Most of the world learned about this new Yamato revival project on October 6, 2026, the 52nd anniversary of the original. But regular Cosmo DNA readers got the news a full two years earlier, on the 50th. Presented here is a roundup of everything we learned within those two years. This culminates with the 2026 announcement and the immediate reactions.
2024
Photo posted on Twitter by Moyoco Anno
May 21: Hideaki Anno’s birthday
Filmmaker/anime auteur/Yamato superfan Hideaki Anno got some extra attention when his wife Moyoco posted this birthday photo on Twitter with the following caption:
“The director turned 64 today. He looks like he’s having fun.”
A nice enough post, but not one you’d expect to be newsworthy, right? In a world where only the slightest tweak gets fans gossiping, you’d be wrong.
Click here to find out what happened next.
October 6: 50th Anniversary screening event
Three of the most famous Yamato fans in Japan took the wheel for this special event, based at the Shinjuku Piccadilly in Tokyo and live-streamed to 42 other theaters. Together they presided over a special screening and sat down for an engaging conversation that led to what had to be the most unexpected – and appropriate – announcement of the day.
Click here to read about the entire event. As for the big announcement, here is the official word from Studio Khara’s website:
Khara Inc. has been granted the rights to produce a new animated film based on Space Battleship Yamato by Voyager Holdings Inc. (CEO: Shoji Nishizaki), and has also received permission from Tohokushinsha Co., Ltd. to use the copyright.
We are currently working hard on planning a new theatrical production, aiming to start in 2025, in order to contribute to the further development of the Space Battleship Yamato series, which has a glorious history as a Japanese anime, and to create a work that can be enjoyed by many fans.
This new anime film will follow a different route from the remake series that began with Yamato 2199 in 2012 and continues with REBEL 3199, the second chapter of which will be released in theaters on November 22, 2024. We pray for the safe voyage of the remake series currently in production.
If I hadn’t encountered Space Battleship Yamato 50 years ago, I don’t think I would be who I am today. Now that I am involved with Yamato, I want to spend the rest of my life creating as many interesting works as possible that combine new and old, with respect and gratitude for all the staff and cast of Yamato, and I would like to leave Space Battleship Yamato for future generations.
Thank you very much for your cooperation.
– Hideaki Anno, CEO of Khara Inc.
Studio Khara posted this followup message from Anno a week later (October 13). See the original post here.
A little about my involvement with Yamato
Fifty years ago, the world of Yamato was huge, with the original TV series, the theatrical version (with the Starsha death version), and the theatrical version that was broadcast on TV (the Starsha survival version), as well as several novels, including the Sonorama version by Arashi Ishizu, and manga by Leiji Matsumoto, Akira Hio, and Yuki Hijiri, which were developed around the same time as the TV broadcast.
For me, Yamato was a work that depicted multiple worlds existing simultaneously. Of course, I felt this same sensation with Ultraman, Ultraseven, Kamen Rider, Mazinger Z, Devilman and other works, due to differences in the way the worlds were depicted in the TV and manga versions. Even among these parallel worlds, Yamato was special. This is because the original TV series had an epoch-making worldview, and multiple authors were freely and individually drawing their own versions in various media. The remake series 2199 also has a parallel between the main story and the manga by Michio Murakawa.
The parallel world aspect of the Yamato series was confirmed with Farewell to Yamato and the Yamato 2 series. The version drawn by Mr. Matsumoto is also a parallel world, and there are two versions of Resurrection by Mr. Nishizaki. Even in the case of Japanese content such as Ultraman, Kamen Rider, and Gundam, which are representative of the genre, parallel worlds created by branching off or resetting the story continue to this day. Such worlds are now too numerous to count.
I think that resetting and creating parallel worlds is a natural phenomenon for works that are not only historically significant but also strong as content. For me, it has always been natural to have multiple versions of the same work. I think the fact that we are following in the history of Yamato created by our predecessors, while having multiple versions in existence at the same time, is a continuation of the Yamato style.
At the end of the 1970s, we also experienced the bitter history of fans clashing with each other over their differing preferences for Farewell and Yamato 2, and the emotional arguments and disputes that ensued. I think preferences for the versions that were first imprinted on us are a long-standing problem for fans of long-running works.
This time, thanks to the kindness of the various companies involved, I was given relatively free rights to create a new Yamato. That’s why, rather than aiming for the small goal of fulfilling my dream as a junior high student, I’m trying to make a new Yamato that has a high possibility of continuing to the 100th anniversary.
I don’t know how many of the works I’m involved in will set sail and reach their destination of release, but I’m doing my best anyway. Because that’s all I can do right now.
And once again, I pray for the safe voyage and safe return of the ongoing remake series REBEL 3199.
– Hideaki Anno, CEO of Khara Inc.
2026
March 30: Studio Khara on Twitter
After October 6 2024, all went quiet. No further word was spoken about Hideaki Anno’s Yamato until this day when the silence was finally broken on the Studio Khara Twitter page:
Today, March 30th, marks the 51st anniversary of the broadcast of the final episode of Space Battleship Yamato. This week, we are scheduled to hold the 41st main production meeting for Yamato. We also have various other sub-committee sessions on the docket, including CG checks and more.
Perhaps it is Yamato’s destiny to be defined by frequent, marathon-like meetings. Regardless, we continue our production work today with quiet, steady dedication. Please bear with us just a little longer until we are ready to unveil the title, staff roster, and key visuals.
(As shared by our company President)
See the original post here
See an enlargement at the end of this page
August 6: Studio Khara on Twitter
For three years running, Hideaki Anno (president of Studio Khara) has drawn Yamato for paper lanterns placed on display at the Bonbori Festival in Kamakura, Japan. It happened again on August 6, but this time there was an important change: the illustration was a printout of a CG model. What’s more, it had several noticeable differences from the original bridge tower as we’ve seen it in the classic anime AND in the remakes.
It doesn’t take a major leap to guess that this could be the ship that appears in Anno’s forthcoming Yamato movie, about which we still know precious little. The presence of “Cosmo Ship Yamato” as a potential title should also not be ignored.
The photo at right was posted on Studio Khara’s Twitter page with this caption:
Today, August 6, marks the 49th anniversary of the theatrical release of the Space Battleship Yamato movie in Tokyo. The new Yamato is steadily and diligently in production even today.
See the original post here
Fans speculated wildly on Twitter, including YMT-0312Yamato, who wrote:
Is this the new Yamato?! Compared to the remake Yamato, the space between the first and second bridge feels so much longer and way taller! It’s a design close to the original Yamato! The pulse laser turrets are gatling guns?! The barrels wouldn’t recoil with each shot; instead, each barrel rotates and fires in bursts…!! (So freaking cool…)
What I love most is that they’ve added a rangefinder to the first secondary turret!! This is a pretty major design change even among all the previous Yamato series…! It’s a design bursting with that Battleship Yamato vibe! The detailing is worked out down to the finest parts, and that’s cool too!!
Will it finally start next year? This is Cosmo Ship Yamato! The Anno version.
October 6: The announcement
At last, the project got a name, a teaser visual, and some meaningful publicity. It began first thing in the morning with the launch of an official website, shown above. (A larger version of the teaser visual can be found at the end of this page.) The text reads:
“We want to continue creating Yamato not merely to fulfill the dreams of our boyhood selves, but to embody the prayers and wishes we hold for both the next generation and our own. That is the spirit driving this production.”
– Hideaki Anno, a huge fan of Yamato since the 2nd year of junior high
Original Work: Yoshinobu Nishizaki
Planning & Executive Producer: Hideaki Anno
Planning: Mitsuhisa Ishikawa
Director & Design Works: Yutaka Izubuchi
Director & Design Works: Hideaki Anno
Production Studio: Production I.G × Studio Khara
Production: Shin Office Academy
On the right is the name of the project, which itself requires some explaining.
Space Battleship Yamato √2199
The apparent “international title” is Cosmoship Yamato √2199, which we’ve seen off and on since it first appeared on a Leiji Matsumoto manga in 1975. In a few vintage interviews, Matsumoto stated that he wished they could have left out the war connection and called the series Spaceship Yamato, so Cosmoship Yamato was his own personal version. Hideaki Anno paid homage to it from time to time in various sketches like the one shown below right. However, it isn’t a translation of the title any more than Space Cruiser Yamato used to be back in the original production years, so take it under advisement.
Now, what about the “check mark”? According to the official source, it stands for the word “ROOT.” Does that indicate the “square root” of 2199? No, it does not. It evokes the “root” of the story. In a bit of clever wordplay, it can also mean “route.” So in a single symbol lies a dual meaning: this could be the “root” of 2199, or the “route” toward 2199. Either way, it implies that we’ll see something leading up to what we know.
Does that mean it’s a prequel? The involvement of Yutaka Izubuchi suggests this, since after finishing Yamato 2199 he said the only other Yamato project that interested him would be a prequel covering the “inner planets war” from which Captain Okita and his fellow officers emerged.
All those hints put together make it sound like a lead-in to the remake series, but something else tells us we shouldn’t look for strict continuity here…
When we brighten up that teaser image, a wealth of details appear, and the more you study them the more you see variations from the ship we’ve come to know. It was made clear from the start that this project would not be part of the remake series, and this is as good an indicator as any that we’ll be going somewhere new.
And speaking of “New,” that’s what the “Shin” means in “Shin Office Academy.” This is perhaps the most heartwarming detail from the opening announcement; evoking the original “Office Academy” production studio is an A-plus homage.
Other content on the official site (as of this writing) consists of three news items:
A news page stating that this will be a feature-length animated film, release date TBD.
An announcement that the first Anno/Izubuchi interview will be published in the November issue of NewType magazine.
Another announcement that √2199 teaser posters will be displayed in two Evangelion stores starting October 9 and 10.
At left is the inaugural Twitter post. Follow the √2199 Twitter account here
At right was one of the first reactions from the “inner circle,” Character Designer Nobuteru Yuuki. (Follow him here.)
Publicity
Well-timed articles appeared in at least four major newspapers. Above left, Daily Sports was the first to call it “Shin Yamato” to align with Anno’s other big projects. Above right, Sports Nippon went with “Hideaki Anno is creating Yamato.”
Nikkan Sports proclaimed, “Hideaki Anno’s New Feature Film, [I Want to Keep Making Yamato.]” And finally, Sports Hochi‘s headline read, “Space Battleship Yamato Latest Work Directed by Hideaki Anno.”
Of course, numerous online news sources also published the teaser visual and the same basic information quoted above. On the English-speaking side of the globe, Anime News Network assembled a report from the official site and Comic Natalie. Read their article here.
For an example of online coverage in Japan, here’s an article posted the next day by entertainment blog Pugmag…
Space Battleship Yamato √2199 Theatrical Anime Production Confirmed! Hideaki Anno x Yutaka Izubuchi; Interview with Both Directors Coming October 9
Hello there! A new voyage for Yamato is setting sail as a feature-length theatrical anime. The production of Space Battleship Yamato √2199 (pronounced “Root 2199”) was announced on October 6! Hideaki Anno serves as Executive Producer and Director, while Yutaka Izubuchi serves as Co-Director. A teaser visual was also unveiled alongside the announcement. For those wondering, “When can I see it in theaters?” or “What information is available right now?”, we’ve summarized the details of the new work and the related projects you can enjoy in the coming days.
The title is pronounced “Root 2199”
The “√2199” in the title is read as “Root 2199.” The announcement date, October 6, marked the 52nd anniversary of Space Battleship Yamato. News of this new film arrived at a significant milestone for this long-beloved franchise. The release date will be announced on the official website and other channels once decided. We also have the voice cast and detailed story to look forward to. For now, let’s memorize the title of this new work and await further updates.
Co-production by Production I.G and Studio Khara
The animation is being handled by Production I.G and Studio Khara. This marks the first co-production between the two companies. In addition to the directorial team of Anno and Izubuchi, the collaboration between these production studios is also drawing attention. While the finished film won’t be revealed for a while, just imagining the visual style and the depiction of space is exciting in itself.
The first image: Yamato heading from Earth into space
The released teaser visual depicts Yamato preparing to launch from a devastated Earth into space. By taking in the whole image and then focusing on the ship’s silhouette and the background, you can get a feel for the new work’s atmosphere, something words alone can’t convey. It’s also worth viewing it on a large screen after checking it out on your smartphone.
Both directors featured in the October 9th issue of Newtype
A special interview with Hideaki Anno and Yutaka Izubuchi will appear in the November issue of Monthly Newtype, on sale Friday, October 9th. This feature commemorates the magazine’s 500th issue and includes a newly unveiled illustration of Yamato. If this announcement has piqued your interest, this is the next step to hearing directly from the production team.
Teaser posters also on display in Ikebukuro and Hakone-Yumoto
For those who want to see the actual posters, displays are scheduled at specific stores. They are set to go up at EVANGELION STORE TOKYO-01 (Ikebukuro) from the evening of Friday, October 9th, and at Hakone-Yumoto Eva-ya from the evening of Saturday, October 10th. If you happen to be in the area, it’s a great excuse to drop by.
Starting with the visuals and the words of the directors…
The time spent waiting for the new Yamato is part of the enjoyment of the work itself. Let’s look forward to the day we head to the theater while gazing at the teaser visual and reading the magazine interview!
Photo posted on Twitter by WebNewType
October 9: NewType magazine, November issue
So how about it? Want to read that interview? We can, thanks to the generous support of friend-of-the-website Minoru Itgaki.
Click here to read it right now!
Photo posted on Twitter at the official √2199 page
October 9: Sign on display
And finally, as promised, a poster-size version of the teaser art went up in the Evangelion store located in Ikebukuro, Tokyo. But it wasn’t exactly the same as the teaser art. Fans showed up to capture closeups and post them on Twitter for examination.
See a photo collection here
October 13: Studio Khara on Twitter
Just before this report went live, Studio Khara popped up again to mark the 52nd anniversary of Yamato‘s second TV episode. Hideaki Anno took the opportunity to explain why in two tweets:
My personal encounter with Yamato took place 52 years ago today, with the broadcast of its second episode. The profound impact I felt back then remains the primary motivation behind why I am still creating animation today, now well past the age of 66. I am truly grateful for that encounter with Yamato all those years ago.
My own desire to bring drawings to life began with the broadcast of the second episode of Yamato. For √2199, with an eye toward workflow efficiency, I intend to move beyond just using paper, incorporating digital animation via Clip Studio Paint and 3D animation using Blender.
Find the posts on Studio Khara’s Twitter page here
The second post included a retweet from 2024 (shown above) which included a very short video clip animated by Anno in his younger years. It came with this explanation:
This is the first independent animation I ever made, back when I was in my second year of high school. Instead of drawing on paper, I hand-traced directly onto commercially-available animation cels (which I bought at an art supply store) and then transferred the drawings onto the cels. The coloring was done by everyone in the art club using commercially-available cel paints. After shooting it with an 8mm camera and developing the film, I still remember how incredibly moved I was when I realized the drawings I had made were “actually moving.”
This humble work is the origin of my animation. I believe my desire to “draw something and make it move” would not have been possible without Space Battleship Yamato. Now, more than ever, I realize that I am who I am today because of Yamato, and I would like to express my gratitude to the staff and cast.
See the film here
Photo posted on Twitter by GOMAS2YU1
What’s Next
Who can say? The final chapter of REBEL 3199 sucked up all the oxygen shortly after the √2199 announcement broke, so there’s no telling when we’ll get enough news for Report 2. For now, let’s just fill up our anticipation tanks for what is likely to be an exciting ride.
Meanwhile, check out some related links to demonstrate how far we’ve come:
