"Arcadia of My Youth" Review: The brilliance of youth and the charm of adventure

Arcadia of My Youth - A Tale of Space Pirates

■ Public Media

theater

■ Original Media

comics

■ Release date

July 28, 1982 - January 1, 0000

■Distribution company

Toei

■ Eirin Number

110674

■Frequencies

130 min

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■Original Story

Reiji Matsumoto

■ Director

・Direction: Katsumata Guji

■ Production

Produced by Tokyu Agency Co., Ltd. and Toei Co., Ltd.

■ Story

On the bridge of the spaceship Death Shadow, a young Harlock is seen, having been defeated in a battle against the space invaders Illumidus. The Earth occupied by Illumidus is in ruin beyond compare, and Zol of the planet Tokaaga, who once resisted Illumidus, is now unwillingly becoming an enemy mercenary. At that time, Harlock is ordered to report to the Illumidus Earth Occupation Army General Headquarters, where he receives an order from Commander Zeda to be expelled. In anger, Harlock goes on a rampage against the Illumidus officers, where he meets a mysterious Japanese man named Tochiro. Then, through a book they both possess (the history book of the Harlock family), Harlock and Tochiro discover that they are bound together by a strange fate. Meanwhile, the spaceship Emeraldas lands on Earth. The captain is Emeraldas, a young and beautiful space free trader. Meanwhile, Triter, a loyal servant of Illumidus, decides to send a volunteer army to Tokaaga at the request of Commander Zeda. For the safety of the Earth, the Tokaaga must be exterminated. La Mime, a female secretary of Illumidus, deciphered the secret code and informed Zol and 50 other old Tokaaga soldiers of the crisis. Time is of the essence. That night, the distressed Harlock headed to Maya's underground secret broadcasting station, which continues to send messages of justice and love for Earthlings. Maya was the only woman he ever loved. However, when Harlock tried to save her, he was injured in the right eye by an energy bullet fired by the Illumidus army, and Maya disappeared without a trace... Wanting to see the end of their mother planet Tokaaga, Zol, La Mime, and the old Tokaaga soldiers tried to seize the Emeraldas. However, if they did so, the Emeraldas, which had not made a pact with any planet, would lose its status as a free trader. It was Tochiro who shouted, "Then let's send out my ship." He had been secretly building a spaceship to one day be of use to the entire universe. Harlock took the skull battle suit and giant skull flag that Maya had lovingly sewn together with Tochiro's new Arcadia and flew off to Planet Tokaaga. Commander Zeda was shaken by Harlock and his friends' unexpected challenge and decided to execute Zol and Emeraldas, who had remained on Earth as decoys. Meanwhile, the Arcadia, which had arrived at Planet Tokaaga, engaged in a fierce battle with the Illumidus forces and defeated them, but there was no sign of life on Planet Tokaaga. Then, after avoiding the enemy's large fleet and breaking through the river of flames of Prominence to return to Earth, Zeda challenged Harlock to a one-on-one duel. Harlock accepted and defeated Zeda after a fierce battle, but instead of returning to Earth, he chose to become a pirate roaming the universe with Tochiro and the others.

■Explanation

This animation depicts the younger days of Captain Harlock, the great pirate of the universe whose ancestors were brave warriors who challenged the infamous Stanley Mountains in a biplane and soared through the skies in a Messerschmitt during World War II. The project, original story and composition are by Matsumoto Reiji, the director is Katsumata Guji of "Yamato Forever", the script is by Onaka Yoichi and the animation director is Komatsubara Kazuo.

■Cast

Yujiro Ishihara, Makio Inoue, Makio Inoue, Kei Toyama, Reiko Muto, Reiko Tajima, Shuichi Ikeda, Taro Ishida, Takeshi Aono, Shuichiro Moriyama, Yuriko Yamamoto, Hiromi Tsuru, Hiroshi Otake, Hidekatsu Shibata

■ Main staff

Executive producer: Imada Tomonori; Planning: Matsumoto Reiji, Ariga Ken, Takami Yoshio; Original story: Matsumoto Reiji; Composition: Matsumoto Reiji; Screenplay: Yanaka Yoichi; Director: Katsumata Guji; Animation director: Komatsubara Kazuo; Art: Ito Iwamitsu; Music: Kimori Toshiyuki; Mechanical design: Itabashi Katsumi; Cinematography: Machida Kenki, Takei Toshiharu; Editing: Senkura Yutaka; Sound: Imazeki Taneyoshi; Sound effects: Ito Michihiro; Production cooperation: Toei Animation

■Detailed reviews and recommendations

■ Background and production process of the work

"Arcadia of My Youth" is an animated film based on the original work by Leiji Matsumoto, depicting the story of Captain Harlock's younger days. The film was released in 1982 and was praised for Leiji Matsumoto's unique worldview and the detailed direction of director Guji Katsumata. During the production process, many staff members worked together to faithfully reproduce Leiji Matsumoto's original work, focusing especially on the mechanical design and art. Katsumi Itabashi's mechanical design realistically depicts the spaceships and battle scenes, enhancing the visual appeal. Ito Iwamitsu's art expresses the vastness and beauty of the universe, enriching the background of the story.

■ The appeal of the story

The story of this work depicts a young Harlock who, after losing the battle against Illumidus and the occupation of Earth, rises up with his companions. In particular, the story of Harlock's meeting with Tochiro and his love for Maya strongly appeal to viewers. The scene in which Harlock's right eye is injured and Maya disappears deeply moves viewers. In addition, the battle to witness the end of Planet Tokaaga and the duel with Zeda create tension and thrills that build up to the climax of the story. The ending, in which Harlock does not return to Earth but instead chooses the path of a pirate wandering the universe, leaves viewers looking forward to new adventures.

■Charm of the characters

Captain Harlock is a brave and righteous character, and viewers can feel his growth and change through his younger days. Tochiro is Harlock's good friend, and his passion for building spaceships and their friendship warms the hearts of viewers. Emeraldas is a beautiful and strong female character, and her way of life as a free trader offers viewers a new perspective. Maya is the woman Harlock loves, and her presence deeply depicts Harlock's humanity. Zeda is a powerful enemy, and his battle with him is an important element in testing Harlock's courage and determination.

■ The appeal of video and music

The visuals of "Arcadia of My Youth" depict the vastness and beauty of the universe, enhancing its visual appeal. In particular, the battle scenes and the scene where the prominence breaks through the river of flames create a visual impact and draw the viewer in. Toshiyuki Kimori's music expresses the emotions of the story richly and moves the viewer's heart. In particular, the music enhances the tension and emotion of the story in the love scene between Harlock and Maya and the duel scene with Zeda.

■Reasons for recommendation

"Arcadia of My Youth" depicts universal themes such as courage, friendship, love, and justice through the story of Captain Harlock's younger days. Viewers can sense Harlock's growth and change, and empathize with his adventures. The beautiful images and moving music also enrich the viewer's heart and make them look forward to new adventures. This work is visually and emotionally satisfying, thanks to Leiji Matsumoto's unique worldview and Guji Katsumata's meticulous direction. This work is especially recommended for those who like space and pirate stories, and for fans of Captain Harlock.

■ Related works and viewing order

"Arcadia of My Youth" is part of the Captain Harlock story, and can be understood more deeply by watching it together with other related works. Related works include "Space Pirate Captain Harlock" and "Galaxy Express 999". These works share the worldview of Leiji Matsumoto, and the recommended viewing order is to watch "Arcadia of My Youth" first, followed by "Space Pirate Captain Harlock" and "Galaxy Express 999". This will allow you to feel Harlock's growth and change more deeply.

■ Thoughts and considerations after viewing

Many viewers who have watched "Arcadia of My Youth" have commented that they were able to feel Captain Harlock's courage and determination through his appearance in his younger days. The appeal of characters such as Tochiro, Emeraldas, and Maya has also been praised, deeply moving viewers. Discussions have included the reason why Harlock did not return to Earth and instead chose to become a pirate wandering the universe, and the symbolism of the scene in which he injured his right eye. Through these observations, viewers can understand the deeper themes of the story and have the opportunity to reconsider their own lives and values.

■ Summary

"Arcadia of My Youth" depicts universal themes such as courage, friendship, love, and justice through the story of Captain Harlock's younger days. The beautiful visuals, moving music, and charming characters draw the viewer deep into the story and make them look forward to new adventures. This work is visually and emotionally satisfying thanks to Leiji Matsumoto's unique worldview and Guji Katsumata's meticulous direction. This is a work that is especially recommended for those who like space and pirate stories, and for fans of Captain Harlock. Watching it together with related works will help you understand it more deeply, and give you the opportunity to reconsider your own life and values ​​through your impressions and thoughts after watching.