Space Battleship Yamato 50th Anniversary Selection Screening, Program 3
Blog published on January 13, 2025. See the original post here.
I went to MOVIX Kashiwanoha. This time, it was the final part, Episodes 23, 24, and 26. Actually, I thought Episode 25 should have been included instead of Episode 23. However, Episode 23 was about finding out that Iscandar and the enemy Gamilas were actually twin planets, and I was impressed by how well it expressed the distrust and tremendous anxiety that arose when missiles attacked from the direction of Iscandar, which they were heading for. After all, it’s a drama that exposes the weakness of the human heart.
And then the battle on the Gamilas home planet. They have to dive into the sea.
First of all, I really liked the advice that Kodai got from Captain Okita, who was on his deathbed, when he went to consult him in his desperate situation.
“Kodai, how is the battle going? It looks like you’re having a hard time.”
“Yes, Captain, please help me. I don’t know what to do.”
“I see. Then let me just say one thing. Dive into the ocean.”
“What? Into the ocean of sulfuric acid?!”
“That’s right.”
“If we do that, Yamato will dissolve.”
“Not for five or ten minutes. Find the vein of ore and shoot it with the Wave-Motion Gun before it dissolves.”
“A vein of ore…?”
“Even though it’s a highly acidic ocean, it must have originally been beautiful water. What probably turned it acidic was a volcanic vein of sulfuric acid inside the planet’s crust. Shoot through there and trigger a major volcanic eruption on the surface of Gamilas. I think that’s the only way we can seize the opportunity to fight back.”
“Okay. I’ll do it.”
“Don’t forget, do it before the ship melts.”
Even as a boy, I was impressed by the idea of diving into a sea of sulfuric acid, and how amazing the strategy was! But watching it this time, I was impressed by how great Captain Okita’s attitude was in advising Kodai. He remains calm, respects the other person, and gives him wisdom. It made me reflect on whether I could behave like this in the real world. Captain Okita is truly amazing.
No, perhaps the staff who made him say this was amazing. They really knew what’s important. I once again realized that I still have a long way to go, and renewed my resolve.
Captain Okita’s strategy worked, and Yamato fought through a fierce battle. Even if it was for self-defense, Kodai and Yuki were shocked at the sight of the enemy nation being completely destroyed.
“We shouldn’t have fought them. We should have loved each other.”
I was overjoyed that Yamato would be returned to us fans in the form a book! I ruminated on this over and over again when I read Roman Album 1, a special edition of Terebiland published by Tokuma Shoten. By the way, the huge success of this Roman Album led to the birth of the anime magazine, Animage.
Looking at this scene again, I first thought, “If we don’t fight, it will all be over,” but then I thought, “But, after all, war is accompanied by many deaths and a scorched earth. We have to find a compromise without fighting. But that’s something that you have to deal with. It’s very difficult, especially when the opponent is ambitious and cunning.” I didn’t come to any conclusion.
From here we are entering a truly turbulent era. Values are crumbling, narrow-minded views are rampant, and it is as if this is the mainstream. I took a look at X for the first time in a while, and it was terrible. I couldn’t believe it. I was surprised at the extremely narrow-minded views in which common sense is hidden and people thoroughly attack others, believing they’re the only ones who are right.
Democracy may be destroyed. It would not be surprising if the fanatical patriotism of the prewar period is revived. From their perspective, Kodai’s speech must be nothing more than pretty words. Until now, I have thought that it was just the nonsense of fools, but I realized that the situation is becoming quite critical. I think we need to weave a new Yamato story.
In the digital 4K remastered version of the movie I saw last year, the part where the Dessler ship comes after them was cut. However, the greatness of Yamato lies in the final episode.
“Kodai is going to die!”
As the radioactive gas spreads inside the ship, killing crew members one by one, Yuki activates the Cosmo Cleaner D, regardless of the danger. Then, Yuki dies due to a problem, “oxygen-deficient air during purification.”
A little while ago, Kodai briefly knew how Yuki felt, but Yuki sacrificed her precious life to protect his own!
Kodai’s despair…”Yuki!”
The words of Captain Okita to Kodai: “You should have learned to love more people during this voyage. Yuki won’t be happy about that.”
Kodai is startled again. But his sadness is still deep…
The moment the Dessler Cannon hits Yamato
I was touched by the sight of Kodai, who had prepared himself for death, trying to protect the deceased Yuki.
“Dr. Sado, they say that when a human dies, their soul leaves their body. Do you believe that?”
“Don’t say such inauspicious things, Captain.”
“It’s fine, Dr. Sado. I already know for sure. But I’m not going to die until I see the Earth once more.”
“Captain…”
“Where will my soul go after it leaves my body?”
And then, having seen the Earth once again, Captain Okita says, “Earth…I miss everything…” Tears well up in his eyes as he holds a photo of his deceased family, and takes his last breath.
Then a miracle happens!
Yuki: “Kodai-kun, what happened to me? You’re safe, I’m so glad!”
“Yuki! Yuki!” Kodai dances with Yuki in his arms, to cheers of joy with Earth in the background. Dr. Sado, who had come to tell them of Captain Okita’s death, stands there in amazement at Yuki’s revival. Captain Okita’s soul has performed a miracle.
This was real final scene of the TV series, which was cut from the movie. Watching it for the first time in a long while, I was moved to tears. It was a miracle that Yuki’s soul returned with the help of Okita’s soul. It was a moving final scene that made me feel the mystery of life and the power of love and faith. It was good.
I’m really glad to be able to watch this moving story on the big screen at the cinema again.
The Scarlet Scarf did not play at the end, and I used to think it would have been better if there was a little more time to hear it. But now, watching it again, I like the quiet lingering feeling.