Space Battleship Yamato 2202

[Ithekro]

In Yamato III there was a colony in the Alpha Centauri system, and potential to have one at Barnard's Star (if you like ice planets). But both were be low population types. By Yamato 2520, The Earth Federation seem to have small colonies across the galaxy, or perhaps several galaxies. But most that we see are in the Wild West vibe of seemingly random settlement with maybe a large city or two, but the planet itself is more like the traditional Hollywood Wild West.

 

[Skipper]

Plus in the first season they weren't exactly in a position to stop and look around what with the year time limit.

In the remake the searching for a new habitable planet was a kind of secret secondary mission objective. There was even an attempt to mutiny with the goal of resettling survivors from the Earth on a habitable alien world.

In Yamato III there was a colony in the Alpha Centauri system, and potential to have one at Barnard's Star (if you like ice planets). But both were be low population types. By Yamato 2520, The Earth Federation seem to have small colonies across the galaxy, or perhaps several galaxies. But most that we see are in the Wild West vibe of seemingly random settlement with maybe a large city or two, but the planet itself is more like the traditional Hollywood Wild West.

Well, if we want to consider Yamato 2520 as canon...

ETA: The Alpha Centauri Colony even had a bar! Civilization!

 

[Ithekro]

Traditional Matsumoto frontier setting. Always has a bar and is set up like the Old West. Yamato's version is modernized with metal instead of wood, and hover bikes instead of horses.

 

[Skipper]

Yamato pens an incredible bleak future. Earth people are virtually confined on their planet (because if Alpha Colony is the best to which they can aspire, why even they have to bother?). And even if they had the courage to live far away, they would always be under threat of attack from that or this space power. Space exploration in Star Trek-style is all but impossibile, because you need to be heavily armed to safely travel and it's evident that U.N.C.F. is interested in it only when there is some danger that is threatening the Earth.

Earthlings have to live in fear on their planet hoping none notice them...

 

[Ithekro]

If the ideas cross with that of Space Pirate Harlock and Galaxy Express 999, Earth does both okay and not so okay. There are human colonies all over the cosmos in those timelines it seems, but Earth itself is kind of the forgotten backwater that thinks too highly of itself. Most of the population has seemingly moved on to other worlds scattered all over at least two galaxies. Humanity has some rampant problems with Machine Men and the occasional inter-dimensional aliens races. Earth sometimes has issues with more normal alien invasions, that it is either ill equipped to repel, or fights long wars, but losses for a time until the enemy can be repulsed later by Humanities seemingly rampant pirate/rebel forces.

All depending on which Matsumoto film/series you happen to be watching, since the timeline for those is a complete disaster that doesn't make sense unless you use multi-dimensional and/or history repeats itself when it comes to the heroes being multi-generational reincarnations of sorts.

Sometimes Earth still had wave motion guns, and always have wave motion engines. Sometimes the they have fleets that could handle the types of threats we normally see in Space Battleship Yamato, and sometimes their space forces are a joke that are a pushover for everyone its seems, aside from maybe a small handful of reasonably powerful battleships. In others, humanity is fine, but the space defense forces use combat space trains instead of warships for most instances (usually fairly effective). In all, there are a small number of extremely powerful, basically indestructible pirate battleships that can take on basically anything in the universe, if given enough time to figure out what the problem is, and sometimes there is also some potentially extremely overpowered Earth space battleship, that has serious technology issues (the ship's wave motion guns are way over powered, but everything else is kind of terrible, and the engines are poorly designed) ~ Cosmo Warrior Zero. With there possibly being a rebuilt Space Battleship Yamato out there someplace, that can take on anyone that gets past Harlock's groups.

 

[Skipper]

If the ideas cross with that of Space Pirate Harlock and Galaxy Express 999, Earth does both okay and not so okay. There are human colonies all over the cosmos in those timelines it seems, but Earth itself is kind of the forgotten backwater that thinks too highly of itself. Most of the population has seemingly moved on to other worlds scattered all over at least two galaxies. Humanity has some rampant problems with Machine Men and the occasional inter-dimensional aliens races. Earth sometimes has issues with more normal alien invasions, that it is either ill equipped to repel, or fights long wars, but losses for a time until the enemy can be repulsed later by Humanities seemingly rampant pirate/rebel forces.

All depending on which Matsumoto film/series you happen to be watching, since the timeline for those is a complete disaster that doesn't make sense unless you use multi-dimensional and/or history repeats itself when it comes to the heroes being multi-generational reincarnations of sorts.

Sometimes Earth still had wave motion guns, and always have wave motion engines. Sometimes the they have fleets that could handle the types of threats we normally see in Space Battleship Yamato, and sometimes their space forces are a joke that are a pushover for everyone its seems, aside from maybe a small handful of reasonably powerful battleships. In others, humanity is fine, but the space defense forces use combat space trains instead of warships for most instances (usually fairly effective). In all, there are a small number of extremely powerful, basically indestructible pirate battleships that can take on basically anything in the universe, if given enough time to figure out what the problem is, and sometimes there is also some potentially extremely overpowered Earth space battleship, that has serious technology issues (the ship's wave motion guns are way over powered, but everything else is kind of terrible, and the engines are poorly designed) ~ Cosmo Warrior Zero. With there possibly being a rebuilt Space Battleship Yamato out there someplace, that can take on anyone that gets past Harlock's groups.

I usually consider every Matsumoto's animated work in its own continuity (I've never read any of his manga): I mean, you can't even reconcile the various Harlock's series. I quite liked this author when I was a kid, now I find him a little preachy (G999) or bleak. And sometimes a little too much hypocritical: yes, love conquers everything, but it's better to bring a wave cannon too. And in hindsight there he is a little sexist too (but this is quite common between Japanese authors): his women are galactic princesses or goddesses or the stock hero's love interest. An everyday woman is an unknown species.

For this reason I particularly like Yamato 2199: a classic story told with a more modern sensibility.

 

[Hartzilla2007]

Yamato pens an incredible bleak future. Earth people are virtually confined on their planet (because if Alpha Colony is the best to which they can aspire, why even they have to bother?). And even if they had the courage to live far away, they would always be under threat of attack from that or this space power. Space exploration in Star Trek-style is all but impossibile, because you need to be heavily armed to safely travel and it's evident that U.N.C.F. is interested in it only when there is some danger that is threatening the Earth.

Earthlings have to live in fear on their planet hoping none notice them...

And then 2520 rolls around and they have colonies all over the place.

 

[Noname Given]

If the ideas cross with that of Space Pirate Harlock and Galaxy Express 999, Earth does both okay and not so okay. There are human colonies all over the cosmos in those timelines it seems, but Earth itself is kind of the forgotten backwater that thinks too highly of itself. Most of the population has seemingly moved on to other worlds scattered all over at least two galaxies. Humanity has some rampant problems with Machine Men and the occasional inter-dimensional aliens races. Earth sometimes has issues with more normal alien invasions, that it is either ill equipped to repel, or fights long wars, but losses for a time until the enemy can be repulsed later by Humanities seemingly rampant pirate/rebel forces.

All depending on which Matsumoto film/series you happen to be watching, since the timeline for those is a complete disaster that doesn't make sense unless you use multi-dimensional and/or history repeats itself when it comes to the heroes being multi-generational reincarnations of sorts.

Sometimes Earth still had wave motion guns, and always have wave motion engines. Sometimes the they have fleets that could handle the types of threats we normally see in Space Battleship Yamato, and sometimes their space forces are a joke that are a pushover for everyone its seems, aside from maybe a small handful of reasonably powerful battleships. In others, humanity is fine, but the space defense forces use combat space trains instead of warships for most instances (usually fairly effective). In all, there are a small number of extremely powerful, basically indestructible pirate battleships that can take on basically anything in the universe, if given enough time to figure out what the problem is, and sometimes there is also some potentially extremely overpowered Earth space battleship, that has serious technology issues (the ship's wave motion guns are way over powered, but everything else is kind of terrible, and the engines are poorly designed) ~ Cosmo Warrior Zero. With there possibly being a rebuilt Space Battleship Yamato out there someplace, that can take on anyone that gets past Harlock's groups.

As I recall, Space Pirate Captain Harlock was originally supposed to appear in the original Space Battleshp Yamato storyline (back in 1973) as originally that storyline was going to be 52 episodes. As pklans progressed, the story was cut to 26 episodes, and Harlock was dropped; but Matsumoto later gave the character his own story (and series).

I tend to believe they're both set in the same Universe and continuity, just at different times (IE the Harlock story is centuries post Yamato era.)

 

[mos6507]

in hindsight there he is a little sexist too...For this reason I particularly like Yamato 2199: a classic story told with a more modern sensibility.

2199 is really two shows in one, more "adult" in storytelling but yet simultaneously oozing with gratuitous/by-the-numbers visual fanservice of the sort the original wouldn't even dare.

Modern Japanese sexual politics, if anything, is tracking in the complete opposite direction of the west.

 

[Skipper]

2199 is really two shows in one, more "adult" in storytelling but yet simultaneously oozing with gratuitous/by-the-numbers visual fanservice of the sort the original wouldn't even dare.

Modern Japanese sexual politics, if anything, is tracking in the complete opposite direction of the west.

 

[Ithekro]

There is less of that in Yamato 2202....sort of.

 

[137th Gebirg]

Cause all the bad guys are asexual clones!

 

[Skipper]

There is less of that in Yamato 2202....sort of.

Baby steps--- baby steps...
I mean they have female captains too!

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So it's still less sexist than Star Trek - Turnabout Intruder, right...?

 

[mos6507]

Baby steps--- baby steps...
I mean they have female captains too!

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I realize it's a battle scene, but I wish almost every single exterior shot wasn't riddled with aggressive fake camera-shake. Makes me dizzy.

So it's still less sexist than Star Trek - Turnabout Intruder, right...?

There's more women serving, but regardless of what role they're in, it's mostly to sell merch like this to otakus.

I don't think the show's heart is in this sort of pandering but that it's a necessary evil, almost like it's being "sponsored" by raw male hormones.

 

[Jedi Marso]

2199 is really two shows in one, more "adult" in storytelling but yet simultaneously oozing with gratuitous/by-the-numbers visual fanservice of the sort the original wouldn't even dare.

Modern Japanese sexual politics, if anything, is tracking in the complete opposite direction of the west.

I remember seeing that scene for the first time, just a couple episodes after we learn that the captured Gamilas pilot is...wait for it... A HOT CHICK!! When this one happened, I was like: "Whoa! I don't remember that from Star Blazers back in 1980!!"

 

[Skipper]

I don't think the show's heart is in this sort of pandering but that it's a necessary evil, almost like it's being "sponsored" by raw male hormones.

Fortunately, Western sensibility would never allow the use of these sexist gimmicks just to sell a scifi wo....

Errr, never mind...

 

[DarrenTR1970]

As I recall, Space Pirate Captain Harlock was originally supposed to appear in the original Space Battleshp Yamato storyline (back in 1973) as originally that storyline was going to be 52 episodes. As pklans progressed, the story was cut to 26 episodes, and Harlock was dropped; but Matsumoto later gave the character his own story (and series).

I tend to believe they're both set in the same Universe and continuity, just at different times (IE the Harlock story is centuries post Yamato era.)

My old Space Cruiser Yamato Perfect Albums are in storage, but I can tell you that Captain Harlock is heavily featured in the early promotional material, along with several early concept drawings of the ship and crew.

 

[137th Gebirg]

IIRC, they were all intended to be a part of the same universe. I also remember something about Harlock possibly being Kodai's older brother before they came up with Mamaru. Kind of like a Speed Racer/Racer-X dynamic. I'm sure Ithekro has the full story on that if there is any accuracy to my memory on that.

 

[Ithekro]

From what I remember, Kodai's brother was suppose to have been killed in battle, but somehow he and his crew either took a Gamilon ship, or some unknown Earth or alien ship that somehow was also fitted with a wave motion engine of some kind. He became the dread pirate Harlock and rapidly built a reputation as someone to be feared in Gamilon space. Harlock was go after worlds for treasures (seemingly) but actually be liberating planets held in slavery. In some versions he is still badly wounded from the battle in the Sol System, and some versions have him with the same space sickness that Captain Okita has (both would die before returning to Earth), while other versions have him decide to head out to the sea of stars to continue his new pirate life (at least one version has this new persona based on some manga he and Kodai had read as youths). In one version, Harlock is the one that finishes off Dessler in his last attack on Yamato.

In the much later PS2 game version of the events of "Be Forever, Yamato" Kodai's brother is wounded in the Dark Nebula Empire's invasion of of Earth, but he's taken with Yamato's crew (including his daughter with Starsha, (who still sacrificed herself and Iscandar in the previous game to defeat an enemy space fortress) and becomes captain of Yamato for the duration. In that version, Yamato has gained a new engineer (Tochiro), who had been working on a rebuilt Yukikaze (Kodai's brother's ship at Pluto), which as a wave motion engine, and lots of torpedoes. Depending on choices the player makes in the game, you can come to an ending where, his daughter, Sasha, Tochiro, and himself decide to head out for the Sea of Stars on the Yukikaze, instead of go back to Earth when the mission is over. Kodai's brother had had bandages on his head for most of the game, but at the end, he gets them off, showing off his new Harlock scar. Basically looking like a young Harlock, before he gets his eye patch (Cosmo Warrior Zero, era) They head off to space while Yamato, under Kodai's command again, returns home to Earth.

In other news, there is a cheaper version of the 1/1000th scale Andromeda coming out in December. No lights and sounds this time, but it as the option to make it either the battleship or battlecarrier version....or a version with quad-wave motion guns, which is now quite obviously coming as a refit of Andromeda herself.

 

[137th Gebirg]

I knew you would have the Harlock backstory! Seems quite...complicated, actually.

I remember being quite confused over the years by Harlock - there appeared to be 3 or 4 different versions/reboots with different stories. I remember seeing one of the oldest versions back in the early 80's - back in the days of pre-Blockbuster videotape rental stores - when he befriended a little girl from one of those slave planets who eventually died and the final scene a narrator saying something like "it will be hard for Harlock to care enough about protecting the rest of us now that she's gone". Several years later, I tried to see it again but it was completely different (and not quite as good, IMO) where it was an obvious and somewhat jarring mix of traditional cell animation and CG for the ships. I don't think I got through the whole series as I didn't find it quite as compelling as the older one I saw many years before. I think there's maybe one or two other versione out there, but internal consistency didn't seem to be of much concern, IIRC. Because of this, it never quite held my attention over the years like Yamato did.