Translation and commentary by Anton Mei Brandt
We hear narration from Captain Ram, a soldier of Planet Berth, as he bravely departs to defend his homeland. We glimpse his small fleet, led by his red flagship the Legendra.
Captain Ram: Rest assured, the great land of Barze/Berth will be defended to the very end.
Planet Berth is a Bolar vassal state from Yamato III, its protection and autonomy guaranteed by the vast federation. In the original work, Ram bravely defended incursions by Galman commander Dagon. Captain Ram appears to be voiced by Naoki Kusumi, a returning reboot Yamato actor who previously filled in for the late great Ishizuka Unshou as Captain Ryu Hijikata for Yamato 2202’s final six episodes. Kusumi would be the second major voice actor to return to the Yamato reboot following a previous character death, with Kazan’s VA having previously voiced Velte Talan in 2199. Unsurprisingly, it appears Ram’s ship will belong to its own class, likely originating from Berth itself.
Sasha, likely in Dessler’s palace on planet Galman, appears to enjoy a warm reunion with her uncle Susumu Kodai, with Analyzer present. Mikage Kiryu questions Sasha’s rapid growth off-screen.
Sasha: Uncle–!
Mikage Kiryu’s voice: Sasha was abducted two weeks ago, you know!
To Japanese fans, hearing Sasha calling Susumu her “uncle” is as iconic as hearing “I’ve got a bad feeling about this” in Star Wars. It’s why the first teaser for Chapter 3 ended with her saying the same thing. As for how and why she’s suddenly aged up? Kiryu shares our misgivings. Is she a Dezarium clone? Planet Phantom? Princess Ruda? Sasha from the future?
Elsewhere on Earth, Heikuro Todo’s sister and Dezarium collaborator Nobuno looks to be chastised by occupation commander Kazan.
Kazan’s voice: It needed to be repeated.
Is Kazan referring to the cyclical nature of time that Alphon and Ranbel spoke of in Chapter 3? Or did he just remind her of the consequences of their failure to achieve their goals? Mysteries laden with mysteries. In any case, it appears Nobuno isn’t having a great time.
Quick insert shots of Kazan and Sada.
Deusula III, led by its commanders Kel Keeling and Dagon, escorts Yamato to Planet Galman. There, a long-awaited reunion between old rivals turned friends is set to begin.
Dessler: A fragment/fragments of Iscandar… truly a force to be reckoned with.
Kodai: We might be cruising aboard an unbelievably dangerous ship…
In this moment, the former enemies discuss what Dezarium covets: the two fragments of Iscandar; Yamato’s unique Wave-Motion Engine core and Sasha. Kodai’s line implies he’s referring to Yamato, but at this point he should know how volatile and dangerous his ship is, given how it helped bring Teresa into our world in 2202. Perhaps Dessler is showing Kodai his new flagship from Yamato III? And I wonder how the supreme leader feels about seeing the love of his life’s daughter. Maybe he doesn’t quite believe she’s who she purports herself to be.
The Dezarium “larva” child Fleur delights in seeing her breath in the cold. She enquires about the nature of conflict between people. Likely to Tsubasa, or her foster father Maxim.
Fleur: Why can’t you/they/people get along?
Good question Fleur. In chapter 3, Tsubasa ends up picking a fight with some bullies who refuse to leave Fleur alone as she hands out free com-medals from Mother Dezarium. At the time, she preached how these medals will help humanity understand each other better, and clearly by extent reduce conflicts caused by misunderstandings and hate.
On a subjective note, I find her character – a completely original one – to be absolutely adorable. Seeing her slowly understand the feeling of being human, and in this moment witnessing her first snowfall…it’s heartwarming. Also, I wonder what Tsubasa’s concerned about.
Alphon brings Yuki to a ball. The ‘witch’ Sada and Dezarium’s secret conspirator Captain Seiya Kitano both appear to be present as well.
Alphon: I wanted to see the most beautiful you one last time.
Much to unpack here. We have no idea which side Captain Kitano is truly on at this point, seeing as he’s shown to be a Dezarium ally at the end of Chapter 3. Maybe he’s just protecting his kid brother this way, guaranteeing his survival and escape from repercussions following the Arizona hijacking?
Is Alphon referring to Yuki here? If so, it would be a clear allusion to his death in the original Be Forever Yamato, which almost certainly makes this line ‘bait’ for older audiences. Maybe he’s talking to the younger Sasha? Or Sada?
As for why I describe Sada as a ‘witch’ it’s because her official 3199 character profile does the same thing. Given how similar a role she had to Farewell’s Sabera, as well as her comparable appearance, we can’t dismiss the potential for her to be a Jirel like Ark of the Stars’ Lerelai, or perhaps a Zemulian witch like the aforementioned Sabera. Or, a bodily receptacle for Mother Dezarium. Endless possibilities!
Nanbu, Ota (and probably Aihara as the driver) bear witness to a broadcast of some kind, or perhaps are staging the next step of their resistance plan. Nanbu then directly addresses the conspirators off-screen.
Nanbu: Goodbye…to all of you traitors!
My bet’s on the ball being the location where Nanbu intends to bid an undisclosed group of people goodbye. Permanently. Let’s just hope he doesn’t go off the deep end, doing something he’ll regret. In fact, the more I think about it, it’s almost as if Dezarium is promoting Nanbu’s descent, to escalate tensions and make some statement about how unreliable human beings are without com-medals regulating their emotions. Fancy that…!
Yamato prepares to fire the Wave-Motion Gun, and at some point is entangled by one of Dezarium’s Goruba Capture Nets, alongside Frakken’s new space submarine. The chapter 4 subtitle is revealed: Pale Blue Maiden/Sasha.
Sasha’s voice: Uncle…please, fire the Wave Motion Gun!
What an exciting first trailer! It’s neat to see the Capture Nets from 2205 returning. They are the biggest real counter-space submarine tools Dezarium has so it’s very logical to use them. This does however imply that Yamato will be confronted by one or more of the Goruba ships stationed around Earth, paving the way for a recreation of a very exciting set piece from the original Be Forever!
Who is Yamato targeting in the title shot? Is Sasha about to die, given that she recites the traumatic last request she makes of her uncle in the original work? And that large colony-sized thing in the Key Visual poster… undoubtedly a Bolar planet-destroying proton missile! Which just so happens to be the key to solving the latest mystery.
In Yamato III, the Bolar Federation used a giant missile in an attempt to destroy planet Galman. Thankfully, Yamato saved the day by using the Wave-Motion Gun!
In short: during Yamato’s stay at Galman next chapter, Bolar will likely make a push, threatening the planet with a proton missile. Kodai, distraught over the idea of firing the WMG in front of Sasha – the last heir of Starsha – is given Sasha’s consent to use it. Perhaps the WMG isn’t strong enough to destroy it, making it go off-course toward our Sun?