To keep things in perspective, reflect upon how lucky we are to say, “It was another typical Yamato premiere month with a torrent of new products, live events, interviews, and media coverage.” This time it was February 2026, ignited by the premiere of Chapter 5. [3 pages]

Photo posted on Twitter by bgour_kinema

February 1: 1/100 display model on view

You know it’s premiere season when this beauty comes out to play. Stretching 3.33 meters long, it’s been a fixture ever since the days of Yamato 2199. The 3199 refit version appeared again outside a 109 Cinema theater at the Terrace Mall in Shonan (a region west of Tokyo). Fans turned out to document it as soon as they got the news.

See a photo gallery here

February 3: Yamaket 26 announced

It’s been a year since the last Yamaket [Yamato Market] fan gathering. It was previously tied to a bi-annual mini-convention called Torilozi, and its fate went up into the air after Torilozi was discontinued in early 2025. But the spirit reamined undimmed, and now Yamaket has found a new home.

Yamaket 26 will be held in Tokyo on April 12, and signups have already broken previous records with no less than 56 fan circles scheduled to exhibit their homemade art, doujinshes, crafts, and more.

See the Yamaket website here, the Twitter page here, and watch for more updates in these reports.

February 3: Yamato Criticism blog

“Yamato Criticism” makes it sound harsher than it really is. It’s kinder than that, indicated by the line underneath the title: “Thoughts about Space Battleship Yamato, or reflections through Space Battleship Yamato.” The blogger goes by the name Imomusume, and took some time to meditate upon how the word “Rebel” relates to REBEL 3199.

Read this blog entry here

February 4: Hipshop underwear announced

What to get for the fan who has everything? No matter who they are, that fan will always need more underwear. And Hipshop has you…covered…with a lineup of six interestingly-framed prints to keep things…contained.

Visit the official webshop here and see a photo gallery here

February 5: Official Tweet

Just before the Chapter 5 frenzy began, the Yamato Production Committee posted these photos on Twitter, promoting one of the items in the Yuki Mori birthday goods lineup: a framed art print by Character Designer Nobuteru Yuuki, which appeared on the first 3199 Blu-ray cover. It could be preordered from online stores until February 15.

February 6: Introduction to Soundtrack Music

Shown here is the dustjacket for a book by composer Nako Haramaki (published by Shueisha International) that some will find irresistible. The official description reads:

This book explains the unique characteristics and appeal of soundtrack music. It explores the history of soundtrack music, from the creation of film music to how Japanese soundtracks used film music as a model, and eventually acquired their own unique style, with numerous examples.

In addition, soundtracks for Japanese anime have been gaining popularity overseas in recent years, and this book focuses on the music of TV dramas and anime as a key to unlocking this secret. What kind of ingenuity have composers used to create music for TV dramas, which have even more restrictions than films? How ambitious is the music they create to express the worldview of anime? We will follow the path of composers’ challenges and explore the appeal of Japanese music that has captivated the world.

One of the nine chapters in this book is titled, The Beginning of Anime Music: Triton of the Sea and Space Battleship Yamato. And you can be certain it will be translated in a future Cosmo DNA update.

If you don’t feel like waiting, order a copy here

February 7: Soundtrack clips begin

The first “countdown” to Chapter 5 began today, since February 20 would also see the release of the first REBEL 3199 soundtrack album. Music clips were posted as Youtube shorts every day for two weeks. Want to hear them and read the accompanying liner notes by the sound director?

Cosmo DNA has you covered. Click here and immerse yourself.

February 7: Koichi Yamadera on Twitter

Now here’s some stealth marketing for you: Koichi Yamadera, the voice of Dessler, posted a short video clip demonstrating the use of a forthcoming product to be sold in theaters. Apparently it took him by surprise.

See it here

February 8: US Embassy Tweet

More stealth marketing? The official Twitter account of the US Embassy in Japan posted this photo with the following caption: Proud to strengthen the US/Japan alliance as we enter a new Golden Age!

Appropriate words, since Yamato‘s golden age is marked by the 50th Anniversary Exhibition poster on the wall behind Chief of Mission Aaron D. Snipe.

See the tweet here. Learn more about Aaron here.

February 8: Wonder Festival 2026 Winter

How about a giant blowout of a hobby show before we get rolled over by Chapter 5? This Wonder Festival saw a big surge of Yamato garage kits from twenty different vendors.

See a photo gallery roundup here

February 10: Kia Asamiya on Twitter

Artist/animator Kia Asamiya caught everyone’s eye when he posted these photos and said:

I’ve received samples of the theater merchandise items for Yamato 3199! The metal poster featuring the teaser visual I worked on turned out great, so please do pick one up! The theatrical release is set for February 20th!

See the post here

February 13: A-On Store website update

Operated by Bandai Namco, A-on is a reliable source of 3199 products for those who can’t get to a Japanese movie theaters.

The Chapter 5 update of their online store can be seen here

Photo posted on Twitter by suzumushi1964

February 13: 1/100 display model on view

The big model landed in a new location today, where it would stay through the premiere. This time the port of call was the spacious lobby of a T-JOY theater at Emi Terrace mall in Tokorozawa, slightly north of its previous location.

See a photo gallery here

February 13: 7 days to launch

February 13: Chapter 5 video digest

In theaters, each chapter of REBEL 3199 is preceded by a “story so far” segment narrated by a specific character from their own viewpoint. This time, the narrator was Alphon, and he brought the audience up to speed in just under 8 minutes.

See it on Youtube here (turn closed captions and auto-translate ON)

February 14: 6 days to launch

February 14: Chapter 5 preview video

In the past, it’s been common for preview videos to deliver the first half of the first episode from a new chapter. Since the start of 3199, they’ve been getting shorter. Probably to avoid giving away too much too early in this densely-packed story. To wit, the preview for Chapter 5 only provided the first five minutes.

See it on Youtube here (turn closed captions and auto-translate ON)

February 14: Farewell to Yamato screening

Wouldja believe that just six days before the opening of Chapter 5 fans had an opportunity to see the most beloved Yamato movie on a big screen? This was the case when Farewell was given a one-matinee-only showing at the Shochikuza theater in Osaka. It was part of a program of classic films to commemorate the closing of this long-lived theater.

February 15: 5 days to launch

February 16: 4 days to launch

February 16: Bandai Channel website updated

Yet another source for 3199 info and products is the Bandai Channel site, which got its Chapter 5 facelift today.

See it here

February 16: Youtube shorts begin

Another kind of countdown started when Bandai Namco’s Youtube page began posting daily anime clips from Chapter 5, each one picking a 1-minute-or-less sequence to tantalize us. See them all at these links, and remember to turn on both closed captions and auto-translate.