The appeal and reputation of Space Pirate Captain Harlock: A deep look at the TV series

Space Pirate Captain Harlock: The Eternal Rebel and His Space Voyage

Space Pirate Captain Harlock, which aired from 1978 to 1979, is a TV anime series based on the original manga by Leiji Matsumoto, and is still loved by many fans as a landmark of space opera. The story is about young people who have given up on the decadent Earth government and fight against the mysterious invaders, the Mazone, alongside the space pirate Captain Harlock. Below, we will take a closer look at the appeal and background of this work, as well as its influence.

Background and production of the work

Space Pirate Captain Harlock is based on the manga of the same name by Leiji Matsumoto and was broadcast on TV Asahi from March 14, 1978 to February 13, 1979 every Tuesday from 7:00 pm to 7:30 pm. The 42-episode series was produced by TV Asahi and Toei Animation (now Toei Animation) and directed by Rintaro. Despite the manga being unfinished, the anime depicted a complete episode and presented the story to the audience as a single story.

This work was strongly influenced by the sci-fi boom of the late 1970s, and was planned following the success of Space Battleship Yamato and Star Wars. In particular, the use of a full orchestra of background music, as well as the emphasis on art setting and character design, make it a work of extremely high quality compared to other anime works of the time. The music was written by Yokoyama Seiji and performed by the Columbia Symphonic Orchestra. The theme song "Captain Harlock" and the ending theme "Ware-ra no Tabidachi", along with Ichiro Mizuki's powerful voice, left a lasting impression on many viewers.

Story and Themes

The story is set on Earth in the year 2977. The Earth has fallen into decadence and corruption, and is ruled by a government that ignores warning messages from the invaders, the Mazone. Meanwhile, Daiba Tadashi, the son of a researcher, is disappointed in the Earth government after his father was killed by the Mazone, and joins the space pirate Captain Harlock. He boards the Arcadia with Harlock and throws himself into the battle against the Mazone.

The themes of this work are "freedom" and "rebellion." Harlock is a rebel who rebels against the corruption and powerlessness of the Earth government and sails through space in search of freedom. His attitude teaches viewers the importance of sticking to your own beliefs. Another big attraction is the story of Daiba Tadashi's growth, and the way he grows as he fights alongside Harlock has resonated with many young people.

Main Characters

Harlock: The protagonist of this series, he is a space pirate who pilots the space battleship Arcadia. He is characterized by an eyepatch over his right eye and a scar on his face, and is feared as Captain Harlock, commanding 40 pirates. His charisma and strong convictions left a strong impression on viewers.

Tadashi Daiba: A 14-year-old boy who is saved by Harlock after his father, Dr. Daiba, is killed by the Mazone. With his excellent piloting skills and knowledge of machines, he takes part in the battle against the Mazone as a crew member of the Arcadia. His coming-of-age story is one of the central themes of the series.

Yuki Hotaru: A brave woman who serves as the radar operator and helmsman of the Arcadia. She also serves as a combat commander and pilots the Space Wolf aircraft. Her bravery and beauty have earned her the love of many fans.

Mime: An alien woman who was saved by Harlock and is devoted to him. Although she has an elegant and mysterious aura, she is a heavy drinker and her whole body glows yellow when she gets excited. Her presence plays an important role in highlighting Harlock's humanity.

Tochiro Oyama: The designer of the Arcadia and Harlock's best friend. He died of exhaustion after the completion of the Arcadia, and his soul resides in the central computer of the Arcadia. His existence symbolizes Harlock's past and friendship.

Rafflesia: Queen of the planet Mazone, she leads a number of spaceships in an attempt to migrate to Earth. She comes to understand Harlock better through battle, and in the end, even though she is right in front of Earth, she leaves for space. Her character is an antagonist, but she also has a deep humanity.

Arcadia: Harlock's ship, it is equipped with heavy armor and powerful firepower that can withstand various beam and missile attacks. This 400-meter long battleship can also navigate in the atmosphere and is an important setting for the story.

Episodes and subtitles

"Space Pirate Captain Harlock" is a series consisting of 42 episodes, each with a different subtitle. Here are some of them:

• Episode 1: A pirate flag fluttering in space
• Episode 2: A Message from the Unknown
• Episode 3: A woman who burns like paper
• Episode 4: Under the Flag of Freedom!
• Episode 5: At the End of a Faraway Star...
• Episode 6: The Phantom Mazone
• Episode 7: The Underwater Pyramid
• Episode 8: The Queen's Starfleet
• Episode 9: Terrifying Plant Lifeforms
• Episode 10: Approaching the Mysterious Planet
• Episode 11: When Lola Shines Golden
• Episode 12: Mother, forever
• Episode 13: The Demon Castle in the Sea of ​​Death
• Episode 14: The Sphinx's Gravestone
• Episode 15: Tragic Love! Aurora Borealis
• Episode 16: Firefly - Parting Song
• Episode 17: The Skeleton Hero
• Episode 18: The Demonic Shadow Soldier
• Episode 19: Queen Rafflesia's Trap
• Episode 20: The Extinct Planet Jura
• Episode 21: Golam! The Tragic Warrior
• Episode 22: Death Shadow, the Space Graveyard
• Episode 23: Yattaran, the poem of a plastic model fanatic
• Episode 24: True Love Shooting Star
• Episode 25: Doctor Zero and Me
• Episode 26: A Long, Long Journey
• Episode 27: The Will of the Arcadia
• Episode 28: The Ulysses Nebula
• Episode 29: Deadly Battle on the Rainbow Planet
• Episode 30: My Friends and My Youth
• Episode 31: The secret story behind the construction of the Arcadia
• Episode 32: The Star Flute Calls
• Episode 33: A One-Man Charge!
• Episode 34: Galactic Lullaby
• Episode 35: The Beautiful Mysterious Woman
• Episode 36: The Night Before the Battle
• Episode 37: Tears in a Red Sweater
• Episode 38: Farewell! Mayu
• Episode 39: Tragic! The Chief Dies
• Episode 40: Then the angels sang
• Episode 41: Duel! The Queen vs. Harlock
• Episode 42: Farewell to the Space Outlaw

Related works and influences

"Space Pirate Captain Harlock" is deeply connected to other works by Leiji Matsumoto. The related works are introduced below.

• "Space Pirate Captain Harlock: The Mystery of the Arcadia"
• "Gun Frontier"
• Galaxy Express 999
• "Queen Emeraldas"
• "Arcadia of My Youth"
• "Arcadia of My Youth: Infinite Orbit SSX"
• "Harlock Saga: The Ring of Nibelung"
• "Cosmo Warrior Zero"
• “SPACE PIRATE CAPTAIN HERLOCK OUTSIDE LEGEND ~The Endless Odyssey~”
• "Space Symphony Maetel: Galaxy Express 999 Gaiden"

These works share Matsumoto Leiji's unique worldview and can be enjoyed by fans as a series of stories. Space Pirate Captain Harlock was also broadcast not only in Japan but also in Europe and other places, gaining international popularity. Its influence can be seen in later anime works and has inspired many creators.

Ratings and Recommendations

"Space Pirate Captain Harlock" has been highly praised by many viewers for its deep themes and high quality. In particular, Harlock's charisma and rebellious spirit have left a strong impression on viewers, and he is remembered as an eternal hero. In addition, the story of Tadashi Daiba's growth and the portrayal of each character's humanity have also been praised.

Here are some reasons why I recommend this work:

• Deep Themes: The themes of freedom and rebellion have a deep emotional impact on the viewer.
• High Quality: With a full orchestral background music, art settings, character designs, and more, it boasts extremely high quality compared to other anime works of the time.
• Appealing Characters: The humanity and growth of each character, including Harlock, are depicted, evoking sympathy in the viewer's eyes.
• Influence: This work has had a huge influence on subsequent anime works and is a must-see for fans.

"Space Pirate Captain Harlock" is a monumental work of science fiction anime that continues to be loved by many fans to this day. It is a must-watch for anyone looking for a story of freedom and rebellion.