{"id":32830,"date":"2022-09-01T21:55:29","date_gmt":"2022-09-02T04:55:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault\/?p=32830"},"modified":"2026-04-15T09:25:53","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T16:25:53","slug":"684a","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault\/684a\/","title":{"rendered":"Vintage Report 5: August 1977"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The whole world changed for the better in August 1977, and that is not an exaggeration. With the August 8 premiere of Space Battleship Yamato<\/em>, the entire anime industry in Japan experienced a seismic shift that still gives us aftershocks today. In this report we’ll go through that pivotal month one step at a time and see how the future began.<\/p>\n

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The whole world changed for the better in August 1977, and that is not an exaggeration. With the August 8 premiere of Space Battleship Yamato<\/em>, the entire anime industry in Japan experienced a seismic shift that still gives us aftershocks today. In this report we’ll go through that pivotal month one step at a time and see how the future began.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

First flyer<\/h3>\n

Save the Earth! Aiming for Iscandar in distant space, Yamato<\/em> is now on a journey of adventure roman<\/span><\/p>\n

This slogan adorned the first official movie publication, a flyer that was available as a free handout in Japanese movie theaters (a practice that continues today). The art on the front was a composite image with Yamato<\/em> painted by the great Naoyuki Katoh of Studio Nue. This particular image would not endure, however, since it didn’t quite match the ship seen on screen. <\/p>\n

This was where “adventure roman” was first attached to Yamato<\/em>, a term that would bedevil international fans for decades. What was “Roman” about this? First, it wasn’t named after Rome. Pronounced “ro-MON,” it was a Japanese interpretation of “romance.” But not the “love story” kind. It evoked the romance of the open sea and the discovery of new worlds. Sort of synonymous with “fantasy.” That’s how we get “Adventure Roman.”<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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

The back of the flyer covered the highlights of the story and the fact that America and Europe had already signed on for the journey. Below that were two ads. One for the trilogy of novels coming out from Sonorama Publishing (the first volume arrived July 20), and one for the drama album LP from Nippon Columbia (July 25), which was billed as a “soundtrack” because the term “drama album” didn’t exist yet.<\/p>\n

Below the ads was the lineup of four theaters that would begin showing the film in Tokyo on August 6: Shinjuku Toei Palace, Shibuya Tokyu Rex, Ikebukuro Tokyu, and Ginza Tokyu. Showtimes were 11am, 1:30pm, 4pm, and 6:30pm. At the time this flyer was printed, those were the only screens that had been lined up. Watching that information evolve from one source to the next is an easy way to track the fortunes of the film.<\/p>\n

The magazine ad at right represents a transitional moment; the flyer art was now replaced by the official key art for the movie poster, but the theater information is still the same. Therefore we can pinpoint it to late July. The phrase “Simultaneous screenings in Europe, the US, and Japan” has been added to the slogan to give it some extra hype. And it was already working.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

August 1: Novelization Vol. 2: Yamato Struggle Volume<\/em><\/h3>\n

Just twelve days after volume 1, everyone could grab the next part in both hardcover (left) and paperback (right). The hardcover ran 192 pages with color and B&W stills interspersed throughout, whereas the paperback was 240 pages with only 32 pages of color stills. Storywise, they covered TV episodes 11-20, from the Dessler mines to Planet Balan. Most of this material would not be seen in the movie.<\/p>\n

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

August 1:
\nEiga Fan<\/em> magazine, September issue<\/h3>\n

Despite its name, Eiga [Movie] Fan<\/em> was all over the place with coverage of entertainment, sports, music, sex, and cinema of all stripes. Just before the Yamato<\/em> movie arrived, they gave it an attractive 2-page spread with a mini-guide to concepts and characters.<\/p>\n

An explosive boom calling to the young
\nA masterpiece of space animation!<\/h3>\n

The phantom masterpiece Space Battleship Yamato<\/em>, which was continuously broadcast on TV two years ago and became popular, has now become an animated movie.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the year 2199 AD, the beautiful Earth, full of water and greenery, is on the verge of extinction. The Planet Bombs of Gamilas, which plans to invade the earth, are raining down on the planet. To avoid radioactive contamination, human beings have sought shelter underground, but they are only one year away from extinction.<\/span><\/p>\n

Then, a message arrives from Iscandar, 148,000 light years away. There is a device to remove the radiation. It is decided to dispatch the battleship Yamato<\/em>, which has been secretly converted into a space battleship…<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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

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August 1: Manga Shonen<\/em> September issue<\/h3>\n

Since the movie was a surprise blockbuster, there wasn’t a great deal of merchandising to be had in the month of its premiere. But there was just enough time to promote the 3-volume novelization with film-related imagery (above right).<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

August 1: Fantoche<\/em> #7<\/h3>\n

Fantoche<\/em> was the first magazine of any kind to publish a Yamato<\/em> cover story, back in April 1976. Now they were here again to offer support in the last week before the premiere. Issue 7’s cover promoted an in-depth interview with the producers at Tatsunoko Studio, but there was also a big bold Yamato<\/em> ad on the back cover (with the same 4 theater listings)…<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

…and this 2-page spread on the inside that seems to have been designed to look like a fan-made doujinshi with hand-lettered text. This montage included news of new footage that had been created for the end of the film and the latest news flashes about products and foreign sales. Whether or not this was meant to capture the spirit of fan reporting, it sure had that flavor.<\/p>\n

This would be the last issue of Fantoche<\/em> for some time; it would be briefly revived in 1979 for four more.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

August 3: advance screening<\/h3>\n

Here we have a very rare historical nugget indeed, a postcard promoting an invitation-only preview screening (probably for the media) that took place August 3 at Yamaha Hall in Tokyo. It was the second of two known previews, the first of which happened on August 1. But no other artifacts have yet surfaced to expand the info. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

In 1977, August 3 fell on a Wednesday. The next day, the most diehard of all fans began turning up in front of theaters to begin the wait. On Saturday, the destined moment finally arrived.<\/p>\n

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August 4: Weekly Sankei<\/em> magazine<\/h3>\n

Derived from Sankei Sports<\/em> newspaper, Weekly Sankei<\/em> gathered up sports and entertainment news in a gossip-style format. Two days before the premiere, this issue ran a 2-page color spread with the following text…<\/p>\n

Popular TV anime made into a movie!!<\/span><\/h3>\n

It is the year 2199. Earth is under attack from the planet Gamilas. Humans built an underground city to fight against the attack, but the radioactive contamination from planet bombs has killed all life on the surface, and is now affecting the underground as well. Only a little more than a year remains until the end of mankind.<\/p>\n

At this time, the peaceful planet Iscandar offers a helping hand. “If mankind wants a future, it must be brave enough to come and get our radiation removal device.” But Iscandar is 148,000 light years away, and Gamilas is waiting for them along the way. Time is critical!<\/p>\n

Space Battleship Yamato<\/em> is entrusted with this difficult mission. The battleship Yamato<\/em>, which ended its tragic life in World War II, has been revived as a Space Cruiser. Its weapon is a devastating cannon that can smash an asteroid with a single shot. The crew of 114 consists of Captain Juzo Okita, young space warrior Susumu Kodai, navigator Daisuke Shima, idol Yuki Mori, and others.<\/p>\n

Fly, Yamato<\/em>! Fight, Yamato<\/em>! The journey to Iscandar and back, a round-trip journey of 296,000 light-years, has begun.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The anime Space Battleship Yamato<\/em>, which aired three years ago on Japan’s Yomiuri TV network, has been reworked for the cinema by producer Yoshinobu Nishizaki and directed by Toshio Masuda of Tora Tora Tora<\/em> and Human Revolution<\/em> fame. The screenplay is by Eiichi Yamamoto (Jungle Emperor<\/em> and Cleopatra)<\/em> and Keisuke Fujikawa (Moomin, Mazinger Z).<\/em><\/p>\n

The music by Hiroshi Miyagawa and the art design by Leiji Matsumoto are not to be missed. The dreamy minor melodies and the beautiful women depicted by Leiji Matsumoto will take the viewer on a journey of romance and adventure. This is an SF adventure drama depicting the lives and “love for humanity” of the men who face all difficulties to save Earth and finally achieve their goal.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

August 5: Kinejun<\/em> magazine No. 716<\/h3>\n

You had to look hard in this issue to find the Yamato<\/em> content, because there wasn’t much of it; just two excerpts from the mail bag and a pair of rather tepid reviews from critics. To be fair, the reviews reflect what many first-generation fans were thinking; the movie was a good introduction to Yamato<\/em>, but the heart of the story lay in the TV series.<\/p>\n

Read the reviews here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

August 6: Premiere day<\/h3>\n

This was, at last, the day the future began. While Tokyo slept, fans gathered in front of the designated movie theaters, which had expanded from four to six in just the last few days. As seen on the second version of the flyer (above), two more had been added in anticipation of greater turnout: the Ueno Tokyu and the Shibuya Tokyu Masterpiece Theater. In fact, a seventh venue was opened at literally the last minute. On the morning of August 6, the lines outside both Shibuya theaters were so long that the Shibuya Pantheon was quickly added to relieve the pressure.<\/p>\n


\nCrowds warp around the block at Ginza Tokyu<\/em><\/p>\n

Word of this unprecedented turnout reached the media early in the morning, and reporters quickly mobilized to cover it for newspapers and magazines. Over the coming days and weeks, details and anecdotes in one story after another would chronicle an event that came to be known as the “Yamato<\/em> Boom.” Additional theaters would join the lineup at a dizzying pace and the film would essentially remain in “roadshow” (circulation) status for the rest of 1977.<\/p>\n


\nTheaters in Shinjuku and Ueno<\/em><\/p>\n

The most important impact, though, was completely invisible, at least at the start. For over a decade, animation studios, sponsors, and broadcasters were convinced that animation (called “terebi manga\/TV comics”) was strictly for children. Despite occasional attempts to change the formula, they had seen no evidence to the contrary. If the Yamato<\/em> Boom were to be fictionalized, it would tell the story of a man who set out to break that stranglehold with an experimental TV series of his own. After being turned away at every door, he would move heaven and Earth to turn that series into a movie to bring the real audience out into the light of day.<\/p>\n

Intentional or not, that’s what Yoshinobu Nishizaki accomplished. After this explosive response, no one could claim that anime was limited to children, because the evidence was right in front of them. The business model had been overturned. It was the moment when anime went mainstream.<\/p>\n


\nTheaters in Ikebukuro and Shibuya<\/em><\/p>\n

This was also the moment when the word “anime” entered the national lexicon of Japan. It already existed within the industry, and now that mainstream media needed a new term for this phenomenon, “Terebi Manga” would no longer do. That term took a couple more years to fade, but “anime” was here to stay.<\/p>\n

See more photos of the opening day crowds here<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The new footage<\/h3>\n

Those who had seen the TV series were in for a surprise when the movie got down to its final minutes. In order to speed things along, the production team developed a new sequence to replace Episodes 25 and 26. In this version, when the crew got to Iscandar, they were met by the hologram of a long-dead Starsha who gave them the Cosmo Cleaner D. In what amounted to an epilogue, they got it working and returned to Earth without incident (notwithstanding the sad demise of Captain Okita).<\/p>\n

“Hologram Starsha” was not actually a new idea. It was based on her appearance at the end of the original novelization by Arashi Ishizu, published in 1974\/75. You can read it in its entirety here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

There wasn’t enough money in the budget to shoot this segment on 35mm film (like the TV series), so 16mm was used instead, which made it grainier than the rest of the movie. But it was the first new Yamato<\/em> animation anyone had seen in over two years, so complaints were minimal. When the movie was broadcast on TV a year later, the ending was replaced with TV footage and that became the standard for all future releases. After that, the “hologram Starsha” ending could only be seen as a bonus feature on home video.<\/p>\n

Read more about the new footage here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

See some of it on Youtube here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

August 6: movie program<\/h3>\n

A full-color 24-page program book was sold in theaters, offering a treasure trove of stills and data no one had seen before. It was apparently intended for overseas sales as well, since it sported the Space Cruiser Yamato<\/em> title and most of the text was presented in both Japanese and English. For some reason, the production commentaries were not translated at the time, but you can read them in a cover-to-cover presentation here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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August 6: theater goods<\/h3>\n

Today it’s common practice for a Yamato<\/em> movie (or almost any movie) to be accompanied by merchandising in Japan, but this was still a novel idea in August 1977. Theaters had only a smattering of products to sell (mostly manufactured by Tokyu Recreation) and were overwhelmed by the demand.<\/p>\n

Excerpt from The Law of Anime Hit Movies<\/em><\/a> (2012):<\/p>\n

\u201cCharacter goods and other products were sold at a stand,\u201d said Ikuo Aida, then an assistant manager at the Shibuya Masterpiece theater. \u201cI\u2019d never dealt with such a thing back then. Sales of handkerchiefs were especially good, and we needed to get more and more. Why did they sell so much? There were 20 pieces in one package, and they were sold one at a time, so I had to pull them out of the bag properly and sell them one by one. (Laugh) I wasn\u2019t used to that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Although it\u2019s a given that popcorn and cola are seen as part of the viewing experience in modern cinema, products sold at the stands in 1977 weren\u2019t much more than program books, and they didn\u2019t provide a theater with much income. But the sales of Yamato<\/em> character goods were terrific. \u201cI think about 40% of the box office take came from the souvenir stand,\u201d Aida said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Anime movies for teens sounded delicious. For theaters, that was the moment when a new source of revenue other than ticket sales was developed.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cThe main things sold were character goods, pencases, shopping bags, and stationery. We didn\u2019t originally put out very expensive items. They were 500 yen at most. [About $5.] Since the customers were junior high and high school students, they usually had about 1000 yen to spend.”<\/span><\/p>\n

See a catalog of Tokyu Recreation products (and much more) here<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

August 9: Middle 1st Year Course<\/em>, September issue<\/h3>\n

Later years were replete with Yamato<\/em> coverage in student digests, but this was one of the earliest. Gakken’s magazine for 7th graders published this 2-page report on the first Yamato<\/em> movie with a brief introduction and story synopsis. The introduction read as follows:<\/p>\n

Space Battleship Yamato<\/em> has been revived as a theatrical animation movie! Even now, two years after the TV anime ended, it continues to live on in the hearts of boys and girls. It is such a popular work that there is even a passionate Yamato<\/em> fan club.<\/span><\/p>\n

This movie, which took two years to produce, was also distributed in America and Europe as the overseas version Space Cruiser Yamato<\/em>, and a sequel is currently being developed.<\/span><\/p>\n

(Now in theaters, distributed by Yoshinobu Nishizaki & Academy Co.)<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

August 9: Weekly Playboy<\/em> No. 33<\/h3>\n

This was the weekly edition of the famed men’s magazine, which spent most of its pages on news and entertainment. It took an unusual approach for its first Yamato<\/em> article, publishing a one-page profile on the man who made the film instead of the film itself. It was a first for anyone in the anime industry and another signal of how quickly things were evolving.<\/p>\n

Entering the global film market with Yamato<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n

Yoshinobu Nishizaki conceived, produced, and directed Space Battleship Yamato<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 I am more of a writer than a merchant. I am that type of producer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 I like ships. One day, I suddenly thought it would be nice if a battleship could fly in the sky… <\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 People need love. SF adventure action and love are the themes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 In times of need, it is useful to have a greedy appetite for everything.<\/span><\/p>\n

He likes boats and has the fastest cruiser in Japan with a top speed of 38 knots. You might think he’d be too busy with work for boating, but he goes to Izu every weekend. He also enjoys skiing, diving, hunting, and many other hobbies. He has worked as a jazz commentator, stage and nightclub host, coffee shop boy, bartender, orchestra manager, music producer, secretary to a certain financial figure, company president, and more.<\/span><\/p>\n

“I’m interested in everything and I’m quick to get involved…someday it will come in handy. Maybe I’ll learn to fly an airplane next time.”<\/span><\/p>\n

He is a cool performer.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

August 10: Novelization Vol. 3: Yamato Restoration Volume<\/em><\/h3>\n

Four days after the movie premiere, the last book in the trilogy arrived in both hardcover and paperback from Sonorama. The hardcover spanned 192 pages and the paperback ballooned up to 256. Both got Yamato<\/em> through the Domel battle, past Gamilas to Iscandar and then home to Earth. Again, both included stills but the hardcover was much more generous in that respect.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

August 10: Weekly Sound Journal<\/em><\/h3>\n

Yamato<\/em> coverage was heavy in newspapers by this time, but magazines were just starting to deliver their own reports. One of the first came from Weekly Sound Journal<\/em>. It was short, but contained information found nowhere else in Yamato<\/em> history…<\/p>\n

Deepening Affection for the film Space Battleship Yamato<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n

While anticipation for the Space Battleship Yamato<\/em> movie was rising, a “fan gathering” was held with a packed audience at 1:00pm and 3:00pm on July 30 on the rooftop stage of the Mitsukoshi main store in Nihonbashi. It was co-sponsored by Nippon Columbia and the film’s production company, Academy. Eighty percent of the audience looked like high school girls, holding record bags that they had bought at the sales event.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

On the stage, Isao Sasaki, who sang the theme song Space Battleship Yamato<\/em> and the closing theme The Scarlet Scarf<\/em>, performed with the composer Hiroshi Miyagawa conducting a more than 40-piece orchestra. Yoshinobu Nishizaki, who planned, conceived, produced, and directed the production, told the audience the story behind the production process and its origins, and fascinated them with the background music of the main scenes.<\/p>\n

On August 1, a preview screening was held at 6:00 p.m. at Nissho Hall in Toranomon, for many people involved in production. The audience thoroughly enjoyed the 2 hour and 10 minute film. The anticipation for Yamato<\/em> and the degree of attachment and obsession for fans has only grown stronger and deeper.<\/p>\n

(end of report)<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The “Fan Gathering” described here hit two significant milestones: the first official Yamato<\/em> event of any kind, and the first live performance of Yamato<\/em> music in front of an audience. The photos shown here (found online) are very likely from that event.<\/p>\n

See larger versions here<\/a>.<\/p>\n


\nTicket voucher for Hamamatsu Cinema, with five screenings per day starting August 13<\/em><\/p>\n

August 13: Week 2 begins<\/h3>\n

It had already been announced in July that one week after the Tokyo premiere, Yamato<\/em> would open in other cities at Toei theaters. Plans were modest in the beginning, but more screens were booked as quickly as possible after the explosive opening week. Just two more venues were added in Tokyo, but another 11 opened elsewhere.<\/p>\n

And this was just the beginning. By the end of August, an additional 52 theaters across Japan had booked the film. Even more jumped on in September and October. After a slowdown in November, business picked up again for the holiday season in December. If you knew where to go, you could find Yamato<\/em> on a big screen almost every week through the end of March, 1978.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

August 14: Weekly Myojo<\/em> magazine No. 34<\/h3>\n

Here, at last, the true journalism began. Weekly Myojo<\/em> was a culture and entertainment magazine that put reporters right into the belly of the beast, sitting with moviegoers in the overnight lines to see the film on day one. They wrote their findings into a very insightful 3-page article under the headline Suddenly Space Battleship Yamato Surfaces, The Secret of Crazy Popularity.<\/em><\/p>\n

Read the article here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Another article ran in the August 28 issue, but a copy has yet to be obtained.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

August 15: Weekly Heibon Punch<\/em> magazine<\/h3>\n

Hot on Myojo<\/em>‘s heels was this rival publication. It was oriented toward men, but their 4-page Yamato<\/em> article took an even broader approach than Myojo<\/em>‘s, quoting production staff and fans alike. In fact, both of these magazines went out of their way to credit fan clubs for helping make the phenomenon happen.<\/p>\n

Read the article here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Read more about Heibon Punch<\/em> here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

August 15: English Today<\/em>, September issue<\/h3>\n

English and Japanese speakers alike could find plenty to interest them here, a collection of articles and essays from around the world presented in bilingual text with a lean toward teaching English to Japanese readers. The monthly “English on Screen” feature turned its spotlight on the English-dubbed Yamato<\/em> movie, and actually did the work of translating the English script back<\/em> into Japanese.<\/p>\n

It may have provided a skewed experience, but it was the first magazine anywhere to provide a bridge between Yamato<\/em> fans on both sides of the language barrier.<\/p>\n

Read the article here<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

August 18: Playcomic<\/em> magazine<\/h3>\n

Pivoting off the name Playboy, Playcomic<\/em> was a weekly manga magazine for mature readers, though erotic content took a back seat to humor and SF such as Leiji Matsumoto\u2019s Eternal Story of Jura<\/em> and Space Pirate Captain Harlock<\/em>, which would be animated the following year. This issue included a bound-in \u201cCinema Poster.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

August 20: “Stereo manga” radio drama<\/h3>\n

If TV reruns, novelizations, and a feature film still wasn’t enough to scratch your itch, you could also resort to radio. Stereo Manga Space Battleship Yamato<\/em> was first broadcast as an 8-episode serial on NHK FM starting August 20. Each 13-minute episode included a singer, a narrator, and the first-ever stereo sound mix for a Yamato<\/em> production. Fans were a bit disappointed that the actual sound effects from the TV series were not used; instead, real-world sounds were heard for guns firing and such.<\/p>\n

All the episodes of this unique presentation have been unearthed and can be heard at NicoNico here:<\/p>\n

Episode 1<\/a> | Episode 2<\/a> | Episode 3<\/a> | Episode 4<\/a>
\nEpisode 5<\/a> | Episode 6<\/a> | Episode 7<\/a> | Episode 8<\/a><\/p>\n

Note that this was entirely different from the historic full-cast radio drama that would be broadcast on All-Night Nippon in December. We’ll get to that one in due time.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

August 20: Kinejun<\/em> magazine No. 717<\/h3>\n

With this issue, we got another Nishizaki interview for the history books. It reveals intricate details of Yamato<\/em>‘s rise to fame that were never published elsewhere. The discussion is as candid and penetrating as any Nishizaki interview that would follow, but this portrait of his first brush with success is truly special.<\/p>\n

Read it here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

August 20: Iscandar<\/em> Vol. 4 doujinshi<\/h3>\n

If there was ever a right time to get your fan club’s doujinshi out into the world, this was it. Cosmo Battleship Yamato Connection published issue 4 at the height of the Yamato<\/em> Boom, a 44-pager with a generous selection of production art, fanfic, and commentary.<\/p>\n

See it from cover to cover in the doujinshi archive here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

August 21: Roadshow<\/em> magazine, October issue<\/h3>\n

Roadshow<\/em> was pretty much at the top of the heap in terms of movie coverage, a large-format monthly magazine that was mainly devoted to American films and American movie stars. It took a lot for a Japanese-made film to get an invitation to the party, but it happened in this issue with a glowing review of Yamato<\/em>, beginning a long-term relationship that would lead to a LOT more coverage and a series of books over the next few years.<\/p>\n

Read the article here<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

August 23: Cross-promotion<\/h3>\n

This mini-flyer promoted two things. On the front, movie screenings that would begin August 23 at the Okayama Central theater. On the back, Nippon Columbia promoted the Yamato<\/em> drama LP and a huge 4-LP omnibus titled The History of TV Manga Theme Songs<\/em>. Columbia would eventually release eight volumes in this series, all of which went in chronological order. Of course, Yamato<\/em> took its place on one of them.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

August 23: Weekly Playboy<\/em> No. 35<\/h3>\n

This was the last magazine to cover the movie’s inaugural month, but plenty more were on the way. The article this time was short but full of positivity…<\/p>\n

Space Battleship Yamato<\/em>: 20 records and 100 posters<\/span><\/h3>\n

Cooperation from Nippon Columbia, courtesy of Academy<\/em><\/p>\n

Nowadays, there are probably no young people who do not know about Space Battleship Yamato<\/em>. It is a feature-length science fiction anime that was broadcast on TV three years ago and has just been remade for the theater. In the film world, The Exorcist<\/em> in 1974, Towering Inferno<\/em> in 1975, and Jaws<\/em> in 1976 were popular, but this time, Space Battleship Yamato<\/em> is the topic of the year.<\/p>\n

The story is set in the year 2199, when humanity is on the verge of extinction due to planet bombs from the planet Gamilas, which plots against Earth. Then a message arrives from the planet Iscandar, 148,000 light-years away, asking them to retrieve a radiation-removal device. So Yamato<\/em> launches. The story depicts how Yamato<\/em> fends off the attacks of the Gamilas and brings the device back to earth safely.<\/p>\n

The film has become surprisingly popular. We are presenting the soundtrack record and poster of this film. The record, in particular, was inundated with pre-orders for 130,000 copies before its release. Please apply now!<\/p>\n

\n
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Also spotted in August<\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

Yamato Graphic No. 1 doujinshi<\/em><\/p>\n

One more doujinshi that earned the distinction of appearing in August 1977 was Yamato Graphic No. 1<\/em> from “Yamato<\/em> Fan Alliance Ushichaman.” It appears to have been a parody manga, but a physical copy has yet to be found, so it’s just a guess. However, cataloging these things is MUCH easier when the publishing date appears right on the cover.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Movie Fan magazine, September issue<\/em><\/p>\n

An unusually-formatted ad for the movie appeared in this issue, and its like was never seen again.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Newswatch: Headlines and highlights for August<\/h3>\n

For the sake of posterity, all of the press and magazine coverage for the Yamato<\/em> movie was indexed in Office Academy\u2019s Space Battleship Yamato<\/em> Complete Records books (commonly known as the \u201csilver set\u201d). This allows us to see how newspapers and magazines reacted to the emerging phenomenon, which must have seemed to come out of nowhere. Here are headlines and highlights from that index.<\/p>\n

(Translation note: \u201cshimbun\u201d means \u201cnewspaper.\u201d The literal translation is shin\/new \u2022 bun\/hearsay)<\/p>\n

With a big movie that is a big hit, Battleship Yamato<\/em> is making a great start, and 100,000 advance tickets have already been sold. Will teen girls make fun of you if you don’t watch Space Battleship Yamato<\/em>?
\nSports Nippon, Film Summer Festival, August 1<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Space Battleship Yamato<\/em> is a lively topic of conversation due to TV reruns, exploding sales of LP records, and the release of a movie.
\nAsahi Shinbun, August 5<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Anime boom is in full swing
\nNihon Keizai Shimbun, August 5<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Space roman movie Space Battleship Yamato<\/em> and America’s Star Wars on the verge of “unprecedented earnings”
\nMainichi Shimbun, Saturday Report, August 6<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Even blockbusters pale in comparison! Why is it so popular…
\nHochi Shimbun, August 6<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

“Yamato<\/em>” a total success!
\nSports Nippon, August 7<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

“Yamato<\/em>” explodes in popularity in search of midsummer dreams and coolness
\nHochi Shimbun, August 7<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Fast Forward! Space Battleship Yamato<\/em>
\nTokyo Chunichi Sports, August 7<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

“Battleship Yamato<\/em>” is strong!
\nNikkan Sports, August 7<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

“Yamato<\/em>” is invincible!
\nDaily Sports, August 7<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

A different kind of anime!
\nTokyo Shimbun Echo, August 8<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

This is a masterpiece, a first-class animation film.
\nUniversity Newspaper, Viewing Desk, August 9<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Space Battleship Yamato<\/em>‘s continued success
\nSports Nippon, August 9<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The Growing Affection
\nWeekly Music Journal, August 10<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Battleship “Yamato<\/em>” Surfaces in its 33rd Year: Oneness with the Screen, Excited Spectators!
\nTokyo Shimbun, August 11<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Popularity is worldwide
\nHokkai Times Entertainment, August 11<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Producer Nishizaki himself is surprised by the big hit and the spectacular roman he received.
\nHochi Shimbun, August 11<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Teenagers are dazed by the “Yamato<\/em> soul” theme song
\nDaily Sports, August 12<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Interesting and imaginative idea Space Battleship Yamato<\/em>
\nAsahi Shimbun, Nagoya, August 12<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

The Yamato<\/em> boom is unmissable, so it’s been made into a movie.
\nThe Yomiuri Shimbun, August 13<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

The movie is a big hit and boom is at its peak.
\nOsaka Nichinichi Shimbun, August 13<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

“Battleship Yamato<\/em>” revives, more than ever popular in movies, records, and publications
\nHochi Shimbun, August 14<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Producer Nishizaki plays four roles, leading the charge
\nTokyo Chunichi Sports, Today’s Face, August 15<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

1,500 people rush to the invitation ticket distribution for Space Battleship Yamato<\/em>, causing a big commotion.
\nChunichi Shimbun, August 17<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Isao Sasaki resurfaces in Space Battleship Yamato<\/em>
\nSankei Sports, August 17<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Japanese films are fighting a good fight in the summer movie season, and at times Space Battleship Yamato<\/em> has become a huge hit and the biggest topic of the summer
\nMainichi Shimbun, August 17<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Do you remember? The passionate blood of Yamato<\/em>!
\nWeekly Heibon, August 18<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

The overflowing “dream and adventurous spirit” of the combination of human and mechanisms is interesting.
\nWive’s Journal, August 19<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Infinite Fantasy Movie Space Battleship Yamato<\/em>
\nNagoya Times Ekimae, August 19<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Tremendous popularity among young people. Similar to “SL” and “Supercars”
\nThe Chunichi Shimbun, August 19<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

A future version of “Journey to the West”? Or is it? It’s fun to use your imagination freely.
\nDaily Sports, August 20<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

The business spirit of Space Battleship Yamato<\/em>
\nThe reason for its irresistible appeal — the appeal of mechanisms, the presence of a father figure that has faded in the modern times, and the discovery of human potential.
\nNagoya Times, August 20<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The “Battleship Yamato<\/em>” is revived in a life-and-death crisis of human existence.
\nNew Kansai Shimbun, August 20<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

A large number of young people lined up for Yamato<\/em>, attracted by its justice and courage
\nThe Nishinippon Shimbun, August 20<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

The target was Space Battleship Yamato<\/em>, and young people rushed to movie theaters
\nThe Asahi Shimbun, August 20<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Yamato<\/em>‘s amazing popularity
\nMainichi Shimbun, August 20<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

A rare occurrence occurs in the movie industry in summer. Space Battleship Yamato<\/em> is a big boom in Kyushu
\nSports Nippon, August 21<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Space Battleship Yamato<\/em>, which was on the verge of sinking, breaks the jinx and makes a great comeback!
\nTokyo Sports, August 21<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Space Battleship Yamato<\/em> is a movie that brings the coolness of “battle” to boys and girls, and the nostalgia of childhood to adults.
\nThe Nishinippon Shimbun, August 22<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Producer Nishizaki is already fighting for a sequel.
\nThe Yomiuri Shimbun, Western Edition, August 22<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Space Battleship Yamato<\/em> invites you to an unknown world.
\nTokyo Shimbun, August 23<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Leader Dessler Banzai. The true man, Captain Okita Juzo.
\nKurikuri, August 25<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Long lines for “roman.” A novel roman with a theme of a future space war attracts young people.
\nThe Yomiuri Shimbun, August 27<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

For the generation that doesn’t know about war, Yamato<\/em>, which travels to the end of the universe hundreds of thousands of light-years away, is a bigger craze than supercars.
\nOsaka Nichinichi Shimbun, August 28<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

The haunted popularity of Space Battleship Yamato<\/em> is likely to trigger a huge animation boom.
\nWeekly Myojo, August 28<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

A hot young audience lined up all night long and brought their own food to fight against the rain.
\nNew Kansai Shimbun, August 28<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Super popular Space Battleship Yamato<\/em>. Fan clubs publish magazines to communicate with each other.
\nMainichi Junior High School Newspaper, August 29<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

During the long rainy summer vacation, the anime movie gets the last laugh
\nYugan Fuji, August 30<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

As an expression of dreams, roman, adventure, and love, the idea of a ship flying in the sky was born, which led to the battleship Yamato<\/em>.
\nInformation and Communication, August 31<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

What’s Next<\/h3>\n

September and October bring more of everything: the next wave of media coverage, the first Roman Album, doujinshis, new products, and validation for those who had kept the fires burning since the start. See it all in Vintage Report 6 here<\/a>!<\/p>\n

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

For further reading:<\/em><\/p>\n

One fan’s negative review of the movie<\/a><\/p>\n

Yoshinobu Nishizaki talks about opening day<\/a><\/p>\n

A detailed account of the opening in The Law of Anime Hit Movies<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

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