{"id":34016,"date":"2023-03-12T16:04:44","date_gmt":"2023-03-12T23:04:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault\/?p=34016"},"modified":"2023-04-14T22:18:23","modified_gmt":"2023-04-15T05:18:23","slug":"766a","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault\/766a\/","title":{"rendered":"Yamato 2205<\/em> Episode 3 commentary"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"2303icon\"<\/p>\n

Countless black spears pierce Garmillas, accelerating the melting of the planet\u2019s core. Soon the planet begins to collapse, the ground cracks open, and the remaining people are swallowed up by magma. Dessler\u2019s determination to save as many as possible is in vain, and now Garmillas faces its final hour!<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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

Episode 3: The Last Day of Garmillas<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

Dessler\u2019s fleet edges closer to their homeworld. Messages come through in bursts of heavy static, mentioning \u2018large objects.\u2019 On his flagship, General Talan informs Leader Dessler that it\u2019s an emergency transmission from Garmillas. Dessler orders them to increase speed.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, on the planet\u2019s surface the same type of spindly alien object we saw last time is pistoning into the ground, shattering Garmillas’ fragile crust. A Garmillas patrol lays down some heavy positron beam fire, but it doesn\u2019t seem to do any damage at all. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[AMB]: A merging of new and old sets the stage for the impending tragedy. In the original work, Gamilas was already a dead, uninhabited planet at this point. The opportunistic Dark Nebula Empire took this opportunity to strip-mine what remained of the planet\u2019s precious natural resource – Gamilasium – thinking it was free real estate. Dessler\u2019s arrival and ensuing bout of rage ended their endeavor, but tragically the ensuing battle was too much for the planet to bear, resulting in its obliteration.<\/span><\/p>\n

This time around, a completely new mecha (that appears to be a merger of the original New Voyage<\/em> mining equipment and the tripods from Be Forever Yamato<\/em>) makes a surprise entrance. Behold, the Dezarium hammer! Its purpose is simple: by pistoning the ground with its incredibly advanced hammer, it can both mess with the planet\u2019s gravity and gather up its energy for future use, storing it in another dimension. But why? And how? Keep reading!<\/span><\/p>\n

In the capital, President Hyss receives word that the objects emit an unknown type of energy, and based on preliminary reports these were not sent by the Bolar Federation, as one might have presumed. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

While his fellow bureaucrats study a three-dimensional, holographic map of Garmillas, Hyss is told that energy from the objects is causing a chain reaction through the crust. Once it reaches their fragile inner core…the individual does not continue, but the implication is clear: it would truly be the end of Garmillas.<\/p>\n

[AMB]: Garmillas\u2019 remaining time keeps getting cut shorter and shorter, from a century in the 2202<\/em> flashbacks, to half that near the second half of 2202<\/em>, to perhaps only a few hours in 2205<\/em>. It\u2019s almost as if the planet truly was fated to die at this point, both on a meta level because of how the original New Voyage<\/em> depicts the planet\u2019s end, but also in-universe. But was this always the plan in the reboot? According to head writer Fukui, it almost wasn\u2019t until he realized how juicy the drama of this moment would be in the story, when factored against the reality we live in today.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fukui: \u201cThe biggest event was the disappearance of the planet Gamilas. There was a suggestion that we shouldn\u2019t do that, because it would be a huge problem if we adapted it to the world of the remake series, but we decided to go ahead with it. The planet the Dessler clan had worked so hard to protect and save would be easily destroyed. It\u2019s such an atrocious development that I\u2019d say the dramaturgy has collapsed under its own weight.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“But this is a real thing now, isn\u2019t it? We\u2019re living in an age where once-in-a-century or once-in-a-thousand-year disasters like the Corona pandemic come around every day. I put aside for a moment the fact that it would be very difficult to depict such a thing. I made up my mind to do it. It felt like the outline had already been written. We basically decided to do The New Voyage<\/em> event.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

<\/p>\n

\u201cIf not the Bolar, then who?\u201d Hyss speculates aloud as reports come in of too many more spear-like objects to count. Then we see them racing from orbit and striking the surface in remote and populated areas alike. One of them hits near the ruins of the Imperial Palace, fallen over like a flower unable to support its own weight.<\/p>\n

[AMB]: As much as the drama of this scene clenches my heart again and again, there\u2019s a sense of thrilling excitement in the air isn\u2019t there? New viewers unfamiliar with the original New Voyage<\/em> will undoubtedly be both impressed and befuddled by Hyss’ comment that this new group of ships definitely doesn\u2019t come from Bolar. It\u2019s not a tangible threat they can deal with through diplomacy and guile, it\u2019s an unstoppable cataclysmic event. And yet, the technology and scale of these hammers isn\u2019t too dissimilar to what we saw with Gatlantis in 2202<\/em>; massive insect-like structures, impenetrable shielding technology, dimensional wakes, blinding numbers… it\u2019s almost as if these tools are based on the same Akerian tech Gatlantis had access to.<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: Those hammers are very much like the weapons Gatlantis had, and I agree with you that it’s more of a plot clue than a stylistic preference by the animators.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[AMB]: The otherworldly sounds of the hammers swishing through the cosmos, the terrifying numbers that won\u2019t stop, the desecration of familiar sights on Garmillas, and the music all swell up together into a concerto of unmitigated disaster. The former imperial palace, still wrecked, is rocked by an earthquake. The badlands in which Keyman and his mother Elsa grew up are shattered. And the new music, titled Battle for Planet Garmillas<\/em> is fresh, thrilling and completely original. This track is one of the more memorable pieces from this New Voyage<\/em>. But during early production, there was talk of perhaps only having new music in 2205<\/em>. Director Kenji Yasuda shot down this idea:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMusic has a greater presence in this film than in a normal anime or movie. Personally, I thought that if we were going to make a new Yamato<\/em>, one way might be to change the music, but without this music, it wouldn\u2019t be Yamato<\/em> at all. I was also concerned about whether the existing music would match the faster-tempo visuals, but when we actually played the music, I knew it was Yamato<\/em> the moment I heard it! I was reminded of the power of music.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s also necessary to make the visuals more exciting so the music can be heard. This is the New Voyage<\/em> I\u2019ve been waiting for! There are scenes where the music plays at the exact moment you\u2019re waiting to hear it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

As the evacuation continues, Hyss is the last man left in the cabinet room. He wonders out loud about who is doing this and why, as one of his handlers tries to snap him out of it.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, President Hyss, please hurry! This place won\u2019t last much longer!\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

As the ravaged planet suffers, a hospital ship among many in orbit suddenly explodes. Aboard the migration vessel rescuing Yabu\u2019s family, Varna tries to calm her worried daughters while Oddo and some other passengers watch Garmillas engage with the mysterious attacker. Dessler\u2019s Imperial fleet arrives, spearheaded by Berger\u2019s Lambea<\/em> and Frakken\u2019s UX-01. Oddo recognizes his stepfather\u2019s ship as He calls out to his mother, assuaging her fears.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy dear,\u201d she tells herself, hugging her children.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[KC]: This montage of destruction is somewhat reminiscent of the planet bombing they gave to Earth in the first series. I’m pretty confident it was intentional, considering all the other callbacks to original scenes we\u2019ve gotten since 2199<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: This isn\u2019t Hyss’ first rodeo, either. At the end of 2199<\/em>, he was the man in charge of evacuating the capital after Dessler lost his marbles. He stood by his citizens until the very end, leading these proceedings. <\/span> <\/p>\n

While Earth was admittedly the prime instigator in the Earth-Garmillan war, the Garmillan response was meticulously brutal. In this sense, the former perpetrator of indiscriminate bombings becomes itself perpetrated upon by an unknown, truly alien force. This adds an air of mystery: if Garmillas, with its ever-expansive empire and knowledge of waters way beyond its own borders, has no idea what this new enemy is, or where they\u2019re from… then who are they? At least Gatlantis wasn\u2019t a complete surprise to mystics like Burrel.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[KC]: This has to be terrifying for a people who thought they were the force to be reckoned with in the known universe. <\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Strong enough to build an empire, strong enough to fend off Gatlantis.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow disgusting of them to target people who are in the middle of moving,\u201d Berger rages.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet them feel our fangs as punishment for hurting our planet,\u201d a stoic Frakken adds.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t let them get away with this! All ships, charge,\u201d Dessler commands, indignant yet cool. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[AMB]: There\u2019s a certain unique cool factor to Frakken and Berger diving headfirst into the ensuing conflict to protect their home. Their dialogue reflects their personalities while at the same time conveying the very same thoughts we as audience members share. It gives you hope.<\/span><\/p>\n

Same goes for the increased focus on Hyss. As mentioned in previous episodes, these characters were originally not present at this point in time. Hyss had been killed by Dessler, Berger had fallen at the Rainbow Star Cluster, and Frakken supposedly originated from planet Galman in Yamato III<\/em>. The gang\u2019s all here now, ready to do their well-earned part to avert this unavoidable disaster, all to the tune of Dessler attack<\/em>. Brilliant. <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: If the original Dessler had Talan, Berger AND Frakken at his back the entire time, he would have exceeded all possible levels of coolness. <\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: And a win rate to match. <\/span><\/p>\n

As the Deusula III<\/em> enters the atmosphere, its custom-made bridge flips over, revealing an assortment of heavy positron beam cannons. It immediately opens fire on the closest enemy, but doesn\u2019t make a single dent. Lambea<\/em> and the UX-01 concentrate their fire on a single target, which takes the barrage easily. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[AMB]: Frightening things, these Dezarium hammers. But don\u2019t they remind us of something from our world? Piledrivers, perhaps…? Allow Professor Shinya Ogura to exposit on their development history:<\/span><\/p>\n

“Initially, Harutoshi Fukui told us, ‘The machine that destroys Garmillas goes GAKON! GAKON! like the ones you see at building construction sites.’ That was the keyword. In the original New Voyage<\/em>, Dessler comes back to Gamilas and finds a fleet of machines mining the planet. He takes a look and says, ‘What is that?’ I proposed the idea of an open-pit mining system that\u2019s so big you can see it from space. I thought the ‘GAKON! GAKON!’ pile-driving machine should be part of the system.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“However, this was a big misunderstanding. The point of Mr. Fukui\u2019s image was not a huge system, but a network of pile-driving machines going ‘GAKON! GAKON!’ In other words, he wanted to come up with a weapon that could brutally shatter planets. From that point to the ‘Dezarium Hammer’ that appears in the story, he and I went back and forth about a thousand times. (Laughs)”<\/span><\/p>\n

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

It is then that Berger and Frakken realize the solution simultaneously. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cNo matter how strong the body is…\u201d Berger posits.<\/p>\n

\u201c…if we destroy the base,\u201d adds Frakken, as both ships direct their firepower at the base of the object, toppling it. Jubilation from Frakken\u2019s XO Heyni ensues.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow was that? You good for nothing! We\u2019ll knock all of them down the same way!\u201d <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[AMB]: The dialogue between Dessler\u2019s subordinates in 2205<\/em> is one of the highlights of this series, and it\u2019s no wonder this became so important. In order to better prepare for the next work in the reboot, it\u2019s necessary to form and establish stronger bonds between the men under Dessler\u2019s command. By showing their interplay like this, characters like Frakken and Berger, who hadn\u2019t interacted much in the past, accumulate enough camaraderie to better establish them as comrades under Abelt in 3199<\/em>. <\/span><\/p>\n

The decision to go from one hero ship (Deusula III<\/em>) to three of them (UX-01, Lambea<\/em>) not only ups the stakes in battle, but also mirrors Yamato<\/em>\u2019s new three-ship fleet. <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: Oh yeah. I love everything about where we are now with these guys.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Here\u2019s hoping we receive at least one major coping session with them. Have Berger and Frakken dish out stories about Domel. Let Dessler, Talan, and Gimleh sort out some Velte and Dietz baggage. Or perhaps… the surprise return of a one-eyed G\u00f6er? <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[KC]: I don’t ever need to see that clown G\u00f6er again, but I certainly wouldn’t turn down more Talan content!<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: It happened before with Gimleh! It can happen again! <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: I may not agree personally, but I suppose I would have to admit that Gimleh still had his uses to the story. Other than providing additional comic relief, G\u00f6er\u2019s purpose had already been served. <\/span><\/p>\n

There is little celebration, however, as Frakken observes; there are far too many of these alien objects inbound for this meticulous effort to be an effective strategy.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cThe situation is dire. No, I mean hopeless. We don\u2019t know what\u2019ll happen next.\u201d President Hyss tells Leader Dessler over the comms. \u201cToday\u2019s Your Excellency\u2019s date of return. How could this be happening?\u201d<\/p>\n

[KC]: I\u2019ll tell you how it\u2019s happening, Hyss; if you want to wear the cape that billows dramatically in zero-G, you gotta balance that out with some real downtrodden moments. And the balance on Dessler\u2019s Majesty Card is about to come due.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: The tragedy never seems to end for this man. But as we\u2019ll find out later down the line, this particular event was not his fault, and was completely out of his control. Sadly, because of his past experiences being known as the black sheep of the Dessler family, and his own attempt to snuff out the life of his planet, Abelt likely has mixed feelings about wearing the hero suit today. <\/span><\/p>\n

Also, did you notice Hyss called Abelt his excellency? Likely a habit he\u2019ll never truly shake off. One has to keep in mind that he\u2019s likely been Dessler\u2019s VP since Abelt\u2019s late teens, watching him grow. Even at the end of 2199<\/em>, he was unable to comprehend why Abelt was trying to destroy Baleras.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[KC]: I presumed that there had been some official reacceptance behind the scenes already, but it makes sense that this is just Hyss falling back into comfortable patterns. <\/span><\/p>\n

Talan stares, aghast, at the image of Hyss and presumably the realization of what\u2019s happening as Dessler urges the Garmillas President to let the remaining migration ships depart. With a glint in his eye, fists clenched, Abelt makes a personal request to Hyss as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cHyss, you too should join them, before it\u2019s too late.\u201d<\/p>\n

[AMB]: Just like Hyss did earlier, Abelt can\u2019t help but fall into familiar patterns. Even though Hyss once held the position of VP under him, Abelt never once referred to him by this official title. Like he did with Gimleh, Dessler always referred to this man as “Hyss-kun,\u201d using a disrespectful honorific. He uses it in conjunction with this very personal request, as he lowers his gaze so as to not meet Hyss\u2019 eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

In other words, Dessler\u2019s both acknowledging the shameful disgrace of his past actions, but at the same time can’t directly face the man he left behind to pick up the pieces. Like a child, he\u2019s unable to confront his shame. Same thing happened with Dietz in Episode 1. There, he feigned a cool attitude to avoid facing his past. But here, the emotions well up and he almost manages to let himself cry. He\u2019s sorry, but he can\u2019t say he is, so instead he tries to persuade Hyss to evacuate properly this time around. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[KC]: It\u2019s a very different take on Leader Dessler, that’s for sure. I still don’t like him more now, but I never expected to like him at all.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: I believe the only time we ever witnessed Dessler crying in the original series was at the end of Final Yamato<\/em>, when the ship sinks with Okita aboard to save Earth. 2202<\/em> depicted some forced metaphysical tears of the soul from the man, but that hardly counts. <\/span><\/p>\n

Hearing this, Hyss’ strained expression softens, as does the timbre of his voice. Abelt clenches his fists, holding back any tears. <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve heard that you changed. Looks like the rumors were true,\u201d Hyss begins solemnly. \u201cNo, this new you must have been your true self all along. Bless the land that gave birth to us.\u201d He raises his hand in salute. \u201cLong live Dessler. Long live Garmillas,\u201d he states, and signs off. Meanwhile, the strange objects continue their destructive onslaught.<\/p>\n

\u201cSave as many…save as many people of Garmillas as possible,\u201d Dessler insists, voice trembling with emotion.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[KC]: Is Hyss laying it on a bit thick here for the viewers at home? Maybe, but I\u2019m here for it. Forget about that punk from 2199<\/em>, kids; Abelt Dessler has earned his place.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Hyss sure is, but there\u2019s a dual purpose behind this. It\u2019s true in part that this scene\u2019s here to show the audience that Abelt\u2019s partially forgiven, but it\u2019s also here to wash away Abelt\u2019s sins on a more personal level. Hyss is reassuring a youth once left in his care that he understands Abelt\u2019s inability to voice his inner heart in public. Instead of forcing him to reveal that he always secretly cared more than he wanted to admit, Hyss instead does what he always did best in 2199<\/em>; he states the obvious, something that used to earn him ridicule by the entourage. It\u2019s bittersweet in the best of ways. An unspoken apology is left by Abelt, and in return he gained unspoken absolution. <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: It\u2019s an observation that makes me wonder if the surprise evident in Talan’s expression is all reserved for the assault on Garmillas. <\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: For sure.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Suddenly, we are somewhere else. Myriad distant stars shine silently in the blackness of space as a piano can be heard, the audio recording scratchy, as in the very early days of broadcasting. <\/p>\n

[AMB]: This is where things get REALLY interesting. That familiar piano tune playing on what sounds like a scratched vinyl record, its needle jumping in a trademark fashion? It\u2019s Claire de Lune<\/em>, by Debussy. In other words, an Earth record. <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: And he refused a clean, digital recording. Fantastic. An alien hipster. <\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: As we\u2019ll come to see, Deda\u2019s definitely an alien hipster. His boss though? Not so much.<\/span><\/p>\n

This was the first scene from 2205<\/em> shown to select Yamato<\/em> superfans in an early teaser screening. According to sound director Yoshida, the choice of human music likely holds the key to deciphering the mystery of the Dark Nebula Empire in 3199<\/em>. According to him, it appears Fukui received the idea of including classical music not from Yamato Resurrection<\/em> (which incorporated a couple of pieces in its soundtrack), but rather from Emperor Skaldart\u2019s usage of Swan Lake<\/em> in Be Forever Yamato<\/em>, inside his throne room. <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: I’m intrigued, so long as no one tries to save the Earth with pop music. <\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: \u201cWe are the world… we are the children…\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: Hah! Okay I was really just making a dig at Lin Minmei.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Even better!<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201dSuch a terrible noise, Deda,\u201d says a voice. There is a dark, formless wall embedded with channels of red light. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a part of the charm,\u201d someone, presumably Deda, replies. There is a figure seated in a chair. Bald. Muscular. Blue like a Garmillas and seemingly nude.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t underestimate it. Too much noise will ruin the melody. It\u2019s the sign of a needle jumping.\u201d<\/p>\n

[AMB]: These guys come from Dezarium, a faction based on the Dark Nebula Empire from the original Yamato<\/em>. Their new name is taken from their Be Forever Yamato<\/em> homeworld, a massive technological hellscape. The \u201cgachimuchi guy,\u201d as Harutoshi Fukui called him in one of the official 2205<\/em> Youtube videos, is named Deda. He\u2019s a short-lived minor antagonist from the original New Voyage<\/em>. He\u2019s talking to his superior from the same movie, Meldarz. What\u2019s “gachimuchi” you ask? That\u2019s the name given to the sub-culture of adult movies (from Japan, of course) that involves muscular males wrestling in a pornographic manner. Fukui probably made the comment because the first time we see him in 2205<\/em> he\u2019s stark naked. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[KC]: I think my nickname for him is going to be \u201cGarmillas Mr. Clean.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Japanese and American memetics aside, Deda\u2019s appearance first reminded me of Guardians of the Galaxy<\/em> actor (and wrestler) Dave Bautista. The wrestler aesthetic is likely intentional, to subtly plant the idea in the audience\u2019s mind that this man has physically perfected his body. In 2202<\/em>, there was talk about mankind perhaps going so far with their integration of Gatlantean technology that they\u2019d be able to mechanize lost body parts, or create completely functional humanoid androids if their 100-day war plan was a success. <\/span><\/p>\n

This brings me to the needle jump. My personal pet Dezarium theory is that they\u2019re future Earthlings, from another timeline where we won the war against Gatlantis by using the Time Fault. This would either mean that we abandoned Yamato<\/em> to its fate on Zemulia, or perhaps voted against saving Yamato<\/em> at the end of 2202<\/em>. The pandora\u2019s box that was the Time Fault (which, according to Burrel and Teresa was connected to different dimensions at its very bottom) gave Earth absolute technological prosperity and superiority, eventually emboldening the enlightened Earthlings to eliminate rivals like Garmillas and subjugate their lands, not unlike the fever of war the Japanese Imperial Army experienced during WW2. Why this Garmillas pivot? Because Meldarz will later claim that Garmillas and its people are eventually forgotten by history.<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: Well we know from recent Captain Harlock<\/em> manga that some version of Leader Dessler is still alive and well, so I call foul on that. So long as he lives and fights, Garmillas lives.<\/span><\/p>\n

The being stands. \u201cI\u2019m aware of it, Your Excellency Meldarz.\u201d With a fingertip across the brow, a digital HUD (heads up display) appears, discoloring his brows and eyes. \u201cThe recovery operation will be carried out without delay as dictated by the timeline. All the noise that\u2019s not on the record will be erased.\u201d<\/p>\n

[KC]: I have a bad feeling about this…<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: When Teresa told Kodai at the end of 2202<\/em> it was imperative that he chose to leave her dimension lest the universe face dire consequences, this is what I believe she referred to: the emergence of Dezarium, a second coming of the same foolish self-destructive WME-equipped race that was the Iscandarians, a fear Starsha expressed as early as at the end of 2199<\/em>. Zordar\u2019s kind as a whole served as a similar warning against unmitigated development of android and A.I. technology.<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: Confession time: I don’t remember much about the original Dark Nebula Empire at all. Were they the ones with the mechanical horses? I interpreted the “needle talk” as veiled threats of eradication due to our underdeveloped technology, but noting that we screwed up the timeline is a much more interesting angle.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: The ones riding mechanical horses were the Dengil of Final Yamato<\/em>, former Babylonians who left Earth in a spaceship provided by \u201cdemons\u201d in order to escape the biblical flood, retconned to a deluge from the water planet Aquarius. Plenty of their imagery and concepts has been lent to Gatlantis and Teresa in 2202<\/em>, and perhaps to Dezarium in 2205<\/em>. Which brings me to a curious pivot…<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Remember Zemulia in 2202<\/em>, that race of demon-looking fellas who created the Gatlanteans a millennia ago, brought to ruin by a Jirellan-looking witch named Sabera? In our 2202<\/em> episode commentaries, we pointed out extensive connections between Aquarius\/Uruk in Final Yamato<\/em> with Akerius\/Gatlantis\/Zemulia in 2202<\/em>, but we failed to accurately pinpoint what Zemulia could be based on. In my current university course on Western Esotericism, I noticed something peculiar…<\/span><\/p>\n

According to famed occult author Helena Blavatsky, there were four ancient human root races\/civilizations on Earth; the ethereal Polarians, the golden-yellow Hyperboreans, the sunken continent of dinosaur-coexisting-humans called the Lemurians, and of course the Atlanteans. If the Aquarian civilization from Final Yamato<\/em> is meant to be the Akerian root species for the reboot, then it makes sense that the Zemulians (Lemurians) are the closest inheritors of their legacy. <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: I just have to take a moment because I haven\u2019t thought about Blavatsky in ages and I never expected her to come up in Yamato<\/em> commentary, but it definitely relates!<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Back to the needle: I believe Deda and Meldarz use the vinyl record to measure how much the current past they\u2019re visiting is diverging from the line of events that eventually led to their creation. As we\u2019ll find out later, Dezarium has come here to seize Iscandar for its technological treasures, perhaps in a desperate attempt to stave off some cataclysm in their timeline\/future. Or maybe the fact that Yamato<\/em> survives 2202<\/em>\u2019s events at all is the calamity that befalls them?<\/span><\/p>\n

Teresa predicted that the harmony of the universe would fall to disarray without Yamato<\/em>, meaning its existence is likely what\u2019s causing the biggest amount of noise on their records. Deda enjoys the sound of the needle jumping because it sounds real, but Meldarz cautions against this, because indulging in this realness risks dooming their future. <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: I’m excited about this theory of yours, and also a little bummed out. I may have to bow out of commentary for 3199<\/em> if that\u2019s the case because time travel plotlines make my brain hurt.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Next set of commentaries will span 26 episodes, but I doubt the time\/dimension travel storyline will cover the entire series. We still have Bolar and Galman to contend with.<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: We all know that’s really what I\u2019m waiting for. This may also be the right time to point out that 3199<\/em> does feel like more of a departure from the original series than the meatier, more sophisticated versions of the stories we know.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: In some respects, yes, but head writer Fukui has assured audiences they\u2019re partially backtracking on that idea:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cInitially, there was some talk that it would be okay to move away from the original series after New Voyage<\/em>, but I thought it would be more important to keep following the original series. Be Forever<\/em> will not deviate from that basic policy. However, the order of events may change, and shuffling may occur. I don\u2019t think it will be completely different. But I think you will be surprised.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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

Voice actor note: Deda\u2019s voiced by Kosei Tomita, and Meldarz is voiced by Takaya Kuroda, both famous for their work in SEGA\u2019s Yakuza (Like a Dragon)<\/em> game series. Sound director Tomonori Yoshida has been part of the voice cast auditions for many years. Every now and then, he offers suggestions for whom he\u2019d personally choose, but rarely – if ever – does he petition for a voice actor without even an audition. This happened with Deda\u2019s voice actor, Kosei Tomita.<\/span><\/p>\n

Deda walks off to stand on a platform, where his body is digitally encased in a form-fitting suit complete with a dramatic cape. A panel opens to reveal a command station in keeping with the dark walls and thin red lights theme.<\/p>\n

[KC]: Very Sith-Lord-aesthetic this place has, although we know there\u2019s nothing mystic about these folks.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: He even has his own thorny throne. But let\u2019s talk about the overtechnology presented to us. Deda has a body that would make even the most senior of body builders blush. He has no shame in being naked, perhaps indicating that the norm of wearing clothes isn\u2019t part of their culture. He\u2019s got a HUD that apparently gives him complete battlefield data feedback, and perhaps even the capability to physically control minor Pleiades<\/em> ships – much in the same way Emperor Palpatine did in a movie I don\u2019t want to talk about. <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: That would be quite a tangent. I’m there with you in not wanting to go down that road, although I imagine we both have a lot to say. It is very Yamato<\/em> of the Dezarium to still be so caught up in their humanity. Clearly their tech is well advanced, but the physical, biological form is still important.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Very much in line with Be Forever Yamato<\/em>. In that movie, the Dark Nebulans were revealed to be literal skinwalkers, searching for replenished skin to maintain their faux human appearance. Underneath their skin, they were all machines who had once abandoned flesh to become perfect, immortal beings. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[KC]: Oh, I definitely missed that Yamato<\/em> outing. And as a horror fan I find myself gravitating less toward thoughts of biotech like, say, the Terminator and more toward individuals like Leatherface from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGreat Pleiades<\/em>, advance!\u201d Deda yells, gesturing forward. Next, we see a massive, intimidating vessel bathed in red light.<\/p>\n

[AMB]: And of course, just like in New Voyage<\/em>, the first time we hear the Goruba<\/em> theme in 2205<\/em>, it\u2019s attached to Deda\u2019s flagship. This time, it has its own name, Great Pleiades<\/em>! (Find its specs here<\/a>.) Why does this name matter? Because it\u2019s completely in English, further hammering home the point that these guys have Earthling origins. It\u2019s not called the Dedalaze, or the Meldarzrusa. What is a Pleiades<\/em>? In Greek Mythology, they were the seven sister nymphs. In reality, they\u2019re an open star cluster close to the Taurus Cluster, just 444 light years away from Earth, placing it among the nearest star clusters to our planet. This is likely no coincidence.<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: The evidence to support your theory is mounting! I have to say, I like the idea that they’re future Earthlings mainly because the color of his skin implies a possible merging of Garmillas and Earth folks, something I’ve been looking for since the beginning.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Back on Garmillas, the Hammers continue to destroy the surface of the planet. Hilde Shulz is forcibly taken onto a migration shuttle while she calls out to President Hyss. Calling him \u201cuncle,\u201d over and over, she struggles as he stoically watches over her safe evacuation. <\/p>\n

\u201cToo bad we couldn\u2019t be a real father and daughter,\u201d Hyss laments as her shuttle lifts off. Inside the shuttle, Hilde\u2019s tears and pleas for her \u201cfather\u201d seem real enough. <\/p>\n

\u201cStarsha,\u201d Hyss thinks. \u201cPlease have mercy.\u201d<\/p>\n

[AMB]: As mentioned previously, Hyss has petitioned for Hilde to accept him as her legal guardian. For reasons likely related to her complex feelings about being a Zaltzian with a father who died in the line of duty, she never accepted his request. She calls him uncle here to signify that she still views him as someone close to her, but is unable to vocally express more than that.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

According to what\u2019s seen in 2199<\/em> and the 2205<\/em> mecha guide, the shuttle used here, and all over Garmillas, is an SDG61-L general purpose vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. During Garmillas’ time as an empire, these were used for general transportation, container conversion and so on. They are also known to have been used as fireboats in emergencies.<\/span> <\/p>\n

[KC]: I’m finally going to get my answer with regards to why Garmillas has such reverence for Iscandar. Do I like it? Yes and no, but I\u2019ll share those details when we get there. For now, I’ll instead say that this is one gut punch of a scene in a series that is filled with gut punches. Kinda glad they only stretched it out over eight episodes.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Any more would have been overkill for such a tight script.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s fitting to hear Hyss be the one to express this reverence, too. Last time we saw him interact with Starsha was back in 2199<\/em>, Episode 24, where he contacted her office to vouch for Yamato<\/em> using the WMG in order to save Garmillas. <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: That\u2019s true. The original series loved the trope of Dessler being surrounded by relative incompetents since it wasn\u2019t his show, but Hyss is a good egg.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

On Iscandar, Starsha, Yurisha and Melda Deitz are witnessing the destruction of Garmillas\u2019 core. Melda tells the Iscandarians that they have no idea the effect this will have on this planet, and urges them to take shelter immediately. <\/p>\n

Yurisha looks to her sister for guidance, and Starsha delivers.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhoever it is, their target is not Garmillas.\u201d She looks up to the sky. Yurisha gasps.<\/p>\n

\u201cAbelt…\u201d<\/p>\n

[AMB]: Starsha knows more than she\u2019s letting on. This is the first time we hear of a secret shelter in 2205<\/em>, but 2199<\/em> already told us it exists; it\u2019s where \u201cthe rest of their race rests.\u201d Keep this in mind. And of course she can\u2019t help but empathize with what Dessler must be going through. After everything he sacrificed for his home, this is his unjust reward. And Starsha can\u2019t do anything to help. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

This scene effectively utilizes body language. Melda has strange ties to Garmillas. In her youth, it was a symbol of staunch oppression and inequity, a place that almost took the life of her father, who is currently on Galman, relatively safe. Yurisha fears what Starsha means by her statement, because she knows just like her sister that a gap of knowledge for the Iscandarians is a fearsome prospect indeed. She also infers Starsha\u2019s true meaning here: Iscandar is the target, not Garmillas. <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: Of course Starsha knows more than she\u2019s letting on. She selectively omits important information like others breathe. Yes, she\u2019s obviously distressed about what\u2019s happening, but she\u2019s the last person I’m going to pity. I haven\u2019t liked her since she only had that one blue dress with the weird neckline.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: We\u2019ll later find out that she, like Dessler, struggles to allow her personal feelings to take precedent when inherited duties and past promises conflict. \u201cWhat she wants and what she needs,\u201d as Twin Peaks’<\/em> Dale Cooper would say, \u201care two different things.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The devastation on Garmillas is unrelenting. Rivers of magma flood toward cities as objects explode, left and right. People are still on the ground, even as the last ships leave the atmosphere. As one river of lava splashes up onto a docking platform and engulfs an entire ship, Berger sees that they are truly at the end and orders all vessels to leave the planet at maximum combat speed. He\u2019d stayed behind to pick up what few shuttles he could carry aboard Lambea<\/em>.<\/p>\n

[AMB]: Garmillas’ molten core is briefly seen extracted in New Voyage<\/em>, but not more than that. Before the planet originally exploded, bursts of lava sprayed out of the planet\u2019s craters. It\u2019s a harrowing scene, reminiscent of the refugee rescue from Final Yamato<\/em>, only this time Dessler\u2019s in charge instead of Kodai. Berger\u2019s a good man for staying until the end. Also, I believe this is the first time we hear Frakken refer to Dessler as “Soto” [fuhrer]. Before this, he\u2019d been much less formal with the man. <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: The Garmillas Wolf does his own thing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Berger\u2019s command carrier turns as his bridge crew informs him the Deusula III<\/em> is still descending. Berger, Frakken and Hainey all gasp in disbelief, but sure enough, Dessler\u2019s flagship is diving toward the planet\u2019s surface.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour Excellency, it\u2019s too dangerous!\u201d A sweating Talan, braced to the side of Dessler\u2019s command chair, implores him to turn around.<\/p>\n

\u201cStill more…There should still be many more lives we can save.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

An image of a collapsed ship and many bodies. An adult form lies over that of a child. A stuffed, double-tailed feline toy burns beside them.<\/p>\n

[KC]: Abelt. Buddy. We\u2019re good. That scene in the beginning, where you freed your ancestral planet? Seriously, 2199<\/em> is forgotten. You don\u2019t have anything else to prove. Please turn around and don\u2019t let anything happen to the most incredible handlebar mustache in the known universe.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: A handlebar mustache bracing against a set of handlebars. How fitting. That feline toy is a plushie replica of the alien cat we saw on the Garmillan Jupiter base in 2199<\/em>, Episode 3. I wonder if they managed to sneak out some of the native wildlife before the planet started imploding. Those kickass Harlock birds for example.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[KC]: My memory of 2199<\/em> is fuzzy on this; I know that Domel\/Lysis had one of those birds in the original series, but did that carry through to the remake?<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: It did. He left his bird with his wife Eliza when he ventured to the Rainbow Star Cluster, and last we saw it was in Episode 25 of 2199<\/em>, where it was still in her possession. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEven one more…Just one more person…\u201d Abelt\u2019s passionate tone escalates as he thinks of his nephew Ranhart. His brother Mattheus. Himself as a small, frightened boy, swearing that fateful blood vow. \u201cI promised. I promised to save the planet and the people of Garmillas. I did!\u201d Dessler cries out and his ship suddenly turns. He spins in shock to find Talan at the controls. <\/p>\n

\u201cIf that\u2019s so, you must not die here in vain!\u201d Talan barks over his shoulder as he speeds them away to safety. Dessler struggles to protest, but valiantly concedes.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[KC]: Oh, man, this is it. This is how they\u2019re giving us the scene they took out of the new Gatlantis story. Talan to the rescue. You love to see it. I\u2019m not kidding. I watched this scene over and over.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Talan\u2019s best line in the reboot. Swaying the mind of his dear leader, Talan drags him out of his self-imposed punishment, an action prompted after witnessing Dessler\u2019s true colors laid completely bare. Just like Kodai in 2202<\/em>, Dessler seems to have had enough. He wants to die by the sword as penance for his failures and mistakes. But as Hijikata told Yamanami in the same series, there is no responsibility in death. You have to live on and face the consequences of your actions. At least a Garmillas farewell party is colorful… <\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s also another Final Yamato<\/em> connection to discuss, connected to the movie\u2019s refugee rescue on planet Dengil. There, Kodai almost kills himself and Yamato<\/em> in a desperate gambit to save more lives than is possible, prompting his best friend Shima to stop him, asking who he\u2019ll be able to save if he\u2019s dead. Another great Shima scene stolen by another character! <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[KC]: I have a friend whose favorite character is Shima, and we often commiserate over how our favorites don\u2019t get nearly as much plot and screen time as we\u2019d like. How will I face her now? I\u2019m sorry, Peg!<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: And how about those vocal performances? Stellar and gruesome. Dessler voice actor Koichi Yamadera felt that performing as the disgraced leader in 2205<\/em> was one of the most difficult roles in his life. How does one balance the Dessler sound with the trauma enforced upon the man? <\/span><\/p>\n

“The events that happen are so shocking that they shake you up emotionally. What I considered in terms of emotional expression was that I had to keep a little bit of Dessler-ness in it somewhere. I didn\u2019t want it to be like, \u2018I don\u2019t care anymore,\u2019 but I didn\u2019t want to reveal everything, so I performed while putting the brakes on my heart. I didn\u2019t release my emotions, so I was really tired afterward. It would have been much easier to play the role if I let go of my emotions and shouted. So I had to put a lot of pressure on my abdomen while acting. I think some of my blood vessels must have broken. It was really difficult to find the right balance in the \u2018Because it\u2019s Dessler\u2019 part.”<\/span><\/p>\n

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

<\/p>\n

President Hyss is walking down a corridor in the presidential estate with two aides, when it erupts in flames behind them. The building topples over. Hilde cries out, tears flying. Berger grits his teeth while Frakken and Hianey have an emotional moment of silence. Starsha watches from her observation window. Magma begins bursting from the planet\u2019s core. Ships still too close to the heat erupt into flame while Oddo looks on in horror and Varna hugs her daughters tightly to her. <\/p>\n

There is a blinding flash and a tremendous explosion. Then Garmillas erupts, its pieces scattering across the cosmos.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[AMB]: And there goes Garmillas, Hyss, and countless others in the blink of an eye. Hilde\u2019s scream of terror, voiceless as the theme of Deda\u2019s Great Pleiades<\/em> begins to fade. Each image contains trace amounts of beauty, horror, and sadness. <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: They really give the planet quite an end, with a ring and everything. The full Alderaan treatment. Let\u2019s have a moment of silence.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: The sequence itself is heavily inspired by the original destruction of Garmillas, shot composition and all. Dezarium is quite devious huh? In this work, their task is to seize Iscandar, but in order to return home to whatever dimension or timeline they come from, they need the energy of an entire star. That\u2019s why they’re using Garmillas as a sacrificial lamb, much to our collective chagrin. Professor Shosuke Hayashi, from Kobe University\u2019s Graduate School of Planetary Science, explains how he advised head writer Fukui on how to tackle this mecha scientifically: <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cThe key point here was Mr. Fukui\u2019s emphasis on ‘GAKON! GAKON!’ (the sound those gigantic pile-drivers make). In fact, no matter how hard you hit the ground, at most the crust will only turn into fine sediment, and the gravity created by the mass of the planet itself would hold it together, even if it is crushed, so it would not scatter. In other words, in order to destroy a planet, you need to disrupt its gravity. That\u2019s what the Dezarium Hammer is doing with its ‘GAKON! GAKON!’ The concept is that Dezarium\u2019s ‘super-technology’ is used to disrupt the gravity of Garmillas. However, to be more precise, the Dezarium Hammer is not just disrupting the gravity, it also sucks out the ‘energy of the planet’ as Mr. Fukui says.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

<\/p>\n

Dessler\u2019s fleet sits amidst the debris. On his flagship, Dessler falls to his knees in a state of shock, unable to say the words.<\/p>\n

\u201cGarmillas… Garmillas is… the planet\u2019s doom was preordained. For that reason, we kept spilling blood in war. Everything we fought for…everything…\u201d<\/p>\n

He thinks of Ranhart and Mattheus again in his grief, when reports are picked up of multiple distress signals being received from the remaining immigration fleet, landing on Iscandar. <\/p>\n

[AMB]: Another scene picked straight from the original New Voyage<\/em>, Dessler\u2019s Bolero playing in the background and all. But here, Abelt\u2019s less concerned with seeing Garmillas die, and more focused on how this failure of his broke the promises he made to his brother and nephew , both of whom laid down their lives for Garmillas\u2019 sake. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

A long, gruesome half-century long civil war was waged by uncle Erich and Mattheus, resulting in the latter\u2019s death. Ranhart took a desperate gambit to save the universe so that Abelt could find a new home for Garmillas. An empire was sought by Abelt, who incessantly expanded at the cost of other starfaring species, all for nothing. <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: I believe that I predicted in the much earlier days of 2202<\/em> that they were going to redeem Dessler beyond what we got originally, and this series is delivering. Lessons are truly being learned. <\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: But will Dessler be able to live with the baggage he\u2019s accumulated? That answer will be properly given in the last episode, much to your contentment, I presume? <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: Yes, but I was really biting my nails over how this would turn out!<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRegroup the fleet.\u201d Talan orders. \u201cWe will-\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cIscandar!\u201d Someone else on the bridge cries out and Talan and Dessler look up in horror as the report comes in. Iscandar has left the Salezar System\u2019s orbit and is increasing its velocity. A blue forcefield has enveloped the planet.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs it because it lost its twin planet, Garmillas?\u201d Talan asks. \u201cBut this speed is-\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFollow,\u201d Dessler orders him. \u201dFollow it!\u201d <\/p>\n

[AMB]: We don\u2019t see it on-screen here, but one of the most iconic Yamato<\/em> mecha has already made its first, invisible appearance. The Dark Nebulan Autoplanet Goruba<\/em>! Using cloaking technology similar to the Ark of the Stars, and gravity manipulation technology similar to the Ark of Destruction, this devil\u2019s machine is quietly pulling the planet toward a different star system for reasons we\u2019ll explore in the next episode. That blue forcefield is its gravitational pull. So much incredible tech in one machine.<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: Well they had to one-up Zordar.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[AMB]: And if my theory is proven correct, they did just that in their own version of the past. Another interesting tidbit in this scene is that the warp of Iscandar is completely intentional. In New Voyage<\/em>, it was an accident. <\/span><\/p>\n

The fleet pursues Iscandar as a distorted broadcast goes out: \u201cTo all Garmillas people in the universe, Planet Garmillas is gone. I repeat. Our home planet…Planet Garmillas is gone.\u201d<\/p>\n

[AMB]: As if taunting the audience, the last broadcast from Garmillas is garbled and scratchy, same as the Claire de Lune<\/em> record played by Deda. Try to conceptualize how you\u2019d respond to hearing about your home state \/ country being completely wiped off the face of the universe. A horrifying prospect. Add onto that the wartime confusion and technological difficulties, and you\u2019ve got an allegorical scenario to what it must have felt to hear about Nagasaki or Hiroshima just vanishing in WW2. How did this moment make you feel the first time around, Kathy?<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: Truth is, I don\u2019t have a patriotic bone in my body, and in the real world find such devotion to borders rather ridiculous, but I readily accept this sort of loyalty and devotion in my space opera and it was gut wrenching. Mostly due to the ramifications for the Garmillas I care about.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The screen goes dark. Then we see a computer terminal flashing red in Garmillan letters. Sukeji Yabu sits in front of the screen, looking shocked. He steps out into Yamato<\/em>‘s hallway to ask a couple passing science officers if they can take a look at his communications server for Garmillas, since it\u2019s acting up. They completely ignore him, speculating as to why a traitor would act so friendly.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt sure is odd for a Garmillan engineer like Yabu to speak Earth\u2019s language,\u201d one adds. They walk away. <\/p>\n

[AMB]: Believe it or not, even characters with as little screen time as these two guys still get official names in the story documents. They are Fumihiko Sano and Yuu Kishida.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHi,\u201d speaks a voice behind them. Yabu turns to see Domon at the other end of the hall, passing with his food cart. \u201cIf you don\u2019t mind, I can take a look.\u201d Yabu looks back at him in surprise.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[KC]: Do these jerks have character names? My boy Yabu already has more than enough to deal with right now.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: You are correct. They’ve been background characters from the science division since 2199<\/em>, and their names are Fumihiko Sano and Yuu Kishida respectively. And I agree on Yabu. His confusion at the server going down, the nasty looks and comments he receives, his ostracization… this can\u2019t be the most healthy workplace for him. At least he has Domon, right?<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: It was a good idea to put these two together, like I said. I think they could have even done a bit more exploration of the positive effects their friendship would have on one another.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Elsewhere, Yamanami is giving Kodai, Yuki and Sanada a presentation on the subspace gate between the Magellanic Cloud and the Milky Way Galaxy.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt’s part of the most important infrastructure that supports the large migration of the Garmillas people to Planet Galman,\u201d he tells them. \u201cA Garmillas patrol fleet is protecting all of the gates in preparation for a Bolar attack. Our group will reach the gate in two days. After completing a ceremony with the Garmillas patrol fleet and passing through the gate, we\u2019ll be in…\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Magellanic Cloud,\u201d Yuki finishes for him. \u201cOne more step and we\u2019ll reach Garmillas and Iscandar, won\u2019t we?\u201d<\/p>\n

[AMB]: The gate they\u2019re referring to is the Akerian space gate on Planet Balan, first introduced in 2199<\/em>. Due to Yamato<\/em>\u2019s reckless, albeit necessary actions, the gate\u2019s been irrevocably damaged. However, in the past six years, it appears Garmillan engineers have made some fine progress fixing the thing. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

This journey is quite the nostalgia trip. That gate was where Sanada almost lost his life, bonding with Susumu about his dearly departed brother Mamoru, and revealing to Yuki the nature of her past amnesia. It\u2019s overall a good memory for the three Captains. In this scene, we also get our first real map of the Bolar Federation\u2019s relative size to the remnants of the Garmillan empire\u2019s vanguard forces. It\u2019s pretty big. Almost twice the size. But knowing Garmillas, quality beats quantity every day of the week. <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: I could go for the cheap laugh here or the Star Wars<\/em> reference. Needless to say, Dessler\u2019s problems won\u2019t be over when 2205<\/em> is.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right,\u201d Yamanami agrees. \u201cIt\u2019s almost like barging into someone\u2019s yard, though. That said, Captain Kodai, has our fleet matured enough to stand on its own feet yet?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot yet,\u201d Kodai admits. \u201cThey\u2019re talented in their own right, but still inexperienced. They\u2019re educated, but still don\u2019t understand the significance of operating the ship and its weapons. We still have a lot to teach in order for them to survive this severe interplanetary circumstance.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Kodai speaks we get a montage of scenes depicting day-to-day life on Yamato<\/em>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[AMB]: No wasted screen space in this space opera! Instead of still images for this meeting, 2205<\/em> takes the opportunity to explore the education of these space cadets. It adds a lot of color that some 2202<\/em> detractors felt was missing in that series.<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: Chock full of content, and you better pay attention or you might miss something!<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Tokugawa\u2019s doing high maintenance exercises with the other engineers, Bando checks the WMG\u2019s specs in person, Nagakura\u2019s testing Raiden\u2019s willpower in the gym, Tetsuya Kitano\u2019s holding his first awkward class in tactics with the Cosmo Tigers as Sakamoto makes an ass of himself by raising a hand, agitating his senior Akira. And in the medbay Miyako has fallen asleep in front of the main terminal, with Dr Sado gently laying a blanket over her. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe troublemaker as well?\u201d Yamanami asks. Kodai reacts, but doesn\u2019t respond and Yamanami continues. \u201cYamato<\/em> has an uneasy atmosphere, including the situation around the engineer, Yabu. Could you tell me what you really think, Captain Kodai? What is your true intention in keeping Domon Ryusuke aboard Yamato<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Again, we do not get Kodai\u2019s response, but a short time later, Kodai is speaking alone with Yuki in the observation deck, with head navigator Ota keeping a watchful eye for eavesdroppers.<\/p>\n

[AMB]: By only admitting yes-men to the crew, both professional and personal growth is stymied across the board. Okita knew this, and so does Kodai. In a meta sense, they\u2019re avatars very counter to modern Japanese business practices, where conformity and yes-man culture is promoted in order to ensure social harmony (\u548c). <\/spa\n\nBut Kodai, like Okita and Dessler, seeks absolution and punishment on a personal level. Hearing men and women of his age or older support the short-sighted Time Fault decision at the end of 2202<\/em> is all fine and dandy, but without support from the youth of today who might suffer dearly tomorrow, it\u2019s all for naught. That\u2019s why he wants Domon to decide whether or not his rescue from Teresa\u2019s dimension was warranted, and if not, he\u2019ll be his reaper. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s like me,\u201d Kodai says of Domon. \u201cI couldn\u2019t acknowledge the death of my brother a long time ago. He has the same look in his eye that I did when I was testing Captain Okita. No, his is heavier. His burden is heavier because he lost his father in exchange for my life.\u201d Standing beside him, Yuki twists the ring on her finger. <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think I can prove myself enough for the sacrifice he made. As a captain, it might be the right decision to leave him behind. Even so, I…\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Without a word, she puts her arm around him and hugs him closer, her diamond glinting in the light.<\/p>\n

[AMB]: She still wears the ring… that\u2019s good. <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: This is a callback to the original series, although there it was Kodai hugging Yuki to him, right? And she brushes him off her shoulder just as the picture is taken. So perhaps less a callback and more Kodai and Yuki\u2019s relationship progressing.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Both. The scene you\u2019re referencing, which also took place in the observation deck, was conspicuously absent from 2199<\/em>. It wasn\u2019t until Ark of the Stars<\/em> that this scene was recreated, with Shima and Akira joining in. Kodai tries to pull the same move Yuki does here, but she pinches him, resulting in a dorky picture of the couple. This time, she shows Kodai that she remembers those times, and hugs him. There\u2019s a similar scene in Yamato III<\/em> as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also, if nobody does yet, somebody should keep a tally on how often we bring up Ark of the Stars<\/em>. That movie\u2019s a goldmine for interconnectivity in the post-2199<\/em> world, connected to both 2199<\/em> and Yamato III<\/em>. Kodai copes with Yuki in the place where they took their iconic couple photo in both the OG series and in Ark.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

In another section of Yamato<\/em>\u2019s observation deck, Yabu is speaking with Domon.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe episode about Kodai and Mori became a conversation topic among the people of Garmillas. The people of Earth are impressive for sacrificing the Time Fault to save the lives of two people.\u201d<\/p>\n

[AMB]: This scene originally had Shima and Domon speaking with each other, but this changed when Yabu\u2019s return was cleared by Fukui. And yes, it is impressive of Earthlings to sacrifice the Time Fault\u2019s pragmatic value in exchange for the moral virtue of saving the heroes Yuki and Kodai. Also, am I just seeing things, or are those digital plants being projected on the deck? Is this a deep cut reference to Yamato 2<\/em>\u2019s holodeck and greenhouse? <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: Wow, I didn\u2019t catch that, but it would not surprise me! And while I may feel some obligation to voice support for Shima here, since as I referenced earlier, I know what it\u2019s like to have a character lose screen time in the reboot, I do very much like the use of Yabu and Domon together here.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Because it makes perfect sense, I have no room to complain either! Poor Shima. That said, what does Yabu\u2019s voice actor, Cho, have to say about Yabu\u2019s active return to the series? <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cYabu has mostly been overshadowed so far, so I was surprised to see him in the film. I didn\u2019t know about it until I read the script. I had no advance notice from the staff that he would play such an active role. He\u2019s not dead, he\u2019s alive…and he has a family!<\/span><\/p>\n

Basically, I don\u2019t think Yabu has fundamentally changed. Like a corporate warrior, he does what he has to to make a living. There\u2019s nothing cool about him, but he\u2019s stubbornly trying to survive.<\/span><\/p>\n

At first, the only thing that mattered to him was himself, but when he got a family, I think some of the things that were important to him changed. When you\u2019re away from your family, you realize how important they are. I think he\u2019s strong because he\u2019s used to being knocked down. That\u2019s a part of him that resonates with me in 2205<\/em>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cIt was just the momentum of the time,\u201d Domon explains. \u201cIt\u2019s called populism. It was a choice without conviction. That\u2019s why people are scared of the possibility of another war. There\u2019s even an outrageous rumor that the military manipulated the voting results.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yabu has to laugh. \u201cSorry. It\u2019s funny that a traitor and a troublemaker are discussing politics on Yamato<\/em>\u2019s observation deck.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cForgive me for not being able to help you solve your communication problem,\u201d Domon apologizes. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right,\u201d Yabu assures him. \u201cI\u2019m glad I can talk to someone like this.\u201d <\/p>\n

[AMB]: Do we think there\u2019s any value to these rumors? I trust Domon\u2019s assessment that it\u2019s ridiculous to think the military would rig the vote against the Time Fault – they practically lobbied for it!<\/span><\/p>\n

And Yabu\u2019s right, it\u2019s absurd to see these two misfits bond over politics aboard Yamato<\/em>, though admittedly wholesome. His comment about \u201ctalking to someone like this\u201d can also easily be inferred to mean, \u201cI\u2019m glad I have someone to vent my frustrations with in a relaxed manner.\u201d It\u2019s sweet.<\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: I couldn\u2019t say if the votes were manipulated in the reality of the fiction, but I definitely think that the line was put in because that seems to be a common if not always true accusation that we see in our own reality. <\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: That\u2019s probably true. Fukui does have a penchant for including allusions to modern day struggles, both philosophically and politically. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[KC]: And yes, I am all in favor of the emotional and psychological benefits Domon and Yabu will hopefully experience from their bonding over being the mistrusted outsiders.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: We\u2019ve spoken about Domon for quite a bit, but not about his voice actor, Tasuku Hatanaka. A star in modern animation, he\u2019s a young and fresh talent. Had he seen Yamato<\/em> before this? And what does he think about Yamato<\/em>?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not from that generation (who grew up with Yamato<\/em>), but I knew the song, and the sound director I was working with told me about Yamato<\/em>. It was not far from my mind. I felt the magnitude of Yamato<\/em>\u2018s influence. However, I wondered if it was okay for a beginner to join in. I sort of felt like I didn\u2019t have permission. But what is portrayed is a universal theme that’s familiar to all ages. What’s the right choice to make as a human being? I was able to be involved in this project, and it made me think. Its human drama is deep, and I felt the heat to the point of tears. I really like it.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the core, it asks, what do you do for people who have lost their loved ones? It depicts very important things, such as issues between nations and the choice between life and death. To be honest, we in our twenties don\u2019t have many opportunities to think about such things. Watching this film is an experience that we can gain, and it makes us think, \u2018What choice would I make?\u2019 Watching Kodai\u2019s back, I couldn\u2019t stop crying at times. We don\u2019t have drinking parties at the moment because of the Corona pandemic, but when one of my seniors used to say, \u2018Let\u2019s go for a drink!\u2019 I had doubts. But I found what they had to say was very interesting, and it made my heart beat faster. This may be similar to that experience.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

<\/p>\n

Something seems to occur to Domon. <\/p>\n

\u201cIf my father knew that I was on Yamato<\/em> he\u2019d be so happy that he\u2019d be jumping around. Once the Time Fault was gone, a small subcontractor like us couldn\u2019t survive. As the company owner, my father wouldn\u2019t vote for the rescue of Captain Kodai. But what he really wanted would be…\u201d Domon thinks back to the day his father died, lying motionless on the highway.<\/p>\n

\u201cAccident or suicide; even now we\u2019re still not sure. What\u2019s for sure, is, he was exhausted from managing finances,\u201d Domon thinks back to his father\u2019s financial woes, with call upon call bringing bad news. The image of his slumped back, head in his hands seems to strike a chord in Domon\u2019s heart. His mind wanders back to the highway incident.<\/p>\n

[AMB]: This tragic fate of the small business company man is actually reflected in the character philosophy of Yabu, as described by head writer Fukui. Even without his words, one can still infer his fate as loosely connected to that of small businesses all over the world in the wake of the Covid pandemic. Men like Ryuzo could do nothing but accept where the tides of time were moving, and suddenly, one day, he dies. Here\u2019s what Fukui had to say when asked about Yabu:<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

“I put the burden on Yabu of not knowing what would happen tomorrow. Now I can\u2019t even remember what it was like without him. I thought about what our generation is going through now. I thought about ‘changing jobs.’ He was supposed to have been employed by one company (Yamato<\/em>) and been safe for the rest of his life, but he was betrayed at every turn and cast away by his former employer. Now he\u2019s working hard at a new company (Garmillas) and gets ordered to go to his old company for technical reasons. Everyone at the old place stares at him. But he has a family now, so he can\u2019t quit.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“It\u2019s not like he\u2019s going to lose his entire hometown, but at his age, he\u2019s not sure if he\u2019s able to leave. A lot of things could happen to his family due to health problems or something. I thought that if we could make him smile again at the end, the story would win. I was totally focused on that feeling.”<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cWhen I found him, he was still alive. He looked up at the sky and smiled. It was the very moment when Yamato<\/em> returned from the higher dimension. \u2018A hero who saved Earth.\u2019 Be that as it may, bearing my father\u2019s death in mind, the emerging hero appeared to me as a demon. Why did he smile?\u201d <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Back in the past, Ryusuke\u2019s father Ryuzo casts a cursory glance at the sky, then at his son, a smile adorning his face in his final moments.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll figure it out,\u201d Yabu assures him, clarifying when Domon looks at him curiously. \u201cOh, sorry. I feel like I can understand him because of who I am now. After all, you were with your father when he–\u201c<\/p>\n

[AMB]: What Yabu is inferring here is that one man\u2019s hero can easily be seen as another man\u2019s villain through a certain lens or perspective. We see this all the time in mankind\u2019s historical wars. If you ask the French and the British what they think about Napoleon, you\u2019ll get a broadly different (generally speaking) set of answers. Hero to the french, villain to the British. It\u2019s a very postmodern way of applying critique through reflection and introspection. <\/span><\/p>\n

Young boys like Domon, who grow up in plentitude and prosperity, have an easier time swallowing these concepts, than for example Shima did in 2199<\/em>, at the height of misery for mankind. Domon can question the goodness of Yamato<\/em>\u2019s spirit, but Shima could barely get himself to accept that the EDF military shot first against Garmillas. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[KC]: Perspective is key.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Why did Ryuzo smile at the end? The answer is found in the last episode, with a major hint almost slipping from Yabu\u2019s mouth here. What do you think he was trying to say to Domon? <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: My takeaway was that it was just a general acceptance, and Domon is recalling it because he, too, is starting to come to terms with things.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Since we’re deep in spoiler territory, I\u2019ll just point it out: Ryuzo was happy he had the opportunity to see his son one last time, by his side, as he passed away. We\u2019ll eventually get the why, later. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Yabu is cut off when the door bursts open and a number of crew members runs through, dressing hurriedly. Sakamoto stops to fill them in.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Domon, this is big! Planet Garmillas! Planet Garmillas was–\u201d<\/p>\n

Yabu\u2019s speechless as we cut to Kodai and Yuki, who are equally shocked as Shima finishes telling them the same thing.<\/p>\n

\u201c…destroyed. The planet was under attack by an unknown enemy shortly before.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

In space we see Admiral Deitz\u2019s fleet. His reaction on the bridge as he receives the news.<\/p>\n

[AMB]: Dietz’ reaction is very much warranted. Even though he was once betrayed by the system he so dutifully served, he still loves his homeworld. At least he can feel safe, knowing his daughter Melda\u2019s serving as an ambassador on Iscandar. Interesting to note is that his ship is staffed by common soldiers just like Berger\u2019s Lambea<\/em>, rather than imperial clones that we see aboard Dessler\u2019s flagships in 2202<\/em> and 2205<\/em>. <\/span><\/p>\n

The BGM here is called Crisis of Iscandar<\/em>, a New Voyage<\/em> original rarely heard outside the movie, I think its inclusion here leaves a strong impact.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut it\u2019s unclear whether the attack was related to the planet\u2019s destruction,\u201d Shima continues, as images of EDF HQ in full panic flash by. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t know if the enemy was the Bolar Federation or not,\u201d adds Niimi.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cThe migration project had just begun, so…\u201d <\/p>\n

Aboard Yamato<\/em>\u2019s bridge, Ambassador Burrel yells into a headset as Serizawa looks on, perturbed. <\/p>\n

\u201c…The majority of the Garmillas people would have been caught in the planet\u2019s destruction…most likely.\u201d Shima finishes grimly.<\/p>\n

[AMB]: But unlike Dietz, Burrel has a strong connection to Garmillas as a source of tradition and spirituality. The homeworld he gave so many years of his life to is gone in the blink of an eye, and as a former intelligence agency spook, he\u2019s desperately trying to make sure a mistake hasn\u2019t been made in reporting. Serizawa, who too knows the pain and fear of losing one\u2019s home… he just quietly stands in the back, unsure of how to express his sympathies. <\/span><\/p>\n

For Yabu, Garmillas was a found home, a found family. The idea that everything that managed to give him meaning in life could suddenly have died is devastating. To the observant viewer who can distance themselves from Yabu\u2019s shock and grief, Shima\u2019s comment verifies the strong possibility that his wife Varna and her kids may have survived among the refugees who crashed on Iscandar. Perhaps as if to toy with the audience, however, we aren\u2019t given another glimpse of them until the very last episode, keeping new viewers in complete suspense. The cruelty of the breakdown of communication in wartime is on full display.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[KC]: The truth is that I had presumed the writers were going to triple down on tragedy and have them not survive.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: How cruel would that be?<\/span><\/p>\n

Back at his computer terminal, Yabu tries to connect with growing distress.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost of the migration ships appear to have been destroyed,\u201d Niimi tells Kodai and Yuki. \u201cA group of survivors has landed on Iscandar, but…\u201d<\/p>\n

Shima takes over. \u201cIscandar itself is in big trouble because it has left its orbit, moving out of control. The Dessler Fleet is in pursuit. An estimated 100,000 refugees have landed on Iscandar. We have no idea what kind of natural disasters are happening. I doubt the Dessler Fleet alone can save them.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[KC]: I really love the way this scene is laid out. So much more time is spent on the impact if this news. Really emotional. Not that Dessler\u2019s reaction isn\u2019t up there, but I believe in New Voyage<\/em>, the reaction of Dessler and the rest of his bridge crew is really all we got.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: And for good reason. In the original work, Garmillas’ destruction was assured by both Dessler and Yamato<\/em>\u2019s personal war. They tore apart whatever sense of life and civilization there was left, so there\u2019s not much personal connection left to the planet for anyone but Dessler in New Voyage<\/em>. Here, it\u2019s the living, breathing hub of a former empire, with dozens of planets still presumably under its wing. They have friends and allies who live there, whom they trust and respect.<\/span><\/p>\n

The refugee situation, by the way, is to me at least a clear allusion to the same struggle presented in Yamato Resurrection<\/em>. There, however, it\u2019s not Garmillans migrating to a new home, it\u2019s the entirety of Earth\u2019s population migrating to planet Amal.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

On Iscandar in the middle of a blizzard, retired Garmillas Captain Vance Baren is involved in repairs. \u201cHow could this be?\u201d he asks the open air. Hilde turns to look at him. \u201cRight around there, that was our home planet,\u201d Baren says, reaching out. Even though it was dying, how could it go before me?\u201d<\/p>\n

[AMB]: Vance may be familiar to some observant viewers. In 2199<\/em>, he famously acted as the drill missile pilot in the Rainbow Star Cluster battle, and later served with Berger in Ark of the Stars<\/em>. We briefly saw him aboard Dessler\u2019s Super Gelvades at the end of 2202<\/em>, but since then, according to his character profile, he\u2019s retired at the ripe age of 70, following Garmillas democratization. <\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s a clear parallel drawn here between a native, retired Garmillan Captain, and a Zaltsian refugee with unsure allegiances, both viewing the death of Garmillas in different ways. The shock of losing his home scars the battered Varen, whom we will later find out may have taken part in the destruction of planet Zalts, Hilde\u2019s homeworld. The BGM in this scene, based on Azure Crystal<\/em> from 2199<\/em>, is called Sanctel<\/em>. It\u2019s an ominous, brooding variation that belies the darkness hiding in Iscandar\u2019s underground sanctuary. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

On the science behind the rapid climate change, we have professor Shinya Ogura to once more impart some helpful knowledge:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn the original version of The New Voyage<\/em>, the royal city of Iscandar was hit by a blizzard as the planet began to move. In the remake of 2205<\/em>, we decided to verify this. We asked, ‘Is it possible for Iscandar, far from the sun of Salezar, to experience the kind of climate change depicted in the original?’ The first step was to find out. To answer this question, I consulted with Professor Shosuke Hayashi of Kobe University Graduate School.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“The \u2018Royal Palace of Iscandar in the midst of a blizzard\u2019 scene can be considered as scientifically-possible climate change. The point here is that the entire planet does not immediately freeze over just because Salezar is far from the sun. The surface of the land will quickly cool down, but the heat stored in Iscandar\u2019s ocean (latent heat) will not be lost so easily. The difference in temperature between the land and the sea creates wind, and the air moves rapidly toward the land. It is theoretically possible that the sudden cooling of the atmosphere toward the land will cause a snowstorm.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

<\/p>\n

Inside the palace, Melda tells Starsha they don\u2019t know why Iscandar is still accelerating or how badly the surface will deteriorate as a consequence. She implores Starsha to open up the entrance to \u201cSanctel,\u201d beneath the royal capital, claiming this to be the only way to save the 100,000 Garmillas refugees. <\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Yurisha says to Melda\u2019s surprise. \u201cI can\u2019t allow you to do that. It\u2019s a sanctuary reserved for royalty. We cannot accept strangers who have not undergone the ritual.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRitual?\u201d Melda asks.<\/p>\n

[KC]: Okay, what, now? That is not very Benevolent Space Goddess of you. Oh, wait, we’re talking about the woman who made the Earthlings confront her highly aggressive neighbor, who was trying to annihilate them, for the means of their salvation and then had the nerve to try to deny said salvation because Earth used her tech as a weapon to protect themselves from the aforementioned highly aggressive neighbor. So, yeah. I guess this is pretty standard Iscandarian B.S.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: In Starsha\u2019s defense, she left Yurisha to guide them away from active military engagements with Garmillas. Their task was to see past war and conflict, and to reach Iscandar without being blinded by thoughts of vengeance. Bearing in mind a millennia of watchful guidance, Iscandar initially viewed Earth\u2019s decision to engage with the Garmillan military on Garmillas in 2199<\/em> (ep 23) as a sign of Earthling belligerence, and rightfully so. They were specifically told not to abuse Wave-Motion Energy, yet did so regardless, creating a weapon capable of the same self-destruction that eventually befell the Iscandarians.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Dessler makes the same point to Starsha when she calls to complain: \u201cThe ship you brought here uses WME as a weapon, as well,\u201d he tells her, justifying his preemptive strike with a similar weapon (an amplified Dessler Cannon).<\/span><\/p>\n

What Starsha saw in the Earthlings was their capacity to become what eventually broke Abelt, even if they had the same good intentions he initially had. Power hungry, perpetually evolving technologically superior beings who viewed war and expansionism as a tool to enforce peace.<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2202<\/em>, we see Earth almost treading that very same path, until Yamato<\/em>\u2019s actions convinced the powers that be to develop in a different direction. Was she not right in predicting that after we opened said Pandora\u2019s box, we’d eventually use WME to snuff out countless lives, and later abuse the byproduct of the Cosmo Reverse System – the Time Fault – in order to mass-produce military hardware?<\/span> <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[KC]: It\u2019s definitely an unfair indulgence on my part, because I do get judgey about Earth using Iscandar tech as a weapon, but I get judgey about Iscandar, too. Really, for a space opera, a genre that often lays things out in two dimensions, the lesson of this series is that much of the time, the \u201cgood guys\u201d can do bad things and the \u201cbad guys\u201d can do good things.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Well said.<\/span><\/p>\n

As for this \u201critual,\u201d it\u2019s a necessity of a different kind. To join the spirits resting in the sanctuary, it really is necessary to perform the ritual. The normally cheerful Yurisha reveals why she\u2019s opposed to housing migrants in the sanctuary by her demeanor; there\u2019s something about the ritual that strips you of your humanity to some extent, a heavy price you shouldn\u2019t force yourself to pay just because of pressing circumstances.<\/span><\/p>\n

Iscandar\u2019s pacifism, secret underground base of knowledge and weapons, and ancient past slowly unveiling itself are all elements borrowed from Yamato III<\/em>\u2019s planet Shalbart, which likewise refused to engage in conflicts because it had in the past subjugated the known universe with its advanced weaponry.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Berger, meanwhile, is leading a small vanguard chasing the runaway planet, determined not to let what remains of their people be whisked away. But they are barely keeping up at maximum combat speed, and Iscandar is still accelerating!<\/p>\n

\u201cIt didn\u2019t just leave orbit,\u201d Berger muses. \u201cThere must be something ahead. What is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

An alarm goes off on the bridge. Multiple Geshtam signatures detected! <\/p>\n

From the gates emerges a fleet of dark, red lit, triangular ships. Deda has arrived. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[AMB]: The new ships emerging here are Dezarium’s regular Pleiades<\/em> and Hyades<\/em>-class ships. Strangely enough, their warpout effect seems to have the same hull cooling feature as EDF ships. And based on what we can read about the Hyades<\/em>-class, we can infer that those ships are remote controlled by the likes of Deda and his Great Pleiades<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Find mecha specs here<\/a><\/span> <\/p>\n

\u201cEliminate the noise,\u201d Deda orders with a grin as the new ships open fire on Berger\u2019s fleet.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho are they?\u201d Berger asks in rhetorical indignation. \u201cI see. They\u2019re the owners of those spears. If so…\u201d most of Berger\u2019s ships manage to evade fire as they maneuver around to engage with this new enemy. \u201cDon\u2019t be afraid,\u201d Berger calls out. \u201cUnlike the spears, we can shoot them down!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFan out, Berger!\u201d broadcasts an alarmed Frakken, as he and an escort of four Dimensional Submarines bring Dessler\u2019s flagship and its Dessler Cannon out of subspace. It fires its retaliatory beam, melting an entire enclave of Dezarium ships and grazing the Great Pleiades<\/em>. Berger barely made it to safety.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re the enemy who destroyed Planet Garmillas,\u201d Dessler says, standing at his firing mechanism. \u201cDon\u2019t let even one ship escape! Annihilate them!\u201d<\/p>\n

[KC]: This whole scene? Very sexy.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Berger\u2019s a brave, dauntless man. And aesthetically pleasing all around. I\u2019m especially infatuated with the shot of Deusula III<\/em> and its space submarine escorts fanning out! Speaking of which, there are four of them now! Their numbers increased back in 2202<\/em>, and thankfully, not a single submarine\u2019s been lost yet. Frakken\u2019s a cautious and well-meaning commander, as evidenced by how he just saved Berger from certain death. <\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s interesting to note that, though the design documents for the Dezarium Hammers name them as such, they\u2019re never named in 2205<\/em>. Of cultural note it\u2019s curious to hear Berger likening them to spears, rather than hammers or pistons. And even though Berger\u2019s a valued ally, Dessler almost kills the man in his blind rage! Come on man, don\u2019t let Domel-adjacent pals suffer his fate! This also happens to be the first time we witness the new Gesh Darbam<\/em>, which is more colloquially known as the Dessler cannon. Mighty powerful piece of tech isn\u2019t it? <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: His Majesty does like his weapons of mass destruction.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Or perhaps weapons of mass protection?<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

We also receive more information about Dezarium here. Eliminating \u201cthe noise\u201d? Deda\u2019s not just referring to rabble here, but actually obstacles to the prosperity of whatever time(line) they hail from. And though their ships are technologically superior, they can still suffer physical damage! Still tough nuts to crack, though. <\/span><\/p>\n

Back aboard the Great Pleiades<\/em>, Deda takes note of the Dessler Cannon. A faceless subordinate reports that this falls under \u201csituation prediction of 0.06.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cBegin corrective action and share with all ships,\u201d another responds. Deda rises from his thorny throne, stunned at Deusula III<\/em>\u2019s sudden emergence.<\/p>\n

[KC]: I\u2019m having another bad feeling. This is because Dessler just had a cool scene, isn\u2019t it?<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Possibly. Balance between joy and misery is necessary! What do you have to say about this whole \u201csituation prediction\u201d business? Personally, I think it lends further credence to our theory-crafting. Are they predicting future events? Or are they perhaps simply retracing their own past records? <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[KC]: Honestly, I figured it was the energy of the Garmillas weapon being analyzed here, and the subtlest of hints that shooting that thing would be a big mistake.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: That\u2019s a very rational perspective. On another note, I just realized the \u201cGreat Pleiades<\/em>\u201d name might be a cheeky Gundam<\/em> reference. In the original series, the great big red flagship of patriarch and dictator Degwin Zabi was called the Great Degwin<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe needle jumped, didn\u2019t it, Deda?\u201d Meldarz taunts.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s within the margin of fluctuation,\u201d Deda replies.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen let\u2019s get back to the original timeline.\u201d<\/p>\n

To the shock of all Garmillas present, Iscandar warps away. Talan is the one to voice their disbelief and dismay.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt can\u2019t be. A planet was forced to…Geshtam jump?!\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[KC]: A Quantum Leap reference might be tasteless but the visual effect is similar. It does glow with the same light that transports Dr. Sam Beckett! Hurry, Star Force! Iscandar is gone and there are only five episodes left!<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: With this, the needle has jumped. Deusula III<\/em> was definitely not supposed to be here, as is evidenced by Deda and Meldarz\u2019 dumbfounded reactions. On the \u201clet\u2019s get back to the original timeline,\u201d line, one can easily interpret Meldarz to say \u201clet\u2019s return to the original timeline (as it once was).\u201d Whatever deterioration has befallen their world is of urgent need of fixing. <\/span><\/p>\n

Closing thoughts on this episode? <\/span><\/p>\n

[KC]: The destruction of Garmillas was far more tragic this time around. Fortunately, so was Dessler\u2019s redemption.<\/span><\/p>\n

[AMB]: Surprisingly enough, 2205<\/em> lends itself much better to the episodic format than I believe 2202<\/em> did. I\u2019d argue it\u2019s best to view 2202<\/em> in its original Chapter chunks, rather than sporadic episodes. But here? You could have a wonderful experience no matter which road you go down!<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

This episode presented a harrowing, heart-pounding journey of excitement and tears! At first I was in disbelief that the 2205<\/em> staff had the guts to blow up Garmillas in spite of its importance to the world-building. But now I see it as the necessary evil required to motivate the Galman integration of Garmillan and Zaltsian citizens. The lack of Alterians does make you wonder what happened to them, though. Most likely, they returned to their home planet after the democratization of Garmillas.<\/span><\/p>\n

All in all, this episode adapted about 13 minutes from The New Voyage<\/em> and 3 or so minutes from Yamato III<\/em>. Since this series has a few stragglers who have survived past their original counterparts, it\u2019s reasonable to expand on the death of Garmillas and new story elements. So far, 2205<\/em> has adapted 41 minutes from New Voyage<\/em>\u2019s 95-minute length.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Continue to Episode 4<\/a><\/p>\n

Coda<\/h3>\n

Theatrical release: Space Battleship Yamato 2205, The New Voyage<\/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><\/em> Production Committee<\/p>\n

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