{"id":31216,"date":"2020-11-13T10:21:00","date_gmt":"2020-11-13T18:21:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault\/?p=31216"},"modified":"2021-11-14T21:23:24","modified_gmt":"2021-11-15T05:23:24","slug":"603a","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault\/603a\/","title":{"rendered":"Final Yamato<\/em> elements"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The Drowning of Dengil<\/h3>\n

Yamato<\/em> passes by planet Dengil, home of an offshoot of humanity. The planet\u2019s being swallowed by a large body of water, passed on from the ancient planet Aquarius. To survive, the main body of Dengil\u2019s society – the floating fortress Uruk – departs, leaving most of its people behind. Kodai orders a daring refugee rescue mission, costing the lives of many crew members. He only manages to save one young boy. When attempting to leave the scene, they\u2019re attacked by Uruk\u2019s forces. A deadly radiation missile knocks out Yamato<\/em> and its bridge crew. But somehow\u2026 the ship moves on its own. \u201cYamato<\/em> lives?\u201d asks Analyzer before collapsing. <\/p>\n

When Yamato<\/em> returns on its own to Earth, Todo notifies some former Yamato<\/em> crew of the ship\u2019s return from unknown space, who then immediately investigate the ship. Yuki and Todo\u2019s anguish at seeing the ship in such a state of disrepair is heartbreaking. Yuki tries to end her life when she sees Kodai\u2019s unconscious body, believing him to be dead. But Sanada, also aboard and very much alive, stops her.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Building on setup from 2199<\/em>, 2202<\/em> depicted this scene in stages. Instead of Dengil, Yamato<\/em> encounters the 11th planet. Keyman\u2019s against a rescue operation, but Akira retorts, asking if it\u2019s in Yamato<\/em>\u2019s spirit to \u201cleave drowning people to die.\u201d Kodai makes the final decision to go in. While there, they risk it all on Kodai\u2019s reckless order, managing to save a few dozen people only to be buried underground by Zordar\u2019s forces. Among the refugees is a Garmillan girl, an allegory to the Dengil Boy. But the meatier parallel to Final Yamato<\/em> here is Toko Katsuragi, a Gatlantean spy who slowly learns the values and beauty of Yamato<\/em> and mankind\u2019s spirit during her tenure aboard.<\/p>\n

The 2199<\/em> setup? During Yamato<\/em>\u2019s battle with Frakken, Sanada commits to an order that ends up losing more lives than if he’d taken the more dangerous risk proposed by Kodai. A reverse of the Final Yamato<\/em> problem. Which is why he gives Kodai the role of Captain in 2202<\/em>, leading to his handling of the refugee rescue.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

That leaves us with Uruk\u2019s departure and Yamato<\/em> being “alive.” The former element was visually and thematically referenced, when Lugal\u2019s allegorical substitute in 2202<\/em> – the original Zordar – departs from Zemulia with his own floating fortress, in an effort to find the Ark of Destruction. He took what people he could and left the rest behind. At the end of 2202<\/em>, Yamato<\/em> returns from Teresa\u2019s dimension on its own. Yuki and Todo\u2019s anguish is transferred to Shima and Todo.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The engine hums and the ship travels with no crew or machines to man it, very different from Final Yamato<\/em>. When Shima, Sanada and Yamazaki head to investigate it, Sanada takes note of the clearly running engine, stating \u201cIt lives\u2026\u201d Then, like Yuki in Final Yamato<\/em>, the trio find an alive and well Akira Yamamoto. No suicide attempt this time; Yuki already tried that at Stravase in 2202<\/em>. More on that in the Be Forever Yamato<\/em> story elements section.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

In 2205<\/em>, Dessler takes Kodai\u2019s role as the one who desperately wants to save the drowning people of his own homeworld, rather than Uruk. \u201cJust one more\u2026 if I can save at least one more person\u2026\u201d In Final Yamato<\/em>, Shima stops Kodai after the conditions get too dangerous. In 2205<\/em>, this role is given to Talan.<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

Assemble the WMG fleet! Shima and his brother say their goodbyes<\/h3>\n

Once Uruk and its capability of warping Aquarius have been confirmed, the EDF launches all the ships they have – against a dimming sky – to meet Lugal De Zahl in battle at Saturn. This all happens while Shima and his kid brother Jiro play kickball. Jiro asks why Shima has to leave. He puts a hand on Jiro\u2019s shoulder, promising to return. Later in the movie, he writes what would be his final letter to him. Shima never comes home. At this point in the movie, the EDF fleet has been utterly devastated. Only eight ships survive, leaving Uruk\u2019s forces free to take Earth\u2019s capital. They raid its shipyards, bombing everything of military importance. The EDF has lost all hope. Then Yamato<\/em> shows up.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2199<\/em> decided to bake in Jiro\u2019s parts from Yamato 2<\/em> and Final Yamato<\/em> in one go. Before departing with Yamato<\/em>, Shima promises to return. In Ep 7, he sends Jiro a video message, telling the kid it might be his last. Thankfully, Shima survives.<\/p>\n

2202<\/em> adapted the WMG fleet, its departure, the destruction of Earth\u2019s shipyards, and Yamato<\/em>\u2019s eventual last-minute return. Shima survives this outing as well.<\/p>\n

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

<\/p>\n

Meeting with the Queen of Aquarius<\/h3>\n

After landing on Aquarius, witnessing its beautiful floating continents and ancient architecture that speaks of a long gone civilization, Yamato<\/em> settles in its waters. They\u2019re greeted by the spirit of the planet: the Queen of Aquarius. She speaks of the origins of mankind, the origin of Uruk\u2019s people, of how dangerous Uruk\u2019s ambitions are, the means to stop Lugal, and of Yamato<\/em>\u2019s purpose.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrials can take the form of a blessing, as well as love. Love is never just gentle and sweet. It brings pain and suffering\u2026 and even fear.\u201d <\/p>\n

She then speaks of how Uruk is manipulating and hastening the set course of fate, destroying the balance of the universe in the process. She bids them farewell, vanishing.<\/p>\n

2202<\/em> took this scene\u2019s architecture, narrative importance and story, then merged these aspects with Kodai, Sanada and Saito\u2019s meeting with Teresa in Eps 14, 15 and 16. The content, while poetically reworded, remains the same. Civilizations, bonds, Gatlantis\u2019 and Zordar disturbing the balance of the cosmos, the Gatlanteans’ humanity and Yamato<\/em>\u2019s purpose… Love bringing pain, suffering\u2026 and even fear? That became one of Teresa\u2019s most iconic lines from 2202<\/em>: \u201cBonds grow. Sometimes together with pain\u2026\u201d And in Ep 16, her farewell came with the complete vanishing of Telezart itself, rather than just her spirit. <\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

The “blue field” sequence<\/h3>\n

After doubting his own skills as Yamato<\/em>\u2019s previous Captain, being confronted by the revived Captain Okita and losing his role on the ship, Kodai makes the reckless decision to head out and face Uruk\u2019s supply outpost, alone, in his dinky fighter. But Yuki won\u2019t let him. \u201cI\u2019ll navigate for you.\u201d After incurring wounds in previous battles, both spiritual and physical, Kodai can\u2019t find it in him to argue. They depart, manage to locate the best spot for Yamato<\/em> to fire at, and risk their lives in the process.<\/p>\n

Okita preps the WMG, accepts the potential consequence of Yuki and Kodai\u2019s death, and fires. In the aftermath, their plane drifts, having gotten out unscathed. Kodai falls into a deep sleep, exhausted. Yuki watches over him. Recounting their countless ups and downs, she smiles, still in love with him. After passing through a beautiful field of blue, Yamato<\/em> finds and picks them up.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2202<\/em> tackled this moment and its buildup with style. Throughout the first half of Yamato<\/em>\u2019s journey, Kodai doubts his skills and morals as Captain, constantly asking Okita\u2019s spirit what to do and where to go. Sometimes, but not often, answers simply don\u2019t present themselves, since Okita\u2019s dead. Kodai\u2019s mental and physical exhaustion reaches its breaking point in Eps 8 & 9 at Stravase, where he\u2019s forced to make a devil\u2019s choice: sacrifice two ships of refugees to allow Yuki\u2019s ship to survive.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Yuki jumps into Stravase\u2019s collapsing core to prevent Kodai from making a choice he\u2019ll regret. Kodai recklessly dashes after her, in a dinky fighter, ending up in its blue wave-motion field. Hijikata fills Okita\u2019s role precisely here, even asking the deceased Captain to forgive him for using the WMG without his strict permission. Knowing that Yuki and Kodai might die, it\u2019s a choice that has to be made. To save them. This moment becomes instrumental in Hijikata\u2019s decision to accept the position as Yamato<\/em>\u2019s next Captain, whereas this moment was instrumental for Kodai in Final Yamato<\/em> to accept Okita\u2019s return as Captain.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The blue field in Final Yamato<\/em> where Yuki and Kodai rediscover their love? When Yuki lovingly watches over him in the cockpit? It\u2019s adapted at Stravase. Kodai\u2019s reckless and lonely charge, too. But it has a follow-up. In 2202<\/em> Ep 25, Kodai attempts to once more go down alone. With Yamato<\/em>. Without telling anyone. That\u2019s when Yuki reveals her presence. She chose to stay behind. He argues that she shouldn\u2019t have disobeyed his evacuation order. All she can say is this: \u201cI\u2019ll navigate for you.\u201d Of course, just like in Final Yamato<\/em>, the pair survives, picked up by Yamato<\/em> just as they were at Stravase. Only six months later. Which brings me to the Captain going down with his ship\u2026<\/p>\n

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

<\/p>\n

Yamato<\/em> Evacuation: the Captain goes down with his ship<\/h3>\n

In what many would consider an homage to Farewell<\/em>, Captain Okita decides to go down with his ship. After returning to the land of the living, he can\u2019t see a world where the continued existence of an old war dog like him and an old war horse like Yamato<\/em> can help maintain the peace. By leaving this world and the next generation with the means to build a better world, without war and warships, he can properly bid Yuki and Kodai farewell. He sees them as his own children, whom he wishes to have beautiful grandchildren of their own. After a fatherly hug, the pair departs.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

We see images of the crew bidding their stations farewell, dragging their feet, and survivors from the torn-up ship. Captain Mizutani supervises this evacuation. But when Shiro Kato notices Okita\u2019s solitary figure still on Yamato<\/em>\u2019s bridge, crew members like Yamazaki and Aihara freak out. Everyone screams for the ship to turn around, to pick him up. Okita then reflects on his life, his service and his ultimate duty. Then carries it out, losing his life and Yamato<\/em> in the process. Saving Earth.<\/p>\n

2202<\/em> decided to merge Farewell<\/em>‘s evacuation and sacrifice with that of Final Yamato<\/em>\u2019s, giving Okita\u2019s duty to Kodai. This time, it\u2019s Kodai who can\u2019t see a positive future where weapons and warships are permitted to exist. A future with the Time Fault, war and endless exchanges of trigger pulling. He feels it\u2019s his duty to do what Okita once did. He seeks guidance from Okita\u2019s epitaph, but doesn\u2019t receive it.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The evacuation is carried out EXACTLY like in Final Yamato<\/em>. Except this time, we\u2019re given a face for wounded survivors in Nagakura and a personal connection between Shima and Kodai – the former of which spots Kodai still on the bridge. The fatherly hug becomes spiritual, as Yuki and Kodai place themselves in position under the allegorical reverend Okita, who blesses them with no words. Captain Ozaki fills Mizutani\u2019s shoes, something I touch on in the Characters section. The sacrifice portion then shifts closer to Farewell<\/em>‘s depiction.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

As an aside, let’s jump over to the live-action Yamato<\/em> movie for a moment and compare a couple of shots. Remember, the first preceded the second by a good nine years.<\/p>\n

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

<\/p>\n

After Credits: Beach, Marriage, Conception and Bonds<\/h3>\n

For Final Yamato<\/em>\u2019s credits, two pieces of music are used. In the 35mm version, there\u2019s Isao Sasaki’s Space Battleship Yamato<\/em> (the ’83 version was heard in theaters, but the ’74 version replaced it on home video). In the 70mm upgrade and subsequent home media releases, there’s the Pioneering Yamato<\/em> BGM. After the credits, we\u2019re treated to Yamato<\/em>\u2019s first and only post-credits sequence from the classic works.<\/p>\n

Yamato<\/em>\u2019s crew gather on a wide beach as the insert song Rainbow to Tomorrow<\/em> plays. They gaze into the sunset until only Yuki and Kodai remain. A symbolic marriage is depicted. And following this, the movie\u2019s original cut depicts their first time making love, which results in the conception of Miyuki Kodai.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Ark of the Stars<\/em> seemingly paid tribute to this. Since Ark<\/em> was Yutaka Izubuchi\u2019s last foray into Yamato<\/em>, perhaps he felt it necessary to have two credits sequences. Conscious decision or not, the first sequence even chose a militaristic theme, leaving the second with something more emotional, just like in Final Yamato<\/em>. <\/p>\n

In 2202<\/em>, the beach was carried over to Teresa\u2019s dimension, whereas the sunset observation was given to Makoto, Dr. Sado and others who witnessed Yamato<\/em>\u2019s stunning return from Teresa\u2019s world. Inside this world, Teresa confirms that the bond shared between Yuki and Kodai could lead to the conception of their first child, who according to 2202<\/em>\u2019s director – Nobuyoshi Habara – IS Miyuki Kodai. But she\u2019s only the first of two children, apparently. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

What about Yuki and Kodai\u2019s marriage? While it hasn\u2019t happened yet, it’s been given some speculative pre-viz illustrations by Character Designer Nobuteru Yuuki for at least two occasions: The 2202<\/em> Chapter 7 video release and the Yamato Crew New Years privilege gift for 2020.<\/p>\n

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

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