{"id":33758,"date":"2023-02-11T15:04:46","date_gmt":"2023-02-11T23:04:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault\/?p=33758"},"modified":"2023-04-11T19:09:37","modified_gmt":"2023-04-12T02:09:37","slug":"738a","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault\/738a\/","title":{"rendered":"Yamato 2205<\/em> Episode 2 commentary"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"2302icon\"<\/p>\n

On the day Yamato<\/em> sets sail, it is learned that Domon used illegal means to board the ship. At the hands of its new crew, Yamato<\/em> begins to move forward with Domon at the helm. Susumu Kodai, who has become captain, challenges his resolve by entrusting the ship to him.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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

Episode 2: Yamato<\/em>, a New Departure!<\/h2>\n

The opening title gives us a short montage of sequences from 2199, Ark of the Stars<\/em> and 2202<\/em>, set to a familiar tune from decades past: the iconic opening theme from the original TV series.<\/p>\n

[AMB]: A new voyage set to an old tune. The title ends on a new image: The Milky Way galaxy and the Sagittarius Dwarf Galaxy. What was your first reaction to hearing 2205<\/em> bring back the original original opening song? <\/span><\/p>\n

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

[KC]: That was a definite treat! I prefer the Japanese, but the English version is easier for me to sing along to. I actually have Animetal USA\u2019s heavy metal version on regular rotation. I\u2019m very fond of it. <\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Thematically speaking, there\u2019s likely a grander purpose behind the original theme\u2019s usage here. So much so that it would be remiss of the future dub crew to not include the original Star Blazers<\/em> theme.<\/span><\/p>\n

From here on out, 2205<\/em> will make a point of not re-recording vocal tracks from the original New Voyage<\/em> and Yamato III<\/em>, opting for the originals. This serves a double purpose: on one hand, it makes their usage connect more strongly with older audiences who grew up with them. On the other hand, it sows the seeds of Be Forever Yamato<\/em>\u2019s pseudo time travel storyline early on, but also sets up a key theme of 2205<\/em>: re-evaluating the past. <\/span><\/p>\n

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

On the first point: why do this so late in the game? As is known to fans from around the world, 2199<\/em>\u2019s focus on moe-fying the female characters did not necessarily resonate with the core Yamato<\/em> fanbase. 2202<\/em> reversed gears in this regard; its marketing focused less on anime girls, more on mecha. The anime followed suit starting with 2202<\/em>, and culminated in centering Age of Yamato<\/em> on a character beloved by older fans (Sanada). If one were to believe the production team behind the reboot, older Yamato<\/em> fans took it to heart. <\/span><\/p>\n

On the second point: 2205<\/em> isn’t just a fusion of The New Voyage<\/em> and Yamato III<\/em>, but also Be Forever<\/em>. Characters to be introduced from the Dark Nebula Empire will have a peculiar fascination with old recordings of Earth music. The original recordings of classic vocal Yamato<\/em> tunes provides us with two important hints: 2205<\/em>\u2019s narrative will deal with the metaphysical past of the SBY franchise, but also the past of series regulars like Dessler and Starsha.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The episode begins with a flashback: an envoy of three Deusula<\/em> core ships carrying members of Garmillas high court lands on Iscandar\u2019s capital. Joining his uncle – the Archduke Erik Vam Dessler – is a young Abelt Dessler, who in the present narrates how this day was the first time he met Queen Starsha.<\/p>\n

\u201cIscandar\u2026 the twin planet to our planet Garmillas. It\u2019s the planet of love, which plots the salvation of all intelligent life. It\u2019s the guiding light and spiritual support for the culture of Garmillas.\u201d<\/p>\n

[AMB]: Iscandar\u2019s stated goal to bring salvation to all intelligent life, as well as Garmillas’ pious worship of Iscandarians, were pillars of 2199<\/em> lore. Glad to see this recognized once more.<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: We are getting SO MUCH MORE about the relationship between these two planets than we ever have before. I loved the fact that 2202<\/em> introduced some of the history between Dessler and Starsha and 2205<\/em> is delivering. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[AMB]: We were cautiously optimistic about the reboot expanding on 2202<\/em>\u2019s efforts to recontextualize the vagueness of 2199<\/em>\u2019s lore, weren\u2019t we? And we had different views on whether the Starsha flashback Dessler had in 2199<\/em> indicated that he first met her during his young adulthood, or if he possibly had met her prior to his boy band look. You argued the former, and you appear to have been right!<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: It looks that way, only now I have more<\/em> questions. Some will be addressed, others likely never, but why doesn’t Starsha appear to age? Why is she always wearing the same outfit? What does she do on that planet all day, all alone? Is she actually alive? Has she ever left Iscandar? Was Abelt legit trying to court her? Did she sit for the creepy mural he had made of the two of them? Did she ever see it? Does she like him, but only as a friend? Was she stringing him along for some other purpose? Did she give him that bird he choked out in 2199<\/em>, or did he just take it with him when he was there that other time wearing that awful ascot?<\/span> <\/p>\n

[AMB]: As for the mural, Starsha has her own copy in her palace, so she has definitely seen it. It\u2019s depicted after her talk with Hyss, in 2199<\/em> Episode 24. And the blue birds? One or two of them can be seen hovering around the pair in Starsha\u2019s flashback, so I think it\u2019s safe to say that\u2019s where he got it.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[KC]: She has her own mural? How in the Greater Magellanic Cloud did I miss that? And thank you for the visual image I will carry now of Teen Heartthrob Abelt just snatching one of those birds out of the air right in front of Starsha and walking off with it. \u201cFine. If you won\u2019t go out with me, I\u2019m taking this bird!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: For those who aren\u2019t caught up with the expanded world building from 2202<\/em>, here’s a short summary: By the time of Abelt’s third birthday, Erik Vam Dessler had successfully united the divided duchies of Garmillas after a seven-decade long civil war. Though strife still followed, a united planetary nation was slowly becoming a reality. On Abelt\u2019s eighth birthday, he swore a blood oath with his brother Matheus to find a way to save their world from its looming death. Based on Abelt\u2019s apparent age in this scene in 2205<\/em>, we can infer that this meeting takes place shortly after said blood oath.<\/span><\/p>\n

Any details omitted can be found in our 2202<\/em> Episode 15 commentary here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[KC]: I mean, it was weird enough for me to accept the fact that this lady just sat around on her planet all alone, all day in the original story, refusing Dessler\u2019s calls. But the reboot has been giving us context for things like this from the beginning. And here we have Sweet Baby Abelt, brought by his Uncle to meet with Starsha, who appears\u2026exactly the same as she always does.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: In the original series, I suppose one could argue that the calls they had were antagonistic to say the least. Starsha was always a defiant pacifist, content to fade away rather than assert her will on others – that which the Dessler regime did to creatures on Balan and Beemela. <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: This Dessler seems to have more history with her. Not only do we have this meeting where presumably he is being introduced to Starsha, but we also saw him meeting with her on Iscandar when he first takes over from his Uncle at eighteen. And despite their political impasse, they seem to genuinely like each other. What do they talk about? Another question for my list.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: War. Peace. Blue birds. That kind of stuff, probably. On the mecha front: It\u2019s interesting to note that thanks to the inclusion of the Deusula<\/em> core ships in this scene, we can infer that Abelt wasn\u2019t the first Dessler to use this particular class of ship in 2199<\/em>. In fact, it appears as if it\u2019s designed especially for the Dessler dynasty.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

In the throne room, three dozen or so Garmillans take a collective knee for Starsha, whose curious gaze is fixed on Abelt. Whether she\u2019s perturbed or intrigued, we don\u2019t know. Their eyes meet for a brief moment until Abelt looks away. Starsha walks up to the young boy, lowering herself to his level. She caresses his cheek and whispers a secret unknown to us.<\/p>\n

\u201cStarsha, the first time I saw you, you looked so mature. What were you trying to tell me at that moment\u2026 ?\u201d<\/p>\n

The monologue ends. We\u2019re back in the present, aboard the Deusula III.<\/em><\/p>\n

[KC]: What a little cutie he was back then. Anyway, I guess he meant that literally and wasn\u2019t talking about her poise.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: You\u2019re referring to her age, right? Considering they first met over 30 years ago, it\u2019s an odd thing to see her remain in pristine shape to this day. It\u2019s almost like she doesn\u2019t seem to age\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[KC]: Right? I know all will be explained in later episodes, but right now it\u2019s very intriguing. Especially since they don’t reveal yet what she whispered to him.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Since this is a shorter series, and since this commentary is meant to be read after watching, I vote we end the embargo on spoiling future events here and now. This is what Starsha told him: \u201cMake sure to mature with haste\/grow up quickly.\u201d The reason why will remain somewhat ambiguous. How did you read her wish? <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: My first instinct was that she meant it in a kind of dark, foreboding way; that Abelt cannot afford to be a child for long in his position. And later, when we learn the nature of the relationship between Iscandar and Garmillas (which I still don\u2019t think we need to get into just yet) I started considering that she might have just been eager for Abelt to take charge of the situation. Maybe she sensed that he would forge a better path than his Uncle. But of course, with all the joking I’ve done over the years regarding Dessler\u2019s rather problematic interest in Queen Starsha, it’s also amusing to look at her comment as the tables turning on that front. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[AMB]: Interesting takes, all worthy of consideration. My own is fairly simple: it appeared as if Starsha saw something pure in a young child like Abelt, who unwittingly or not took a blood oath that requires him to live the rest of his life for the sake of something beyond himself. That is, saving Garmillas without divulging the secret of the planet\u2019s fate. You and I both know why she would relate to a young soul forced to live such a life, as will be explored in 2205<\/em>\u2019s penultimate episode.<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]:This is probably closest to the writer’s intent, I would think.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: This entire flashback sequence is inspired by a similar one from the original New Voyage<\/em>, where Dessler reminisces about the fall of Gamilas and his newfound impressions of Starsha and Iscandar. One of the last images he saw was Starsha\u2019s face set into Iscandar, an iconic image that was recreated in 2202<\/em>, Episode 16. Since said image had already been used, we now get a different one, surrounded by blinding lights as Dessler\u2019s brought back to the present.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Talan reports to Abelt that a \u201cvisual signal\u201d (equivalent of space morse code) is being sent from Evacuation Fleet 28, led by a couple of Gaiderol-class ships. He reads out its message as the fleet passes them by: \u2018Long live, Dessler. We\u2019ll see you on the new world, Galman.\u2019 Smiling, Dessler orders Talan to send a visual signal back from him personally: \u2018I pray for your safe voyage.\u2019 <\/p>\n

[AMB]: \u201cLong live Dessler,\u201d or \u201cGaare Desura,\u201d is a Garmillan slogan used in strict and loving veneration of the Dessler family. In 2199<\/em>, this phrase often ended conversations with the former dictator, but by 2202, few Garmillans seemed comfortable singing his praises. Among those that were, one man alone stood out as the chief architect behind the plan to relocate Garmillas’ population to space on New Baleras. You know where I\u2019m going with this aren\u2019t you\u2026? <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: I\u2019m going to presume for the time being that Abelt\u2019s discovery of the planet Galman and arrangement with President Hyss has maybe put him back in the good graces and fond wishes of more people than just Talan and who you\u2019re alluding to.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

[AMB]: Hopefully so. But only two men used the \u201cGaare Desura\u201d phrase in 2202<\/em>, and both of them cheerfully opened their reunion with Abelt with it: Ghader Talan, and Heydom Gimleh. So I’m positing that the moral enigma that is Gimleh is spearheading the evacuation operation front and center! Since last episode established that several 2202<\/em> pro-Desslerites were readmitted to both the government and military, and since Gimleh (love him or hate him) had a genuine desire to save Garmillas from its fate, I feel safe in claiming that this is the man himself messaging Dessler. <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: It certainly could be; we know that he\u2019s not gone. Here\u2019s a weird, random observation: 2199<\/em> gave us Frakken and Keeling, both of whom were originally introduced in Yamato III<\/em>. But remember Gaidel? That bald, corpulent general with the huge portrait of Dessler in his quarters, who gets in trouble for screwing with Yamato<\/em> because apparently he worships Dessler but never bothered to look into anything about him? He\u2019s nowhere to be found in this reboot so far. What if that\u2019s Gimleh\u2019s role? To be the guy who tries to impress his boss in all the wrong ways? Ah, it\u2019s just a thought after a long day of recreational marijuana. Besides which, there\u2019s really no comparison. Gaidel was almost loveable. Certainly comical. My cousin and I used to joke about Dessler needing to take out restraining orders on the guy. But Gimleh committed genocide. I\u2019m never gonna be okay with him. <\/span><\/p>\n

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

[AMB]: Fair points all around. And I agree; in fact, through some investigative (Yamato<\/em>) journalism, I discovered where, and to whom, traits from missing Yamato III<\/em> characters like Gaidel and Dagon went for this<\/a> article series.<\/span><\/p>\n

But back to Gimleh: If this is truly him, then why not confirm his well being more clearly? Well, the slew of revelations he imparted to us in 2202<\/em> is a whole can of narrative baggage that 2205<\/em>\u2019s tight script can\u2019t afford. If he makes a single vocal or visual appearance, the story becomes obligated to answer more questions, distracting from the tale that\u2019s presently being told. This answer also explains why we don\u2019t get to see Berger\u2019s sister-in-law Neredia, nor Domel\u2019s wife Eliza, in 2205<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: I don\u2019t know that Neredia and Berger are related. I think Neredia\u2019s sister was killed in the war before she could marry Berger. In any event, it is a shame that these characters are missing, but we\u2019ve gotten Melda back, at least! <\/span><\/p>\n

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

[AMB]: You\u2019re right! They never did have the chance to marry. This is a good opportunity to remind audiences that Berger’s girlfriend Meria served with him aboard the same ship during Gatlantis’ excursion into the Large Magellanic Cloud, led by Dagarm\u2019s mercenary force. This storyline is depicted in Ark of the Stars<\/em> through a familial – although strained – bond with Meria\u2019s sister Neredia. Their bond was restored throughout the movie, and hopefully they\u2019re still close to this day. <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: Oh, they definitely are. I wish we would see more of this female Garmillas General. She appears to be the only one. Another missed opportunity for an offshoot series. Meria did die in a battle between Garmillas and Gatlantis, didn\u2019t she? I could swear I remember something about Berger having a hate on for the Earthlings because he held them responsible for her death, but maybe I\u2019m making that up.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: The first workplace assignment she got in the military was the place raided by Dagarm\u2019s forces, resulting in her death. The reason Berger resented Yamato<\/em> in particular was because of what happened to Domel and the rest of his friends at the Rainbow Star Cluster. He sought vengeance on the ship for taking everything away from him.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

[KC]: Also fair. Okita did Domel dirty. LOL!<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: What little we know of Neredia and Meria can be gleaned from their character guides. Neredia\u2019s a Colonel in the Garmillan military, serving in the security forces. After Meria\u2019s death, she gained recognition during the \u201cBattle of Chitabere,\u201d earning her this uniquely distinguished rank for a Garmillan woman. Even more interesting to note is that she served alongside Berger for this battle, and that a short relationship sparked between them.<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: Oh, what\u2019s this, now? Inquiring fanfic writers want to know. Or more accurately, they want to fill in the blanks themselves. Berger definitely deserves some happiness. I may always favor Talan, but I really love that this character gets a back story and a movie and some triumphant moments in the series.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

[AMB]: Cool beans, as they say. Currently, Dessler\u2019s posse includes a classic Series 1 character who originally died (Berger), a manly Series 2 gentleman (Talan), and a suave merc from Series 3 (Frakken) as mainstay characters. In that sense, we\u2019re truly blessed.<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: It would make a great sitcom, I\u2019m just saying.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: With Gimleh being the group\u2019s Newman!<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: This has to happen.<\/span><\/p>\n

Talan informs us that this fleet\u2019s arrival marks a third of Garmillas’ population evacuated, but some still refuse to leave. In two more weeks, Dessler\u2019s own fleet will have successfully made their trip home.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cYour Excellency, if you appeal to those that remain on Garmillas, surely the skeptics will change their tune,\u201d says Talan, but is cut off by Abelt, inspecting his chalice.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean after hearing from someone aboard this ship, Talan?\u201d<\/p>\n

Straightening his back, Talan profusely apologizes. <\/p>\n

[AMB]: The ship\u2019s presently painted red, a commonality found with ships based on the Gelvadez-class. That is to say, it isn\u2019t blue.<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: So it looks like here we’re finally seeing a bit of the informal friendship between these two that I have always fangirled over. Dessler is definitely messing with him.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Some of the more amusing Garmillan-centric moments from Yamato 2<\/em> and Yamato III<\/em> were between these two dorks. It\u2019s a welcome addition to the reboot saga.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cApplying the noble blue color to Your Excellency\u2019s command ship will be done with as soon as possible.\u201d before Talan can prostrate himself any longer, Abelt interjects.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cSometimes red is good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dessler\u2019s fleet trails off. <\/p>\n

[KC]: General Talan has always been portrayed as a pretty straightforward military man, so I figure he gets uptight about these kinds of things. It\u2019s nice to see Dessler genuinely doesn\u2019t seem to care about such formalities. I do wonder if\/what I am supposed to infer from his comment about red being good. That his heart is full of love, now? That he\u2019s out for blood? Is it a reference to Kodai\u2019s officer class? Am I just reading too much into it because of the weed again?<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Maybe he\u2019s simply referring to the wine in his glass? Or Yamato<\/em>\u2019s stark red bottom deck colors? Or is he off-handedly shaking off his blood heritage, loosening up? Or did he, much like you, partake in the ingestion of recreational herbs? <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: Hah! No need to go down a rabbit hole. I feel like he’d talk your ear off when he\u2019s high. And between you and me, Talan is the one who definitely needs to lighten up more.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Still waiting for that on-screen heart-to-heart about what happened to Velte, his brother. One can dream\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: Talking about Berger earlier reminded me that my favorite member of Dessler\u2019s military doesn\u2019t get this treatment, for whatever reason. We’ll just have to content ourselves with assurances that there is no one better for Dessler to have at his side.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: That we will.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Back on Earth, on Yamato<\/em>\u2019s forward deck, UNCF Vice-Commander Serizawa is holding a graduation speech for the new space cadets from the National Defense Academy. He recounts the turbulent happenings of their time. <\/p>\n

\u201cPresently, Garmillas is undergoing a mass migration. Men, surely you\u2019re aware that they\u2019re at odds with an interstellar alliance called the Bolar Federation. The situation is tense. As members of the UNCF, you have a very important responsibility at a time like this. Defense Fleet 65, with the Space Battleship Yamato<\/em> as its flagship, will begin a long voyage to the Magellanic Cloud in order to escort our delegation to Garmillas and Iscandar. In addition, this long trip will serve as an important training mission for the new crew.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[AMB]: During Serizawa\u2019s speech, we see both new and old faces. Among those not mentioned in the previous episode are Earth ambassador Lorenz Burrel of Garmillas, engineering staff member Tetsuo Kuri (new character), and the bored Space Cavalry recruit Caroline Raiden. Burrel has stepped down from his position in Garmillan Military Intelligence to join both Captain Yamanami and Serizawa as members of the \u201cPeace Corps,\u201d to promote \u201creborn Earth as a peaceful nation.\u201d Kuri\u2019s an 18 year old boy, eager to do his best. He\u2019s one of only two truly new Yamato<\/em> recruits in 2205<\/em>, and was likely created to fulfill the original film’s goal of introducing completely fresh characters. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Raiden ticks the same boxes as Akira Yamamoto did in 2199<\/em> in all the best ways. Rather than simply gender-swapping the original Goro Raiden from Yamato III<\/em>, Caroline was written to be his canonical daughter. In this universe, Goro\u2019s a Japanese diplomat, and Caroline\u2019s mother is of American origin. They divorced when Caroline was eight years old, and she chose to move to Japan with her father. Growing up in the outskirts of an underground city during the war with Garmillas, she met a soon-to-be introduced pilot cadet, Shigeru Sakamoto, and forged a strong bond. The reason she initially chose to attend the Space Defense Academy was to get away from her “strict father.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: How is it that you already know so much about her?<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: The 2205<\/em> Character and Mecha guides are everyone\u2019s friend! Link can be found here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Speaking of the character guides, we need to mention someone who was featured in the cinema pamphlet for Chapter 1, as well as the Complete Materials<\/em> book. He sits just behind Nanbu, beside Sakamaki, and is named Sousuke Jimi. From here on out, he\u2019ll serve as Asuka<\/em>\u2019s chief navigator, like Shima aboard Yamato<\/em>. In the past, he was a classmate of Nanbu\u2019s at the Space Force Cadet School. Today, he lives happily with a wife and two daughters. He personally chose to board Asuka<\/em> for this mission. Little else is known about him, but he\u2019ll doubtless receive some attention in future stories. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs you know, Yamato<\/em> is known for prioritizing human lives over military readiness. It represents our policy of peace\u2026\u201d <\/p>\n

Serizawa’s speech fades out as the camera lingers on Domon. We flash back to a private conversation in Captain Kodai\u2019s cabin with Yamanami, Sanada and Hoshina, who’s concerned about his Captain\u2019s safety. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Apparently, Ryusuke Domon registered with what can only be described as falsified background data, masking his connection with Domon Hightech and his father\u2019s death. Hoshina posits that Domon tricked the system on purpose and is gunning for Kodai. Sanada, on the other hand, points out that the boy\u2019s a top achiever who would have been drafted despite the aforementioned circumstances. <\/p>\n

[KC]: So many court-martialable offenses have to just happen for space opera to succeed. <\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: With a stunningly low conviction rate! Unless you\u2019re Yang Wenli from Legend of the Galactic Heroes<\/em>, because then you\u2019re in for a world of hurt.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoshina\u2019s appeal to security melds with Sanada\u2019s cold, calculating logic to form a reasonable appeal to Kodai\u2019s better judgement. Of course, like his mentor Okita did for Kodai\u2019s brother Mamoru, he\u2019s definitely taking Domon\u2019s father\u2019s death to heart. He blames himself for the fallout, and perhaps tries to absolve himself from the sin of someone else\u2019s loved one dying for his sake. If you wonder why this is the one and only scene with Kodai in Okita\u2019s cabin\u2026 this is why.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[KC]: Kodai may have Okita very much in his thoughts right now, but he is his own captain, forging his own way.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Which speeds up the original saga’s schedule by a significant amount! Kodai had the opportunity to serve as Captain in an official capacity during the original New Voyage<\/em>, his misgivings weren\u2019t as thoroughly explored as in Yamato III<\/em>. Between these two works, he\u2019d by one-upped by Captain Yamanami in Be Forever<\/em>, and the return of Captain Okita in Final Yamato<\/em>! There are two reasons why this won\u2019t happen in the reboot:<\/span><\/p>\n

1: Yamanami is his own character now, no longer the meta-allegorical shadow of Okita and Hijikata. The reboot saga will do its best to prove that Kodai, in spite of his struggles, has the guts to stand on his own as Yamato<\/em>\u2019s captain for the foreseeable future, with the likes of Yamanami only serving as instructors for the next generation.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2: Head writer Fukui has expressed on at least one occasion that he has no desire to bring back confirmed-to-be dead characters. Sure, we can experience visions, dreams, or flashbacks with them, but they won\u2019t be reanimated (Okita), or be replaced by look-alikes (Saburo Kato \/ Shiro Kato). That\u2019s why characters like Berger and Gimleh can return, but not Okita, since the latter was 1000% confirmed dead. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wondered why this anime (the original Yamato<\/em> saga), which had always been so sincere about life and death in its storytelling, became this way (bringing back dead characters). I want to pursue the ideal form of fiction in the remake series, including that. That\u2019s why dead people don\u2019t come back to life (Okita), and look-alikes don\u2019t appear. I\u2019d like to warn all the Yamato<\/em> fans out there, I\u2019m not going to show Shiro Kato.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Read more about his motivation here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: My interest in Yamato<\/em> is pretty heavily dependent on the presence of Dessler and Talan, so I recall finding the concept of a revived Okita rather silly. Although it does make sense to me as I get older and I see the trend of trying to capture 1980s era nostalgia in television, film, pop culture, etc. Yamato<\/em> was just ahead of its time.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Back in the present, Domon represents his class as valedictorian, declaring their intention to do their utmost for the sake of this mission.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe pledge to do everything we can to complete our duties to maintain Earth’s peace and prosperity.\u201d<\/p>\n

Students and seniors alike all give each other the Yamato<\/em> salute. Kodai and Domon\u2019s eyes meet. Kodai speaks.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs Yamato<\/em>\u2019s Captain, I have an order for you. Ryusuke Domon, take the helm for the ship\u2019s departure.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shock and awe spreads through the crowd.<\/p>\n

[AMB]: Serizawa looks like he\u2019s about to faint. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[KC]: It\u2019s a telenovella moment for sure. I believe there are multiple gasps from the crowd, including Yuki. The first time I saw it, I laughed out loud in delight. Kodai knows exactly what he\u2019s doing.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: When in doubt, just follow Okita\u2019s lead! That man managed to whip a group of young, impressionable youths into great shape with no apparent issues after all. Okita took Mamoru\u2019s chance at serving aboard Yamato<\/em> away from him. Kodai took Domon\u2019s father\u2019s chance to serve humanity away from him. <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: I know Kodai feels guilt over that, but his involvement is a bit less direct than Okita\u2019s. I admire him for the parallel I think he\u2019s drawing between himself and Domon. Once again, there’s a hothead on the bridge with a chip on his shoulder, but Yamato<\/em> will teach him. Kodai is forcing Domon to take the responsibility that helped mold Kodai into who he is.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[AMB]: For sure. Hopefully, Domon grows into a worthy heir of Yamato<\/em>\u2019s spirit.<\/span><\/p>\n

Worth pointing out then, is that both characters (Okita and Kodai) caused the aforementioned events to transpire against their best wishes, but the consequences were equally disastrous. Okita wanted Mamoru to flee with him, and Kodai didn\u2019t want his life exchanged for the Time Fault. Regardless of their wishes, outside forces persisted, and they both had to bear the burden of idealistic choices. Mamoru believed his life was lesser than Okita\u2019s; mankind believed the ease of living afforded by the Time Fault was of lesser value than Kodai (and Yuki\u2019s) lives. This is why Okita never tells Kodai that Mamoru went against his orders when attempting to give his life; he wanted to make himself an outlet for the young boy’s frustrations.<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: Taking that responsibility on himself. Because he\u2019s the captain.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

After Kodai announces an early departure, the crews of all three ships scatter to fulfill their duties. Aboard Yamato<\/em>, Tokugawa and Bando ask each other why Domon was chosen to helm the ship, as their senior boatswain Isami Endo whips the recruits into shape. <\/p>\n

\u201cUnexpected things happen on the battlefield. Now hurry it up!\u201d<\/p>\n

Near the med bay, Miyako stops in her tracks to wonder what Domon\u2019s gotten himself into. Meanwhile on Asuka<\/em>‘s deck, Caroline Raiden meets up with her commander, Shiori Nagakura of the Space Cavalry. Caroline reports that the crew\u2019s ready to depart. <\/p>\n

\u201cYamato<\/em> hasn\u2019t changed a bit,\u201d says Nagakura. Caroline\u2019s stuck for a response.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[AMB]: As with many other \u201cnew\u201d elements in this version of 2205<\/em>, Kodai\u2019s \u201csudden departure\u201d order was featured in Hideki Yamamoto\u2019s first story draft for The New Voyage<\/em>. There, Tokugawa and friends are treated to this shock while leisurely dressing in the locker room. And Miyako? The one we have to thank for her early appearance is Nobuteru Yuuki, who personally proposed her inclusion, much to the staff\u2019s surprise.<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: \u201cSet a course for adventure, your mind on a new romance\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: \u201c… An invitation\u2026 for love.\u201d Cheeky\u2026 wait, are you referring to Miyako and Domon? Or Caroline and Nagakura? <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: No one specifically; just a tongue in cheek reference to Yamato<\/em> being a place for shenanigans. And I don\u2019t even necessarily mean shenanigans of a romantic nature. I am reminded of crewmates doing laps in their skivvies and other silliness that prompted the \u201cYamato<\/em> is not a kindergarten\u201d line in the original. I feel like this is the tone Nagakura and Caroline are setting in that scene. This ship starts out every mission with a crew high on drama and low on discipline.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: OH! That\u2019s for sure! In Yamato<\/em>\u2019s experience, no takeoff is without its issues.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Also, aren\u2019t we lucky to see Dr. Sado back? Based on where we saw him at the end of 2202<\/em> – sad and lonely on his veranda, rather than on Yamato<\/em> – we weren\u2019t sure he\u2019d be back for another journey after having lost Analyzer. I suppose the staff realized that enough crew members had already been lost in the last series, so it would be a shame to write him out this early.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

[KC]: It’s nice to see him for sure, and this is a good place to stick this observation\/question: the robots for the ships are designed in two of the three primary colors (blue and yellow), with the others being pink instead of red. Is that out of respect for Analyzer, like in professional sports when the number for an exceptional player is retired?<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Good question! Though we did cover the operational usage factor last time, let\u2019s remind ourselves and the readers of the practical reasons behind the color coding. Blue: air traffic control\/catapult management. Yellow: maintenance and supply. Pink: fire control. My heart of hearts tells me the colors were chosen out of reverence for Analyzer, given that these units – like Analyzer, who was designed by Sanada – serve aboard Sanada\u2019s ship, Hyuga<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: That explanation works for me, too.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Domon enters Yamato<\/em>\u2019s bridge, met with glares ranging from intrigued to annoyed. Takeshi Kitano, Yamato<\/em>\u2019s new Tactical Chief, dejectedly tries to hand over his gloves and seat to the young recruit. <\/p>\n

\u201cAll is well. I was supposed to lead the departure. If you mess up…\u201d Domon ignores him completely, foregoing the gloves but taking his seat, much to Kitano\u2019s chagrin.<\/p>\n

\u201c… trying to kick me out?\u201d Domon swears under his breath, nervously. Kitano seems to reevaluate the youth, then takes the gunnery chief\u2019s seat. \u201cI won\u2019t quit, no matter what.\u201d Domon grips the steering wheel with renewed vigor, impressing Shima. Kodai transfers full control to interim Tactical Chief Domon. With these new powers vested in him, he orders the ship to prepare for immediate departure. Anchors are raised.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[AMB]: Kitano\u2019s role in the classic saga was limited to the original New Voyage<\/em> TV movie and the PS2 adaptations of Be Forever<\/em>. As a character who never really took off (pun intended), he was quietly forgotten. For the reboot, he was preemptively introduced all the way back in 2199<\/em> and has served a small role ever since. Today was supposed to be his big moment where he gets to helm Yamato<\/em>. But in an ironic and very meta way, his role was robbed by the newcomer. <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: I do like that reaction Domon gets when he first steps onto the bridge, like Luke Skywalker in that Mos Eisley cantina, and everyone is eyeballing him like; \u201cget out, we don\u2019t want you here.\u201d And then there\u2019s Kodai with his; \u201cdon\u2019t worry, you got this\u201d side-eye.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: It\u2019s a whole new world for the boy. As we\u2019ll find out later, he used to be a cheerful, joyous lad, hopeful for the future. Now, he\u2019s stuck pondering over whether or not Yamato<\/em> deserved to be saved in exchange for so much grief. This sure beats Domon lunging at Analyzer, only to challenge Kodai to an outdoor fist fight. That said, their fist fight was one of the more memorable parts of Yamato III<\/em>. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[KC]: Classic scenes and plot elements are still being given more sophisticated treatment in the new versions, and I am still preferring most all of them to their originals.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: And there\u2019s no sign of this stopping anytime soon. In fact, ever since 2202<\/em> turned the production group into a more tight-knit community of friends, developing even the most minor elements has been a blast for all parties. You\u2019ll be hard-pressed to find a more passionate group of people involved in a beloved franchise. Scriptwriters Hideki Oka and Yuka Minakawa spoke of this process in the 12th issue of the fan club magazine (2021). This is what Oka had to say:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll the elements presented in 2202<\/em> were ‘things that happened in history.’ The psychology of the characters follows it faithfully. On top of that, the worldview and the elements presented in the original are important. 80% of the cards on the table are familiar ones. However, the timing is a little different. We\u2019ve been discussing these things with that in mind.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

“Since our relationship with each other has grown so much, we also call each other on the phone outside the meeting place. \u2018Hello, Minakawa-san\u2026\u2019 Unusual ideas are born in the course of those conversations and get reflected in the script. I did this repeatedly. We were presented with a mountain of ideas and stories. In the end, Mr. Fukui wrote out a \u2018composition memo,\u2019 which corresponds to the \u2018original story,\u2019 to consolidate the theme.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Read more here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

This group serves a similar function as the Disney Star Wars<\/em> group, barring any obligations to necessarily have to appeal to some nebulous \u201cbroader market.” For good or bad, Yamato<\/em>\u2019s staying power throughout the past 5 decades has been carried by passionate souls and individual fans, rather than committees.<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: So this would be the driving force behind a Yabu spinoff if we’re going to get one.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Let\u2019s not get ahead of ourselves.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Aboard Hyuga<\/em> and Asuka<\/em>\u2019s respective bridges, Ota and Nanbu comment on the absurdity of letting a newbie helm Yamato<\/em>\u2019s departure. None receive an answer. Back on Yamato<\/em>, Niimi and Yamazaki respectively report all personnel being accounted for. Auxiliary engines are online. Yamazaki turns to Domon.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can go any time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Noticing Domon\u2019s nervousness, Shima tells him to relax his shoulders. As the auxiliary engines begin channelling power, Yamazaki follows suit, encouraging Tokugawa over the comms speaker to do the same. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[AMB]: If it wasn\u2019t made apparent by last episode, Shima\u2019s growing into a brotherly boss figure for Yamato<\/em>\u2019s new recruits, gently but decisively cheering them on. By becoming XO, he\u2019s allowed himself to mature, following in Hijikata\u2019s footsteps. This validates Dr. Sado\u2019s prophetic words from 2199<\/em>\u2019s first episode, about how Kodai and Shima are shaping up to become analogous to Okita and Hijikata.<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: I’m just going to give a shoutout to Shima here because as a character I think he is disregarded and underused in this series more than Talan.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: He really has been, hasn\u2019t he? In part, I\u2019d argue this is because 2199<\/em>\u2019s thorough exploration of his original counterpart included elements from later works. That said, in 2202<\/em>, we lost out on some bonding time with his brother Jiro, and his love story with Teresa was cut because it didn\u2019t fit the new story with her being a conglomeration of enlightened, purified souls and all. But in the original New Voyage<\/em>, Shima had nothing much to do at all. In that sense, he\u2019s at least been afforded his rise through the ranks from Yamato III<\/em>, and we do get to see small glimpses of him being the new dad of the crew. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Hopefully, we\u2019ll be afforded more time with Shima in the next work, since Kodai\u2019s bigger gripes are mostly resolved by the end of 2205<\/em>. Speaking of original saga elements and Shima, what are your thoughts on him potentially falling for Yuki again? Is that something we want brought back?<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: Shima? Absolutely not. What a ridiculously unnecessary throwaway angle. I know you fetishize Yuki, Japan, but come on.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Shima\u2019s hidden love for Yuki is one of the major twists in Final Yamato<\/em> after all, so there\u2019s always the possibility that they\u2019ll dredge that storyline back up from the past. Back then it was likely meant more as a meta moment for the audience, with Shima as their avatar. Japan\u2019s love for Yuki was and still is strong, so it was only appropriate for Final Yamato<\/em> to recognize the audience\u2019s investment, allowing Shima to give his life as he imparts his blessings. Through Shima, the fanbase who fawned over Yuki gained absolution.<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: Okay, but they better not do it again.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The ship gradually picks up speed in the water, its bow is aimed at a nearby forested island. Tokugawa receives the order to open the Wave-Motion Engine\u2019s shutdown valve, but he panics. When asked by Kuri what speed they\u2019re currently at, he flubs and says 4 (instead of 3). The befuddled Shoji Wakasa can barely keep up. Kuri inputs the incorrect speed and Tokugawa shuts down the valve before Shoji can stop him, forcing Yamato<\/em> to a sudden halt.<\/p>\n

[AMB]: Shoji\u2019s the other completely new character introduced on Yamato<\/em> this season. He\u2019s a seasoned veteran who survived the Enceladus garrison massacre in 2202<\/em>, Episode 17. His responsibilities deal with damage control and the training of new recruits, a role Yamazaki and Tokugawa used to fill. Unfortunately for him, he\u2019s not used to training this number of energetic recruits. <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: This is more awkward than the time Tommy Webber scraped the Protector<\/em> along the launch bay door during takeoff in Galaxy Quest,<\/em> where the actors are mistaken for their characters by an alien race, who builds them a working model of their ship and expects them to fly it. Things don\u2019t go so well their first time out of the gate.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Overestimations and skewed expectations\u2026 good stuff.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Yamato<\/em>\u2019s two escorts – Hyuga<\/em> and Asuka<\/em> – breeze by. When asked by Nanbu if they should halt the departure operation, Yuki orders him to keep going. Sanada informs Yamanami that they\u2019ll keep going. Impressed by their speed and efficiency, he turns to Kodai with some remarks, but realizes midway through speaking that Kodai is unperturbed, his gaze fixed on Domon. At the same time, Yamazaki reprimands Tokugawa for fudging the speed.<\/p>\n

\u201cIdiot! It\u2019s speed 3! What did you learn in school?! Tokugawa! Don\u2019t let your father down!\u201d<\/p>\n

Tokugawa, tense as can be, gives a meek response. <\/p>\n

\u201cYes! Man, I was perfect in practice. What am I doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[KC]: Living under a long shadow, I\u2019m afraid.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: And for a long time to come, no doubt. In the original saga, he never truly came into his own as a strong-willed force of engineering might until Yamato Resurrection<\/em>. Oh, and it goes without saying that this is an almost word for word adaptation of the same scene from the original New Voyage<\/em>, unlike the snubbing of Kitano.<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: Interesting to see what they choose to keep and what they choose to adapt in interesting new ways.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Agreed. Also, this is another one of those \u201crestored deleted scenes\u201d moments from the original work, which is infamous in the Yamato<\/em> community. Originally, we never saw much of how the ship reacted to Tokugawa\u2019s mishap, but this time we received a gorgeous aerial shot.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

In the meeting room lounge, a flustered Serizawa tries to fight gravity in front of Burrel.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs the ship all right? It\u2019s so unstable,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

Burrel gives a friendly wave as Serizawa buckles his seatbelt. \u201cCalm down, and take a seat. It\u2019s strange that two people who were enemies only a few years ago are now on the same ship.\u201d Serizawa gives him a look of surprise. \u201cThere are many issues of concern, but this peace..,\u201d Burrel abruptly stops. Serizawa takes a moment to think, then turns his gaze to a glass-encased Yamato<\/em> model before finishing Burrel\u2019s sentence \u201c… mustn’t be lost.\u201d<\/p>\n

[KC]: Very different dynamic between these two now. Serizawa is a changed man, I think. And Burrel\u2026We don\u2019t have a lot to go on with him. Putting them together on this journey may give us more insight to his character.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[AMB]: Two or three years ago, these two were still foxes, trying their best to stalk and outwit the prey that was their rival. Now, with the dust settled on their history’s greatest calamity, they have to set aside their differences. By the way, for those who haven\u2019t had the chance to see the recap clip for 2205<\/em>\u2019s first half, it\u2019s narrated (in character) by Kotetsu Serizawa. <\/span><\/p>\n

There, he recounts humanity\u2019s failures at international policy-making and wartime decision-making. At the very end of his recap, when he reaches 2203, that\u2019s where the juicy part comes in: when humanity voted on the resolution to save Kodai and Yuki – over maintaining the technological powerhouse that was the Time Fault – Serizawa voted against his own government-backed proposition, choosing Kodai and Yuki. <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: You had faith that he would get there eventually!<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: And I won\u2019t gloat! The joy of seeing this bumbling old fool learn to listen to his heart is enough of a reward. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Flywheel activated. WME engine ignition countdown. Three, two, one. Contact and ignition. Kodai then recites his mentor Okita.<\/p>\n

\u201cYamato<\/em>, TAKE OFF!\u201d<\/p>\n

But Domon isn\u2019t accelerating. Instead, he\u2019s taking Yamato<\/em> on a straight collision course with the nearby island. Kitano and Shima cast worried glances, asking what\u2019s wrong. Realizing that he might be up to something, they want to do more, but since Captain Kodai isn\u2019t saying anything, they can\u2019t interfere. Asuka<\/em> and Hyuga<\/em> have already taken off, their respective crews concerned for Yamato<\/em>. Domon thinks back to his father\u2019s passing. Shima\u2019s concern gets the best of him, and he rises from his seat. But Domon mutters something to himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cFather\u2026 I\u2026 I\u2026 !\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[KC]: I liked the expressions on the other two captain\u2019s faces. Sure, they both trust Kodai implicitly, but this is a big risk.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Indeed. That pair, and Shima, know all too well what Kodai\u2019s going through on the inside, though. As big a risk as this is, it\u2019s a necessary rite of passage to let Kodai fill the shoes of Okita, his beloved father figure and mentor.<\/span><\/p>\n

Domon finally pulls Yamato<\/em> up to the sky, grazing the trees beneath it! A familiar tune starts playing as the widowed former Yamato<\/em> nurse Makoto Kato witnesses its takeoff from a distance, together with her son Tsubasa (a name meaning “wings”).<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, Tsubasa. Yamato<\/em>\u2026 dad\u2019s ship is leaving.\u201d<\/p>\n

The five-year old child raises a miniature model of his father\u2019s Cosmo Tiger to the sky, perhaps as a salute. <\/p>\n

Also witnessing the takeoff from UNCF HQ is none other than Commander Heikuro Todo.<\/p>\n

[AMB]: \u201cYamato! New Departure!\u201d<\/em> by Isao Sasaki, straight from the original TV special! For this episodic take, however, sound director Yoshida opted to use the version edited for broadcast. For you fellow Yamato<\/em> music nerds out there, this track can be found on the Yamato Sound Almanac Music Addendum<\/em>, Disc 3, track 28. And this won\u2019t be the only obscure track in 2205<\/em>. Stay tuned!<\/span><\/p>\n

Read more about the Sound Almanacs here<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Now, on to an interesting question: why do you think Domon ultimately chose not to commit collective seppuku at this moment? Surely that flashback to his father\u2019s dying moment holds a key.<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: I’m going with the magic of Yamato<\/em>. All of Domon\u2019s actions to this point seem to be driven by the tragic death of his father. His goal was to be assigned to Yamato<\/em> specifically so he could avenge that death. And space opera more than allows for grief-driven revenge plots. But Yamato<\/em> is iconic and the journeys faced by Yamato<\/em>\u2019s crew, both literal and personal, have changed them all in profound ways. I think Domon is already feeling the weight of responsibility and is having second thoughts. Or he\u2019s decided that biding his time until he can get Kodai alone is a better plan.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[AMB]: Couldn\u2019t have said it any better. As a former onlooker, his perspective\u2019s been dyed by the death of his father, rather than what Yamato<\/em> accomplished in its previous war. To him, probably, his father\u2019s work – which helped produce countless ships for the WMG-fleet – is what truly helped protect Earth while Yamato<\/em> was off to Telezart. And as a reward for his efforts, he was cast aside by the post-war world.<\/span><\/p>\n

But\u2026 getting aboard Yamato<\/em> and seeing its painfully warm mechanical heart, Domon can\u2019t help but give it a chance. As a youth constantly abandoned by the state of modern society, he can\u2019t help but be skeptical of the same authorities that started a war with Garmillas over diplomacy, abandoned Yamato<\/em> when it best suited them, cast the Time Fault away in a populistic appeal to the changing times, and then caused his father\u2019s company to go under. If that doesn\u2019t jade a young man\u2019s view of the world, I don\u2019t know what would.<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: Yes, as the audience we’re given a clearer picture of whom to root for, at least to an extent, so it\u2019s interesting to look at these events through the filter of someone not directly involved in or witnessing them.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Your comment points toward one of the main appeals behind 2205<\/em> as a whole: its relatability. Domon and the next generation were purposefully written to be fish-out-of-water stand-ins for newer, younger audience members who don\u2019t necessarily know the ins and outs of Yamato<\/em> and its ways. They\u2019re awkward and indignant, but also proud and ingenious. <\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s why the staff chose Kenji Yasuda to direct 2205<\/em>, precisely because he had barely any experience with the original Yamato<\/em>. It\u2019s why Tasuku Hatanaka was chosen to voice Domon, in the same way Daisuke Ono was chosen to voice Kodai for 2199<\/em>. The former now follows the latter\u2019s path of fame as an up-and-coming voice actor, unsure of how to move forward. And this work sure feels fresh with new blood to move us along, doesn\u2019t it?<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: There are more fresh new faces than old ones on Yamato<\/em> right now.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Isao Sasaki\u2019s heartfelt lyrics accompany beautiful images of Defense Fleet 65 rising from Earth.<\/p>\n

Since Earth left fighting behind
\nIt\u2019s been covered with shining green
\nFear and sorrow have left people\u2019s hearts
\nAnd all that\u2019s left is a gentle song<\/em><\/p>\n

[AMB]: These lyrics hold a more nuanced meaning this time around, with 2202<\/em>\u2019s ending in mind. Earth left fighting behind when it forsook the Time Fault, not when it beat Zordar. Earth\u2019s demilitarization has the effect of maintaining the green Earth they regained in 2199<\/em>. <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: To be fair, I don\u2019t know that fear and sorrow have left people\u2019s hearts at all.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: You\u2019re absolutely correct. For Yamato<\/em>\u2019s crew, some scars haven\u2019t quite healed. But for the general populace, a song woven by Yamato<\/em>\u2019s continuous strength as a symbol of humanity affords the common man and woman the right to enjoy peace, free from the sorrow of intergalactic conflict. At least for now. In one of the many interviews given about 2205<\/em>\u2019s development, one of the staff members pointed out the double meaning behind Yamato<\/em> departing Earth under a clear blue sky: it\u2019s the only story where this happens, meaning the staff had to pretty much perfect the ideal peaceful departure from Earth in this one sequence. This is Earth\u2019s only break from war on our home turf in the classic saga. That\u2019s why the song begs us to maintain the peace, for as long as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n

On another note, I\u2019m particularly happy about the staff\u2019s insistence to keep sowing seeds for future stories in this franchise, as we see with Makoto and Tsubasa\u2019s short cameo. While it\u2019s still up in the air whether or not the writing team will bring back Kato\u2019s younger brother Shiro from Be Forever<\/em>, we at least have his son as a perfectly suitable stand-in when the time comes.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[KC]: Zordar and Gatlantis are gone, but as Serizawa says in his speech to the crew, Garmillas is trying to fight a war while evacuating their homeworld, and people are afraid Earth is going to get dragged into it. Maybe they wrote the song before learning about the Bolar Federation. Also I\u2019m a horrible cynic who is, like, more than twice your age, so there\u2019s that, too. Not saying older is wiser. Rather that it takes effort for me to not gravitate toward a more sour outlook. <\/span><\/p>\n

Hmmm. I was trying to be amusing there but that\u2019s kinda dark. This show is about hope, after all. And you’re correct regarding how they’ve laid this out artistically. Right now, Earth and Garmillas are allies and Earth is not fighting with anyone. As to your last point, I remain delighted at how dense the content of this show is. <\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: With time, even the most hopeful heart can be twisted by constant failures of society to make do on promises made and betrayed. Hope for tomorrow, a core theme of Yamato<\/em>, is quite thin in the present day. But that\u2019s why we need works like this; to carry the torch of hope to not only the next generation, but also to our elders, who have long since lost touch with modernity. <\/span><\/p>\n

Harutoshi Fukui spoke about this very problem in another interview given to the fan club magazine, referencing the tragic suicide by fire of a Japanese olympic flame runner who simply gave up on life:<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cI think I\u2019ve said the same thing in the past, but for me one of the most memorable things of the past two years was the news that an old man who ran a tonkatsu shop in Tokyo, who was supposed to run as an olympic torchbearer, committed suicide by burning himself. A man who was so determined to run with the torch\u2026I think it symbolizes the current state of the world.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“In addition to such a situation, there is a lot of talk about diversity. I think it\u2019s really hard for middle-aged and older people to live in a time when the values they\u2019ve held onto are changing. If you look at anime content and social media, you may feel like you\u2019re being attacked when people in your generation say, ‘That\u2019s so old-fashioned’.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

“I want my works, including 2205<\/em>, to ’embrace’ middle-aged and older people as much as possible, hopefully even those who have been away from Yamato<\/em> for a while. If watching this gives them some relief from the pain they feel, it is meaningful to create it. Even if we\u2019re just asking, \u2018Is it hard for you?\u2019 I think there are many people who feel that they can\u2019t put their pain into words. So what direction should we walk to ‘verbalize’ that pain? Is there a need to walk in the first place? I wanted to convey those feelings firmly.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Read more here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: Fortunately, I’m finding, at least, that my own resistance to change doesn\u2019t include issues of social justice, but when it comes to diversity my views and values have never been conservative.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: We all wish to conserve that which we feel gives us safety, is what I think Fukui\u2019s trying to say. When outside forces threaten to disrupt a previous balance, or alter the state of equilibrium, it can cause disillusionment regardless of intention. It\u2019s also worth keeping in mind that, to the average middle-aged Japanese person, times are changing faster than anything we\u2019re experiencing. Unnaturally so.<\/span><\/p>\n

Swedish democracy has been on a steady path for over a century. American constitutionalism has been in effect for over two centuries. Japan went from an almost three century long shogunate (1603-1868), to empire under the turbulent times of the Meiji period (1868-1912), to Taisho democracy in the 1920\u2019s, and later back to imperialism, lasting all the way to 1945. The industrial revolution for us westerners lasted 150 years. Japan industrialized in 50 years, starting in the late 1800\u2019s. What Japan is, should be, or shouldn\u2019t have been, is a constantly fluctuating question. Its foundation is its long history and culture, rather than a state of rule, or an ideology. It\u2019s worth keeping this in mind when we discuss American conservatism v.s. Japanese conservatism, I think. <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: Very true; thank you for that perspective!<\/span><\/p>\n

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

In Earth\u2019s rebuilt capital, adults and children, Garmillans and Earthlings alike, all enjoy the sunny day. The fleet\u2019s departure is broadcast on giant view screens across the city, with Yamato<\/em> front and center. A familiar Garmillan girl gives a silent prayer for the ship\u2019s safety, holding her hands together.<\/p>\n

[KC]: It\u2019s great to see Earthlings and Garmillans just hanging around together on the same planet. Irii, the Garmillas refugee rescued during the war with Gatlantis, is a few years older but it would seem that her admiration for Yamato<\/em> has not wavered.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: The new capital looks a lot less grim and more wholesome in contrast. And yes, seeing Irii back is a treat; in fact, this time she has a full name according to the Chapter 1 movie program: Irii Pojetto. When the time comes, the likes of her, Aiko Tokugawa and Tsubasa Kato will surely helm Yamato<\/em>. On the topic of her prayer: is she praying for Iscandar to keep Yamato<\/em> safe, or has she perhaps converted to Shinto-Buddhism? <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: I don\u2019t know if I’ve ever seen any other Garmillas using that gesture when showing reverence to or for Iscandar, so I am going to say she picked that up from Earthlings at least. But with the subtlety of this show, Irii could well have converted.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

[AMB]: That\u2019s true! When showing reverence for Iscandar, they do so by getting down on one knee, hands crossed over their chest. If she\u2019s converted to Shinto-Buddhism, maybe it\u2019s time for her to meet Tsubasa Kato\u2019s grandpa, who\u2019s a Shinto priest. Perfect justification for their meeting!<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: I’m going to put Irii down on the list for spinoff shows we want.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: We\u2019re really getting ahead of ourselves\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

[TE]: That sure looks like a Teresa prayer to me. If there’s still room for religion, and people know anything about her, she’s a prime persona for worship.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

On the bridge, Domon is stunned by the bright, beautiful shining rays of the sun. This prompts satisfied grins from Shima and Kodai, who ceremoniously grips the brim of his hat. The song continues…<\/p>\n

Stop time, so that peace will remain
\nNow is the age of dreams
\nRemember <\/em>Yamato!
\nRemember <\/em>Yamato!
\nWhen the red star passes over the galaxy
\nWhen the darkness falls once again
\nNew faces, new determinations
\nand a new Yamato<\/em> begins their journey!<\/em><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Without the Time Fault, we can no longer abuse time to maintain the peace. The age of dreams was chosen in its place. Unlike in the disastrous post-war era depicted in 2202<\/em>, Yamato<\/em> isn\u2019t allowed to be forgotten. We need to remember. When new dangers come to confront humanity\u2019s dark shadow, a new generation, aboard a new Yamato<\/em>, will be ready to set out on new journeys like this one, in order to protect the peace. More fitting lyrics are hard to come by.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Two scenes progress concurrently. In Yamato<\/em>\u2019s officer\u2019s lounge, Kodai\u2019s submitted himself for questioning by the three Peace Corps members: Yamanami, Burrel and Serizawa. Serizawa questions his judgement in letting Domon helm Yamato<\/em> in spite of his sketchy actions and background. In fact, he wants Domon off the ship. In the med bay, Miyako chews out the one-time helmsman for his foolhardy attempt to alter his personnel file without the crew noticing, asking why he did it. Domon seems more interested in a nearby class photo. <\/p>\n

Why\u2019s Domon in the medbay? Dr Sado, on Hoshina\u2019s behest, submitted Domon to a thorough full-body examination to check for contraband material, such as explosives. But he\u2019s clean. He admits to falsifying his background, and as a consequence, he prepares for his military status to be revoked.<\/p>\n

[AMB]: Isn\u2019t it interesting how Hoshina, the starry-eyed optimistic sleeper agent from 2199<\/em>, has seemingly absorbed many of the departed Shinya Ito\u2019s rationalistic tendencies? Like Ito, he too believes excessive caution and wariness of outsiders is warranted. But I\u2019m not sure if he\u2019s handling it like the professional he wants to be.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[KC]: Thinking about some of the other plot points that make up 2205<\/em>, Hoshina is not the only one being judgy.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Anyone in particular you\u2019re thinking of? <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: Little Miss Cosmo DNA herself, of course. But she has been from the start.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Touch\u00e9!<\/span><\/p>\n

Music note: this is our first exposure to Domon\u2019s new theme, composed by Akira Miyagawa. In the original Yamato III<\/em> series, he never really had a unique leitmotif. It\u2019s upbeat, jazzy, and dare I say a bit groovy. A good fit for Yamato<\/em>\u2019s next generation. While on the topic, I\u2019d like to note Yamato<\/em>\u2019s score will continue to evolve. In fact, sound director Tomohiro Yoshida teased in April of last year that Rebel 3199<\/em> will see some fresh developments, including a 4-channel surround soundscape.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cThe next work will largely be a remake of Be Forever<\/em>. We will be incorporating advanced 4-channel sound. I don\u2019t have a specific idea yet, but I\u2019d like to try something new in 3199<\/em>. So please look forward to the next work in terms of sound as well.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Read more here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kodai, repeating Sanada\u2019s previous assessment of Domon, still wants to give the boy a chance based on his previous merits. He reasons that his judgement in this case was based on calculated risks. It was worth giving this a try over barring entry for a promising youth just because of his lineage, and the grudges that may come with it. Burrel, composed with a tea cup in hand, asks if Kodai is being completely honest with them. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt appears to me that your nasty habit has surfaced once again,\u201d he says. <\/p>\n

\u201cShouldering responsibility all on your own\u2026 a nasty habit indeed,\u201d adds Yamanami. Kodai can\u2019t muster a counter-response. When the discussion reaches a standstill, Hajime Hirata from the resource department makes his entrance, bringing refills of his splendid lemon tea. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cWould you like another cup?\u201d<\/p>\n

[AMB]: Kodai has a habit of self-inflicted punishment, such as when he stayed in Teresa\u2019s dimension to appease the war dead. Yamanami in this scene recognizes his appeal to \u201cresponsibility\u201d as analogous to his own experience trying to suicide bomb Gatlantis, in 2202<\/em> Episode 21. Back then, he recalled a time when Hijikata once told him, \u201cthere\u2019s no responsibility in death,\u201d ultimately saving his life.<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: It\u2019s true that Kodai feels compelled to shoulder this burden along with a number of others, but honestly I think he believes that just being part of Yamato<\/em>\u2019s crew will have a positive effect on Domon.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[AMB]: For sure! And it took one man from his past (Hirata) to read Kodai\u2019s wishes like a book.<\/span><\/p>\n

Originally from Yamato III<\/em>, this man\u2019s been serving lemon tea since the 80\u2019s. For the reboot saga, he was brought into the fold as early as 2199<\/em>\u2019s first episode, setting the stage for him being a classmate of Kodai, an element borrowed from III<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the more iconic scenes in Series 3 depicts him teaching Domon that there are other ways to serve humanity aboard Yamato<\/em> than to simply fight or shoot things. He does this by preparing a cup of lemon tea for Kodai to have after his reclusive training session (a self-imposed task Kodai took on after 16 hours of non-stop training for everyone aboard). To paraphrase Hirata: \u201cThis is the only thing I can do for him\u2026 but it\u2019s what I do best.\u201d With that, Domon\u2019s a changed man. Sadly, Hirata is taken from us in the very same episode. Luckily, we won\u2019t lose him in 2205<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

A fireboat shuttle from Ginga<\/em> docks in Yamato<\/em>\u2019s hangar, bearing a case of experimental Garmillan tech and one engineer: Sukeji Yabu. Aboard Asuka<\/em>, Nanbu can\u2019t help but vent his frustrations with recent proceedings.<\/p>\n

\u201cYabu and Domon\u2026 we\u2019re exchanging a mutineer for a hacker, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

Captain Yuki orders him to let it go, flustering the poor man. She enters a stage of deep contemplation.<\/p>\n

[KC]: Nanbu can shut his stupid mouth.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: He\u2019s always been a loudmouth and a busybody. Probably why things never worked out between him and Yuki. That said, even Yuki doesn\u2019t seem to hold Yabu in a particularly high regard. Together with security chief Ito and intelligence officer Niimi, Yuki almost lost her life back in 2199<\/em> after all. Perhaps Nanbu\u2019s just white-knighting for the love of his life.<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: It\u2019s true that I have a different perspective as a viewer. And that I am horribly biased toward Garmillas. Okay, fine. But Yabu is still a sweet pea pod and all these suspicious Earthers can fight me.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: The fireboat depicted here is originally from Final Yamato<\/em> and Yamato Resurrection<\/em>. Since the mecha aspects of the reboot are seemingly shying away from Makoto Kobayashi\u2019s design work, it might explain why they chose to revive the Final Yamato<\/em> design, rather than its Resurrection<\/em> counterpart. If you can\u2019t remember the original design, don\u2019t worry, your memory\u2019s perfectly fine! It had a very limited presence in those movies.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Back in the medbay, Miyako, Tokugawa and Bando discuss the day\u2019s events. News of Domon\u2019s discharge has made the rounds, though they\u2019re hardly surprised. Tokugawa points out that Domon has looked tormented ever since his father passed away. We then zoom in on a class photograph featuring these three and a couple more faces. Domon looks happy.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe stopped smiling like that,\u201d Tokugawa sighs. Miyako clams up, but Bando asks why Domon even bothered boarding Yamato<\/em>. Tokugawa musters a reply. \u201cI don\u2019t know, but it could be just like us.\u201d A short pause. \u201c\u2018Don\u2019t let your father down\u2019, perhaps.\u201d Bando can\u2019t find it within him to concede this, and points out that Domon embarrassed the whole 38th class.<\/p>\n

[KC]: Don\u2019t worry, Bando. Yamato<\/em>\u2019s crew have done way more embarrassing stuff than that.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: They sure have, haha. Also, what Tokugawa\u2019s referring to here with \u201cDon\u2019t let your father down,\u201d is the comment he received from Yamazaki. Perhaps Domon\u2019s here to make sure the investment that was his father\u2019s death isn\u2019t squandered by Yamato<\/em>\u2019s crew? In this sense, he\u2019s the antithesis to what Yamato<\/em> stands for, and becomes the perfect litmus test for Kodai.<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: There is a recurring theme of making fathers proud running through this story, even if sometimes those literal fathers are traded for nephews or former captains.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: The BGM in this scene is a softer rendition of Domon\u2019s theme, musically informing us that it\u2019s more or less a leitmotif for his entire class at this point. This includes some fresh faces that won\u2019t show up in 2205<\/em> proper, but do show up in the class photo. To the far left is a dashing, quiet-looking youth. Next to Caroline, there\u2019s a towering military man, either there to bless one of his kids, or he\u2019s simply an instructor who wishes to partake in a photo with his class. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Using Yamato III<\/em>, the Be Forever<\/em> PS2 games, and interviews with Fukui and Oka, we can infer who these two mysterious figures are! The one on the left is undoubtedly Takeshi Ageha, the other focal point youth from Yamato III<\/em> besides Domon. He was cut for pacing reasons, so as to not bloat the already huge cast list. This was done in spite of receiving a high rating among \u201ccharacters we want in 2205<\/em>\u201d from the staff. His omission was likely further spurred on by the fact that he\u2019d be yet another ace pilot character who would probably steal the show from Sakamoto. In the original New Voyage<\/em>, Sakamoto makes a lukewarm entry and is later forgotten by the franchise entirely, other than in the PS2 games and the Aquarius Algorithm<\/em> novel. What story justification will be written in 3199<\/em> for his absence here? He was probably tending to his sick mother, as he did in Yamato III<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The decorated officer is probably either Takeshi Kitano\u2019s older brother, or Goro Raiden (Caroline\u2019s diplomat father). For reasons explained later, Goro is a less likely candidate. This is primarily because he has a strained relationship with his daughter, and is not a military man. Therefore, our best bet is that he\u2019s Kitano\u2019s older brother, who was also supposed to show up in 2205<\/em>, serving on Asuka<\/em>. \u201cWait, Kitano has an older brother?\u201d I hear you say! \u201cWe can\u2019t know if Ageha will actually show up in 3199<\/em>!\u201d I hear you say! Well\u2026 last year, writers Fukui and Oka held a stage talk, discussing some basic pointers for 3199<\/em>, the next work in the franchise. That series will begin in the year 2207, and will feature Takeshi Ageha and Kitano\u2019s older brother. But who is this older brother?<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

In the PS2 game adaptations of Be Forever Yamato<\/em>, characters like Kitano and Sakamoto are saved from irrelevance by being retroactively brought back to the franchise. Kitano, however, is a much different character from his original counterpart, with a completely different design. For this reason, it was decided to take his PS2 counterpart and transform him into a new character. Since the military man in the photo looks to be an experienced serviceman, with an uncannily similar appearance to Kitano\u2019s, it\u2019s no doubt that the 38th class instructor is none other than his big brother. If the Dark Nebula Empire invades Earth in 2207, just like they did in Be Forever Yamato<\/em>, he will no doubt serve as a field officer in the partisan resistance force, replacing Mamoru\u2019s role in the original work. <\/span><\/p>\n

Read more here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

As a handcuffed Domon is being taken to the Fireboat, Hirata shows up to halt his expulsion. He mentions his name and position as chief of the resource division, then inquires as to Domon’s experience cooking rice, more specifically, rice balls (onigiri). Two half-hearted affirmatives is all it takes for him to be qualified to serve in the ship’s galley. <\/p>\n

\u201cAs of now, you\u2019re assigned to the resource department as a quartermaster. We have some brass on board for this trip, and we have to cook all of their meals by ourselves. Our situation\u2019s so dire that we could use help from cats.\u201d<\/p>\n

[TE]: His remark is a genuine Japanese saying. The sentiment is, we’re so overwhelmed we’ll even accept help from cat paws.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

[KC]: Is this Hirata\u2019s idea, or Kodai\u2019s?<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Since Hirata\u2019s an old friend of Kodai, we can likely infer that he proposed this solution, taking on full responsibility for Domon’s reeducation and potential mutinous tendencies. Kodai then likely approved, as did the Peace Corps. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Speaking of Hirata and his Resource Department: isn\u2019t it funny how this one Yamato III<\/em> element – where Hirata serves as Domon\u2019s mentor – completely writes out the OMCS from the story? For those that don\u2019t remember, the OMCS was the advanced self-cooking food replication machine introduced in 2199<\/em>, capable of recreating foods with ease. The way they bring back Domon\u2019s shenanigans as a cook from Yamato III<\/em> is to add that \u201cEarth\u2019s ambassadors are bigshots, so they prefer hand-made food.\u201d A bit silly perhaps, but that\u2019s Yamato<\/em> for you. The brass is rarely accustomed to battlefield conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Domon is shocked to hear that Hirata has the Captain\u2019s permission to offer him this job. Without second-guessing where this is going, Hoshina moves to unshackle Domon, unamused by this development.<\/p>\n

\u201cCooking supports everyone, and it\u2019s a tough battlefield. Prepare yourself. Let\u2019s go.\u201d As the pair walk off in silence, Yabu calls out to Hoshina. He quickly rebukes Yabu, saying he has no pleasantries to spare for an outsider, then walks off. Nervous consternation wells up before Niimi steps in behind him, offering some consolation.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, Yabu. Please understand that the current mood onboard isn\u2019t exactly welcoming.\u201d Her soft tone of voice gets more authoritative, and she orders the handover of all the “Gesh-Vual-related material.” She\u2019ll bring it all to the technical analysis room. Yabu straightens his back, giving her response befitting a man of the military.<\/p>\n

[AMB]: A big focus for 2205<\/em> is reexamining the past, both the classic Yamato<\/em> works, and previous plot points in the reboot. This includes the remnants of Project Izumo, and the scars they carry.<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: Hoshina, welcome to my s**t List. You\u2019re on a fast track to the top now that Abelt\u2019s earned his cape privileges.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Somehow throughout the chaos of the past six years, Yabu, Hoshina and Niimi have made it out okay. For Hoshina though, a man he thought had paid for his sins with his life, returns from the grave without having to pay for his part in the 2199<\/em> mutiny. At the same time however, Niimi was pardoned for trying to stop Ito, and Serizawa was let off the hook along with the rest of the military. Depending on your standing in larger organizations like the military, responsibility is seldom dished out in retributive fashion in Japan. This is likely due to the following:<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

In Japan, there exists a substrata in society referred to as \u201cAmakudari (descended from heaven).\u201d These are public ministers whom, once they\u2019ve reached the upper echelons of society as politicians, have no more steps to climb up the career ladder. When their terms are up, or they\u2019re let off, they have no traditional parachute of a monetary package to sustain them as we do here in the west for our politicians. Therefore, Japanese society inevitably concocted the concept of Amakudari: those that descend from heaven (the higher levels of society) need to be treated with respect, and thus get positioned in heavy-hitter jobs among public and private corporations, regardless of their skills in said jobs. This explains the untouchability of certain public officials in Yamato<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: I don\u2019t remember Yabu being all that complicit with Ito\u2019s mutiny attempt and he really can\u2019t be blamed for his time spent serving in the Garmillas Navy. They don\u2019t understand how cool Frakken is.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[AMB]: Ah! When I referred to Yabu partaking in the mutiny, I was more so referring to him tacitly agreeing to hijack Kodai and Yurisha\u2019s ship with Ito, which lead to them crashing on the Garmillan prison planet. When it comes to the initial mutiny, he was more or less coerced by Niimi to join them. Poor kid was just scared he\u2019d never get to return home again. And yes, Frakken IS cool.<\/span><\/p>\n

On the topic of what Yabu just gave Niimi\u2026 Gesh-Vual technology is what powers the UX-01\u2019s dimensional dive, a Chekhov\u2019s Gun that will return in the finale. <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: Nothing that you see or hear on this show should be overlooked or discounted. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Ginga<\/em>\u2019s crew exchange salutes with Yamato<\/em>. Their military salutes are met with Yamato<\/em> salutes. In Kodai\u2019s cabin, Yamanami officially recognizes his decision to keep Domon aboard, in spite of his rebellious streak. As Domon arrives at the ship\u2019s tumultuous kitchen, Yamanami expounds on his concerns. <\/p>\n

\u201cHowever, he\u2019s not the only problem. Lack of human resources and fast-paced training\u2026 newbies all tend to get carried away. Our Yamato<\/em> fleet is like a newborn baby, who needs to stand on its own two feet before reaching outer space. It\u2019s not going to be easy, Captain Kodai.\u201d<\/p>\n

What follows is a two-week long training montage.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[KC]: I\u2019ve got nothing. I was just going to get all nostalgic or silly about montages.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Nothing wrong with that. Mind getting a bit nostalgic for us? <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: Just in the sense that this show came on the scene in the late 70s, but the 1980s is when it really enjoyed its tremendous popularity, and montages were a huge part of a lot of my favorite live-action television shows and movies at the time as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Wouldn\u2019t have it any other way. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Training day 1: Air Wing Mock Combat Training
\nLocation: Luna debris field.
\nTraining instructor: Akira Yamamoto, Saburo Kato\u2019s successor as Wing Commander.
\nMajor participants: Sho Sawamura, Hiroki Shinohara, and rookie pilot Shigeru Sakamoto.
\nPurpose: Two-fold. For one, they\u2019re testing out the new Cosmo Python, Hyuga<\/em>\u2019s main space fighter. For two, this gives the 65th fleet\u2019s respective ships the opportunity to pick up their air force compatriots on the Moon.<\/p>\n

[AMB]: Since the Cosmo Tigers return to Yamato<\/em> from the Moon, we can safely infer that the Air Force base on Luna has been restored after the war with Gatlantis. The reason the Air Force is on Luna, in both the classic saga and the reboot, is because it\u2019s much easier to sortie from there, and much closer to training locations. <\/span><\/p>\n

The new Cosmo Python is a completely fresh mecha design, unseen in the classic saga! Here\u2019s an excerpt from the mecha guide to describe it\u2019s capabilities:<\/span><\/p>\n

In the development of the next ship-based multi-role fighter, the Cosmo Python was created as a prototype fighter \/ attack aircraft with an emphasis on total striking power. A positron cannon is installed in the center fuselage as a large anti-ship gun. The left and right fuselage are mostly used as armament bays. Each part of the fuselage is unitized and movable with an articulated structure. Each connection can be shifted into a mode optimized for normal combat, high maneuverability, and long-range cruising. An active stealth field generator is installed to improve stealth performance. The Higgs drive and synchronized warning radar improve the search performance. It is installed on Combat Carrier Hyuga<\/em> and operated by test pilots.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[KC]: Nice to see Akira back where she belongs, and I do love this upbeat disco sound.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: It\u2019s not just any disco sound, it\u2019s the NEW new Cosmo Tiger theme! First heard in the original New Voyage<\/em>, this classic composition has been reworked twice for the reboot. It was first heard in 2199<\/em> Episode 5, when we\u2019re properly introduced to the Cosmo Tiger squadron led by Kato. The track experimented with adding vocals (Wan Da ba Da)<\/em>, forging a unique take that\u2019s still remembered fondly. For 2205<\/em> however, they went back to its New Voyage<\/em> roots, combining the Steller’s Sea Eagles BGM with the New Cosmo Tiger theme to create a mashup for the ages! Those guitar riffs are so fresh!<\/span><\/p>\n

This sequence depicts hotshot rookie Sakamoto, as well as air force veterans Akira and Sawamura, trying their best at outmaneuvering the new, technologically superior Cosmo Pythons, launched from Hyuga<\/em> and led by their old comrade Shinohara. Akira manages to outmatch a rookie Python pilot with piloting skills alone, but her rookie wants to try something different.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

In spite of Akira warning Sakamoto not get too cocky, and not to rush into an early death in the dense debris field\u2026 he does so anyway, claiming it\u2019s more fun this way. Sakamoto baits the Pythons to pursue him, then proceeds to break apart a nearby piece of Moon salvage with his vulcans, stunning his adversaries and scoring three simulated kills in one sneak attack. This earns him the respect of former gunnery chief Namio Sakamaki aboard Hyuga<\/em>, and some casual disgruntlement from Captain Yuki. <\/p>\n

[KC]: Yuki\u2019s thinking; \u201cJust what we need. Another hotshot.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Another suicidal hotshot even. What are your thoughts on Sakamoto\u2019s short introduction? Does he leave a more lasting impression this time around? In the original work, Kodai went so far as to call him \u201cthe new Kato,\u201d only for him to not show up again other than possible background shots in Final Yamato<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[KC]: We both know that Melda Deitz is really the only fighter pilot on this show that matters to me. Sakamoto is a trope that thrives in space opera, but this isn\u2019t his show.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: He sure tries his best to prove otherwise! All three training sequences are in part inspired by The New Voyage<\/em> asteroid field run, and in part inspired by Yamato III<\/em> Episode 4\u2019s 16-hour training sequence. In the former, Kodai (now Akira) instructs Sakamoto in how to dodge asteroid debris, only for the fresh recruit to start firing at incoming asteroids and roughly grazing them to impress his Captain. Were it not for Kodai\u2019s intervention, he\u2019d have been crushed by incoming debris created by his reckless actions.<\/span><\/p>\n

This time Sakamoto gets away with his behavior, proving his superiority in air maneuvering with style! In the third training sequence, The New Voyage<\/em> portion of this training will continue. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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

Training day 7: Space Cavalry Descent Training
\nLocation: Titan, a former moon of Saturn.
\nTraining instructor: Shiori Nagakura.
\nMajor participants: Caroline Raiden and Shigeru Sakamoto.
\nExercise purpose: Coordination training between Yamato<\/em>\u2019s air force and Asuka<\/em>\u2019s new Type 5 space cavalry Mobile Space Armor.<\/p>\n

[AMB]: The second training sequence depicts a standard landing procedure, the goal being to increase synergy between the Air Force and the Space Cavalry. In 2202<\/em>, these two groups were haphazardly forced to work together after Yamato<\/em> picked up the 11th planet\u2019s Space Marines. With completely different mindsets, and completely different MO\u2019s, strife quickly followed and almost blossomed into infighting. Likely on Nagakura\u2019s suggestion, a new standard training procedure was thought out to better acclimate the two units to one another. This borrows from both the aforementioned New Voyage<\/em> training sequences, serving as bonding exercises between Yamato<\/em>\u2019s gunnery department and the new Air Force. <\/span><\/p>\n

But why train here? Why Titan, the 6th moon of Saturn? Let\u2019s hear it from SF consultant Shinya Ogura:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn the original script, Saturn\u2019s 13th satellite, Telesto, was set as the location for the exercise. However, from the standpoint of research, we thought it was impossible to conduct the exercise there, so we changed it to the 6th moon, Titan. The main reason was that Telesto is small, with a maximum width of about 32km, and has almost no gravity. It is not suitable for descent maneuvers. Under the circumstances, it is doubtful that it would survive after Saturn\u2019s collapse. Titan, on the other hand, has plenty of gravity, and is just out of orbit from the rush of the former Saturn\u2019s atmosphere, which has been converted to plasma and trapped in the magnetosphere. It would be a good candidate for training.<\/span><\/p>\n

ABOVE RIGHT: This illustration was created to explain the reason for the change in the exercise site. In addition, it was created to explain the situation of the collapsed Saturn. It was used as a background in the main story.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read more about Mr. Ogura’s consulting work on 2205<\/em> here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

About a dozen Type 5 Mobile Space Armors descend from Asuka<\/em>\u2019s deck on Nagakura\u2019s orders, herself included. As they freefall toward Titan, Yamato<\/em>\u2019s Cosmo Tiger II pilots are expected to pick them up and carry them safely to the moon, with Nagakura paying close attention to Caroline.<\/p>\n

\u201cRaiden, if you cut corners just because this is a drill, I\u2019ll kick your ass!\u201d To this, Caroline gives her a half-hearted thanks before rapidly beginning to fall, landing on the hull of her old friend Sakamoto’s fighter. The mecha have special magnetic palms, helping them better stay connected to the Cosmo Tiger II airframe.<\/p>\n

\u201cLong time no see, Caroline. I\u2019ll make sure you\u2019re well escorted,\u201d he tells her. Peeved, but with no complaints, she yells at him to make a proper touchdown first. <\/p>\n

[AMB]: Nagakura\u2019s intentions for this exercise were pure, but there\u2019s not much good to be done with this pair. After a surprise reunion between Sakamoto and Caroline, who were childhood friends, these two daredevils decide that this whole exercise is nothing but a game to be won against their fellow graduates. According to the character guide, Sakamoto\u2019s the only one she allows for to call her Caroline, apparently. This tidbit gives the scene some romantic undertones, which I think is adorable.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

On the mecha: These beasts have been slimmed down from their previous iteration, the type 2 from 2202<\/em>. Perhaps to fit the numerology, 2205<\/em>\u2019s version is the type 5. Go figure. Below is a list of specs for all you mecha-savvy friends out there…<\/span><\/p>\n

This armor was developed by incorporating operational data of the Type 2 Mobile Space Armor to increase mobility of the armored spacesuits being developed by Technology Headquarters. It is positioned as an infantry weapon to handle anti-spaceship mobile weapons with an emphasis on trench warfare and maneuverability. A momentum wheel on the back is used in conjunction with crawlers on the legs to improve mobility on land. During space maneuvering, the wheel\u2019s high-speed rotation and the arm movements are used in tandem. It achieves high concealment by controlling its posture with mass balance. Its basic operation is airdrop by troop transport boats or space deployment by cavalry combat boats. However, during the training voyage of the 65th Escort Squadron, combat training is conducted in cooperation with the air force, using rappelling equipment.<\/p>\n

From far off in the distance, Serizawa and Burrel observe the exercise. The Garmillan gentleman is astounded by what\u2019s become of Saturn since Gatlantis invaded the Solar System, two years ago. According to Serizawa, returning Saturn to its former glory is on Ginga<\/em>\u2019s restoration schedule, though a much lower priority than Luna. Jokingly or not, Serizawa lets slip that he wishes Iscandar would simply lend them another Cosmo Reverse System. This greatly offends Burrel.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease don\u2019t upset Starsha with such careless comments.\u201d <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[AMB]: Seeing what\u2019s become of Saturn since it got crushed\u2026 it\u2019s hard to wrap your head around such galactic destruction. Good on the reboot for depicting consequences with all their blemishes. <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: I would just like to state now, for the record, that the level of deference that is given to Starsha of Iscandar has never sat well with me. That being said, I’m pretty sure it’s there to be intentionally juxtaposed with what\u2019s coming.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Future developments will explain to us exactly how long Garmillas people have served Iscandar. Close to a millennia, in fact. It\u2019s hard to shake off religious convictions when the saint you worship is said to be the personification of pacifism and goodness in the universe, wishing for the salvation of all intelligent life. Burrel in particular likely holds special reverence for Starsha as a consequence of his superstitious nature, which was explored in 2202<\/em> when he fully believed in the myths and legends of Teresa passed down in Garmillan lore.<\/span><\/p>\n

Whatever thoughts one may have about Starsha, I think it\u2019s fair to be a bit offended at someone who abused the power of the Cosmo Reverse System casually asking for another. Especially someone who, in 2202<\/em> Episode 2, told Burrel that the promise Okita made to Starsha about not using WME was not granted by a plenipotentiary, and is therefore void. Damn, you were right\u2026 this series is dense! <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[KC]: I don\u2019t think either of us ever expected to find me defending Serizawa, and I’m pretty idealistically opposed to the creation of the WMG, but be that as it may, someone who would make you travel under the nose of your enemy to provide you with the means of your salvation, and then consider it an offense to beseech them for the means to save a second planet doesn\u2019t sound like the \u201cpersonification of pacifism and goodness\u201d to me.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: What a curious turn of events. I\u2019m playing devil\u2019s advocate for Burrel, and you\u2019re defending Serizawa. To quote you, from our 2202<\/em> Episode 26 commentary: \u201chis (my) heart grew three sizes that day.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: Serizawa is here on a PR mission, so who knows? It could happen again.<\/span><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, with Sakamoto\u2019s help, Caroline is the first of her comrades to land on Titan. His wacky maneuvers did forcefully detach another student\u2019s type 5 mech from his ship however. Their instructors – Nagakura and Yamamoto – have clearly had enough of their devil-may-care attitude, and discipline them off-screen. The next time we see the pair, they collapse in one of Asuka<\/em>\u2019s long hallways, right at the feet of their pissed off teachers.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[AMB]: Sakamoto and Raiden\u2019s self-destructive tendencies depicted in this scene likely damaged the Type 5 she borrowed for the exercise, but was not enough grounds to punish the pair. In fact, eagle-eyed viewers will spot Sakamoto purposefully playing around with his Cosmo Tiger II, leading to a fellow student on his hull being thrown away. In all honesty, this was dangerous enough to have possibly resulted in loss of life. This gave 2205<\/em>\u2019a staff a great opportunity to revisit the underpants run from the original New Voyage<\/em>, with the bruise marks on their faces to indicate that, like Kodai with Sakamoto, they were slapped for showing off recklessly.<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: I totally missed that and presumed that they were running down the hall because they have some kind of friendly rivalry and are always trying to best one another. This being a reprimand makes a lot more sense.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Part of the reason they couldn\u2019t make this an underpants run is because it would be awkward to see a woman forced to run around in her underwear. Speaking of Caroline, the decision to make her an Akira 2.0 arose from the fact that 2205<\/em>\u2019s \u201cfat quota\u201d had already been reached, according to Fukui. Since the wide-bodied Goro was already chosen to return, Hideki Oka suggested they make her a female, since Yabu and Tokugawa were already too much! Or they just wanted to be more creative with the character this time around, since he was quite undeveloped in Yamato III<\/em>. Fukui\u2019s comment was likely meant to be more tongue-in-cheek, as indicated by him telling his interviewer that this was just \u201cbetween you and me.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Read the full interview here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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

Training day 14: Anti-ship Combat Training.
\nLocation: Gatlantean Calaklum<\/em> debris field near the 11th planet.
\nTraining Instructors: Captains Susumu Kodai, Shiro Sanada, and Yuki Mori.
\nMajor participants: Tasuke Tokugawa, Hiroki Shinohara, Takeshi Kitano, Ryusuke Domon.
\nExercise purpose: Gain familiarity with the 65th fleet\u2019s new equipment in ship-to-ship combat, in particular Asuka<\/em>\u2019s Type 4 Wave Barrier deployment round. Simultaneously, live indoor mock battle exercises, designed to mimic the ever-changing battlefield, are conducted to increase combat readiness potential in all recruits. <\/p>\n

[AMB]: Now how about that Wave Barrier deployment round? What\u2019s so special about it? Let\u2019s allow professor Shinya Ogura to explain this, too:<\/span><\/p>\n

The supply carrier Asuka<\/em> is equipped with a \u201cType 4 Wave Barrier Deployment Round,\u201d a huge \u201cnet\u201d with a diameter of 8,000 meters that powerfully guards against enemy attacks. The Experimental Ship Ginga<\/em> was powerful enough to generate a \u201cwave barrier\u201d in space itself, but the basic concept of a \u201cwave barrier\u201d is \u201ca technology to strengthen physical properties by propagating wave energy resonated by a wave coil through bulkheads and armor.\u201d In essence, it was born from a change in thinking: \u201cAll we need is something to transmit (strengthen) the energy!\u201d This is the idea behind the wave barrier round. By transmitting energy to a filament-like net (superconducting net), a shield can be created.\u201d<\/p>\n

ABOVE RIGHT: Concept image of the body of the wave-shield deployment round proposed by Mr. Ogura. At this stage, the image looked like a brush with the filaments exposed.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

LEFT: In the process of construction, a fairing covering the filament is attached to the wave barrier deployment projectile. The upper figure is a line drawing for color-coding reference. The lower figure is a 3DCG model created by Mr. Ogura to illustrate each stage of operation. This model data seems to have been used directly in the \u201cwave motion barrier round\u201d scene in the film.<\/span><\/p>\n

RIGHT: This is an example of the deployment of a wave barrier projectile. The deployed diameter is about 8,000 meters. It is said to be rapidly deployed by the centrifugal force of rotation, just like the solar sails of real planetary probes. Although it has a time limit until it runs out of energy, it is the strongest equipment for Asuka<\/em>, which has limited attack power.<\/p>\n

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

Yamato<\/em> warps out near the 11th planet, breezing through scattered debris from Garmillas\u2019 artificial sun and the remains of the Gatlantean Legionnaire Cannon from two years ago. The potential reactivation of these energy signatures is being monitored by one of the last remaining unscathed finished models of the Andromeda<\/em>-class, the Alpheratz<\/em>. It\u2019s the 21st model of the initial production line, and is thus fully staffed by a crew of flesh and blood. Immediately after warping out, Kodai orders his crew on full combat alert, anti-ship combat! Tokugawa can barely keep from puking. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[AMB]: In 2202<\/em> Episodes 6-7, Yamato<\/em> was stranded on the 11th planet. Faced with the might of millions of reverse-engineered Akerian Calakrum ships, the ship fired its WMG at the heart of an artificial sun built by Garmillas. This knocked out and destroyed a majority of the Gatlantean ships, stranding them in space. Alpheratz<\/em> now has the duty of monitoring their energy readings in case they come back online. Of course, ever since Zordar activated the Golem system, it\u2019s very unlikely that anybody survived aboard these ships. That said, the risk is worth taking seriously. Just like with Saturn, this reboot doesn\u2019t shy away from depicting clear consequences of war.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hyuga<\/em>\u2019s Cosmo Python squad, under Shinohara\u2019s command, sneaks a few faux missile hits into Yamato<\/em>\u2019s aft. To simulate real damage, crewmen plant smoke machines near the “damaged” portions, leaving resource department employees like Domon in an unfavorable position. Back on the bridge, Miki Saijo reports to Kitano that Asuka<\/em>\u2019s within range; unfortunately for Kitano, he fires too late, giving Asuka<\/em> enough time to launch one of its defensive Wave Barrier rounds, shielding the ship from all simulated harm. Rubbing salt in his wounds, Gunnery Chief Nishina berates Kitano for his dull performance, forcing an apology from him.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[AMB]: Here comes the training sequence\u2019s biggest Yamato III<\/em> connection: the mock ship-to-ship battle. Soldiers receive fake wounds, the kitchen is prepping rations, the decks simulate battle damage with smoke machines, the air force coordinates with Yamato<\/em>\u2019s gunnery department, a UNCF ship observes the ordeal, Ageha (Shinohara this time) leads a group of fighters to assault another ship, and so on. This is all derived from Yamato III<\/em>. <\/span><\/p>\n

However, Kitano being too slow on the uptake reverses what happens in The New Voyage<\/em>. Back then, he fired too early, almost killing the entire air force, including Kodai. Instead of Nishina berating him, it was Gunnery Chief Nanbu. Clever reversal there! Rather than Kitano being a rookie with a happy trigger-finger, this time he\u2019s nervous about fulfilling the tasks of his predecessor (Kodai), failing to take action in time. <\/span><\/p>\n

Then enters Domon, bringing combat rations to all. He tries to meet Kodai\u2019s gaze, but receives no attention from the busy Captain. He moves on to deliver the rest to other stations aboard Yamato<\/em>. Some complain about his tardiness, but he remains undeterred. In the technical analysis room, he has a brief run-in with a hardworking Yabu, researching the Gesh-Vual system he brought with him from Garmillas. Yabu can tell that Domon recognizes what he\u2019s working on, but before they have the chance to speak any further, Domon runs away, flustered. Yabu comments to himself, \u201cYouth is quite something. Daddy can\u2019t afford to fall behind.”<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[AMB]: Scenes like these make you wonder, what was Domon’s father working on inside the Time Fault? Clearly high level clearance was needed to enter his line of work. <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: Ah, again I was thinking this scene was just meant to convey that Domon is obviously too smart to serve rice balls, but you\u2019re right. Earth and Garmillas were sharing tech in that Time Fault and Domon has seen one of those before. Also I think the kid is smart, Yabu knows it and Yamato<\/em>\u2019s current persona non grata are gonna team up, maybe. On a somewhat related topic, Domon\u2019s enthusiasm with the onigiri is a delight to watch.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Considering that three UX-01 space submarines were forged inside the Time Fault during its tenure, with improved space-diving tech, I believe we can confidently assert that Domon\u2019s father\u2019s company worked with Gesh-Vual technology. Who knows, maybe he was assassinated for knowing too much. I don\u2019t think we\u2019ll ever find out.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

And isn\u2019t it ironic how far Yabu has come, compared to the original series? He went from trying to establish a delusional last-ditch patriarchy on Iscandar with Yuki to becoming a family man with a Zaltsian on Garmillas. How wholesome. And now he has his own twink best friend! It\u2019s too bad we never get to see how Yabu feels about the death of Tokugawa the elder though.<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: It\u2019s just like I\u2019ve been saying since 2199<\/em>. Everybody got better in the makeover except for Dessler.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Back on Garmillas, evacuation efforts have stalled. Yabu\u2019s own family has finally gotten off-world, but escort ship delays have halted their migratory fleet\u2019s advance. One of Yabu\u2019s adopted daughters, Reza, has brought along an encapsulated Garmillan flower in pristine shape: a Marenel flower. Her big brother Oddo asks why she bothered bringing something they can\u2019t eat, and the pair\u2019s third sibling and sister, Liza, misinterprets what Oddo\u2019s saying, barking back that he can\u2019t eat the flower. Supposedly, her suspicion arose from Oddo eating a bug once. <\/p>\n

[KC]: Focusing on Yabu\u2019s family is making me sick with worry. They are adorable and nothing had better happen to them.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Oddo\u2019s lil\u2019 bowtie is adorable. Last episode, a short message from Keyman mentioned his mother being infatuated with Marenel flowers, and how he wishes for his uncle Dessler to plant some on the next homeworld candidate he finds. Remember that? Well, Oddo and Reza\u2019s argument here is casually revealing the story\u2019s core, about choosing to protect what\u2019s beautiful in spite of how unnecessary it might be in the practical sense. <\/span><\/p>\n

Those flowers hold meaning despite lacking utility, and they\u2019re worth protecting, even if we leave our own homeworld behind. It\u2019s a reminder of something that once was, that can be planted over and over. You can always rebuild, restart, redo. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[KC]: Random thought, but this is not the first time flowers have been a factor. As I recall the \u201cmemory flower\u201d of Iscandar was gifted to Yuki from Yurisha in 2199<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: GREAT point! Said 2199<\/em> story element will be brought back in 2205<\/em>\u2019s penultimate episode. Good thing we gave everybody a recap during our 2202<\/em> episode commentaries. For those that need an even briefer recap: Wave-Motion Energy is derived from planetary memories (from every living being), stored in unique flowers called azure crystals. These are harvested on Iscandar for reasons that we\u2019ll find out later.<\/span><\/p>\n

Whenever Yamato<\/em> fires the WMG, irretrievable energy from the cosmos is wiped out, along with its collective galactic memories. With the help of proper tools, such a planetary element – a “soul” – can be used to restore another soul. That\u2019s how Mamoru\u2019s soul in the Cosmo Reverse System brought Yuki back to life in 2199<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the midst of all this, their mother Varna tries to gather the courage to tell them something important. She eventually gets their attention, blurting out that she\u2019s pregnant, this time with Yabu\u2019s child. A bit downtrodden, she apologizes for giving them a sibling they\u2019ll only be half related to, since Yabu isn\u2019t from planet Zalts, nor is he the father of these three kids. Her two daughters quickly embrace Varna for a hug, ecstatic over gaining another family member. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[AMB]: They may not be related by blood, and Yabu may not be the real father of these three kids, but they still accept him and the sibling-to-come regardless. The purity of childhood is on full display.<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: The more wholesome the content, the more my anxiety ratchets up. I know how space opera works.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: A world of pain that never ends. But with some hope, too!<\/span><\/p>\n

The whole sequence is excellently carried by some stellar voice performances. To me, the kids especially sound like real kids, rather than voice actors. How mistaken I was. Turns out all three of them – including their mother – are cameo performances by cast members who voice other characters in the series. Liza is Chitose Morinaga, the flexible voice behind Caroline Raiden in 2205<\/em>. Reza is Eriko Nakamura, who\u2019s voiced linguist Kiryuu since 2199<\/em>. Oddo is Tomo Muranaka, who voices Miyako Kyozuka in 2205<\/em>. Varna is Mie Sonozaki, who voices Neredia Rikke in Ark of the Stars.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

So Neredia isn\u2019t forgotten! She just\u2026 voices Yabu\u2019s wife instead! That must have been a fun conversation starter at the studio. My personal theory is that Neredia was supposed to have a speaking role, but it was scrapped early in production. Regardless, they\u2019d likely already contacted Mie Sonozaki beforehand to book her in, and she just happened to be a perfect fit for Varna.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you.\u201d her voice is hoarse. \u201cWhen we get to Planet Galman\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Suddenly, a huge fiery explosion rocks their neighbouring migratory vessel! A black spear, long and sharp, pierces through half a dozen vessels as it plummets down to Garmillas\u2019 surface. It\u2019s accompanied by synthesized sounds, a fiendish red glow pulsating throughout its chromed body.<\/p>\n

[AMB]: Those screams of countless civilian lives being snuffed out\u2026 hauntingly brutal for a Yamato<\/em> work. Hearing it juxtaposed with the joy of impending childbirth, and the incoming synthetic sounds of the Goruba theme\u2026 effective set dressing to say the least.<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: See? See?<\/em> Something awful is happening. I knew it. And not just because I\u2019ve seen the original. Ugh, the synopsis for the next episode is gonna be gut-wrenching.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: All in all, this episode adapted about 15 minutes from The New Voyage<\/em> and 10 minutes from Yamato III<\/em>, but somehow managed to squeeze in plenty of fresh new elements along the way. So far, 2205<\/em> has adapted 27 minutes from New Voyage<\/em>\u2019s 95-minute length.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The order of things was quite different as well. In The New Voyage<\/em>, we witness Yamato<\/em>\u2019s departure, its reunion with the Cosmo Tigers, and then we cut to Dessler reminiscing about Starsha. After that, the events of the next episode transpire, and THEN we cut back to Yamato<\/em> and its training sequence. By placing the Dessler scene at the start of this episode, and book-ending it with the prelude to next episode\u2019s great tragedy, we experience zero tonal whiplash like in the original work. <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: I’m unhappy that this is only an eight episode story arc, but I am happy about what they seem to be cramming into that small space already.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Did you know 2205<\/em> was originally slated for only SIX episodes, since the writing staff felt the story didn\u2019t need more than that? It was thanks to script writer Hideki Oka that we received eight instead, since he argued it would be a good thing to explore these events in more detail.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAt the beginning, we wanted to make three episodes plus three episodes, for a total of six episodes. The old New Voyage<\/em> was only 90 minutes long, so we figured we could do it in that amount of time. But based on our experience with 2202<\/em>, we couldn\u2019t do that. I asked them to make it at least four episodes plus four episodes. Once we started working on it, the amount of information became more than we could use.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Originally, Yabu wasn\u2019t even supposed to be a major part of the story. In fact, he wasn\u2019t set to return. The idea was bounced around by Hideki Oka, but Harutoshi Fukui in particular shot it down with force. Same thing apparently happened with the Time Fault concept. Fukui couldn\u2019t see it working at first, but inevitably warmed up to it, just like with Yabu. Fukui justified his opposition on the basis that it would hurt the pacing, and there was no good connecting glue to justify his return, it was said. Script team writers Oka and Minakawa discussed how this came to change, and why Yabu was allowed to return in the end:<\/span><\/p>\n

Minakawa: “The reason his story was scrapped once was that I thought it wouldn\u2019t fit. Also, there was the concern that Yabu\u2019s presence would create multiple story arcs. But as the script progressed, the story of Yabu and the story of Domon came into contact with each other. In the end, it came together in a way that kept the axis intact. That flow was great.”<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Oka: “In the third episode, there\u2019s a long scene between Yabu and Domon. It was originally supposed to be Domon and Shima. Since there are few scenes where Shima is shown in closeup, I put him there. But Mr. Fukui said, ‘I\u2019m sorry, but I\u2019m going to use Yabu there.’ Looking at the whole story, that was definitely the right decision. That was the scene we needed.”<\/span><\/p>\n

And yes, this does mean Shima was robbed of another moment to shine. Read more here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: Ah, well that is more hard luck for poor Shima, but interesting insight as to how it was all decided!<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Stellar departure, enticing set pieces, and intriguing world building. 2205<\/em> is off to a great start! <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Continue to Episode 3<\/a><\/p>\n

Coda<\/h3>\n

Theatrical release: Space Battleship Yamato 2205<\/em>, The New Voyage<\/em><\/em> Chapter 1: TAKE OFF<\/em> contained episodes 1-4. It premiered in Japanese theaters October 8, 2021<\/p>\n

Japanese video: Theater-exclusive Blu-ray October 8, 2021. Standard Blu-ray & DVD November 26, 2021<\/p>\n

Series credits<\/em><\/p>\n

Writer: Harutoshi Fukui
\nScriptwriter: Hideki Oka
\nDirector: Kenji Yasuda, Satelight Studio
\nCharacter Design: Nobuteru Yuuki
\nGuest Character Design: Chiziru Kobayashi, Takahiro Kishida, Kiyoshi Tateishi
\nMecha Design: Junichiro Tamamori, Yasushi Ishizu, Mika Akitaka
\nProp Design: Kio Edamatsu
\nArt Directors: Hiroshi Aroku, Yusuke Ikeda, Kenichi Tateto
\nColor Designer: Kumiko Nakayama
\nDirector of Photography: Shinya Matsui
\nCG Animation Director: Hiroyuki Goto
\nEditing: Ryoko Kaneshige
\nMusic: Akira Miyagawa, Hiroshi Miyagawa
\nSound Director: Tomohiro Yoshida
\nExecutive Producer: Shoji Nishizaki
\nProduction: Yamato 2205<\/em><\/em> Production Committee<\/p>\n

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