\nThey conducted two interviews that were published a month apart, both of which are presented here.<\/p>\n
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<\/span> <\/p>\nWeekly Playboy<\/em> magazine<\/h2>\nShueisha, February 25 2008<\/em><\/p>\n\nWeekly Playboy<\/em> is not unlike its American counterpart, if you discount the manga featured within its pages (which, surprisingly, is suitable for general audiences). It also covers news, sports, and entertainment with a few pages of comparatively tame cheesecake photos. The Anno\/Nishizaki interview covered four pages and was otherwise unrelated to the rest of the content. In addition to some interesting memories, there was also the hint of the Yamato<\/em> project that was to come after Resurrection<\/em>.<\/p>\nLegendary TV Series Space Battleship Yamato<\/em> in a DVD Box! Two great masters of anime come together to celebrate its release!<\/h3>\nInterviewer: Space Battleship Yamato<\/em>, the landmark series of the anime world, is being newly-released in a DVD box. We’re talking about this with Yamato<\/em>‘s Producer, Yoshinobu Nishizaki, and famous director Hideaki Anno. Mr. Anno, you have your own Yamato<\/em> to talk about?<\/p>\n\nAnno:<\/em><\/span> I supervised the making of a Yamato<\/em> model kit for the DVD box.<\/p>\n\nNishizaki:<\/em><\/span> I was in charge of the video color-correction and Mr. Anno consulted with me.<\/p>\n\nInterviewer:<\/em><\/span> Great! A collaberation between two giants! What did you think of the kit?<\/p>\n\nNishizaki:<\/em><\/span> I’m satisfied with it, even though it isn’t exactly like the prototype. The extended shape of the bow is very smart.<\/p>\n\nAnno:<\/em><\/span> I think it’s the best model that’s been done. The very first one had a windup motor, so you had to cut it off and modify it. But no one will have to tinker with this kit. Well, somebody will… (laughs)<\/p>\n\nInterviewer:<\/em><\/span> Mr. Nishizaki, how did Yamato<\/em> production start?<\/p>\n\nNishizaki:<\/em><\/span> At first I hit on the idea of a flying battleship. There was a prototype of this in a magazine called Boy’s Club<\/em> at the time. The ideas coalesced into Space Battleship Yamato.<\/em> It began 34 years ago, in 1974. Mr. Anno, when did you first see it?<\/p>\n\nAnno:<\/em><\/span> I was an eighth-grader. I was already a fan of battleships, but when I saw the anime it was unprecedented. At the time, though, we didn’t say “anime,” it was “TV manga.” I was fascinated just by the opening title. It was something adults would not be embarrassed to watch. I did ‘missionary work’ for Yamato<\/em> at my school. I drew my own poster and put it up on the campus to spread the word! (Laughs)<\/p>\n\nNishizaki:<\/em><\/span> The staff and I were very particular about making it as photographic as possible. If we could find anyone who could describe a real battleship I’d say “I’ll be there in 30 minutes,” and jump in my car. However, our ratings were bad. We had planned to do 39 episodes, but we were reduced to 26. Heidi of the Alps<\/em> was on another channel, and that was everyone’s popular pick.<\/p>\n\nAnno:<\/em><\/span> A whole family would watch Heidi<\/em> together. But as for Yamato<\/em>, it was just me (laughs). But my father was soon tempted, too. After all, it was a program adults could enjoy. The first episode was a big surprise, and I became an instant fan. When the second episode came on, I put my cassette recorder next to the TV. I loudly begged my parents for one to help with English study. After listening three times I could repeat all the dialogue (laughs)!<\/p>\n\nNishizaki:<\/em><\/span> The sound effects were very good. Which did you like best?<\/p>\n\nAnno:<\/em><\/span> The main guns firing. In fact, we used that sound in Nadia and the Secret of Blue Water.<\/em> Those sounds should be preserved for posterity!<\/p>\n\nInterviewer:<\/em><\/span> By the way, did you actually use that cassette recorder for English study?<\/p>\n\nAnno:<\/em><\/span> (Laughs) No, only for recording Yamato!<\/em> I also recorded the commercials. I can recall all the catchphrases even today.<\/p>\n\nNishizaki:<\/em><\/span> Was Yamato<\/em> the model for Nadia?<\/em><\/p>\n\nAnno:<\/em><\/span> Your favorite works are always your model, whether or not you admit it. But Yamato<\/em>‘s influence was big, especially on the spaceships.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/oct08\/26303.JPG\")
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Not Just Anime: Yamato<\/em>‘s Story Made a Deep Impression<\/h3>\nInterviewer:<\/em><\/span> Why did you make Yamato<\/em> the basis for the story? Why not the Nagato?<\/em><\/p>\n\nNishizaki: Yamato<\/em> was a tragic figure for those of us who experienced World War II. In fact, I once went to the China Sea to find the spot where it sank.<\/p>\n\nInterviewer:<\/em><\/span> You went searching for Yamato?<\/em><\/p>\n\nNishizaki:<\/em><\/span> We found the exact spot, but the waves were too high to get a good picture.<\/p>\n\nInterviewer:<\/em><\/span> Was it an expensive trip?<\/p>\n\nNishizaki:<\/em><\/span> Yes, because we searched with sonar. We detected the three biggest pieces of the hull.<\/p>\n\nInterviewer:<\/em><\/span> Nishizaki’s dynamic connection! By the way, there is a rumor that Dessler was modeled after you. Is that true?<\/p>\n\nNishizaki:<\/em><\/span> That was probably an accident! (Laughs) I sympathized with the role of Dessler. He was faithful to his desires. Some said that in that way he resembled me very much! (Laughs)<\/p>\n\nAnno:<\/em><\/span> Dessler’s a great character. A lot of anime villains would attack without reason, but with him there was always a good reason. He completely overturned the morality of anime works. His story did a lot to spread the Yamato<\/em> worldview.<\/p>\n\nNishizaki:<\/em><\/span> Thank you. Even though 34 years have passed, Dessler is still everyone’s idea of the ideal villain.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/oct08\/26305.JPG\")
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Looking Back, Yamato<\/em> Started it All!<\/h3>\nInterviewer:<\/em><\/span> The TV series went into reruns, and the movie was a big breakthrough. Mr. Nishizaki, when did Yamato<\/em> Fever spread across Japan?<\/p>\n\nNishizaki:<\/em><\/span> When the movie was released in 1977, and there was a huge line at the theaters. I had to see it, so I went to the one in Shibuya.<\/p>\n\nAnno:<\/em><\/span> I was in one of those lines. It wasn’t playing in my hometown, so I had to go to Shimonoseki to see it.<\/p>\n\nNishizaki:<\/em><\/span> If Yamato<\/em> failed, I was thinking about quitting the anime business. So I’m really grateful the fans liked the movie and the TV reruns.<\/p>\n\nAnno:<\/em><\/span> We fans should thank you. If not for Yamato<\/em>, Japan might not have anime now. Neither anime fans nor Otakus would have been born. Yamato<\/em> started it all.<\/p>\n\nNishizaki:<\/em><\/span> I’m glad the idea of a realistic anime was accepted.<\/p>\n\nAnno:<\/em><\/span> When I first saw Yamato<\/em>, I was at the age where we were expected to “graduate” from watching anime. Because I saw it, I continued watching after middle school. It was my whole life in high school. The first animation cel I painted was of Yamato.<\/em> I shot it with an 8mm camera to make it look like it was flying forward. That was my first self-produced anime. Seeing Yamato<\/em> got me into anime.<\/p>\n\nNishizaki:<\/em><\/span> Then, Anno, why don’t you do a Yamato?<\/em> I’m thinking I’d like to remake the 39-episode version.<\/p>\n\nInterviewer:<\/em><\/span> Wow! Anno, the megaphone of Yamato<\/em>, would finally get to make one?<\/p>\n\nAnno:<\/em><\/span> I don’t think I have it in me. I wouldn’t be able to do justice to Yamato<\/em> without having experienced the Pacific War in any way. But if you do remake it, by all means make the battle at the Rainbow Galaxy twice as long, and show it in great detail!<\/p>\n\nInterviewer:<\/em><\/span> Mr. Anno, how did you decide to make the new model kit?<\/p>\n\nAnno:<\/em><\/span> I really wanted it to look like it does in the opening title. That’s my favorite version. After this I’d like to do the Andromeda<\/em> and Okita’s battleship in the same scale. This project started out as a garage kit, so we might go that way in the future. Would there be any trouble getting permission and consultation?<\/p>\n\nNishizaki:<\/em><\/span> Not at all. I’m glad you took the trouble to make this new kit. It’s very well made.<\/p>\n\nInterviewer:<\/em><\/span> Can I get your final comments on the new box set?<\/p>\n\nAnno:<\/em><\/span> I think it would be great to see the entire TV series in one sitting. I’d like everyone to watch it, so they can reaffirm that this was the starting point of anime. It would be especially interesting for people who saw it the first time.<\/p>\n\nNishizaki:<\/em><\/span> Digital processing was used for the first time with this release, but it looks completely natural. I think Yamato<\/em> is just as enjoyable as it ever was.<\/p>\n\nInterviewer:<\/em><\/span> Thank you very much!<\/p>\n\n
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<\/span><\/p>\nOtonafami<\/em> magazine<\/h2>\nEnterbrain, March 28 2008<\/em><\/p>\n\nOtonafami<\/em>, or Weekly Family<\/em> magazine is an all-purpose entertainment weekly that covers movies, TV, games, toys, anime, music, and more. Their interview was shorter (just two pages) but no less interesting than the first.<\/p>\nYamato<\/em> is a “Real Adult” drama<\/h3>\nInterviewer:<\/em><\/span> How is the quality of the bonus model kit with the DVD?<\/p>\n\nAnno:<\/em><\/span> First I had Shoichi Manabe build a prototype model, but halfway through it we started talking about it becoming a plamo. [Translator’s note: a mass-produced plastic model.] The injection kit that came out of it made the most of the high technology cultivated by Bandai, and it’s remarkably good. It’s an ideal 3-D version. I asked Mr. Nishizaki to look at the color of the hull, the molding color.<\/p>\n\nNishizaki:<\/em><\/span> Yes, I did the color specification. As for the molding itself, Mr. Anno supervised it.<\/p>\n\nInterviewer:<\/em><\/span> What is Yamato<\/em> to you, Mr. Anno?<\/p>\n\nAnno:<\/em><\/span> It’s the first work that hooked me. It’s a hard drama, not for young children. It could be best appreciated by adults, but I could enjoy it even as a junior high student.<\/p>\n\nNishizaki:<\/em><\/span> At the beginning, I was thinking the target age would be 13-14, so he was the perfect age for it. It had appeal up and down.<\/p>\n\nInterviewer:<\/em><\/span> What was it that hooked you, Mr. Anno?<\/p>\n\nAnno:<\/em><\/span> I was already drawn in by the opening. I watched the rising title and the following scenes every time. The presentation of battle in space was realistic, and I was really surprised at the many types of mecha. You could say it moved properly. It was really great.<\/p>\n\nInterviewer:<\/em><\/span> The image of the warp was impressive.<\/p>\n\nAnno:<\/em><\/span> It was the first time such a thing was done. And while the image of it was good, the description was even better. It took a whole episode and going beyond the speed of light was wonderful. After that, there was a whole episode devoted to firing the Wave-Motion Gun. I’m one for showing it in detail.<\/p>\n\nNishizaki:<\/em><\/span> From the beginning, we couldn’t get to Iscandar if we didn’t exceed the speed of light, so that was the first thing we had to attempt. Then we could show the power of the Wave-Motion Gun. It only became Yamato<\/em> after those two things.<\/p>\n\nInterviewer:<\/em><\/span> Where did the idea of the Wave-Motion Gun come from?<\/p>\n\nNishizaki:<\/em><\/span> An illustration done by Leiji Matsumoto had a firing Wave-Motion Gun. All it took was some preparation. The engine room was its starting point, so we concentrated on how to make an engine room.<\/p>\n\nInterviewer:<\/em><\/span> What’s the theme of Yamato<\/em>?<\/p>\n\nNishizaki:<\/em><\/span> In the end, it is love.<\/p>\n\nInterviewer:<\/em><\/span> Was there an influencing work?<\/p>\n\nNishizaki:<\/em><\/span> I don’t remember it, myself (laughs). The origin of the idea was to fly a battleship in space. Next came the youth drama of Kodai and Shima. I was very interested in having those two contrast each other. Then we made up the characters around them, like Dr. Sado.<\/p>\n\n
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