{"id":26988,"date":"2019-07-02T17:18:18","date_gmt":"2019-07-03T00:18:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault\/?p=26988"},"modified":"2020-10-30T15:44:19","modified_gmt":"2020-10-30T22:44:19","slug":"405a","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault\/405a\/","title":{"rendered":"Yamato 2202<\/em> Episode 1 Commentary"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Three years have passed since the grand voyage to Iscandar. Thanks to the Cosmo Reverse System, Earth is rapidly recovering. However, a mixed fleet of Earth and Garmillas ships has an armed clash with a mysterious vanguard unit of Gatlantis. In that maelstrom stands the former Yamato<\/em> crew member, Susumu Kodai…<\/span><\/p>\n

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by Kathy Clarkson<\/span>, Anton Mei Brandt<\/span>, and Daniel George<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Episode 1: Revive, Space Battleship Yamato!<\/em><\/h2>\n

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\u201cThe universe is infinitely vast. An endless expanse of silent light. Stars die and new stars are born. An eternal cycle of life. Yes. The universe is alive. It lives. It lives! And that is why we will show it \u2026 our love.\u201d<\/p>\n

[AMB]: Ah, the classic Yamato<\/em> narration opener. Wait, what’s going on…?<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

We cut away from a shot of the Andromeda galaxy to a large white comet traveling through the cosmos, destroying asteroids in its path. From the center of the comet emerges a fleet of warships which launches an attack on a nearby planet. A huge organic-looking structure is destroyed, leaving a gaping hole where subterranean levels can be seen.<\/p>\n

[AMB]: While not nearly as lengthy a sequence as it was in Farewell to Yamato<\/em>, the opening still hits the same high points of dramaturgy. Back in ’78 there was a different meaning behind its eerie and slow-paced intro, lulling the viewer into an anxious worrying state of inevitable tragedy. There’s also a visual reference to Gatlantis’ origins from Yamato 2, that being the Andromeda galaxy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cut to a cavernous alien room. One individual sits while others stand around the perimeter, observing the outcome.<\/p>\n

\"group5\"<\/a><\/p>\n

[AMB]: And from left to right we see: Goenitz, Sabera, Razera, Balzey and a mysterious fifth individual. The gang’s all here, with extras it seems! Those we recognize share designs more similar to their\u00a0Farewell to Yamato<\/em> counterparts, which I personally prefer. Though one can see aspects of both\u00a0Farewell<\/em> and\u00a0Yamato 2<\/em> being referenced. <\/span><\/p>\n

Missiles dive toward the surface of the world, changing course to sail down a passageway into a large chamber guarded by a significant number of humanoids. They seem to be protecting an ornately carved doorway. The missiles transform into androids (called Needleslaves) and the humanoids are all struck down to a man.<\/p>\n

[KC]: The creators of Space Battleship Yamato 2202<\/em> promised that it would be a mix of elements from Farewell to Yamato<\/em> and its TV counterpart Yamato 2<\/em>. Right out of the gate we get a new version of a familiar monologue about the vastness of space and witness Gatlantis\u2019 attack on Telezart, but things rapidly go off in a somewhat different direction with Emperor Zordar\u2019s ominous threats about love and the scene of Telezart being guarded by members of a mystical order. <\/span><\/p>\n

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[AMB]: Really gives off the feeling that something is wrong. Half the narration goes as it should, but trails off to something far more sinister. In a sense, I guess this is Writer Harutoshi Fukui’s way of saying “You’re in for something different.” <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: These priests (or whatever they are) who martyr themselves seem to be creating some kind of protective energy field, not that it does them a bit of good. Could be science, could be magic. I am just disappointed that their blood is red, because they looked blue to me and I was hoping that they were Garmillans.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Garmillans or not, they’re certainly pacifistic in nature, standing up to weaponized terror with only faith on hand. If they are Garmillans, the staff could be alluding to a story arc from Yamato III<\/em> where Dessler’s new planet is facing a religious crisis, hundreds of people converting to belief in what seems to be a living God. This won’t be the last time we see these monks, nor the last time we see Garmillans affected by the collapse of the Dessler regime. In any case, I think they’re just followers of Teresa.<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: I have a silly theory that I’m saving for a future episode.<\/span><\/p>\n

Back in the cavernous room, the seated individual stands before a view screen. He monologues as the camera pans up, questioning the purpose of the individuals that have just been obliterated and embellishing on his love theme. We see, now, that this is Emperor Zordar of Gatlantis. He is addressing someone he refers to as Teresa … and Teresa answers.<\/p>\n

\u201cEverything has been predetermined. But that does not mean all is lost. Warriors of a distant star, my hope now rests with you…”<\/p>\n

[KC]: Back in the day, Zordar engaged in megalomania purely for the sake of it. This time it looks like there will be something more to Gatlantis\u2019 policy of enslaving or destroying every world they encounter, which is refreshing.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: He had the presence of a sitcom dad to me in Yamato 2<\/em>, like an Al Bundy given power to rule the universe. Now he has an aura more akin to his conceptual origins, which is neat. And here’s a fun fact; the scene where Zordar stands up is drawn by Tomonori Kogawa, character designer and animation director for Farewell to Yamato<\/em>. You can read more about it here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: Conspicuously absent from this first episode is everyone\u2019s favorite fascist, Abelt Dessler. Full disclosure; as a huge fan of the original ruler of Gamilas, I was pretty disappointed with the reimagining of the character for Yamato 2199<\/em>. He was, in fact, the only thing about 2199<\/em> that disappointed me. So I am not too broken up over the fact that we don\u2019t see him in this first episode.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: I had a different reaction. As a newer fan, my first exposure was 2199<\/em>. Then I watched Farewell, 2202<\/em> (up to chapter 5) and then Yamato 2<\/em>. In Farewell<\/em>, Dessler doesn’t show up until halfway through, reluctantly agreeing to the humiliation of being Gatlantis’ pawn. We’ll see how that pans out later down the line in 2202<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

After the opening sequence, we move to a different part of space and the Earth Defense Force Special Mixed Fleet. They are in formation, heading unspecified. Then, presumably not far off, we see a Garmillas Fleet in formation.<\/p>\n

\u201cPrepare for ship to ship combat,\u201d an officer intones. The fleets meet…and merge into one unified force.<\/p>\n

[KC]: I love the setup for this. They go out of their way to make it look like the Earth and Garmillas fleets are squaring off against each other, even using the same music that opened 2199<\/em>. When the two combine it makes my heart happy. This is the biggest departure from the original series so far, this alliance between Earth and Garmillas, and I am in love with absolutely everything about it.<\/span><\/p>\n

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[AMB]: A welcome departure indeed! And the orange-hued backdrop is drop-dead gorgeous. People can say whatever they want about Makoto Kobayashi (Assistant Director\/Mecha Design\/Art Direction) but his alien artwork for this fictional world is… well, out of this world. <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: For the record, I don\u2019t care much one way or the other about the different ships of this franchise even though that is a big part of the fandom, but the scrollwork on those Garmillas ships is gorgeous and I think I want it on my own vehicle.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: While of the same mind, I do have to commend the staff for their model work and the immense variety of ships in this episode. Considering the departure of CG Director Takashi Imanishi (of 2199, City Hunter<\/em> and Gundam The Origin<\/em> fame) I was positively surprised, especially since this aspect of 2202<\/em> (to me) kept getting better and better.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Nestled in the atmosphere of a gas giant, the Garmillas 8th Floating Continent Base “Gamilasia Mk 8” has been occupied for 60 days by Gatlantis. Earth is there to assist the Garmillas in expelling the occupiers. Among the Earthlings is Susumu Kodai, now captain of the Kongo<\/em>-class space battleship Yuunagi<\/em>. Serving on his bridge are Yasuo Nanbu, as well as Yoshikazu Aihara, who suggests collecting intel on the Garmillas Zoellugut<\/em>-class battleships while they have the opportunity. He is reprimanded by Kodai.<\/p>\n

[AMB]: Something worth noting here is Aihara’s mention of Zoellugut<\/em>-class ships being “rare” in the Garmillas fleet (there were only three in 2199<\/em>). My theory regarding this class being more common in 2202<\/em> has to do with a symbolic change from autocracy to democracy. Before, these ships belonged to Dessler, Domel (a friend of the Fuhrer) and Zoellick (spearhead of the aristocracy). The filigree on the ships are similar to the scrollwork seen in Dessler’s throne room in 2199<\/em>, which provides the inception of my theory. The presence of three in one place could say a lot about the importance of this mission.<\/span><\/p>\n

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[DG]: In 2199<\/em>, the three Zoellguts<\/em> were named Deusler I<\/em>, Zoellugut II<\/em>, and Domelaze III<\/em>. Their numbers have increased in the subsequent three years, as evidenced here and later in the series. These three, incidentally, are named Kerberos I, II, and III<\/em> (which, given there are three ships, is a nod to the [usually] three-headed dog of Greek mythology<\/a>). They’re still relatively rare because of their massive cost compared to smaller classes of ships. They’re not intended for use as a vanguard ship, but rather as a flagship. We see other examples of this transitioning from 2199<\/em> to 2202<\/em>, namely in the Gelvades<\/em>-class battle carrier, which had also seen limited production due to cost and complexity of construction.<\/span><\/p>\n

I don’t think a change in the nature of the government would be needed to expand the construction of either class of ship. Most likely, Admiral Gul Dietz of the Garmillan Navy made a recommendation for both classes of ships to be built, which was then approved by the government. The process would be the same as under Dessler’s totalitarian rule, but a Parliament would have to approve it instead.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Back at Earth Defense Headquarters Central Command Center, we see Yuki Mori and Mikage Kiryu with Commander Todo and Officer Serizawa, as well as a few Garmillas and Earth men in business suits. This is the strategy-room extension of the Earth\/Garmillas alliance seen in the battlefield. The Garmillas national emblem has been added to the command center to reinforce the point.<\/p>\n

[KC]: Who are these guys, lawyers? Corporate representatives? Weapons manufacturers? The show isn\u2019t going to tell us, so all we can do is speculate.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Could be all or none of these things. But based on their dialogue regarding the production of WMG-weapons, they sure sound like investors to me. We’ll see more of these guys in later chapters, so do your best to keep speculating!<\/span><\/p>\n

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[DG]: We see a large number of named ships in this fleet. Many of these are named for Japanese or American vessels, but there are some interesting ones here, many of which have stories behind them.<\/span><\/p>\n