Summary
If the first episode ofStar BlazersREBEL 3199is any indication, anime fans can expect more of the same thrills, intrigue, and breathtaking animation when the second part of the series premieres in November. Even thoughREBEL 3199holds up well as a standalone chapter within the groundbreakingStar Blazersfranchise, fans would deeply benefit from going back to the series' roots and checking out the original 1974Star Blazersseries.
Naomichi Yamato, Harutoshi Fukui, and Hideki Oka’sStar Blazer’s REBEL 3199(Be Forever Yamato: REBEL 3199) is a modern interpretation of the two 1980Star Blazersanime filmsBe Forever YamatoandSpace Battleship Yamato III. Both those films were written by Yoshinobu Nishizaki, who withLeiji Matsumotocreated the franchise. As such, both the older films and theirREBEL 3199reboot are directly linked to the 1974 original series.
The series is released in chapters, each consisting of multiple episodes shown in theaters. TheREBEL 3199story continues the original series' tale of humanity’s defense against alien invaders. The original alien invaders were the Gamilons who wanted to rid the Earth of humans to take it over for themselves. InREBEL 3199, which occurs about eight years after the original series, humanity is defending itself against the even more dangerous threat of the Black Nebula Empire.
Star Blazersis the American title of the venerable JapaneseSpace Battleship Yamatoanime franchise. English versions of the franchise’s series either substituteStar Blazersfor theSpace Battleship Yamatotitle or add it to the original Japanese title.
Star Blazers Pushed Boundaries For Animated Series Of Its Time
The Series Mixes Real World Themes With Animated Action
There are several reasons why anime fans, especially fans interested in seeingREBEL 3199,should watch the originalStar Blazersseries. First,Star Blazersprovides crucial contextto better understand and enjoy the upcoming movie series. Indeed, humanity has come a long way since 2199 – the year of the original series. They are now allies with the once-dreaded Gamilons. Accordingly, watchingStar Blazershelps fans unpack much of the lorethat permeates the new movies.
Outside those practical benefits, the originalStar Blazersseries is good storytelling. Naturally, there are aspects of the story – such as the animation, fashion, and some of the science – that have not aged well. ButStar Blazerstouched on some themes and plotlines that were well before its time. It set itself apart from otherspace operasthat came out at that time.
One of the series’ deepest themes, for instance, was overcoming the legacy of war. The battleship Yamato, after which the series is named and where most of the action takes place, was not some fictional creation conjured up from the minds of the creators. It was one of the largest battleships ever constructed and served as the flagship of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. Until it was sunk by the U.S. Navy, it was involved in many of Japan’s wartime naval operations. In the series, rather than a facilitator of war and carnage,the Yamato is made a beacon of peace and a pillar of hope for humanity.
Star Blazers Helped Define The Space Opera Tradition
Moreover, the series has an interesting mix of character-driven elements with pulsating action. Indeed, all the main characters joined the Yamato’s crew without a guarantee that they would ever see Earth again or the people they were leaving behind. They also had to get used to dealing with their new crewmates, many of whom they’d never met before. There was enough content for the creators to mix in some intriguing backstories and sub-plots. Being at war, there were also enough situations for action and adventure. It’s inspired space operas ever since.
Again, if one is willing to look past some of the aged, though non-important, aspects of the series,Star Blazersis well worth a look for anyone interested in classic anime. If you are aStar Blazersfan or plan to see the newStar Blazers REBEL 3199movie series, you’re able to’t go wrong with watching the original series.
Space Battleship Yamato
Cast
Set in the distant future, Space Battleship Yamato follows the crew of the titular warship on a mission to save Earth from the radiation of alien attacks. Led by Captain Okita, the crew journeys across the galaxy to retrieve a device that can restore their planet’s ecosystem. This pioneering anime series blends science fiction with action, emphasizing themes of sacrifice, duty, and human resilience.
