Chapter 4 got an extension in theaters that took it through the middle of the month, and though the surrounding activity calmed down quite a bit, it was still a great month to be a fan, especially for modelers. Here’s what turned Yamato world in November…
November 1: ArtValt update
The first attempt to do what REBEL 3199 is doing now – getting “inside” the Be Forever Yamato story and adding new levels to it – started back in 1997 with issue 10 of the Star Blazers comic book series from Argo Press. In its November update, ArtValt, the archival website of Tim Eldred (the person writing these words) opened up this issue for a page-by-page “making of article” that can be seen here.
November 1 & 2: Modeler’s festival 2025
Yamato model kits went on display at Tagimi, a hobby store in Osaka prefecture. It was the first of five hobby shows that took place throughout the month. Due to this number, they’re all ganged up into a single entry at the end of this report. So…keep reading!
November 1: Odin promotion
Now that the 70s are in their 50s and the 80s are their 40s, get used to more anniversary celebrations. Here’s the latest one: Odin, Photon Space Sailor Starlight turned 40 years old in 2025 and the occasion is being marked by the first ever Blu-ray release, from a company called Kinematics.
Official description:
After 40 years, the long sci-fi animated film brought to you by the staff who worked on Space Battleship Yamato has arrived on Blu-Ray! Photon Space Sailor Starlight navigates space with laser light, gravity control and more. A group of young cadets is asked to rescue Jupiter contact ship Alford, igniting a mystery and romance of Scandinavian mythology! Go beyond time and space…
This “archive edition” consists of 2 discs: an upscaled Blu-ray for the film (with bonus footage) and a DVD with a contemporary making-of special.
Visit the Kinematics website here
Preorder it from Amazon.co.jp here
November 2: Mantan Web article
Reporter Mitsuru Arenkan wrote a thoughtful piece titled Sasha, Woven from Mother and Daughter, that examines the evolution of the character between Keiko Han and her daughter Megumi.
Read the article here
Chapter 5 promo at a MOVIX theater in Akishima, photo posted on Twitter by aoi2199
November 7: Chapter 4 held over
Pale Blue Maiden completed its 4-week theatrical run on the 6th and went into overtime for one more week at four theaters in major cities. The digital pay-per-view version went live on the same day.
November 9: Anime Expo Chibi
This yearly Anime Expo satellite event (which is still pretty big, even with the name “Chibi” tacked on) was held west of Los Angeles and featured a true luminary from the 2205/3199 staff: Mika Akitaka, chief mecha designer for the Dezarium side. He delivered an hour-long panel on Sunday the 9th in which he live-sketched a character while answering questions about his long-running career.
He had the following to say about Yamato:
I loved it even before I started working, and to work for that series now, so many years later, is thrilling. My love for Yamato led to this current job, and people who love the original want to maintain its style. They don’t want to betray it. I wanted to draw it exactly like it was back then, but animation now has a more dense, detailed style so I had to maintain that balance.
I’ve been a part of the Yamato series since the third remake (2205), and I’ve been able to work closely with Mr. Tamamori (Earth) and Mr. Ishizu (Garmillas) who have been part of the Yamato series for a long time. They’ve both been so kind and helpful to me, saying things like, “If you draw like this, you can get closer to the original style.” I’ve received a lot of support there.
Akitaka created a bilingual 4-page “introduction book” as a free handout to greet the fans. Get a look at it here.
Jacket art by Kia Asamiya, revealed December 5
November 10: REBEL 3199 soundtrack announced
At long last, the first 3199 OST is on the calendar. Anime Anime published the following information on this day:
The original soundtrack for Be Forever Yamato REBEL 3199 will be released on February 20, 2026. Music is by Akira Miyagawa and Shu Kanematsu, featuring all 40 tracks on a 2-disc set in UHQCD format. Its release coincides with the premiere of REBEL 3199 Chapter 5: The Incandescent Galactic War.
Akira Miyagawa continues his role as composer from Yamato 2199, while Shu Kanematsu joins the project for the first time as composer, arranger, and pianist. It includes a wide range of music aligned with the work, featuring newly composed tracks written specifically for REBEL 3199, as well as rearranged and re-recorded BGM and insert songs from Be Forever Yamato and Yamato III.
The collection includes all 40 tracks used in the series, from Chapter 1 to Chapter 4. The jacket art is an original illustration by Kia Asamiya.
UHQCD utilizes newly developed manufacturing techniques to reproduce sound even more faithful to the original master than conventional high-quality discs. While adhering to CD specifications, it can be played on all CD players. Enjoy high-quality sound approaching the performance of the highest-grade CD format with ease.
Order it from Amazon.co.jp here or CD Japan here
November 11: RIP Tatsuya Nakadai
The dramatic voice that brought the classic Yamato years to an end with all the gravitas a human can muster, was silenced on this day. He made his acting debut in the 50s and regularly appeared in several of Akira Kurosawa’s films before taking the role of narrator for Final Yamato in 1983 (above left). Also on his long list of memorable performances was the epic 2005 feature film Men of Yamato (center) in which he played the elder version of a survivor (much like the elder Private Ryan).
Read more about his extensive career here
Watch Men of Yamato on Youtube here
November 12: Yamatalk event
The final live stage event for 3199 Chapter 4 took place at the Shinjuku Piccadilly theater in Tokyo. The topic was Sasha, and Megumi Han teamed up with the “Yamato trio” to discuss her performance of this beloved character. Chapter 4 closed in its four remaining theaters the next day.
Read all about it here
Photos posted by Hidemi Endo and 25katana
November 13: Tamashii Nation 2025
The Bandai showroom in Akihabara, Tokyo, unveiled its new products for 2026, which included the 3199 version of Yamato in the 1/2000 “Shining Ships” miniature series.
See more photos at Dengeki Hobbyweb here
November 14: Chapter 5 Blu-ray announced
Kia Asamiya’s slipcase art caught the eye of everyone looking forward to 3199 Chapter 5. The standard edition Blu-ray will be released March 25 and will come with a variety of bonus items depending on which store in Japan you buy from. Many will offer a clear version of the Cosmo Tiger II Mecha Collection model kit (at right).
Preorder it from Amazon.co.jp here or from CD Japan here
November 14: CG video by Haru
Whenever you see a new homemade Yamato video by the filmmaker named “Haru,” drop everything. This CG artist consistently delivers the highest possible quality outside the anime itself. In November, the non-canonical Playstation-only battleship Shunran got the Haru treatment, and the results are 100% worth your time.
See it on Youtube here
November 14: Mantan Web article
Two days after the final Chapter 4 Yamatalk, Mantan Web released a tidbit that was previously unknown about the upcoming Chapter 5. If you wish to avoid a potentional spoiler, don’t click here.
November 14: Soy-ya!! on Twitter
Soy-ya!! is a high-end garage kit maker with a LOT of Yamato models in their lineup, but they’re super weird about not wanting anyone to share photos, which is why you never read about them in these reports. On this day, they announced modification parts that will turn your 1/1000 Andromeda into a 1/1000 Amaterasu.
If you’d like to see pics of that model and more, check out their Twitter page here
November 18: Anime World Star on Twitter
AWS is a boutique store in Tokyo (located in the famous Nakano Broadway mall) that makes its own licensed products for Yamato and other titles. In 2025 they made new ones for the 50th anniversary exhibition, which went on sale in their store today for about three weeks.
The good news is, if you can’t get to Tokyo you can still order some of these products from around the world via ZenMarket, which is tied into the AWS website here! So start shopping now!
November 18: Next exhibition announced
And speaking of the 50th anniversary exhibition, it was announced on this day that it would open for a third time in early January. This time the target is Marui City in Yokohama Prefecture, exact venue to be announced. So if you’ll be in Japan the first two weeks of 2026, you might be one of the lucky few to see this with your own eyes.
Photo by Matt Alt, Pure Tokyoscope podcast
November 18: Yasuhiko Yoshikazu exhibition reopens
And speaking of exhibitions, anime/manga master Yasuhiko Yoshikazu got a new venue for his career-spanning collection. If your anime pedigree goes back to the 80s, you’ve almost certainly been dazzled by his work, which includes major contributions to Yamato.
Read more about the exhibition here
Hear more about it on the Pure Tokyoscope podcast here
November 19: Yasuhiko Yoshikazu Animation Works Music Collection
Numerous products were created for previous outings of the Yasuhiko exhibition, and a new one was added this time: a 2-disc set featuring 36 theme songs for films and TV series from Yamato to Gundam The Origin with many stops in between.
Order it from Amazon.co.jp here
November 19: 1/1000 Arizona pre-orders open (and close)
Sorry to say, if you missed this or waited more than a day, you lost your chance to preorder the substantially-priced Arizona model kit due next summer from Bandai. All preorder slots were filled in under 24 hours, so now it remains to be seen how many will actually be manufactured. Tune in next June to find out!
November 24: Michio Murakawa on Bluesky
Despite a killer schedule on REBEL 3199, Michio Murakawa persists in cranking out the next chapter of his 2199 manga. He posted this rough page layout with the following caption:
The roughs are done, but I’m taking a break from the serialization for a while to work on stuff for Winter Comiket. This time, many panels use the composition from the ’74 version, not the 2199 one. However, I found a major mistake in the roughs for Chapter 58 that can’t be fixed. Since there’s no way around it, I’ve decided to correct the already-published version when it’s compiled into the paperback. Blanks tend to lead to mistakes like this. Must reflect, must reflect.
Follow Murakawa on Bluesky here
November 24: Hobby Japan Web article
Hobby Japan‘s website published Yamato Mechanics Part 13 on this day, a profile of Wave-Motion Experimental Ship Ginga. This is the online version of a 1-page article that appeared in issue 678 of the magazine.
Read it here
November 25: Hobby Japan #679
Yamato Mechanics Part 14 appeared in this issue, focusing on the Garmillas UX-01 Dimensional Submarine.
A page flip revealed this 2-page article in which lifetime Yamato fan and pro modeler Nobuyuki Sakurai took a new look at the EDF ships from the original Bandai Mecha Collection.
Read both articles here
November 28: Soft vinyl figures
After selling their vinyl figures in limited numbers at the anniversary exhibition, Artisan finally opened up orders at their online store.
If you’re outside looking in, you can order them from Artisan’s website via the Tenso international buying service.
November 29: Grand Symphony concert
Kentaro Haneda’s Yamato Grand Symphony got another live performance by the accomplished Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra. As everyone acknowledges, it’s a piece that challenges both an orchestra and soloists (on violin and piano) to rise above their best. The performance took place at Minato Mirai Hall in Yokohama Prefecture.
Comments on Twitter:
Currently in rehearsal, a grand, powerful rendition of Space Battleship Yamato by an unusually large ensemble! Man, for the Yamato generation, you can’t listen to this without tears!
– kanagawageikyo (Nov 27)
Photo posted on Twitter by The Udoneeds
I’ve probably seen it 6-7 times, but today I was on the edge of my seat throughout the performance, wishing it would never end. At the ending I was moved to chills all over. I have no professional knowledge of music, but in terms of preference it was completely on another level compared to the Yamato concerts I’ve seen before.
When the performers poured out all their energy and nailed it perfectly, I could tell the customers were conveying their heartfelt, passionate “bravo” through warm, thunderous applause.
– The Udoneeds (Nov 29)
A sense-filled Haydn and a super cool Kapustin followed by the mega-masterpiece, Yamato! The 3rd and 4th movements are just perfect for the word “moving.” Our all-out power performance left us utterly overwhelmed. Bravissimo!
– kanagawageikyo (Nov 29)
November 29: Studio Gazero on Twitter
The month ended with a sighting of this handsome little fella. These photos were posted on Twitter by Studio Gazero, who said that it would be unveiled at an art exhibition the next day.
Studio Gazera specializes in sculptures including portait figures, anime figures and other categories. Visit the studio’s website to see their many charming works here.
Also spotted in November
Fan art
The volume of fan art posted on Twitter in November was overwhelming with an embarrassment of riches in both categories. See the character gallery here and the mecha gallery here.
Fan models
Model kits stretched across the spectrum from classic to fresh and from obscure to imaginary. See them all here: Gallery A | Gallery B
November hobby exhibitions
The distinguishing line between amateur and professional modeling is a blurry one in Japan, often delineated only by one’s publishing credits. Five hobby shows popped up throughout November to give amateurs and pros alike a chance to get some sunlight on their creations, which always include Yamato models.
See a collected photo gallery here
Osaka exhibition video
Want to take another walk through the dazzling 50th anniversary exhibition in Osaka? Of course you do! Yuki Mori cosplay model “Tsunko” gives you the chance in an 11-minute video with commentary.
See it on Youtube here (closed captions and autotranslate ON)
Shinya Takahashi on Yahoo Japan
Character designer Shinya Takahashi unleashed a new collection of Sasha and Miyuki Kodai sketches in the online Yahoo Japan Auction site throughout the month.
See them all here
Hoshi Suzu blogs
Longtime fan “Hoshi Suzu” had a lot of thoughts to share in November as he continued to process new characters and situations presented in 3199 Chapter 4.
Read his November entries here
Photo above right posted on Twitter by sumikojo
Keychains
Vending machines here there and yonder started carrying the new 50th anniversary metal keychain set, and the hunt was on. Complete sets are also available from the Rakuten website here. If you happen to use the international web service Buyee, you can score your own for 3899Y.
Stone-Face Reaction videos
They made it! The SFR team got all the way through the final episode of the original Yamato TV series and now has a reaction video for every episode.
See them all on Youtube here
TinyWave TV videos
It’s no secret that Yamato fandom is aging. In order for the franchise to survive, it’s becoming increasingly important for younger fans to climb on board. That makes it incumbent upon all of us to welcome them – and their younger opinions – to learn how the series speaks to all of us in different ways.
Thanks to the reviewers at TinyWave TV, we have the chance to see what they think of a jewel in the Yamato crown. Over four half-hour Youtube videos, they walked all the way through Yamato 2199 and found plenty to like. Watch their series here:
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4
What the…?
One way to understand the level of success achieved by a famous franchise like Yamato is to explore how deep it went into “pachimono” subculture. This is a Japanese slang term meaning “cheap thing,” or what we would call a “knockoff.” So what’s the explanation behind the “pachimono” we’re seeing here? Because it doesn’t really look like the anime, does it?
That’s because it’s partially based on another “pachimono” that hits a little closer to the mark; a knockoff model kit series from the late 70s called Red Hawk Yamato. These children’s rice bowls are essentially a knockoff of a knockoff. If that doesn’t spell success, then success is unattainable.
Learn much more about Red Hawk Yamato here and other knockoffs here
Yamatunes for November
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What’s next
The final month of 2025 already brings us to the halfway point between Chapters 4 and 5, and new announcements float onto the radar screen. Tune in next time when Report 25 brings you another exciting roundup. Until then, follow our Facebook page for daily posts and breaking news!
Meanwhile, take a trip back in time to February 1983 when all guns are blazing in the last month before Final Yamato arrives. Click here for Vintage Report 43 and get a whole new look at where we once were.
Cosmo DNA writer/editor Tim Eldred here, inviting you to a party that’s just one click away. If you’ve enjoyed this website and my various Star Blazers comics, it’s my duty to tell you that they represent only a fraction of a career that spans more than 40 years. ARTVALT is where I open my archives and roll out all sorts of weird and cool things ranging from unknown to world famous! New updates happen on the first of every month!
And HEADS UP: a brand new sci-fi webcomic titled The Last Blue Eagle is underway! Chapter 5 was posted November 1st and is ready for you read RIGHT NOW! Click here to join the fun! (No paywall.)
Decent way to end the Yamato year. News this year not as strong as last year except for 3199 new episodes but still pretty good year. Honestly, I don’t care what anyone says, I don’t think 3199 or even Final Yamato(if it ever happens) will be the end of the Yamato remake series. I know Hideaki Anno is making his own version but still. I think the 2199 version will expand more than the original. The writing overall is better, they have more characters, Akira has outlived the original version and most likely will survive 3199 since she has one of the least screen time since 2205, Sasha has a much higher chance to survive as well than her original version, Melda will survive and I think the writers will do more series based on supporting characters. Let’s see what it happens but I really hope they go beyond 3199, Final Yamato and Ressurection.
The year isn’t over yet. December news is still coming in. And when the year-in-review roundup is published in January, you’ll see that there was a MASSIVE amount of news beyond 3199.
I see but let me know if theirs more Akira Yamamoto if that ever happens in the future
I would like to translate the “Red-Eyed Ace” manga someday. When time permits.
Sounds like a GREAT idea. I really love the spin off manga with Akira as the main character and they went in WAY more in depth on her backstory than the anime did. If they made the manga, then they sure as hell can make a anime spin off with Akira in the future. 2199 already surpass the original in quality and even in more episodes thanks to 2199 odyssey ark and 2205 which have nothing to do with the original and it’s more of its own. So if they did that then they can definitely go beyond 3199, Final Yamato and Resurrection. I think 2199 has a MUCH higher chance to do it than the original one ever did because the original Be Forever Yamato and Final Yamato went on a HUGE slump with the writing causing it to not have any adaptation until resurrection 26 years later. At least the remake directors and writers mostly learn from their mistakes with 2202 when they’re doing A LOT better ever since 2205 but I still hope Akira, Melda and Sasha makes it all the way through. The way how they’re writing looks like it’ll go beyond 3199, Final Yamato and Resurrection. On top of that, anime is more diverse than it was during the 80s which also makes me believe it’ll have a high chance to go way beyond. I hope Hideaki Anno’s Yamato becomes way more successful than Evangelion and have Yamato like more of a better quality and diverse of MCU
You are making a big assumption about the ease of making manga vs. the difficulty of making anime. Manga can be made by a very small number of people, sometimes just one. Anime takes hundreds of people over a much longer period of time and requires hundreds of thousands of dollars just to make, let alone market and sell. And if you cut costs, viewers can see it immediately in the visuals. This is why manga titles outnumber anime titles several times over.
You also lack a complete understanding of the forces that caused the original series to end. I suggest you do some more research on that. Cosmo DNA is here to help.
Forgive me for being too optimistic because I’m a huge fan and I’m super passionate about the franchise but I know the one of reasons why they didn’t continue the original version between Final Yamato and Resurrection are production issues and their was a lawsuit happened between Leiji Matsumoto and Yoshinobu Nishizaki during the early 2000s and around after that, Yoshinobu co directed Resurrection. I know how the anime industry works compare to manga industry. I’m just stating why I hope they’ll be more Yamato stuff in the future whether is years or decades.