Galaxy Drifter Vifam: Reassessing the appeal and excitement of space adventure

Galaxy Drifter Vifam - Ginga Hyouryuu Vifam

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Broadcast period

October 21, 1983 to September 8, 1984 Every Friday from 7:00pm to 7:30pm

■Broadcasting station

Mainichi Broadcasting System

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 46

■Original Story

Original story by Hajime Yatate and Yoshiyuki Tomino, original story by Takeyuki Kanda and Hiroyuki Hoshiyama

■ Director

Director: Takeyuki Kanda

■ Production

Mainichi Broadcasting System, Nippon Sunrise

■Works

©Sunrise

■ Story

In the mid-21st century, Earth's human race expanded into space and carried out large-scale colonization of the planets Creado and Belwick. However, the alien Kuktonians, who were indigenous to the two planets, viewed this as an invasion and began attacking humanity. Thirteen boys and girls who were separated from their families during this battle join forces and board the Earth military's outer space training ship, the Janus, to depart into space. Desperately fending off enemy attacks using the onboard humanoid weapons, such as the "Vifam," they head for the Kuktonian home planet Kukto, where their abducted family members are being held.

■Explanation

Based on Jules Verne's novel "Two Years' Vacation," this robot anime follows a group of children with diverse personalities as they travel through space. The story depicts 13 children forced to survive on their own, sometimes confused and sometimes at odds, but as they overcome difficulties they deepen their bonds and eventually become a bridge between alien civilizations. This theme was originally considered when planning "Mobile Suit Gundam," but it was reimagined as a project that focuses more on the relationships between the children. Another major feature of this series is the attempt at dramatic direction through a program structure that was unusual for anime at the time, such as the opening credits that feature the highlights of the story and the theme song with English lyrics.

■Cast

Rody/Katsuhiro Namba Fred/Hidehiro Kikuchi Scott/Katsumi Toriumi Claire/Miina Tominaga
・Bartz/Taku Takemura・Maki/Kyoko Hamura・Kentz/Masako Nozawa・Sharon/Eriko Hara・Penchi/Luna Akiyama・Katya/Hiroko Kasahara・Jimmy/Sachiko Chijimatsu・Marlo/Run Sasaki・Lucina/Kumiko Takizawa・Kate/Kumiko Takizawa・Mueller/Nobuyuki Furuta・Narrator/Kosei Tomita

■ Main staff

・Planning by Nippon Sunrise ・Original story by Hajime Yatate and Yoshiyuki Tomino ・Original story by Takeyuki Kanda and Hiroyuki Hoshiyama
・Character design: Toyoo Ashida
・Mechanical design: Kunio Okawara ・Art director: Toshiharu Mizutani ・Director of photography: Toyosaku Miura ・Editor: Tsurubuchi Films ・Sound director: Katsumi Ota ・Music: Toshiyuki Watanabe ・Director: Takeyuki Kanda ・Producers: Masuro Ueda (Nippon Sunrise), Yoshihiko Maruya (Mainichi Broadcasting System)

■Subtitle

Episode 1: "Aliens attack! Everyone escape from the colonization planet!"
Episode 2: "Emergency Departure! The Damaged Training Ship Janus"
Episode 3: "0.29% chance of survival! A challenge to despair!"
Episode 4: "To Berwick Orbit! No response from ground base!"
Episode 5: "The coveted cockpit, the Round Burnian, begins operation"
Episode 6: "Find the Doctor! An Encounter with an Alien"
Episode 7: "14 stranded people: alien flying object attack!"
Episode 8: "Operation Tall Geta?! The Little Warriors Take Action!"
Episode 9: "The enemy attacks in the thunder. We'll fight on our own!"
Episode 10: "Space or Earth - The Great Battle for the Base!"
Episode 11: "Farewell Belwick: Janus' Departure"
Episode 12: "Ready for takeoff! Heading for Earth!!"
Episode 13: "Shooting training begins! First experience of terrifying space combat!!"
Episode 14: "An enemy spy?! A mysterious fugitive arrives"
Episode 15: "Shocking!! An unexpected message left by an alien"
Episode 16: "All hands on deck! Bring back Katchua!"
Episode 17: "Goodbye Kate, Aim for a New Destination!!"
Episode 18: Graffiti Heaven: Captain Loses Confidence!?
Episode 19: "Another War: Janus's Little Mama"
Episode 20: Stand Up Scott! You're the Leader
Episode 21: "Enemy Beam Wave Attack? There's a Tomorrow for Us"
Episode 22: "Jainas, respond!! Communication from the Earth Army"
Episode 23: "Jainas is our ship!! A new departure"
Episode 24: "Kate's Diary"
Episode 26: "The New R.V. Takes Off!!"
Episode 27: "Rody doesn't return to the ship!"
Episode 28: "Captive Rody"
Episode 29: "Order to Escape from Planet Taut"
Episode 30: "A desperate attempt to enter the atmosphere"
・Episode 31: "The Unknown Planet Kukuto"
・Episode 32: "Reunion after the Rain"
Episode 33: "Goodbye, My Beloved Ship"
Episode 34: "Explore Kukuto"
Episode 35: "Save Kent!"
Episode 36: "Head to the Camp!"
Episode 37: "Rody becomes a decoy"
Episode 38: "Steal the Transport Plane!"
Episode 39: Break the Siege!
Episode 40: "The Secret of Mueller"
Episode 41: Don't Shoot Katchua!
Episode 42: "Dad! A momentary reunion"
Episode 43: "The surprise attack begins!"
Episode 44: "Song of the Universe"
・Episode 45/"A Special Gift"
Episode 46: "The 13 of Us Forever"

■Detailed evaluation and recommendation

"Galaxy Drifter Vifam" is a robot anime produced by Sunrise Japan that aired from 1983 to 1984, and is a fascinating work with its unique story and character growth. This anime is based on Jules Verne's "Two Years' Vacation" and depicts the growth of 13 boys and girls as they drift through space. Below, we will explain in detail the appeal and features of this work, as well as the recommended points.

The appeal of the story

The story of Galaxy Drifter Vifam begins in the mid-21st century, when Earth humans colonize the planets Creado and Belwick. However, due to a conflict with the indigenous alien race, the Kuctonians, 13 boys and girls are separated from their families and travel through space aboard the Earth military's outer space training ship, the Janus. Using humanoid weapons called Round Burnians (RVs) such as the Vifam, they fend off enemy attacks as they make their way to the Kuctonian home planet, Kucto, where their families are being held.

The appeal of this story lies in the process in which 13 boys and girls are forced to survive on their own, sometimes wavering and sometimes rebelling, but deepening their bonds. They overcome difficulties and ultimately grow by becoming a bridge between alien civilizations. This theme was originally considered when Mobile Suit Gundam was being planned, but it was reconsidered in this work to focus more on the relationships between the children.

Character Development

The characters in this work are diverse, each with their own background and worries. The main character, Rody, struggles to save his family while deepening his bonds with his friends. Fred demonstrates leadership while also facing his own weaknesses. Scott uses his talents as an engineer to support his friends. Claire uses her medical knowledge to protect the health of her friends.

The process of these characters' growth will deeply move the audience. In particular, the way the 13 boys and girls overcome difficulties while supporting each other teaches us the importance of friendship and bonds. Also, do not miss the process of them communicating with the alien civilization and deepening their understanding.

Production and Music

Galaxy Drifter Vifam adopted an unusual program structure for anime at the time, such as placing the highlight scenes of the story in the opening credits. This made it easier for viewers to be drawn into the story's development, and allowed for a dramatic production. The theme song, with its English lyrics, was also distinctive, making it a memorable piece of music for viewers.

The music was composed by Toshiyuki Watanabe, and the melodies he creates are an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the work. In particular, the gentle melodies in the scenes that convey the tension of the battle scenes and the bonds between friends stir the emotions of the viewers.

Mechanic Design

The mechanical design of this work was done by Kunio Okawara, and his unique designs enhance the charm of the work. In particular, "Vifam" is characterized by its stylish design and high combat ability, making a strong impression on viewers. In addition, the design of the Janus ship is realistic, creating an atmosphere suitable as a base for boys and girls adrift in space.

Recommended points

Galaxy Drifter Vifam can be recommended for the following reasons:

• Character growth and bonds : The story of the 13 boys and girls growing up and deepening their bonds will move the audience. It is a work that teaches the importance of friendship and bonds.
• Unique story : The story, based on Jules Verne's "Young One Year Old Vacation," is different from other robot anime. Don't miss the process of communicating with and deepening understanding of an alien civilization.
• Dramatic production : The program structure, which was unusual for anime at the time, such as the opening credits and the theme song with English lyrics, made it possible to create a dramatic production. Toshiyuki Watanabe's music also enhances the atmosphere of the work.
• Mechanical Design : The designs of the Vifam and the Janus by Kunio Okawara leave a strong impression on viewers. The stylish and realistic designs are appealing.

Related works and how to watch them

Galaxy Drifter Vifam is also related to other works by Sunrise Japan, particularly the Mobile Suit Gundam series, which also features Tomino Yoshiyuki, with which it shares common themes and character development. In addition, Space Runaway Ideon, another robot anime set in space, is also recommended as a work that depicts dialogue and understanding with an alien civilization.

In terms of viewing methods, DVDs and Blu-rays are available for purchase. They are also sometimes distributed through streaming services, so we recommend using those. In addition, there is a lot of fan-created derivative works and doujin activities, and you can rediscover the appeal of the works at related events and Comic Markets.

Conclusion

"Galaxy Drifter Vifam" is a robot anime that depicts the growth of 13 boys and girls as they drift through space. It is full of many charms, including character growth and bonds, a unique story, dramatic direction, and mechanical design. It is a work that will move viewers, and we highly recommend that you watch it at least once.