YAMATO2520: A thorough review of the OVA version of the Space Battleship Yamato series, as directed by Yoshinobu Nishizaki and Takeshi Shirato

YAMATO2520 - A new challenge for the Space Battleship Yamato series

Overview

"YAMATO2520" is a sequel to the "Space Battleship Yamato" series, which was released as an OVA in 1995. It is an original video animation set in the year 2520 of the Star Calendar, depicting the conflict between the Earth Federation and the Siren Federation. It was planned to be released in 7 or 9 volumes, but due to circumstances on the production side, only the first 3 volumes were released, and it remains incomplete.

■ Story

In the year 2520 of the Star Calendar, the planet Limbos, an immigrant planet for Earth, is under the oppression of the Siren Federation, and people are forced to live a closed-off life. Meanwhile, a young boy named Nabu discovers a data disk inside the 17th Space Battleship YAMATO, which was buried in the mountains. This data disk contains not only Yamato's design data, but also the secrets of a super ancient civilization. Using this data, Nabu and his friends build the 18th Space Battleship YAMATO, a ship to escape Limbos. However, a conflict breaks out between the Earth Federation and the Siren Federation over the data, and Nabu and his friends become embroiled in a major battle.

■Explanation

"YAMATO2520" was produced as a sequel to the "Space Battleship Yamato" series. Set in the future, about 300 years after the first film, it depicts the conflict between the Earth Federation and the Siren Federation. The directors are Yoshinobu Nishizaki and Masato Kageyama, the general director is Takeshi Shirato, and Yoshinobu Nishizaki was in charge of planning, original story, and executive production. The project is staffed with a number of talented people, including Toshiyuki Kubooka and Hiroyuki Kitazume for character design, and Makoto Kobayashi and Atsushi Takeuchi for mechanical design. Kentaro Haneda is the music director, and David Matthews is the composer, adding to the excitement of the story with spectacular music.

■Cast

The main character Nabu Ancient was played by Kazukiyo Nishikori, Marcy Sima by Satoshi Sakurai, and Aga Celine by Yasunori Matsumoto. Their performances enhance the story and deeply move the audience.

■ Main staff

Planning, original story, executive producer: Yoshinobu Nishizaki Future concept design: Syd Mead Yamato original design: Reiji Matsumoto General director: Takeshi Shirato Director: Yoshinobu Nishizaki, Masato Kageyama Supervision: Toshio Masuda Screenplay: Yasushi Hirano, Eiichi Yamamoto, Yoshinobu Nishizaki Character design: Toshiyuki Kubooka, Hiroyuki Kitazume, Aki Tsunaki, Nobuaki Nagano, Kazuhiko Udagawa Mechanical design: Makoto Kobayashi, Atsushi Takeuchi, Takashi Hashimoto Animation director: Kazuhiko Udagawa, Takashi Hashimoto Art director: Yusuke Takeda, Kazushige Takato Storyboard: Masahiro Maeda, Takeshi Shirato, Masato Kageyama Composer and arranger: David Matthews Music director: Kentaro Haneda Production: Studio Take Off, STUDIO YAMATO
Produced, published, and distributed by Voyager Entertainment. Distributed by Bandai Visual.

■ Main Characters

Nabu Ancient <br> The protagonist. Leader of a group of boys living on the planet Limbos. While fed up with the oppression of the Siren Federation, he discovers a data disk from the 17th space battleship YAMATO. This leads to him becoming embroiled in the conflict between the Earth Federation and the Siren Federation. He serves as the combat team leader on the 18th space battleship YAMATO.

Marcy Shima <br> Nabu's childhood friend. A girl well versed in computer technology. She is in charge of analyzing information as a computer operator on the 18th space battleship YAMATO.

Aga Celine <br> A boy who is Nabu's rival. Despite his hostility towards Nabu, he cooperates in the construction of the 18th space battleship YAMATO and becomes its chief engineer.

■ Main robot items

18th Space Battleship YAMATO
It was built at an automated shipbuilding factory on the planet Limbos using design data from the Earth Federation's 17th space battleship, YAMATO, with Siren technology added. It is equipped with one Siren monopole engine and two Earth wave engines as its main engine, making it a compromise between the Earth and Siren camps in both appearance and technology. It is armed with a multi-mode wave cannon on the bow as well as 12 main guns.

■Subtitle

Vol.1/"Hope for Tomorrow" (1995/01/21)
・Vol.2／"YAMATO Launches!!" (1995/12/18)
・Vol.3／"Battle" (1996/08/25)
・Vol.4/"Mystery of the Ancient Ruins" (unreleased)
・Vol.5/"Planet Spaceship" (unreleased)
・Vol.6 / "The Crisis of the Universe" (unreleased)
・Vol.7/"Big Bang: The Final Choice" (unreleased)

■ Related works

・TV anime "Space Battleship Yamato"
・TV anime "Space Battleship Yamato 2"
・TV anime "Space Battleship Yamato III"
・TV anime "Space Battleship Yamato 2199"
・Theatrical animation "Space Battleship Yamato"
・Theatrical animation "Farewell to Space Battleship Yamato: Warriors of Love"
・Theatrical animation "Yamato Forever"
・Theatrical animation "Space Battleship Yamato: The Final Chapter"
・Theatrical animation "Space Battleship Yamato Resurrection"
・Theatrical animation "Space Battleship Yamato 2199"
・Theatrical animation "Space Battleship Yamato 2199: Voyage of Remembrance"
・Theatrical animation "Space Battleship Yamato 2199: Ark of the Stars"

■ Theme songs and music

OP1
・All That I Need is You (Amethyst's Theme)
Singer: Carolyn Lenhart

IM1
・I want to protect you tomorrow ~YAMATO2520~
Lyrics: Tetsuo Kudo; Composition: Takashi Toshimi; Arrangement: Yoshiaki Shirai; Singer: TOKIO

IM2
・Eternal Constellation ・Lyrics by Hiroshi Yamada ・Music by Naka Sumiyoshi ・Arrangement by Toru Shigemi ・Singer by TOKIO

■ Evaluation and impressions

"YAMATO2520" has attracted attention as a new challenge for the "Space Battleship Yamato" series. In particular, by setting the story in the future, the year 2520, it pursues new possibilities for the series. The themes depicted through Nabu and his friends' adventures and growth, and the conflict between the Earth Federation and the Siren Federation, deeply move viewers. In addition, the visuals and music are of extremely high quality, thanks to the gathering of a luxurious staff and cast.

However, it is a great pity that the series was left unfinished due to circumstances on the production side. If all the volumes had been released, it would have had a deeper story and character development. Still, the content up to the third volume is fascinating enough to make it a valuable work for fans.

■ Recommendation points

"YAMATO2520" is recommended not only for fans of the "Space Battleship Yamato" series, but also for those who like science fiction and adventure anime. In particular, the epic story set in the future space and the development that focuses on the growth of the characters have the power to draw viewers in. Also, don't miss the design by luxurious staff such as Syd Mead and Reiji Matsumoto.

Another big attraction is the music. The magnificent sound, composed by David Matthews and directed by Kentaro Haneda, further enhances the atmosphere of the story. The theme song sung by TOKIO is also impressive, deepening the afterglow of the film.

It's a shame that it's incomplete, but "YAMATO2520" is still a work that will give you a new appreciation for the "Space Battleship Yamato" series. Please give it a watch.