Space Battleship Yamato resurfaces
Production announcement on the 22nd
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The mighty ship returns!!
Will it take off again and become a big hit?
The majestic form of Space Battleship Yamato
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A woman is behind the scenes of the revival…
In response to passionate requests from fans, Space Battleship Yamato will return to the screen in March next year. This will be the final installment of the hit Yamato series, but the behind-the-scenes story of Yamato‘s revival also includes the comeback of an idol singer, which is sure to attract attention. Three years ago, Tomoko Kuwae made her singing debut with My Heart Is in Stop Motion, and she will sing the image song (title yet to be determined) for the film, marking her return to the music scene. “This is the perfect opportunity for a comeback. I hope it becomes a big hit,” Kuwae said enthusiastically. A production announcement press conference will be held on the 22nd, and Kuwae will also attend. (Miura)
Everything is set for the best possible outcome…
Former idol Tomoko Kuwae plans comeback with image song
Tomoko Kuwae made her debut as a singer three years ago in 1979 with My Heart Is in Stop Motion under the newly-established SMS Records. With her unique personality and outstanding vocal skills, she swept all the newcomer awards that year, establishing herself as a promising new talent. However, despite releasing four singles, she failed to achieve a hit and her contracts with her agency, Watanabe Productions, and SMS Records expired at the end of last year.
She has not released any records since her LP Mr. Cool in June 1980, and has been focusing on live performances at music venues, leading a restless life.
Then, a big opportunity came her way. She was approached by producer Yoshinobu Nishizaki, who asked her to sing a song for the anime Space Battleship Yamato, which is wildly popular among anime fans. Taking advantage of the expiration of her contract with Watanabe Productions, she moved to join the rock group Tranzam in April of this year, setting the stage for her comeback. The theme song for Yamato will be sung by Columbia singer Isao Sasaki, as before, while the image song will be a collaborative effort between Kuwae and Tranzam. A production press conference is scheduled for the 22nd, but the song list has not yet been decided, with recording set to begin on the 25th of this month.
For now, several candidate songs written by Yu Aku and composed by Daisuke Inoue have been proposed. The first release is scheduled for December 15th by Tokuma Shoten, featuring Kuwae on vocals, ahead of the movie’s release. An LP featuring a collaboration with Tranzam is also planned for February 25th.
Kuwae, who has been given this big chance, says, “I’m really lucky. This is the perfect stage for my comeback,” and is eager to get started. Kuwae is 22 years old, and there are rumors that she is in a relationship with a member of Tranzam, but will she be able to ride the popularity of Yamato and make her dream come true once again?
Is this really the end?
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To be released in March next year
Space Battleship Yamato, The Final Chapter
The hit anime series Yamato was first released as a theatrical film in August 1977, with the first installment, Space Battleship Yamato, grossing 920 million yen. Yamato Fever reached its peak with the second installment, Farewell to Yamato (August 1978). The story, in which the protagonist Susumu Kodai and Yamato meet a tragic end, shocked young fans and sparked a fever, bringing the film series to a conclusion.
However, there were strong calls from those involved in the film industry for the return of the cash cow Yamato, and two years later, Be Forever Yamato was released in August 1980. This was another huge hit, grossing 1.35 billion yen.
Two years later, the fourth installment, Final Yamato, is scheduled for release in March next year.
“Next year marks the 10th anniversary of Yamato‘s TV debut. We decided to use this milestone as an opportunity to conclude the series. The concept is that Yamato disappears into space as a phantom” (distributor: Toei Eiga). Producer Yoshinobu Nishizaki, who made a name for himself as the producer of Yamato, also said, “This will be the end.”
Final Yamato is set in the year 2203, when the water planet Aquarius approaches Earth from outside the Milky Way. Earth is threatened with flooding, and Yamato is dispatched to save it.
Next March, in addition to Yamato, Kadokawa Films’ first anime, Harmagedon (distributed by Toho-Towa), will also be released, promising an intense anime showdown. It remains to be seen how far the fourth Yamato installment will go in its quest for success.