{"id":45034,"date":"2025-08-29T22:55:03","date_gmt":"2025-08-30T05:55:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault\/?p=45034"},"modified":"2026-09-14T10:23:47","modified_gmt":"2026-09-14T17:23:47","slug":"158b","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault\/158b\/","title":{"rendered":"Yamato<\/em> Year 1984, Part 2"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

Back up to Part 1<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

PUBLISHING<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

December 10, 1983: My Anime<\/em>, January issue<\/h3>\n

The first entry in this section actually appeared in December ’83, but hey what’s that thing on your shoulder? The January ’84 issue of My Anime<\/em> included an article (part 8 in a series) advising fans on the culture and etiquette of cosplay at anime events. Nestled into this article was a sight to rival the infamous “Star Blazers<\/em> gang” that appeared at the 1983 Worldcon<\/a> in Baltimore.<\/p>\n

The text reads as follows:<\/p>\n

Nostalgic award<\/span><\/h3>\n

This is definitely not a photo from several years ago. It’s from the recent summer Comiket, and is referred to as a \u201ccosplay fossil.\u201d It’s a precious photo from Norichika Arai.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

January 10: Animage<\/em>, February issue<\/h3>\n

The first Animage<\/em> for 1984 took a look back at the state of the expanding anime industry in ’83, and one segment offered this enthusiastic outlook:<\/p>\n

Theatrical anime, moving beyond compilation film<\/span><\/h3>\n

Of the 18 animated films released in 1983, only three \u2013 Xabungle Graffiti, Document Dougram<\/em>, and Nine<\/em> \u2013 were slightly modified versions of TV series released as compilation films. Of the nine films released in March, none were compilation films. All were original works. It’s safe to say that the compilation film boom, which began with Space Battleship Yamato<\/em>, has come to an end.<\/span><\/p>\n

With excellent films made specifically for theaters, such as Urusei Yatsura\/Only You, Crusher Joe, Harmagedon, Unico<\/em>, and Golgo 13<\/em>, it felt like a year in which we could fully appreciate the meticulous way films are made, a style unique to theatrical releases. The trend of increasing the number of theatrical animated films, which require more time and involve gathering a talented staff, will continue this year as well. For fans, this is truly wonderful.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

February 15: Fun Anime Trivia Encyclopedia<\/em><\/h3>\n

The good people at Hakusensha released a satisfyingly dense paperback of interviews, insights, anecdotes, backgrounders, and tutorials. TV anime was now just 20 years old (one more year to drinking age) and there was plenty of info to round up, including more than a few Yamato<\/em> features that added new details to the archive.<\/p>\n

Read all the Yamato<\/em>-related content here<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

March: Comics Collector<\/em> No. 3<\/h3>\n

This bi-monthly magazine from Krause Publications (who also brought us the Weekly Comics Buyer’s Guide)<\/em> was an excellent source for comics news, history, and analysis. It eased into the world of anime when an energetic young fan by the name of Ardith Carlton contributed an article that introduced the world of Yamato<\/em> to English-speaking fans.<\/p>\n

All the images in the article were horizontally flipped for no very good reason, but Ardith was (and still is) one of the world’s most informed Yamato<\/em> fans, so the content was thoroughly reliable.<\/p>\n

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

<\/p>\n

March\/April: Star Blazers W.C.C. Animation Comics<\/em> begin<\/h3>\n

In the days before home video was commonplace, this was a perfect chance to relive the first TV series on a scene-by-scene basis. Moreover, it was proof that Star Blazers<\/em> hadn’t been a mere dream. Someone with publishing power knew there was a void to be filled and had taken steps to do just that. Naturally, it could only have been Yoshinobu Nishizaki. It was right there in the title banner: W.C.C. stood for West Cape Corporation.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

There was no shortage of books on the Series 1 in Japan, but this was unique to the English-speaking world rather than a translation of something that came before. It read left-to-right and even offered bonus material. Five volumes were published, and to this day, we’ve seen nothing else like it.<\/p>\n

Read much more about these books here<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The Yamato<\/em> fan club did not miss out on this action; the Animation Comics were offered right along with other high-end merch in this flyer, which was sent out to the entire membership.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

April 10: Animedia<\/em>, May issue<\/h3>\n

There were two points of interest in this issue. First, a full-page ad for the W.C.C. Video Library (above right), which offered the first Yamato<\/em> series on VHS and Beta, all five of the movies, and “BIG NEWS” for Triton of the Sea<\/em><\/a> fans: all 27 episodes in a 5-volume set. Also on offer: Ieyasu Tokugawa<\/em> (a live-action NHK “taiga drama”), Dallos<\/em> (the first anime OAV), and a complete set of Future Boy Conan<\/em>. All at exhorbitant prices, of course.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Second, the center of the magazine included this spread highlighting the artistry of favorite opening titles with the following analysis of Yamato<\/em>:<\/p>\n

Nostalgic anime character graffiti special edition, a different kind of opening theme by genre<\/span><\/h3>\n

The opening theme song is like the face of the show. Therefore, the content of the story becomes clear. Also, the songs make waves on the hit charts and attract attention. So let’s enjoy the masterpiece of the opening once again.<\/p>\n

Science-fiction<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

The opening of Yamato<\/em> stands out among science-fiction anime. The film prominently features the Space battleship Yamato<\/em> as a mecha. It uses direction that expresses the mecha itself, capturing Yamato<\/em> from various angles and showing close-ups of each part in motion. This kind of treatment of mecha is common now, but at the time only Yamato<\/em> did it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Overview<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Yamato<\/em> aired from October 1974 to March 1975, and now several movies have been based on it. It’s considered a classic anime masterpiece, but when it was broadcast, it struggled against Heidi girl of the Alps<\/em>. The viewership rating for the first episode was a shocking 2%!<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

May 10: The Anime<\/em>, June issue<\/h3>\n

The arrival of Star Blazers<\/em> Animation Comics in America did not escape notice in Japan. In fact, West Cape Corporation itself made them available through the Yamato<\/em> Fan Club. The Anime<\/em> obtained five sets of the first three volumes and offered them in this month’s giveaway contest. In case it was the first time you ever heard of such a thing…<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

…this article was found deeper in the magazine to do some ‘splainin.<\/p>\n

Yamato<\/em> launch to America!<\/span><\/h3>\n

As the catalyst for the current anime boom, Space Battleship Yamato<\/em> remains an unshakable, timeless masterpiece. Its enduring popularity in Japan as well known, but across the ocean, Yamato<\/em> is also beginning to capture people’s hearts in America. The overseas version of Yamato<\/em>, titled Star Blazers<\/em>, is airing to great acclaim in the US, generating considerable buzz. Now, a full color comic book \u2013 all in English, of course \u2013 of this overseas version of Yamato<\/em> has been released. Volumes 1 through 3 are currently available with plans to release up to volume 5.<\/span><\/p>\n

What’s interesting is that, along with the storyline, all the characters names have been changed. Susumu Kodai is now Derek Wildstar, Yuki Mori is Nova, and Dessler is Desslok. It’s interesting to compare it to the original Yamato<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The price is \u00a51300 per book, including shipping. Those interested should send a piece of paper with their postal code, address, name, age, telephone number, and the words \u201cI saw it in The Anime<\/em>\u201d clearly written on it, along with payment for the desired number of books. Additionally, deluxe editions of Final Yamato<\/em>, including a lavish book and a complete music collection, are also on sale. For more details, please inquire at the address listed here.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

June: Comics Collector<\/em> No. 4<\/h3>\n

The party continued with the first in-print review of Star Blazers Animation Comics<\/em> Vol. 1 and 2 by the editors of the magazine, and Ardith Carlton returned to provide a much wider view on the exciting world of anime and manga.<\/p>\n

Read these articles here<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

June 10: Animedia<\/em>, July issue<\/h3>\n

More than a year after the premiere of Final Yamato<\/em>, its impact was still felt in a reader survey titled “Shocking Scene Best 10.” The magazine was observing its 3-year anniversary, and anything released during those years was fair game. Here’s how Yamato<\/em> fared:<\/p>\n

Finally, the end of Yamato<\/em> is here…<\/span><\/h3>\n

Seventh place, 555 votes<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

We’ve been watching it since we were little. Yamato<\/em>, sinking into the water, it’s sad to see it go…<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFarewell Earth…\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

It’s been about ten years since it was first broadcast on TV in 1974. Space battleship Yamato<\/em>, which spearheaded the current anime boom, is now ranked seventh for its \u201cself-sinking\u201d scene in The Final Chapter<\/em>, where the heroic image of Yamato<\/em> vanishes from the sight of fans.<\/span><\/p>\n

In Final Yamato<\/em>, the crisis that threatened Earth was beyond imagination. The approach of the giant water planet Aquarius threatened to submerge Earth. To prevent this, Yamato<\/em> stood in the way of the flood leading from Aquarius to Earth, loaded with heavy water. The first captain, Juzo Okita, pulled the trigger of the Wave-Motion Gun, and with its muzzle blocked, Yamato<\/em> caused a massive explosion due to the reaction of the reverse-flowing Wave Energy and heavy water. It severed the flood, saving Earth, and then sank into Aquarius.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYamato<\/em>, which I watched since I was little, has now sunk underwater…\u201d
\n– Kazuaki Sakai, Yamanashi prefecture<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Given that self-sacrifice was a theme of Yamato<\/em>, and it was a work that had been supported by anime fans for a long 10 years, the scene of Yamato<\/em> sinking was itself a huge shock. Yamato<\/em> had truly reached its final moment and returned to the sea once more.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

June 10: My Anime<\/em>, July issue<\/h3>\n

Over in the pages of this magazine, someone was having fun at Star Trek<\/em>‘s expense. A page in the “Cine Patrol” section took at look at The Search for Spock<\/em> and a cartoonist added their own comment next to the headline, “Has Star Trek<\/em> finally become like Yamato?<\/em>” The word balloons read as follows:<\/p>\n

1. This is an image board showing the Enterprise<\/em> exploding!
\n2. And finally, Spock and Kirk are united in body and soul.
\n3. It’s logical.
\n4. I feel like I’ve heard this somewhere before…<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

August: Epic Illustrated<\/em> No. 25<\/h3>\n

Believe it or not, Marvel Comics was the next American publisher to offer Yamato<\/em> some sunlight. Their high-end SF\/fantasy magazine Epic Illustrated<\/em> published a 4-page overview by writer\/editor Jo Duffy that did a respectable job of explaining the Yamato<\/em> series from start to finish.<\/p>\n

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

<\/p>\n

September: The Micronauts, The New Voyages<\/em> Issue 4<\/h3>\n

And now it gets a little crazy. The Micronauts<\/em><\/a> was a monthly Marvel series that launched in fall 1978, based on a line of Mego Toys. In fact, this was the American version of a Japanese toy line created by Takara called Microman<\/a>. So there’s one Japan connection already.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The first Micronauts<\/em> series ended in early ’84 and the numbering started over with The New Voyages<\/em>. It’s tempting to think this title was inspired by Yamato<\/em>, but probably untrue. On the other hand, a VERY obvious Yamato<\/em> influence could be found inside Issue 4.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

That “fop” sure looks like a Gamilon we all know and love, and that space pirate on the dance floor seems familiar. Could our heroes have fallen into the Leijiverse instead of the Microverse?<\/p>\n

See a video flip-through of this issue here<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

November 10: The Anime<\/em>, December issue<\/h3>\n

The December issue of The Anime<\/em> brought us some more Yamato<\/em>-related content. In observance of its 5th anniversary, the magazine published five conversations with various anime creators discussing the state of the industry. The discussion relevant to Yamato<\/em> was between Noboru Ishiguro and Toyoo Ashida, both Series 1 veterans who had since founded their own studios.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Then, in the center of the magazine could be found a 16-page booklet titled “Record\/Video Sound & Visual Big Research” that examined the evolution of anime music, a space in which Yamato<\/em> played a major role.<\/p>\n

Read both of these articles here<\/a><\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n

FAN ACTIVITY<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n

Fans in the US were as active in 1984 as they’d ever been with an increasing awareness and energy around the world of anime and ever-expanding access thanks to home video. Japanese fans were still at the front lines, and launched their own Yamato<\/em> event for the first time. Here’s how it looked on both sides of the ocean:<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

February 17-19: Boskone 21 (Boston, Massachusetts)<\/h3>\n

Anime screening rooms were becoming a reliable feature at American SF conventions by this time, and the first one of the year had a banger lineup including Be Forever Yamato<\/em>, Final Yamato<\/em>, Harmagedon<\/em>, and more. Greater access was, of course, a direct result of the new home video flood. It should be noted that only the 35mm version of Final Yamato<\/em> was available at the time, since the 70mm reissue wouldn’t be released on video for another two months.<\/p>\n

See the Boskone 21 program book here<\/a><\/p>\n

March 16-18: Luna Con ’84 (Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey)<\/h3>\n

The second Star Blazers<\/em> video room was a feature at this convention, organized by fan club president Michael Pinto (who ran the first one at Luna Con ’83). The main feature was essentially a replay of the “great movie battle” of spring 1983 that pitted Final Yamato<\/em> against Crusher Joe<\/em> and Harmagedon<\/em>. In addition, the opening animation for Daicon III<\/em><\/a> got one of its first US screenings here. Anime fanzines also made a showing in the dealer’s room.<\/p>\n

Read more about Lunacon here<\/a><\/p>\n

March 22-25: Norwescon VII (Seattle, Washington)<\/h3>\n

Anime was screened here for the first time, and the starting lineup couldn’t have been stronger: Be Forever Yamato, My Youth in Arcadia, Mobile Suit Gundam<\/em>, and Final Yamato<\/em>. It was also reported that anime merchandise was plentiful in the dealer’s room, perhaps due to geographical proximity to San Francisco import hubs. Yamato<\/em> and Captain Harlock merch was the top seller, and local interest in Harlock seemed particularly high.<\/p>\n

See the Norwescon VII program book here<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

If you attended the Final Yamato<\/em> screening at Boskone, the Star Blazers<\/em> fan club had a bonus item for you: a 2-sided, trifold flyer that explained the world of Yamato<\/em> and gave you enough info on the film to get you started. This flyer has its own backstory, as told by its maker, Robert Fenelon:<\/p>\n

I created that trifold pamphlet in 1983 for the World Science-Fiction convention in Baltimore when we were going to show Final Yamato<\/em>. the lab sent us the wrong movie. We got Farewell to Yamato<\/em> instead, so we never got to deploy those flyers the way they\u2019re meant to, and I dumped them on freebie tables at conventions for the next few years.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read both sides of the flyer in a PDF here<\/a> (Special thanks to Roger Proctor for this find.)<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

March: Books Nippan spring catalog<\/h3>\n

Los Angeles-based Books Nippan was already providing a lifeline for anime products into America, but business got even busier when they became the exclusive conduit for the Star Blazers<\/em> Animation Comics.<\/p>\n

See a high-rez copy of their spring 1984 catalog here<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

April: Star Blazers<\/em> Fandom Report issue 13<\/h3>\n

The new Star Blazers<\/em> Animation Comics were the top story this time, earning strong reviews. There was info about The Anime<\/em> scene on American TV, an index of fanzines, the second part of Ardith Carlton’s Final Yamato<\/em> overview, the first announcement of Brian Cirulnick’s fan film Desslok’s Revenge, convention reports, and fan mail.<\/p>\n

Above right is a promo included in the issue for the New York-based Empiricon 5, which also featured its own anime screening room.<\/p>\n

See a complete PDF here<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

August 5: Yamato<\/em> Party ’84<\/h3>\n

From the very beginning, the spirit and energy of Yamato<\/em> was what motivated its fans the most. In hindsight, it seems inevitable that when they needed a rallying point in the wake of The Final Chapter<\/em>, they would simply create one themselves.<\/p>\n

The first Yamato<\/em> Party was held in 1984 so that fan circles who made doujinishi [fanzines] could gather to sell them in a meeting specifically for Yamato<\/em>. Doujinshi makers were active at Comiket back then, and many people went to meet those who wrote and drew the material. However, there were a lot of different works there, and it was not an effective place for a Yamato<\/em> fan. That’s why Yamato<\/em> Party was born. We added attractions such as a quiz and video screenings and gave fans a chance to network. The environment surrounding Yamato<\/em> has had sudden, busy changes, but the situation of the fans has never changed; it has always been enjoyable, as represented by Yamato<\/em> Party.<\/span><\/p>\n

-Masaru Enomoto<\/em>
\nYamato<\/em> Party Executive Committee Chairman<\/span><\/p>\n

(an excerpt from the introduction to Yamato Party Memorial<\/em>, 2002)<\/p>\n

Read about the history of Yamato<\/em> Party here<\/a><\/p>\n

Click here<\/a> to see and read the Yamato<\/em> Party ’84 program book<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

August 10: My Anime<\/em>, September issue<\/h3>\n

Apparently the noise level of US fandom was getting loud enough to make ripples, because this issue of My Anime<\/em> ran tidbits on the Star Blazers<\/em> Animation Comics and the presence of Books Nippan.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

August 30-September 3: LA Con II (42nd World SF Convention, Anaheim, CA)<\/h3>\n

The 42nd Worldcon<\/a> had a significant anime presence, including guest Yoshiyuki Tomino (Mobile Suit Gundam)<\/em>, the world premieres of Lensman, Tekkaman<\/em>, and the English-dubbed Macross<\/em> pilot, and extensive video screenings that elevated anime within literary sci-fi circles. There was even an open meeting of the local Star Blazers<\/em> fan club, almost certainly a first for the west coast.<\/p>\n

See the LA Con II program book here<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

September: Star Blazers<\/em> Fandom Report, issue 14<\/h3>\n

On tap this time were a Worldcon report, fanzine updates, tips for anime product collecting, fan comics, and member letters. New club organizer Robert Fenelon penned an editorial that (much like Nishizaki did in Japan) observed the rising fortunes of anime and examined how the Star Blazers<\/em> fan club was evolving in tandem.<\/p>\n

See a complete PDF here<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

December: Star Blazers<\/em> Fandom Report, issue 15<\/h3>\n

The last 1984 issue brought a more detailed Worldcon report, a look at the dawn of online anime fandom (just imagine!), a followup on the “club evolution” editorial, Brian Cirulnick’s tips on creating your own animation, a profile of Urusei Yatsura<\/em>, and fan mail.<\/p>\n

See a complete PDF here<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Japanese Doujinshis<\/h3>\n

The constantly expanding world of fanzines is not well represented by these two entries from 1984, but they should serve as proof enough that Yamato<\/em> doujinshi culture was alive and well. Stasia<\/em> Vol. 13, published on May 21 by a fan club called SCYFC Magellanic Stream, was 48 pages of high-density communication with fan art, definitely a paper precursor to social media.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Space Love<\/em> Vol. 12 (date and club unknown) took a similar approach over 112 pages, but with extra room for fan comics and short stories. There would be a lot more of this to come in the legacy years.<\/p>\n

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

<\/p>\n

What’s next<\/h3>\n

Searching for Odin<\/em> and The Bolar Wars<\/em> in 1985!<\/p>\n

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