{"id":38505,"date":"2024-10-11T16:59:41","date_gmt":"2024-10-11T23:59:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault\/?p=38505"},"modified":"2024-10-14T21:21:57","modified_gmt":"2024-10-15T04:21:57","slug":"991a","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault\/991a\/","title":{"rendered":"From Ratings Disaster to Unprecedented Boom: A 50-Year Journey"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"2410icon\"<\/p>\n

A summary of Yamato<\/em>‘s early years, struggling for TV ratings and ultimately catching fire due to timing, luck, and a fiercely loyal fan base. Published by Magmix<\/em> on the occasion of the 50th anniversary.<\/p>\n

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By Toshiharu Kagami
\nPublished October 6, 2024 at Magmix. See the original post here<\/a>.
\nTranslated by Anton Mei Brandt<\/em><\/p>\n

Space Battleship Yamato<\/em> \u2013 a name synonymous with anime’s golden age. It ultimately achieved phenomenal success, but its journey was one of dramatic resurrection following a crushing defeat.<\/p>\n


\nSamurai Giants \/ Space Battleship Yamato<\/em><\/p>\n

A Loss in the Ratings War: The Genesis of Yamato<\/em>‘s Legacy<\/h3>\n

October 6th, 2024 marks a significant milestone: the 50th anniversary of the first Space Battleship Yamato<\/em> TV series, broadcast in 1974. As we commemorate this half-century mark, it’s crucial to reflect on the legacy of a series that left an indelible mark on Japanese animation.<\/p>\n

Most anime enthusiasts are familiar with the basic premise of Yamato<\/em>. However, back in 1974, its innovative setting surprised even some within the anime industry, let alone the viewers.<\/p>\n

At the time, “TV Manga” (the common term for children’s animation) primarily focused on Earth-bound stories. Space operas were a rarity. Yet, following in Yamato<\/em>\u2019s wake, science-fiction anime gradually shifted toward stories set amidst the stars.<\/p>\n

In many ways, Yamato<\/em> was ahead of its time. But its path to success was anything but smooth. Its first major hurdle was the fierce battle for ratings, an unavoidable obstacle for any TV show, particularly during that era.<\/p>\n

Yamato<\/em> was slotted into the 7:30 PM Sunday time slot, succeeding the anime Samurai Giants.<\/em> However, this time slot was already occupied by Heidi, Girl of the Alps,<\/em> the sixth installment of the wildly popular World Masterpiece Theater<\/em> series, a ratings juggernaut. Adding to the pressure, Tsuburaya Productions\u2019 (creators of Ultraman)<\/em> new live-action special effects show, SF Drama: Army of the Apes,<\/em> was also set to premiere on the same day and time.<\/p>\n


\nHeidi, Girl of the Alps \/ Army of the Apes<\/em><\/p>\n

Facing such formidable competition, Yamato<\/em> strategically targeted an older audience, a stark contrast to the family-friendly Heidi<\/em> which primarily appealed to young children. This decision, born out of necessity, might have inadvertently contributed to the show\u2019s enduring appeal.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, Yamato<\/em> lost the ratings war, its planned episode count cut short to 26 (from 39). However, this was far from the end for the spacefaring battleship.<\/p>\n

The revival of Yamato<\/em> can be largely attributed to its reruns, which propelled its popularity to new heights. Unlike today, reruns were once a cultural phenomenon in Japan, often breathing new life into shows that had initially struggled. Lupin the Third<\/em> is a prime example \u2013 its reruns sparked a resurgence in popularity, leading to a second season and ultimately solidifying its place as an anime icon. Interestingly, Lupin<\/em> also initially aired in the same 7:30 PM Sunday slot as Yamato<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Today the internet can catapult even obscure shows to fame during their initial run, but back then, word-of-mouth was king. Schoolyard chatter among children played a crucial role in Yamato<\/em>‘s resurgence. As someone who experienced it firsthand, I can attest to the power of those playground conversations.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, for boys of that era, the Samurai Giants<\/em> time slot held more appeal than the family-oriented World MasterpieceTheater.<\/em> So, it\u2019s likely that many faced a choice between Army of the Apes<\/em> and Yamato<\/em>. Personally, still traumatized by the movie Planet of the Apes,<\/em> I was firmly in the Yamato<\/em> camp from the start.<\/p>\n

Through reruns and a dedicated network of young fans spreading the word, Yamato<\/em> steadily gained viewership and acclaim. However, there were other factors that contributed to its meteoric rise.<\/p>\n

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Yamato<\/em> turns a new page for Anime<\/h3>\n

The appeal of Yamato<\/em> wasn\u2019t limited to children. As mentioned earlier, it caught the attention of adults, particularly those within the creative industry.<\/p>\n

In 1975, just a year after its initial broadcast, Yamato<\/em> received the Seiun [Nebula] Award in the “Movie, Theater, and Media” category, a prestigious award determined by fan votes at the Japan Science-Fiction Convention. This marked the first time a TV anime had received this honor.<\/p>\n

However, it was the decision to re-edit the TV series into a theatrical film that truly propelled Yamato<\/em> into the mainstream. This marked a turning point, setting the stage for its unprecedented popularity.<\/p>\n

Another crucial factor was the support of the publishing industry. The June 1977 issue of Monthly OUT<\/em> (published by Minori Shobo), initially a subculture magazine, featured Yamato<\/em> in its first-ever anime special. The issue was so successful that it went into a rare reprint for a magazine. This success prompted OUT<\/em> to feature anime more frequently. (Read all about it here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

Following suit was the release of a Space Battleship Yamato<\/em> “Roman Album” (Tokuma Shoten) around August of the same year, a special edition of the children’s television magazine Terebiland<\/em>. The “Roman Album” series went on to feature many iconic anime titles, paving the way for the launch of the monthly anime magazine Animage<\/em> in May 1978. The emergence of Animage<\/em> brought significant attention to anime as a distinct genre in magazine publishing.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s worth noting that this period also saw the term “anime” (\u30a2\u30cb\u30e1) gain widespread acceptance. Before that, animated shows, tokusatsu, and other children\u2019s programming were collectively referred to as “TV Manga.” While the terms \u201canime\u201d and \u201ctokusatsu\u201d existed, they weren\u2019t commonly used. Yamato<\/em>, however, played a key role in changing this. The theatrical version actively promoted the use of the word “anime,” contributing to its eventual widespread adoption. This may have been a deliberate attempt to distinguish itself from children’s “TV Manga” and position itself as entertainment for all ages.<\/p>\n

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This cultural shift coincided with the formation of Yamato<\/em> fan clubs across Japan. This grassroots movement further fueled the success of the theatrical version, contributing to its phenomenal box office performance.<\/p>\n

Other factors also contributed to the film’s triumph. For example, when OUT<\/em> magazine published another Yamato<\/em> feature, they included information on purchasing advance tickets, leading to a surge in pre-sales. This success prompted a change from a limited Tokyo release to a nationwide premiere.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s even been said that Yamato<\/em> was the first Japanese film to have fans lining up overnight for tickets. The main attraction? Limited edition cels given to early attendees. At the time, obtaining such treasures was no easy feat, making them incredibly valuable to dedicated fans.<\/p>\n

Yamato<\/em>‘s influence extended far beyond these immediate impacts. Perhaps its most significant contribution was nurturing a new generation of talent who would go on to shape the anime industry. Prominent figures like Hideaki Anno and Yutaka Izubuchi have openly credited Yamato<\/em> as a primary source of inspiration for their careers.<\/p>\n

Without Yamato<\/em> and its role in popularizing anime, Japanese pop culture would be a very different landscape today. Its impact continues to resonate, a testament to its enduring legacy.<\/p>\n

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