{"id":26020,"date":"2019-01-07T13:12:40","date_gmt":"2019-01-07T21:12:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault\/?p=26020"},"modified":"2026-09-13T20:18:32","modified_gmt":"2026-09-14T03:18:32","slug":"359a","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault\/359a\/","title":{"rendered":"Yamato<\/em> Year 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"1901icon\"<\/p>\n

The year 2018 was a slow one where the original Yamato<\/em> saga is concerned, but quality is always better than quantity when it comes to our favorite anime classic. Here\u2019s what happened between and around the releases of Yamato<\/em> 2202<\/em> chapters 4, 5, and 6.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

The year 2018 was a slow one where the original Yamato<\/em> saga is concerned, but quality is always better than quantity when it comes to our favorite anime classic. The 40th anniversaries of both Farewell to Yamato<\/em> and Yamato 2<\/em> inexplicably came and went without fanfare, but a lot of interesting things still happened between the releases of Yamato 2202<\/em> chapters 4-6.<\/p>\n

Music<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

January 18: Grand Symphony Yamato<\/em> sheet music<\/h3>\n

Kentaro Haneda\u2019s magnum opus was the \u201cclosing note\u201d on the original production years, and has been covered at length elsewhere<\/a> on this website. Hustle Copy published sheet music for all four movements, allowing symphonies around the world to take up the challenge of this massive, complex body of work.<\/p>\n

Order it from Rakuten (ships to Japanese addresses only) here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

May 5: Radio Suite:
\nSpace Battleship Yamato<\/em><\/h3>\n

One of the most revered traditions of the original Yamato<\/em> production years was a strong presence on radio with frequent appearances by staff & cast members, and especially the live four-hour late night radio dramas for the feature films. On May 5, that tradition was revived by FM station Clover Radio located in Saitama Prefecture, covering the cities of Asaka, Wako, Shiki, and Niiza.<\/p>\n

This 4-hour special program was all about Yamato<\/em> music, broadcast from 2 to 6pm on May 5. Hosted by DJ “Apple,” the content was provided by manga artist Michio Murakawa, “Fukushige Infinite Music Study”<\/a> (host of the Yamato Music<\/em><\/a> website) and “Andro Umeda” (self-described soundtrack lover). They even had a celebrity guest in for conversation: anime auteur Hideki Anno, another lifetime Yamato<\/em> fan. <\/p>\n

As enjoyable as the show was, peppered with beloved favorites and eye-opening rarities alike, the best part was the online response; on the broadcast day, the social media hashtag for the show trended first nationwide.<\/p>\n

Each of the four hours had its own topic:<\/p>\n

Hour 1: Yamato<\/em> origin point, pilot film music and series music through 2202<\/em>
\nHour 2: Memories of Yamato<\/em> sound media with Hideaki Anno
\nHour 3: Comparing past theme songs and insert songs, ED songs, originals and remakes
\nHour 4: Listener requests and Yamato 2202<\/em> Chapter 5 promo<\/p>\n

Afterward, each hour was rerun separately (twice per day) from May 8-11 at 6am and 7pm. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Description from the Clover Radio website:<\/em><\/p>\n

This year it is forty years since the big hit movie Farewell to Yamato<\/em>. While we wait for the theatrical release of Yamato 2202<\/em> Chapter 5 on May 25, a four-hour special program devoted to the music of Space Battleship Yamato<\/em> will be broadcast on FM station Clover Radio in Saitama Prefecture, with net delivery to Yamato<\/em> music fans nationwide. We’ll look back at the monumental achievement of this music that has affected a wide range of generations, from nostalgic pieces to the latest works with guest commentary and listener requests.<\/span><\/p>\n

DJ Apple is the main personality behind anime and tokusatsu programs on Clover Radio. Guests will include manga artist Michio Murakawa, who participates in Yamato 2202<\/em>, and Mr. Fushige who hosts the Yamato Music<\/em> website. There are more than 1000 Yamato<\/em> songs old and new with rich and unusual sound sources. We’ll hear and compare many different versions of famous themes. We expect to examine various rare pieces and discuss the new work Yamato 2202<\/em>. There has never before been a four-hour program devoted to Yamato<\/em> music, and we propose to fully promote the appeal of Space Battleship Yamato<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Three very lucky listeners won these Michio Murakawa originals, photos of which were posted on Twitter by DJ Apple<\/a> May 21.<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

July 25: May J. Cinema Song Covers<\/em><\/h3>\n

Rhythm Zone, RZCD-86610~11<\/em><\/p>\n

This 2-disc collection by a fantastic singer features songs from American films on the first disc and Japanese works on the second, including the ending theme from Laputa<\/em> and the Infinite Universe<\/em> theme from Yamato<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Listen to it on Youtube here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Order the album from CD Japan here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

August 25: Tokyo Symphony Orchestra concert<\/h3>\n

Naoto Otomo (first image, far left) was the original conductor for Kentaro Haneda\u2019s Grand Symphony Yamato<\/em>, and has revived it from time to time. He did so again on August 25 with the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, and had this to say about it in a Twitter thread from the Tokyo Symphony account<\/a>:<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Kentaro Haneda, who had a rich and extraordinary musicality, completed this masterpiece wholeheartedly. In the time that has passed since its premiere (1984), the beauty and dynamism of this pure symphony has become a Japanese treasure with kindness and strength, independent from the anime called<\/em> Space Battleship Yamato. I cannot confirm whether Mr. Haneda intended it from the beginning, but the original title of the handwritten score was<\/em> Symphony Yamato. <\/p>\n

At its premiere, the ending of the fourth movement was changed at the strong request of Producer Yoshinobu Nishizaki, but in this performance we play it with Mr. Haneda\u2019s original ending. Mr. Haneda, Mr. Miyagawa, and Mr. Nishizaki have been gone for a long time, but I hope you will feel the dreams, hope, and energy that was infused into this music back in the days when everyone was shining and full of vitality.<\/em><\/p>\n

-Naoto Otomo, Tokyo Symphony Orchestra guest conductor<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

August 29: Miyagawa TV Theme World<\/em><\/h3>\n

Columbia, COCX-40353<\/em><\/p>\n

A huge collection of 38 themes written by Hiroshi Miyagawa for a wide variety of TV shows from the 60s onward, including the indispensable Yamato<\/em> theme.<\/p>\n

Order it from CD Japan here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

October 5: Japan Nostalgic Anison Compendium<\/em><\/h3>\n

Tatsumi Publishing released this digest profiling a wide range of anime songs from 1963-1988 with reviews and trivia. Since Yamato<\/em> was a major milestone in this history, coverage was given for The Scarlet Scarf<\/em> and From Yamato With Love.<\/em> <\/p>\n

Order the book from Amazon.co.jp here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

Read their notes on the two Yamato<\/em> songs here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

October 9: Music Calendar<\/em> article<\/h3>\n

The entertainment site Music Calendar<\/em> observed the anniversary of Yamato<\/em>\u2019s launch with this heartfelt tribute to lyricist Yu Aku\u2026<\/p>\n

On October 9, 2199, Space Battleship Yamato<\/em> launched: Lyricist Yu Aku saw the heart of Yamato<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n

By music writer Ryozo Fuwa<\/em> (See the original post here<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Do you remember that hot blood of Yamato<\/em>?<\/p>\n

\u201cThe universe expands into infinity. A world filled with silent light. As some stars die, others are born. Yes, the universe is alive\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

The first story of the anime Space Battleship Yamato<\/em> (1974) opens with that unforgettable narration and the translucent vocals of Kazuko Kawashima. In the year 2199, planet bombs have rained down indiscriminately in an attack from Gamilas, and Earth moves toward its end days. The beautiful, mysterious woman Starsha reaches out a lone helping hand from 148,000 light years away. A radiation removal device must be retrieved from the Planet Iscandar in the Large Magellanic Cloud. With the fate of humanity in the balance, Space Battleship Yamato<\/em> launches in the third episode of the TV anime version. The human race has 363 days left. The date is October 9, 2199. In other words\u2026181 years from today.<\/p>\n

The lyrics for the opening theme Space Battleship Yamato<\/em> and the ending theme The Scarlet Scarf<\/em> were written by the hand of Yu Aku. As a maestro of popular songs, Yu Aku\u2019s work history is remembered by many, but not many remember the songs he wrote for children: Ping Pong Pang Exercise<\/em><\/a> (1971, winner of the 14th Japan Records Nursery Rhyme Award), Wild Seven<\/em><\/a> (1972), Devil Man no Uta<\/em><\/a> (1972), Microid S<\/em><\/a> (1973), Fireman<\/em><\/a> (1973), Ultraman Taro<\/em><\/a> (1973), Red Baron<\/em><\/a> (1973), Mach Baron<\/em><\/a> (1974), Ultraman Leo<\/em><\/a> (1974) and more. We should keep in mind that he dealt with many anime and tokusatsu songs for children\u2019s programs around the same time as Yamato<\/em>.<\/p>\n

When we look back, the first A-side single debut for the music of Yu Aku was Toppo Gigio\u2019s One-Two Kazoe Uta<\/em> (1966), and if we look back even further, he found his way as an aspiring screenwriter for the Nobuhiro Corporation to becoming a lyricist with big hit Moonlight Mask<\/em><\/a> (1958). It can be said that the bond between Yu Aku and children\u2019s programs was strong and deep.<\/p>\n


\nYu Aku onstage at the
Yamato<\/em> Festival in Budokan, 1980
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

That said, Yu Aku was never limited to clearly-understood, child-friendly lyrics. This is where we should look closely at how the lyrics for Space Battleship Yamato<\/em> and The Scarlet Scarf<\/em> were based on the whole story of Yamato<\/em>. That story encompasses determination, separation, heavy responsibility, challenge, hope, nostalgia, and love. Could all of those elements be contained in a very limited number of words? If Yu Aku had simply grasped Yamato<\/em> as \u201cthe story of a battleship flying through space and killing an enemy,\u201d that would not be the case.<\/p>\n

Naturally, the lyrics for a TV theme song must be created before the start of the broadcast, so most of the work must be done without viewing the main story. Moreover, there are few visual images in a script and proposal book. With only a few documents and not much information to go on, the scent of the program\u2019s appeal must be spun into words from the goals of the producer, and it\u2019s always a difficult task to capture this in the lyrics for standard popular songs.<\/p>\n

However, Yu Aku created his lyrics after watching the overall story of Yamato<\/em> on film [the 1974 pilot film], writing carefully while reviewing the content. His ability to see the whole story from a little information and \u201csniff out\u201d the appeal of the program was exceptionally sharp. Again, he had joined the Nobuhiro Corporation with the goal of becoming a screenwriter, and was trained at the production site of TV commercials, which required maximum impact with few images and words. This may have been the experience out of which Yu Aku formed his technique.<\/p>\n

By the way, have you noticed that some common words appear in the lyrics for both of the Yamato<\/em> theme songs? Space, departure, all the way, I will certainly return, man, romance, and so on. By simply looking at these words, you can feel the essence of the Yamato<\/em> story. Among these, there is a presence that stands out conspicuously, though it may seem out of place: romance. Other words express the outline of the story concept, and they are very straightforward in terms of anime TV theme songs for boys. But \u201cromance\u201d is different. This is a word that doesn\u2019t come out unless you explore the internal \u201cmind\u201d of a character or story. At the same time, it is an \u201cadult\u201d word, not intentionally aimed at children. At the time of 1974 TV anime, there was no such thing as \u201cromance.\u201d Yu Aku used his sharp senses to trim every other word and arrive at that, the true core of Yamato<\/em>\u2019s appeal, which had not been seen in anime before. When it came down to just one word, \u201cRomance\u201d was the conclusion.<\/p>\n

Space Battleship Yamato<\/em> was produced under the extraordinary determination of the staff to complete a real SF anime which would overturn the common perception of Japanese TV anime that preceded it. In fact, it is said that TV Manga<\/em> was elevated into Anime<\/em> with this work. It succeeded in raising the age of the viewership by breaking through the common notion that \u201canime is for children.\u201d The historical transformation Yamato<\/em> would bring was quietly foreseen in the keywords of both theme songs before the program began. They were embedded as an audacious, hidden command by the visionary power of Yu Aku. <\/p>\n

Now that he has become a star, he is smiling from across space. This is the face that comes to my eyes.<\/p>\n

Read Cosmo DNA\u2019s tribute to Yu Aku here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

October 20: Electone<\/em> magazine, November issue<\/h3>\n

For those looking to practice the Yamato<\/em> theme on electric organ, Electone<\/em> brought you one step closer by publishing a version in this issue. Order it from Amazon.co.jp here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

October 13: Isao Sasaki 55th Anniversary Special Live DVD<\/em><\/h3>\n

2-disc set, Columbia<\/em><\/p>\n

On March 6 2016, Isao Sasaki did a one-man show to mark the 55th anniversary of his professional debut, and what a show it was! Backed up by a 10-piece band and two support singers, he blew the roof off the joint for over two and a half hours.<\/p>\n

The entire concert can be seen on this two-disc set. Disc 1 contains the performance in which he covered no less than five Yamato<\/em> songs: the main theme (twice), Scarlet Scarf, The Rival, Teresa Forever<\/em>, and Yamato!! The New Voyage<\/em>. The concert also includes his best-known anime and tokusatsu themes, from Galaxy Express<\/em> to Goranger<\/em>, and even some Elvis tunes; 35 tracks in all. <\/p>\n

The second disc contains 42 minutes of bonus material including rehearsals and interviews. There is also a 13-minute talk segment in which Sasaki invited Leiji Matsumoto and Akira Miyagawa onto the stage. At the end of it, Miyagawa played a solo version of the Yamato<\/em> theme on his Melodica.<\/p>\n

The set can be ordered from either Amazon.co.jp<\/a> or CD Japan<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Publishing<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

January 12: Syfy Wire<\/em><\/h3>\n

Not everything in 2018 was limited to Japan. Early in the year, the Syfy channel\u2019s website Syfy Wire<\/em> published a glowing tribute to Star Blazers<\/em> by lifetime fan Michelle Villanueva.<\/p>\n

Read her article here<\/a>, and her Yamato 2199<\/em> followup here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

January 16: Daily Sports<\/em> article<\/h3>\n

Harumi Ichiryusai is a name that won\u2019t register with many Yamato<\/em> fans outside Japan, but once you see her previous stage name, you\u2019ll lock right in: Yoko Asagami, the original voice of Yuki Mori. The entertainment newspaper Daily Sports<\/em> caught up with her to find out what\u2019s on her radar these days\u2026<\/p>\n

From Yuki Mori\u2019s popular voice actor to storyteller, Harumi Ichiryusai continues her journey in pursuit of \u201cthe art of storytelling\u201d<\/span><\/h3>\n

Original text by Hiroshi Nakamura. See the story at Yahoo Japan here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

45 years after her debut, Harumi Ichiryusai has continued her 25-year journey to pursue the \u201cart of storytelling.\u201d Her old stage name was Yoko Asagami, and Space Battleship Yamato<\/em> was the turning point that made her a legend in the anime world when she took on the role of heroine Yuki Mori. At the age of 40, she decided to pursue voice, expression, and dramatic acting, and flung herself into this traditional art with a 500-year history.<\/p>\n

Today at 65, she has the same youthful voice as Yuki Mori, who she played at age 20 and now considers to be \u201cmy treasure.\u201d She thanks Leiji Matsumoto for this, who looked at a signed photo of her and drew her face onto Yuki. She also took on the roles of the beautiful detective Saeko Nogami in City Hunter<\/em> and Glass Claire in Galaxy Express 999<\/em>, gaining popularity as a top voice actor who portrayed mature women.<\/p>\n

But her motivation for the art of storytelling did not stop there. In 1992, she became a disciple of the living national treasure Teisui Ichiryusai and trained in traditional Japanese storytelling. She reached full proficiency in 2004 and has fascinated audiences with her ability to play any role and change the atmosphere of a story with her voice alone.<\/p>\n

In addition to cultivating voice actors, she gives university lectures and develops curricula as director of a two-year voice training program at a school in Chuo, Tokyo.<\/p>\n

To add further depth to her voice, she began studying psychology at 65. \u201cThere is no end point in life, and I want to continue in the direction light leads me.\u201d Her journey in pursuit of storytelling that began with Yamato<\/em> still continues.<\/p>\n

Visit her Twitter page here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Cosmoship Yamato Boukenou Original Revive Versions<\/em><\/h3>\n

For purebred psycho-fans, the undisputed highlight of 2018 came from a little-known company called Fukkan Publishing. In one year, they brought out large-format keepsake editions of Leiji Matsumoto\u2019s original manga that reduced all previous versions to footnotes.<\/p>\n

Boukenou [Adventure King]<\/em> was the original monthly manga magazine that featured Matsumoto\u2019s Yamato<\/em> manga in serial form, first in 1974-75 and then again from 1978-80. The name is invoked for these reprints because they present the material in original monthly format with all original color and chapter breaks intact. Moreover, they go back to the 7.25\u201d x 10\u201d page size, which is larger than any previous reprint (except for a single 1979 edition from Akita Shoten that remains incomplete).<\/p>\n

This is NOT a simple repackaging of the many paperbacks that have been in print since 1975; they featured revised and alternate pages, including the shrouded appearance of Captain Harlock. Those pages are in these volumes, but separated and distinct from the restored Boukenou<\/em> format.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Those who placed advance orders from the Fukkan website received these art boards, reproduced directly from Matsumoto originals. Each volume also came with a treasure trove of bonus material, described below\u2026<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Cosmoship Yamato<\/em><\/h3>\n

January 27, 304 pages<\/em><\/p>\n

Contains the entire 6-chapter serial for the Iscandar story plus Matsumoto\u2019s picture story serial<\/a> from Fifth Grader<\/em> magazine, the Eternal Story of Jura<\/em><\/a> spinoff chapter, other illustrations from the same time frame, revised pages done for paperback reprints, an original featurette called Cosmo Road Alpha<\/em>, and production art from the Series 1 development phase.<\/p>\n

See Fukkan\u2019s home page for this volume here<\/a>. Order it from Amazon.co.jp here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Cosmoship Yamato 2<\/em> Volume 1<\/h3>\n

September 13, 290 pages<\/em><\/p>\n

Contains the first 6 chapters of the Comet Empire story plus the previously-unreprinted New Voyage<\/em> manga from Third Grader<\/em> magazine (2 chapters by Minoru Nonaka) and three chapters of Hiroshi Aizawa\u2019s Yamato III<\/em> manga<\/a> from 1980\/81. Also includes revised reprint pages and development materials from Farewell to Yamato<\/em>.<\/p>\n

See Fukkan\u2019s home page for this volume here<\/a>. Order it from Amazon.co.jp here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Cosmoship Yamato 2<\/em> Volume 2<\/h3>\n

October 18, 334 pages<\/em><\/p>\n

Contains chapters 7-16 of Matsumoto\u2019s Comet Empire manga (which was never concluded), a short story titled Cosmo Road Omega<\/em>, the rest of the Yamato III<\/em> manga, an interview with Yutaka Izubuchi (read it here<\/a>) and design materials from Yamato III<\/em>. Due to an oversight, the first chapter of the Yamato III<\/em> manga appears at the end of this volume rather than in the previous volume.<\/p>\n

Order it from Amazon.co.jp here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

May & September: Showa 40 Otoko [1965 Man]<\/em> magazine<\/h3>\n

Showa 40 Otoko<\/em><\/a> is a bimonthly magazine published by Crete Planning Box with a very specific target audience: Japanese men born in 1965. It\u2019s actually a bit broader than that, but men born in that year experienced a heavy dose of pop culture and social change that always seemed to have them in its crosshairs, not the least of which was the chance to see Space Battleship Yamato<\/em> at the very ripe age of 9 or 10; precisely the right time to get the full impact and ride it all the way to 1983 when they were 18 and 19.<\/p>\n

Thus, examinations of Yamato<\/em> come up on a fairly regular basis, especially when they fit into themed issues. Two such articles appeared in 2018, both of which are presented here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

November 13: Asahi Shimbun<\/em> serial<\/h3>\n

In 2015, journalist Hiroyuki Ota wrote a serial for the Asahi Shimbun<\/em> newspaper called here<\/a>Following Space Battleship Yamato<\/em><\/a>, in which he examined the unique cultural aspects of the anime. In November 2018, he returned to the subject for a deeper dive that explored the attitudes and principle figures of the Imperial Japanese Navy that informed the storytelling of the first Yamato<\/em> series.<\/p>\n

Through special arrangement with Mr. Ota, we can present this entire 10-part serial in full. Click here<\/a> and settle in for a fascinating read.<\/p>\n

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Leiji Matsumoto events<\/h2>\n

Mr. Matsumoto celebrated his 80th birthday on January 25th 2018, and there was plenty of commemoration to go with it\u2026<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

Leiji Matsumoto Infinite Creation Orbit
\n80th Anniversary Chronicle<\/em><\/h3>\n

Shogakukan, February 28, 208 pages<\/em><\/p>\n

This thick volume provides an extensive overview of Matsumoto\u2019s manga career, dividing up his enormous number of titles into genre categories and punctuating it with interviews, side projects, and actual comics. Other books have done the same, but this one is the thickest and contains a larger amount of illustrations than its predecessors.<\/p>\n

Order it from Amazon.co.jp here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Leiji Matsumoto
\nClassic Anime Great Analysis<\/em><\/h3>\n

San-ei Publishing, June 29, 128 pages<\/em><\/p>\n

Despite the promise of its title, this large format magazine is entirely occupied with the various iterations of Captain Harlock<\/em> and Galaxy Express 999<\/em> with no space given to Matsumoto\u2019s many other anime productions. That\u2019s no reason to bypass it, since the coverage is still comprehensive and colorful, but you\u2019ll need to look elsewhere for lesser-known anime titles.<\/p>\n

Order it from Amazon.co.jp here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Although Great Analysis<\/em> contained no Yamato<\/em> coverage, this montage illustration appeared at the end of the book with previously-unseen character art. The artist\u2019s name was not indicated.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Matsumoto\u2019s management company organizes several live events every year, and 2018\u2019s rounds began in February with a traveling exhibition called Legend of the Manga World Leiji Matsumoto<\/em>. Starting in Nagoya, it made monthly stops in various art spaces across Japan. He made his first in-person appearance (a talk show & autograph session) at a Daimaru shopping center on May 20.<\/p>\n


\nBillboard for the June-to-July stop at the Fukui City Art Museum.<\/em><\/p>\n


\nDisplay boards at Fukui, including a manga page into which you could insert yourself. Posted on Twitter by Yamada<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Another stop went from August 28 to September 4 at a Daimaru department store in Tokyo, the highlight of which was the release of a new watercolor print depicting the arrival of the Galaxy Express 999 at Tokyo Station. This was added to the lineup of other merchandise that always goes on sale at such exhibitions.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

On September 1, Twitter user Karintou No1<\/a> posted these photos from Daimaru with original art on plates for sale. The Captain Okita plate was priced to move at a mere Y270,000. (Well over $2,000.)<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The last and longest of the year\u2019s Legend of the Manga World<\/em> exhibitions was held from October 27 to December 24 at the Kumamoto Prefectural Art Museum.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Maetel herself was on hand to welcome weekend visitors, and one of the exhibits was a large, previously-unseen Yamato<\/em> model. (Yep, there\u2019s another big one out there.) Both photos were posted via the museum\u2019s Twitter account<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The annual highlight for Matsumoto devotees is always the one-day mini-con Leiji Future<\/em>. December 16 brought everyone together for the 13th time at the Culture Culture bar\/music club in Tokyo. As usual, the first half of the day was filled up with a live-drawing and autograph session, lunch featured a mini-concert and shopping for exclusive merch, and the second half was all talk show.<\/p>\n


\nA projector allowed everyone to watch Matsumoto\u2019s live-drawing session.
\nHere he works on a sketch of Captain Okita. Photos posted on Twitter by Aoi2199<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

One highlight of the first half was a photo-presentation of Matsumoto\u2019s appearance at the Lucca Comics & Games convention in Italy. And one of the talkshow guests happened to be Yamato 2202<\/em> scriptwriter Hideki Oka.<\/p>\n

Check in at the official Matsumoto website Skulldot<\/a> for photos and more.<\/p>\n

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Other action<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

January: Roadside Yamato<\/em>, still there<\/h3>\n

This oddly-situated Yamato<\/em> model first appeared in 2015 out in the Hiroshima countryside, and has been occasionally photo-documented since then.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

It’s a bit on the weathered side, but it’s still standing in these photos posted to Twitter by Kougakoringo<\/a>. See a 2014 video encounter with the model on Youtube here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

January: original TV series ad<\/h3>\n

Twitter user Hirokatsu Kihara<\/a> posted this photo of a press clipping from a friend\u2019s scrapbook. Given the presence of Captain Harlock, the only known use of the character in promotion, this must have been a very early ad for Series 1. The other artwork is directly lifted out of the 1974 pilot film.<\/p>\n

The text at the top reads:<\/p>\n

With 99% the speed of light, missiles, and phaser ray guns, the Battleship <\/em>Yamato is ready to become\u2026<\/em>Space Battleship Yamato<\/p>\n

Toshio Masuda and Leiji Matsumoto are credited, and the sponsor list beneath their names (Lotte, Pioneer, etc.) confirms the time frame.<\/p>\n

THIS SHOULD BE IN A MUSEUM!!<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

February: 1977 movie line<\/h3>\n

Twitter user Calci<\/a> shared this vintage photo of himself and other fans waiting overnight to see the first Yamato<\/em> movie at a Shibuya, Tokyo theater in 1977. He added this note: \u201cSince I am wearing a Yamato<\/em> uniform, the concept of cosplay was already there.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/br><\/br><\/br><\/br><\/br><\/br><\/p>\n

February: Yamato<\/em> theme on metal disc<\/h3>\n

Yamato<\/em> fan Aoi2199<\/a> shared this interesting find on Twitter, direct from the Hamanako Music Box Museum<\/a>, which specializes in automatic musical instruments. This metal disc predates LP records and was designed to play on a music box called a Polyphon which dates back to 1870. This particular disc, for reasons that defy explanation, contains the Yamato<\/em> theme.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

February: Vintage pics<\/h3>\n

Legendary voice actor Akira Kamiya, who played Kato in the original series, has a Twitter page<\/a> at which he posted these vintage photos of himself with the even more legendary Kei Tomiyama (Kodai). The caption read: \u201cI found another photo with Mr. Tomiyama, my senior who I loved. He was loved by everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

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March: New Voyage<\/em> manga discovered<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s not often that a forgotten artifact emerges from the fog of history, but that\u2019s exactly what happened when Twitter user Yosuke Okunari<\/a> dredged up a manga adaptation of The New Voyage<\/em>.<\/p>\n

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One reason we probably didn\u2019t know of it earlier is that it\u2019s quite short; only two chapters, drawn by Minoru Nonaka, ran in Shogakukan\u2019s Third Grader<\/em> magazine in December 1979 and January 1980. When it later appeared in the second volume of Fukkan\u2019s Cosmoship Yamato 2<\/em>, it was revealed to be only 40 pages long \u2013 too short for a paperback reprint.<\/p>\n

Fukkan\u2019s reprint of The New Voyage<\/em> leaves something to be desired, since the reproduction quality is a step down from the rest of their work. Thus, the hunt is on to find the original issues of Third Grader<\/em> and bring this artifact directly to you, the loyal Cosmo DNA<\/em> readers. Stay tuned.<\/p>\n

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April: Auction sighting<\/h3>\n

On the subject of museum pieces, this is truly one for the record books. A single copy of the very first Yamato<\/em> plan book (written by Eiichi Yamamoto in 1973) was listed at Yahoo Japan Auctions on April 16. Competition was ferocious with over 300 bids, and the auction closed April 22 at 801010 yen (Close to $8,000 US).<\/p>\n

See a handful of photos from the auction listing here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Read the content of the book here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

May: Lettering workbook<\/h3>\n

Digging into a very obscure corner of Yamato<\/em> world, we have these photos posted on Twitter by Aly2203<\/a>. It’s a workbook showcasing a variety of fonts all using the words Saraba Space Battleship Yamato<\/em> as a subject. Aly2203 remembered encountering this book in junior high and was amazed to find it in a used bookstore.<\/p>\n

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May: mystery documents<\/h3>\n

Twitter user “Kuro2202” shared this photo of previously-unknown artifacts found at an uncle’s house. They cover Yamato<\/em> news from the original production years, but their formatting doesn’t match anything from the official fan club. The likely explanation is that they were circulated by a private club, but until more evidence emerges we can only speculate.<\/p>\n

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August: Spaceship Starsha<\/em><\/h3>\n

What\u2019s Spaceship Starsha?<\/em> It was to be the principle vessel in Dessler\u2019s War<\/em>, the unproduced Yamato<\/em> sequel that got as far as a plot and a few concept drawings before Yoshinobu Nishizaki abandoned it.<\/p>\n

Everyone was reminded of it when Twitter user wtpakira<\/a> posted this art (by Makoto Kobayashi) to compare it with Space Battleship Ginga<\/em> from Yamato 2202<\/em>. Read all about Dessler\u2019s War<\/em> here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

August 11: Funimation live video<\/h3>\n

On the other side of the globe, Funimation got in on the action with a one-of-a-kind live webcast on Youtube. Their streaming version of Yamato 2202<\/em> went on hiatus with Episode 13 on August 1, so they gave fans a bonus in the form of a sit-down interview with two actors: Ken Messerol (the voice of Wildstar on Star Blazers)<\/em> and Chris Wehkamp (the voice of Kodai on 2199)<\/em>. They compared notes on their respective roles and took questions for about 45 minutes.<\/p>\n

See it for yourself on Youtube here<\/a>!<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

September 2: Tomonori Kogawa charity event<\/h3>\n

Tomonori Kogawa is a core member of the Yamato<\/em> family, having designed and directed characters for both Farewell to Yamato<\/em> (1978) and Resurrection<\/em> (2009), and drawing key animation for Gatlantis scenes in 2202<\/em>. This is in addition to a long and storied anime career, which you can read about here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

He is known to donate his time and energy to charitable causes, which he did again on September 2 for disaster relief. The day consisted of a lecture on his career, a Q&A segment, a raffle for original art drawn on the spot, and various products for sale. 2202<\/em> Assistant Director Makoto Kobayashi stopped in for a guest appearance.<\/p>\n

Photos posted on Twitter by 24murataka<\/a> and Shiromaru<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

September: vintage sighting<\/h3>\n

On September 8, a fan with the handle of Warajiro 1<\/a> posted this photo of a discovery in Kanto (Chiba Prefecture), a hand-drawn vintage Yamato<\/em> on the side of a paint shop. The passion lives on wherever you look for it.<\/p>\n

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December: miniature relief sculptures<\/h3>\n

These small decorative panels, pictured here close to actual size, reside in a subcategory of \u201cmystery products\u201d released in the early 2000s, probably from the world of DIY garage kits. Twitter user Ryota<\/a> claimed to find them in their father\u2019s collection and posted the single best photo (so far) of them both. If anyone reading this has more info about them, please comment at the end of this page.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

December: High-altitude fandom<\/h3>\n

Mountaineer akiakiakihisa<\/a> entered the fandom hall of fame on December 25 by posting these shots from the summit of Aconcagua<\/a>, the highest mountain in both the southern and western hemispheres, at a height of 6.9km. Now THAT\u2019S dedication. (Just for the record, it\u2019s a Cosmo Fleet Special miniature from Yamato 2202<\/em>, about 6.5\u201d long.)<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

December: Syd Mead art show announced<\/h3>\n

Syd Mead\u2019s Japanese Twitter page made it known that an art show would land in Japan April 2017, which in and of itself is cool enough. What makes it MORE interesting is that, being a Japan-based event, it will include pieces from his Japanese collaborations \u2013 namely the long-lost Yamato 2520<\/em><\/a>. Doubtless there will be more to follow up on when the event arrives in 2019.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, visit the event website here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

December: Auction sighting<\/h3>\n

The last \u201cvintage\u201d event of the year came on December 21 when one more historical piece was listed at Yahoo Japan Auctions. It\u2019s a concept painting from Final Yamato<\/em> by designer Tsuji Tadanao that was only published once (in a 1982 This is Animation<\/em> book) and then vanished\u2026until now.<\/p>\n

It was listed for about $5,000 US but could not find a buyer. Sad as that may be for Mr. Tadanao, it makes for a nice closeout to our look back at 2018.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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