Uchuu Senkan Yamato 2199

I have not seen the original Yamato, so this review has not "old-new" hate or nostalgia. It's about Yamato 2199 as a singular anime series. Story 6: The story starts strong. The first 8-10 episodes were 10 story-wise, the next maybe an 8 , and around episode 18 and after 4-5 . I've included a spoiler section at the bottom of the post. There I will tell you why such a low score but I advise you not to read it unless your 4-5 episodes deep into the anime. Art 10: It's beautiful. The backgrounds are great and vivid, the visual effects and animations are awesome and some caneven make you re-watch the scene. I think this is this series strongest point. Sound 9: A great soundtrack, is one you don't notice. An epic soundtrack is one you notice in a memorable way. Yamato has just a great soundtrack. Nothing really memorable, but it fits great. I can't tell you about voice acting and stuff, because I don't know Japanese, the characters sounded convincing. Character 9: I really liked them. It's great the major characters have a backstory, a different motivation and inner conflicts. Also what I liked is that most of them stayed true to their character traits. They didn't over romanced it and that's good, because I hate that trend in animes. What I didn't liked though was some of the villains and that security leader officer, which felt a little too bleak and just put there so the story can have traction Enjoyment 8: Since the story is getting annoying towards the end, it drags down the enjoyment. At first I was: I need to watch the next episode! but slowly it faded into: Just 6 episode left, I should watch them to finish the series already -------- Overall 8: It's an enjoyable anime. It has a great premise and stunning visuals, and I really hope in the future they would take the main ideas and make a new one with a greater story and more compelling villains. If you liked Battlestar Galactica,Star Wars or any other space opera then watch this anime. ---------------------------- !! SPOILER SECTION !! ---------------------------- Story: The good: The story telling is interesting. I loved the fact they didn't started with Yamato, and they built up the tension and hardship earthlings face. I liked the idea of a superior technology embedded into a lower technology ship and how it takes everybody by surprise. Also the story shines when it doesn't take the obvious twists: like the fact Mori is not an alien or when they built up to an unnecessary and predictable XO selfsacrifice, then we realise it was just a bluff Another thing I liked it in the first part of the anime, is that there are shades of grey: the alien leader on Pluto doesn't really like war and all he wants is a better life for his family, humans actually started the war, Susumu is sometimes a dick etc The bad: The fact all aliens are too much alike humans even if they come from another galaxy. And even if we overlook this, because there really are some plausible explanations, there is 0 biodiversity even if the empire spans across 2 galaxies full of unique alien worlds Yamato is taking so many hits in battle, just to be as fresh as ever in the next battle which is then even more destructible, and still packs a heavy punch. It's stupid how in impossible situations there is always a lucky deus ex machina part... The last part of the anime is going full retard. Iscandar is so lame and barren and the princess living there is dumb like a brick. The fact humans reach there do nothing there, just get some boxes and then come back is dumb, because all they wanted was an 1 shot device that restores the earth, and there was no need for them there. Also is stupid to request for a ship to go the twin planet of the net superior enemy and on top of that then complain why you used a powerful weapon. The only way even the writers saw this plausible was from a plot device where they force the main fleet to be 2 month away. I mean what where the odds of that happen when that princess made her genius plan? The fact they reach there and on top of that solve the whole galactic problem with the dictator, destroyed a quarter of its fleet and war and so on . Why on earth they have to save everyone ? Couldn't they just leave this be without turning Yamato in Goku 2.0 ? Dumb plot devices and motivations towards the end: the terraforming devices is wait for it ... the main characters long dead brother. Yep. The prince of Gamillans after his presumed death, tries to take over Yamato, fails and then said: "Lets suicide and stuff just because", or lets kill Mori just to revive hear 1 episode away because were out of ideas and we need some dramatic shit The list can go on.

Remakes or reboots often get a bad rap in the anime community as many beloved series often get messed up and butchered in an attempt to add a more modern spin on an already old and classic series. Space Battleship Yamato 2199, however, is a remake of the classic series that is not only able to catch the spirit of the original, but is able to expand further and vastly improve and succeed on what the 1974 version couldn’t do in terms of production values. This OVA remake has become the pinnacle of what a modern space opera should be, and I’ll explain why thisis a series you should definitely be invested in. Space Battleship Yamato, or Star Blazers as it’s known to us westerners, is one of the most influential and important series to have come out of Japan, and if you’re old enough, you might have seen it when it originally aired in the US in the early 80’s. The show’s themes and story influenced more serious works and series such as Mobile Suit Gundam, Evangelion and Macross; it’s the equivalent of Star Wars here in the west. The story of the show is orientated on the journey rather than the destination. Earth is under attack from an authoritarian space-conquering race called the Gamillas that threatens Earth to either be destroyed or enslaved. Humanity receives help from another alien race and are told to travel to a nearby galaxy to receive an item that can cleanse the Earth of radiation and make it habitable again. Humanity receives a capsule that allows for interstellar travel and a means to protect themselves from the Gamillas. We follow the journey of the crew that set out on a massive spaceship called Yamato (based on the famous WW2 Japanese warship) and the epic fights, hardships, and drama that the characters experience and overcome on their journey towards preventing humanity’s extinction. Even if the story is simple, what makes a simple story and it’s premise so engageable and thrilling are the different plot twists in each situation. As humanity’s existence is dependent on the success of the journey, each event has a great sense of weight and importance and can greatly influence the outcome of the story if anything goes wrong. One thing that the remake blows away the original series at is the artwork and animation, I can only praise at how fantastic it is. The original series is an unfortunate victim of old age and limited and outdated technology, meaning the animators were limited to what methods and techniques they had available during the production of the show, which shows as the show hasn’t aged all that well artwork and animation-wise. Luckily, technology has advanced far enough since then for the producers to use what is available today to its fullest extent. Being produced by Xebec and AIC, this series is some of the best works of art and animation to have come out within the last decade or so, especially from studios that aren’t as well known for their animation, or just in general, compared to studios such as Bones, Ufotable and Wit. It’s clear to see that they had a large budget to spend; the animation was fluid and the use of CG is some of the best, dare I say, in all of anime, that’s probably where most of the budget went to; that also allowed the series to have some awesome space fights. Most of the fights were in CG, but you can definitely tell that a lot of care and attention were put into each fight, since each ship and when they’re destroyed and each projectile being fired has a great amount of detail put into them. The producers were able to successfully add a more sleek and more modern touch to the art style, everything looks amazing, and I would go as far as to call it a visual masterpiece. Nothing fits perfectly with a space adventure series than an orchestral soundtrack, as the soundtrack for this show is another one of its high points. A lot of the OSTs for this show are re-recordings from the 1974 version, and if you’ve seen the original series before watching the remake, you’ll definitely be reminiscent of the old music. Each soundtrack is used perfectly to evoke and amplify different emotions for the viewer, whether it be intense music for the fights, the upbeat and cheerful music for the crew’s accomplishments, or the mellow and relaxing music in the background as the characters interact with each other and as the ship floats peacefully through space. The OP and ED are good as well. The OP is a revamped version of the 1974 version, which the lyrics sing about battleship Yamato; it makes you feel hyped up and it gives you a sense of nostalgia as well. The show has 7 different endings, and as usual with most anime endings, they are more slow-paced and mellow compared to the opening; the best ending song in my opinion is “Utsukushii Chikyuu wo Shiru Mono yo” by Aki Misato. Overall, the soundtracks for the show are very fitting and are used very well. One of the main differences compared to the original series are the number of characters, especially female characters. In the original series, Mori Yuki was the only female character out of the main cast of characters in the crew. However, we are introduced to other characters such as Akira, Niimi and Melda (and many more side characters), making the female cast for this show much stronger. The characters are created from common character archetypes, though it was executed quite well, we see them ranging from the brave heroes to the evil villains and everything in between, the cast is large and full of life. Most of the characters are likeable, well-written and developed, which makes the journey more interesting and fresh. We are often presented with the image of good vs evil in most series, we follow the main cast of characters who are the “good guys” who fend off and achieve their goals against the “bad guys”. This series takes a slightly different approach with that notion, different characters have different motives which can affect the outcome of the crew’s mission, whether it be their desire to achieve the mission or to rather resettle humanity on another planet, or to rule the galaxy with an iron fist or to fight off and defend oneself from a tyrannical dynasty, there are both good and bad guys on both sides and we get to see many characters who fit those descriptions. The character dynamics are well thought out and feel natural, and alongside their motives, the characters in this show are likeable and interesting and are overall very good. As a fan of sci-fi series and space operas, and that I’m studying astrophysics as a career choice, I found this show amazing and a joy to watch. This show has everything I hoped for a space opera to have; be it epic space fights, amazing music, great characters, fantastic animation, and a satisfying ending. This show is an example of what a modern space opera should be. I would highly recommend this show if you’ve seen the likes of LotGH or any other sci-fi/space anime. Overall, I thought this is a fantastic show, I might even boost this up to a 10/10 if I’m feeling generous enough. Overall score: 9/10

Three days ago I had no idea what Space Battleship Yamato 2199 was; I had no idea about the original series made back in the 1970s; I had no idea of the cultural significance it has in Japan, on par with Star Wars in the West; but I have corrected my woeful ignorance and it was one of the best decisions I've made. Story: A space opera for the ages, Yamato 2199 reaches for the stars, and takes them all for itself, leaving later sci-fi anime to fight over the scraps. I have never seen an anime so skillfully manage so many characters without leaving any looseends, it's an achievement that even the most grizzled anime fan can appreciate. I cannot believe such a legendary story slipped past me for this long. Art: This remake's art looks stellar to me, it keeps the spirit of how anime was done back in the 70s and applies a careful modernizing touch to the effects and character design. Sound: Explosions sound great, as does everything else, not a single complaint. Character: Susumu Kodai is a one dimensional main character that feels covered in diamond plot armor no matter what happens. At the very least, his motivations are exceedingly empathetic, and he doesn't do anything radically out of character ever. Captain Okita, Yuki, Shima, Akira, and all the other named crew members really carry the show - by the end you truly care for each and every one of them. However, the real reason that Yamato 2199 stands head and shoulders above all other space-themed anime is its thoroughly developed antagonists headed by the ever mysterious Lord Desler. He is Machiavellian in nature, and his exact desires aren't made clear until the very end. The largest hole in the story, in my opinion, is the lack of explanation regarding Desler's willingness to commit terrible acts - I do not feel the minimal excuse given in the story is enough to justify some of the things he did. Enjoyment: A classic amongst classics, Yamato 2199 inspired the entire genre of space opera anime that went on to spawn things like Mobile Suit Gundam. Anyone claiming to be a connoisseur of anime MUST watch this.

Most of you may know that Space Battleship Yamato 2199 is a remake of the 1970's space opera by the same name (bar the 2199). If one were to make a comparison of its significance to its importance of the genre, it is basically the Star Wars of Japan - the series that one would point to as a culturally significant moment in entertainment and the rise of the genre itself. In recent times, one becomes wary when they hear the word 'remake' or 'reboot'. Audiences have reluctantly witnessed so many beloved series, stories and characters get butchered in misguided and unnecessary attempts to be recreated. Thankfully,I am happy to say that Yamato's 21st century rebirth is done faithfully, respectfully, and masterfully. First, there is the story (9/10). Yamato's story is timeless - the people of Earth are fighting back against an alien threat to bring their planet to slavery or extinction. Humanity's last hope lies in the battleship Yamato, its crew, and a mysterious technology brought to mankind from a distant alien race of people called Iscandarians. Their destination - lightyears away, on the planet of Iscandar. In their path lie many obstacles, and every one a piece of the story and the puzzle. In this respect, Yamato's story is not difficult to understand, and is something you can appreciate at any age in any time. There are many developments and nuances that shape the story beyond its simple premise as the show develops, however. For the most part, it faithfully follows the original plot, and while I can't comment on specifics, I know enough to say that with confidence. It is not overly complex - there are also many things that are left to the imagination for the sake of not boring the audience. If you accept them for what they are and don't convolute them, it is, for the most part, flawless. This is, after all, a fictional universe. Now for the art (10/10). There has been some fuss over the stylistic changes from the original Leiji style of Yamato to the remake. However, I find them to be a perfect blend of the retro style and modern style - which still brings an incredibly refreshing artistic flair to Yamato that isn't seen anywhere today. Even if one were to miss the original style, I think it would be impossible to truly recreate it exactly unless you had all the original animation staff, and that is too much to ask for a 40-year old series. Nobuteru did an excellent job of revisiting the style of Leiji and bringing it to a modern audience. The animation is absolutely stunning. It's quite obvious there was a high budget for the series, and they use it in all the right places. Let's be honest - in the 70's, many of the technical challenges that came with animating epic, large-scale space battles were difficult to tackle with the technology of the time. While many are impressive, it's easy to see where they struggled to achieve their true vision. In 2199, the ships are 3D models, and CGI comes heavily into play during battle scenes. There was a time that this spelled bad news for mixing with 2D animation, when CGI suffered from a "video game cutscene" syndrome. But with today's technology, 2199's CGI is absolutely stunning, and blends beautifully with the show and the backgrounds. Every ship is masterfully crafted and detailed, and every nuance of the ships and the weaponry is nothing short of perfection. The excitement of every battle scene leaves you speechless. Fans of spaceships, fighter jets and miscellaneous mechanical things will be filled with nothing but glee. The character and 2D animation is equally as important, and is treated that way. There's a lot of expressiveness in every character, and it shows. There's a bit of fanservice and moe here and there, but nothing overdone. Yamato takes itself seriously when it has to, but it also has a bit of fun when it's appropriate. The music and sfx (10/10) adds another layer of immersion to the world of Yamato. The soundtrack is a lot of re-recordings of original Yamato tracks, with that 1970's sci-fi trumpets and backing vocals that many may remember fondly. If not, it's something that you hear very rarely these days, and is absolutely perfect for this series. It's enough that the opening is one of those songs you just can't skip - the rest of the soundtrack is equally inspiring. The sound effects, voices and ambiance is also well done. My favorite bits are definitely the sounds of the ships and the weapons during battle. There's nothing quite like hearing a flurry of lasers, rockets and explosions - and of course, the awe-inspiring Wave Motion Gun. The characters (9/10) of Yamato are stunning examples of common archetypes. There are brave heroes, loyal comrades, tragic villains, and everything in between. There is a very large cast of Yamato, so I won't dive into every character, but while many characters may seem stereotypical at first glance, Yamato never attempts to clearly define the difference between good and evil - at times, you will sympathize with the enemy, and you will question the motives of the heroes. It's one of those important aspects that helps separate the wheat from the chaff in this aspect. Still, there is a very classical story at hand, and with it come classic characters. But they are not as hollow and predictable as one more cynical may come to believe. Overall, there is not much more to say. I gave enjoyment a 10/10 because I always found myself looking forward to the next episode of Yamato - and when they came (the waits were quite long for those following the series release), they were over so soon because I enjoyed every moment. It is quite clear that the creators of Yamato 2199 had great respect for the source material and made every effort to craft a remake worthy of the name Uchuu Senkan Yamato. And in every aspect I would say they succeeded, and brought a story that deserves to be retold to a new era, taking advantage of the tools they have today that its original creators did not to remake Yamato in its full glory. And although the eye-candy visuals of space warfare are a spectacle in their own right, Yamato 2199 never loses sight of the story it is trying to tell and the cast that we want to root for, which is where many remakes of this era falter. This is a very rare and important piece of animation history - one that I believe deserves to be viewed and appreciated by everyone. I would recommend this series to absolutely anyone, even if they are not fans of sci-fi. If you want an example of a remake done right - this is it.

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