who wouldn’t notice. Even though the women are showing skin, he tells them not to open the curtains.
Beautiful dogfight: Kato’s younger brother’s first battle. The Cosmo Tiger animation is sexy and cool with a strong perspective on the nose. The animation is truly wonderful. The technological innovation of using transmitted light for beam effects is also very cool and satisfying.
Despair! Floating fortress encirclement! There are so many of those floating fortresses! The despair of seeing so many that were the final bosses in the previous game. But then, the wave cartridge bullets blow them all away with their incredible power! Oh, but I think most of them were destroyed by chain explosions, right? I feel like about 30% were destroyed by wave cartridges and the remaining 70% were destroyed by chain explosions.
The shining unknown universe! A shining galaxy spreads out beyond the dark nebula! The scale and overwhelming visual beauty are incredible.
Kodai, you decided on your destination based on a vague feeling (laughs). But it was a direct hit and you landed on the right planet, which is amazing. The boldness of the script around this part is almost laughable, but maybe it’s better to think that they were guided by some kind of force?
Earth 200 years later. It’s fun to solve the mystery of “Earth 200 years in the future.” I remember this part well. When they reach Earth 200 years in the future, they find video footage of the Yamato sinking. I still don’t quite understand the timeline here. According to the records, the Yamato sank 200-some days later. So why is that record on Earth 200+0 days later? I wanted Sanada to point that out.
The fact that there are no fingerprints is a clue that exposes the lie of the self-proclaimed “Earth 200 years in the future,” and at the same time, it is a hint to the enemy’s true identity. That’s clever.
The dandyism of Lieutenant Alphon. As I watched, I gradually remembered Lieutenant Alphon. I remember disliking him when I saw him before. Even though I’d never seen the Yamato series, as a child I understood that Kodai and Yuki were lovers, so I felt like, “Don’t get in the way of their love!” But now that I look at it, Lieutenant Alphon is full of masculine romance. He’s a really cool dandy.
Trauma! Burning planet! The enemy home planet is destroyed by Yamato‘s Wave-Motion Gun, causing a chain reaction that burns away its surface and reveals its true form. This scene was so terrifying that it traumatized me as a child. Especially the image of the face overlapping the blackened silhouette of the planet, burning and turning to ash, is utterly terrifying, lol.
I saw this in G Gundam! The defense system of the enemy home planet, the fortress Dezarium. This is the same thing from G Gundam! The source of the déjà vu I felt during the final battle, the Devil Gundam Colony War, is this! Those slithering, snake-like cannons are none other than the Gundam Head Army defending the Devil Colony, aren’t they? Wow, it feels so good to finally discover the source of that long-standing déjà vu (laughs).
Beautiful terror! Dezarium Core! The spherical city of Dezarium Core, seen from the high-speed assault sequence! I totally remember this! The coolness of Yamato charging through the narrow passageways at overwhelming speed. And then it appears — an unfamiliar, futuristic city of strange shapes. The overwhelming size of the crystal-like buildings flying toward us like missiles. Everything is so beautiful, terrifying, mysterious, and eerie that it’s left a powerful impression on me.
It’s incredibly dazzling, but I wondered what it would be like to live in such a cold-looking space city at night, or what it would be like to suddenly find yourself in a building that turns into a missile. I thought about how surprising that would be (laughs). This might be my favorite scene from when I first saw it.
Captain Yamanami dies! Captain Yamanami, don’t suddenly become so heroic right before you die! “It’s just one part that’s broken,” is way too cool!
The cameraman following the battle between Sasha and the Holy Leader, with an intense camera angle! That spot should be empty, so it must be the automatic camera technology of the Dark Star Cluster, I think.
I totally remember the last song by Akira Fuse! I remember singing it over and over again with the video when I was a kid! So cool! It brings back memories!
So, I finished watching it! Wow, it was so nostalgic! I especially remembered the second half! The quality of the images and music, and the sense of satisfaction I felt after watching it, made it a really great work.
The mysterious story is interesting, and the characters are charming. In particular, I used to dislike Lieutenant Alphon a little, but after watching it this time, I’ve come to like him a lot, which was also interesting.
And, of course, the coolness of Dezarium, the stage for the final battle near the end. The snake-like defense system turrets are also cool, and the rush of the assault sequence is unforgettable.
Above all, the fantastical, otherworldly atmosphere of the central city. It’s beautiful yet eerie and terrifying, with a coolness that transcends dimensions. I’m satisfied that the strong impression I had as a child was right after all.
Wow, I’m going to love this forever. After watching this far, I think this might be one of my favorite episodes in the entire Yamato series.
Yamato III
July 9 (See original post here)
(Significantly revised and expanded from posts dated May 9 to June 3, 2025)
Impressions
After two theatrical films, the third installment is the final TV series. According to the wiki, “The series was originally planned to have 52 episodes, but due to low ratings of around 15.4%, the broadcast period was shortened to one half-year season.” A rating of 15.4% is considered low nowadays, but it was an amazing time back then!
Now, let’s get started…
Episode 1
The sun is in danger due to stray bullets from a war between aliens! What a nuisance! Meanwhile, Yamato is full of intense physical confrontation, typical of the Showa era. I wonder how this will be portrayed in the remake.
Episode 2
Various major accidents occur due to radio wave interference caused by abnormal solar activity. Bats and rats swarm the city, causing traffic accidents, and planes with damaged circuits crash, creating a sense of tension like the opening of a disaster movie. I wonder if Yamato‘s circuits are okay?
Well, since Yamato was damaged by Teresa’s radio message in Episode 2, I wonder if Sanada created an anti-radio wave system in anticipation of something like this.
Episode 3
If they’re exploring new territory, shouldn’t they send out all the ships they have, not just Yamato? But then I realized it was a secret mission.
Aihara, it’s your turn again. Of the three men on the bridge, Aihara, Ota, and Nanbu, it seems like Aihara always gets the spotlight.
Episode 4
It was you, Dessler! I’m glad that the Gamilas, who were on the verge of extinction, have made a spectacular comeback, but will this lead to another clash with Yamato? Also, Dessler has gained the magnanimity to forgive his failed subordinates, showing that he has grown as a person. That’s another thing that makes me happy.
Episode 5
A ceasefire until they leave Earth’s airspace. The moment they leave, the shooting starts. The thrill of enemies and allies mixed together, advancing together to the border of the airspace, is just like what I saw in Side 6 in the original Gundam.
The captain of the Rajendra is such a good guy that he seems like he’s going to die soon.
Episode 6
Yamato is already in bad shape shortly after setting sail. As expected, the damage to Yamato is very well depicted. However, there have been many casualties, including some new recruits. The restrained emotions expressed by the sake spilling from Dr. Sado’s cup are irresistible.
Episode 7
The relationship between Kodai and Shima, which seems a little complicated at first, but they reflect on themselves, acknowledge each other honestly, and resolve their issues in a warm and refreshing way, is very good. Still, it’s amazing that a missile can reach Alpha Centauri from Bernard’s Star and target Yamato so accurately!
Episode 8
Encounter with the settlers on Bernard’s Star. Isn’t this the thing that will cause a infectious outbreak on Yamato in a few days?
The theme song for the new reflection satellite cannon is really cool.
Episode 9
Battle with the new reflection cannon on Bernard’s star. However, the only change was that the mirror was replaced with a smaller one, and there didn’t seem to be any other improvements, so I felt that the original reflection cannon was better in terms of Yamato‘s predicament and the suspense of the battle. Maybe that just means Yamato has gotten stronger.
Episode 10
The first half of the battle with the Dagon aircraft carrier fleet. The automated system of the new aircraft carriers is interesting. Yamato‘s aircraft need to be better supplied. Sanada can do it!
Also, “space currents” are so romantic. It’s fun to experience the challenges of ocean adventures and bad weather events in space. This kind of thing has almost disappeared in recent realistic science fiction, but I want to see more of it in space opera RPGs.
Episode 11
The final battle with General Dagon. The fear of black holes, which was surprisingly absent from the Yamato series until now. Pulling Yamato with a tractor beam while using the black hole’s gravity to counter its firepower — it’s a bit of a stretch, but if it looks cool, why not?
Episode 12
Arrival at the Bolar Federation’s planet, Berth. Is the Bolar Federation, which is fighting Dessler, on Earth’s side? But then, they’re invaders too. What’s more, prisoners have escaped and taken over Yamato‘s engine room. The interesting scenario where even the enemy of your enemy is your enemy.
Episode 13
The Prime Minister of the Bolar Federation, Bemlayze, appears. His evil conqueror persona, who doesn’t understand anything, is refreshing. It makes you think that the enemies that have appeared so far are more reasonable.
Dessler, who has recently become more lenient and rational toward his subordinates’ mistakes, is very strict when it comes to the Shalbart religion. He responds to loyalty with generosity, but he will never forgive those who shake his loyalty with a different religion.
Episode 14
The battle with the dimensional submarine that we saw in 2199 finally appears. In 2199 it was implemented way ahead of schedule.
The mystery and tension of the battle are very good. The animation is smooth, the shadows are dark, and the acting and exaggerated action scenes are reminiscent of Lupin III. Is it just my imagination? Are there any Lupin-related staff members working on the animation?
Episode 15
Domon steps up to take the place of the fallen Kodai. After Yamato is defeated, Kodai, lying in his sickbed, tells Domon, who is crying, “No matter what the situation, you must never give up.”
This drama, reminiscent of when Kodai was guided by Captain Okita in the first series, foreshadows the “generational change” that will come to Yamato.
Episode 16
Invited to the home planet of Galman-Gamilas. I see. So Dessler’s new Galman Empire appears to be pursuing a policy of expansion and conquest, but in reality, it is fighting a war of liberation from the Bolar Federation? However, even if that is what Dessler wants, it does not necessarily mean that his vassals feel the same way. They were determined to invade Earth.
Episode 17
The fierce power of the Bolar warp missiles! Even if we manage to stop them this time, we’ll be in trouble if they keep doing the same thing. We need to develop warp jamming technology, or at least a warp detector, as soon as possible.
Episode 18
The Sun Calming Operation Fails!
“Don’t you think it’s presumptuous for humans to try to free a star?”
It’s a philosophy typical of Yamato, that nature and the universe are easy to destroy, but regeneration and control are beyond human knowledge.
Episode 19
Encounter with pilgrims of the Shalbart faith. If Galman-Gamilas is Germany and the Bolar Federation is the Soviet Union, then are the Shalbart believers Jews? If so, then the Earthlings who lose their home planet are like the Japanese after Japan Sinks.
Episode 20
A planet identical to Earth is discovered! But is it a planet that shows each person their most precious illusion? Is it a forbidden planet, or is it Solaris? This is a planet that ruins people.
Episode 21
The mystery of Planet Phantom is solved. Was the planet itself a living being? I wondered if this was actually Planet Shalbart, but I guess not. However, this mysterious planet exploration is like an episode of 999.
Episode 22
Yamato‘s customary alien beauty finally appears. Isn’t that Keiko Han’s voice? I sense romance in the air.
The number of ships launched from the Bolar Federation is incredible. It’s an awesome inflation of a huge fleet unlike anything we’ve seen before. I’m looking forward to the next battle.
It makes sense that even though Dessler is an ally, the soldiers of Gamilas are not necessarily on the same side.
Episode 23
The three-way battle in the Scalageck Star Cluster. I like how the commander of the Galman fleet ultimately sides with Yamato and launches a suicide attack.
It’s not that they’re wholeheartedly devoted to the cause; they were actually ready to fight the Yamato until the very last moment. Their pride, stubbornness, and ego as Galman soldiers are laid bare, which is very appealing. He was a cool guy.
Episode 24
Finally, they discover the planet Shalbart. They didn’t find a place to settle, but they did get the mysterious cannon that can restore the sun! I can’t help but think that even if the leader of Shalbart thinks it’s better to die than fight, it’s sad for the children. Maybe Yamato should recruit people who want to emigrate from this planet?
Episode 25 (Final Episode)
Finally, the final episode! Yamato fires at the sun while Dessler and Bemlayze’s final battle adds to the drama. It’s a fierce battle worthy of the climax.
However, Ageha and Domon, who were expected to be the stars of the second generation of Yamato, take an unexpected turn! To be honest, I was most surprised by the fate of these two.
Summary
Due to the shortened number of episodes, it was quite disappointing that the stories of many characters couldn’t be fully developed. It’s a shame that the romantic storyline involving Aihara, which was so well developed in the early stages, wasn’t fully resolved. The new members who caused a commotion in Alpha Centauri also felt like they didn’t get to fully shine.
Of course, if the series had continued as planned for a year, there would have been so much more that could have been done. Maybe there would have been an unexpected twist where Dessler, who had been cooperating, faced off against Kodai again?
Also, with the third TV series, I couldn’t help but feel that the overall power had declined a little. My impression was that, in terms of both the battle scenes and the story, it didn’t really surpass the previous works, and to be honest, I felt a little unsatisfied. In particular, I felt that way when they used the same reflective cannon as in the first work. If they were going to use the same elements again, I wanted to see ideas on a larger scale.
That said, the first installment showed the young and often-failing Kodai grow into a seasoned mentor guiding new recruits, and the mature friendship between Kodai and Shima was a highlight. The growth of the characters was definitely a strong point. I also liked the tension between Kodai and Dessler, who formed an alliance but didn’t blindly accept each other, and the fact that Kodai wouldn’t compromise on certain points.
The only downside is that the promising characters, Ageha and Domon, died. Honestly, I think these two were supposed to be the new generation of Yamato, eventually taking over as captain after Kodai. But with the series being cut short and the decision to conclude it in the next movie, I can’t help but speculate that the concept was changed.
In any case, the final installment of the Yamato series is finally here. What kind of final journey awaits Yamato and the others?
Final Yamato
July 10 (See original post here)
(Major revisions and additions made from the post on June 7, 2025)
Impressions
Finally, the conclusion! It’s Tatsuya Nakadai narrating. His deep, warm voiceover is wonderful.
A replacement? Wait, the voice of Shima is different! Is that Isao Sasaki? What happened to cause a cast change in the final installment? (After doing some quick research, it seems that Hideo Nakamura, who played Shima, was ill at the time, so Isao Sasaki was brought in as a double. But it was so natural that I couldn’t tell which parts were Nakamura and which were Sasaki.)
The destruction of Galman!? Dessler didn’t even appear on screen before he died!? That’s ridiculous. This must be a setup for something that happens later.
The enemy’s super-giant fortress appears! Yamato‘s visual expression of huge things, like “This is huge!” is simply outstanding. The detailed depiction of the powerful giant objects is satisfying. 3DCG has become more common in recent years, as in the 2199 series, and while it moves well and looks cool, I feel that the exaggerated, impactful expressions that skillfully use visual tricks just can’t compare to the artisanal hand-drawn animation of the past.
Earth and Yamato are in a tight spot! Earth is attacked by meteorites and radiation in the first series, beams in the second, fire in the third, and water in the fourth. There are too many crises in four years.
Yamato‘s automatic pilot brought it back to Earth from so far away! It’s as if Yamato has a will and life of its own.
Yuki, you were too quick to decide to kill yourself! Thinking that Kodai couldn’t be saved, Yuki impulsively tried to commit suicide with a pistol, but Sanada stopped her. However, Kodai is Kodai. It’s amazing that he survived that new type of radiation missile without a spacesuit. Maybe he used the Cosmo Cleaner technology he acquired in the first series. In any case, Yuki, you make decisions too quickly!
What a shocking surprise! Captain Okita! A ghost? He’s alive? I’m really surprised. Is he really alive? Or is he a robot? There’s a lot of echo in his voice.
And when it comes to Yamato, the launch scene is always powerful. Throughout the series, various launch scenes have been depicted, but perhaps because this is the final episode, it returns to the basics with a launch from the sea. The intense, meticulous, and detailed depiction is irresistible.
“Oh no, my old captain’s habit is showing!” It’s nice to see that even while saying that, Kodai is relaxed and lively (laughs).
Counterattack begins! Yamato‘s battle theme is closer to 2199. It has a sense of scale and is cool. Or rather, did 2199 reproduce this melody?
The enemy boss, Emperor Lugal, shows no mercy, even to his own child who has come to escape, melting him with a neutrino beam barrier. They were dangerous people who said that elders and children have no value, but I guess that means even your own child has no value if they are weak. What kind of culture is this? It’s a very Spartan value system.
Wave barrier!? The idea that leaking Wave-Motion Gun energy can neutralize the enemy’s neutrino beams is interesting. It’s a reversal where Yamato‘s greatest spear becomes its greatest shield at the very end. Oh, I guess this is what became the wave barrier in 2199?
Yamato makes an emergency landing on the surface of the enemy fortress. The drift-like sideways slide is cool. But I bet it destroyed the third bridge again (laughs).
Lugal himself goes out on a mecha cavalry and fights a fierce battle. At first glance, it looks very cool, but I guess it’s a reflection of their values, where strength is the absolute justice. It’s cool, but with the same values, they kill their own children and abandon the elderly.
Lugal shoots and kills his own young child.
“You… Are you still human, with the blood of Earthlings running through your veins? Are you still human?” The Kodai cry and the last words of the boy. This is the kind of passionate drama you’d expect from Yamato. Even Lugal, who had seemed so emotionless until now, seems shocked by killing his own child, and it’s interesting to see him sweating profusely and in pain. I guess he had a heart after all, just like the rest of us Earthlings. Even this young child had a kind heart.
Shima! If you can’t fly, break through and go down! Yamato breaks through the collapsing satellite city and escapes downward. The reversal of ideas and the flashy images are interesting. As the final installment, this episode is packed with various ideas. It’s tear-jerking to see the dying Shima move Yamato with its last ounce of strength, with the help of Sanada. I wonder if Shima went to Teresa.
Yamato embarks on a self-destruction operation as a last resort to save Earth.
“Who in their right mind would want to blow up Yamato?! No one wants to lose Yamato. Not even Captain Okita, not even me. I want it more than anyone else!!”
Kodai cries like a man. It’s great that they had Kodai say this in the final episode of Yamato. This must be the true cry of the staff.
The strongest and greatest rival! I’ve been waiting for you, Dessler! I believed in you! Dessler shows up at the very last moment and defeats Lugal, taking the most satisfying part for himself. As expected (laughs).
The end! I’ve finished watching it! It was an overwhelming funeral for Yamato, worthy of a grand movie! It was a movie that sent off the great father that was Yamato, brought an end to youth, and allowed the viewers to grow up together with Kodai and the others.
I see, that’s why Captain Okita was necessary. Captain Okita was absolutely necessary as the great father being sent off by his child. In the end, Yamato sank once, then rose again with a roar, struggling, shaking, creaking, and sounding a foghorn? as it slowly sank. Yamato‘s magnificent “death cry” left a strong impression on me.
Yamato fought hard until the very end, even though it was battered and bruised many times. This time, it even brought the crew back to Earth on its own. It fought hard until the very end to protect Kodai and the people of Earth.
Thank you, Yamato. Good night, Yamato. Rest in peace now.
Summary
Well, it flew by. I’ve finished watching the old Yamato series. I am filled with a sense of satisfaction at having watched this historic masterpiece series.
It was a masterpiece that will never fade even after decades, filled with passionate energy. The series resonated deeply with me, with Kodai’s passionate cries. I feel like I got a glimpse of history, realizing that this was a major turning point that led to the creation of many Japanese anime series. I had always wanted to watch it properly, and I’m so glad I finally did. It was a great experience.
Bonus
Oh, and in Space Dandy, there’s a scene where a water planet passes by and a huge column of water moves from planet to planet, and I thought it was such a cool idea, but it turns out it was a parody of the final episode of Yamato!
And then, I found out that the scene in Apocalypse Hotel where a funeral and a wedding are held simultaneously was also from Yamato (!!).