Space Battleship Yamato
Japanese anime series that redefined science fiction storytelling.
**Space Battleship Yamato** (also known as *Cosmoship Yamato* or *Star Blazers*) is a Japanese science fiction anime that aired on Yomiuri TV from October 6, 1974, to March 30, 1975, running for 39 episodes. The series was written by Yoshinobu Nishizaki, directed by Noboru Ishiguro, and produced by Academy Productions. Its story follows Susumu Kodai (renamed Derek Wildstar in the English version) and an international crew during an interstellar war. They travel aboard the space warship *Yamato*—modeled after the World War II battleship of the same name—in response to a plea for help from the planet Iscandar. Their mission is to retrieve a device that can reverse the radiation poisoning Earth suffered after being bombed by the Gamilas (called Gamilons in the English dub).
The series is considered one of the most influential anime in Japan. Its shift toward serious themes and intricate narratives shaped later works like *Gundam*, *Macross*, and *Evangelion.
**Development**
The concept for *Space Battleship Yamato* began in 1973 with producer Yoshinobu Nishizaki, but the project went through many revisions before reaching its final form. The creative team included Nishizaki, Keisuke Fujikawa, Eiichi Yamamoto, and Aritsune Toyota. Initially, it was planned as a tokusatsu (live-action special effects) series. Nishizaki drew inspiration from *Methuselah's Children* and from Toyota’s 1970 novel *Desecrated Earth*.
Eiichi Yamamoto noted that 1973 successes like *The Poseidon Adventure* and *Japan Sinks* depicted people surviving extreme situations, which influenced *Yamato*’s creation. He also believed industrialization made people more miserable, so the series was designed to show humanity and love triumphing.
The original idea was an outer-space version of *Lord of the Flies*, initially titled *Asteroid Ship Icarus*. It featured a multinational crew traveling through space in a hollowed-out asteroid to find Iscandar, with much internal conflict and self-interest. The enemy aliens were called Rajendora—robots whose true form was unknown, eventually revealed to have died out a century earlier.
By late summer 1973, the first rough draft had the *Yamato* (named by Nishizaki) as a regular spaceship with a rock shell.
Quick Facts
- Ja Romaji
- Uchū Senkan Yamato
- Genre
- Military sci-fi, space opera
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The original series follows the Yamato's voyage out of the Milky Way and back, featuring the declining health of Captain Okita and the transformation of brash young orphan Susumu Kodai into a mature officer, along with his budding romance with Yuki Mori. In a 1995 speech, series episode director Noboru Ishiguro said low ratings and high production expenses forced producer Nishizaki to trim the episode count from 39 to 26. The cut episodes did not involve Captain Harlock; that claim is not established canon.
Reader's Guide
Space Battleship Yamato is one of the most influential anime series in Japan. Its turn toward serious themes and complex storylines influenced later works in the medium, including Gundam, Macross, and Evangelion, in addition to influencing the style of video games such as Space Invaders. The series was notable for its continuing story, focusing on the ship itself in the Japanese original, while foreign edits tended to play up individual characters. The production faced challenges, including low ratings and high expenses that forced a reduction in episode count. Despite this, the series established a legacy as a landmark in anime, demonstrating that the medium could handle mature, serialized narratives. Its impact extended beyond television, shaping the direction of science fiction anime and inspiring subsequent creators. The series also spawned a franchise, including films and sequels, though the source article does not detail these.
Did You Know?
- The series was originally planned as a tokusatsu before becoming an anime.
- The Wave Motion Gun originated from Leiji Matsumoto's 1968 erotic comedy manga Sexaroid.
- Space Invaders was released in 1978 and was not influenced by Yamato.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Space Battleship Yamato?
It is a 39-episode Japanese science-fiction anime that premiered on Yomiuri TV in October 1974. Written by Yoshinobu Nishizaki and directed by Noboru Ishiguro, the series centers on a crew aboard a space warship who must fight through an interstellar conflict to save a dying Earth.
Who is Susumu Kodai in Space Battleship Yamato?
Susumu Kodai serves as the Yamato's primary pilot and the de facto leader guiding the crew through hostile space. In the English-language adaptation his name was changed to Derek Wildstar, but he remains the narrative's focal character throughout all 39 episodes.
How many episodes are in the original Space Battleship Yamato series?
The first season consists of 39 episodes, which aired from October 6, 1974, through March 30, 1975, on Yomiuri TV.
What is Space Battleship Yamato called in English?
The series was localized for Western audiences under the title Star Blazers, and it has also appeared under the name Cosmoship Yamato in certain releases. The English adaptation reworked character names and some dialogue while preserving the core plot.
Why is Space Battleship Yamato considered a landmark in anime history?
It is widely credited with establishing the blueprint for space-opera storytelling in Japanese animation, blending military drama, interstellar politics, and ensemble character arcs into a single narrative. Its influence can be traced through decades of subsequent sci-fi anime and even shaped how Western audiences first encountered Japanese animation.
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