Space Cruiser Yamato to Rise Again

At long last it looks like Yoshinobu Nishizaki has come to a legal agreement under which he can revive Space Battleship Yamato (which is known to American fanboys as Star Blazers). As a long time fan of the show I have mixed feelings about this: On one hand I love the idea of the show being brought back to life for the first time in a serious way since the 80s — but yet Nishizaki has a record for making somewhat lackluster films like Odin and the fact that Leiji Matsumoto doesn’t bode well for me.

Here’s the official press release (which is from here and here) from a quick translation by my old friend Ed Hawkins:

Press Release – Yoshinobu Nishizaki

“In 2220 of the Christian Era … A crisis is approaching Earth, it is seen as the expansion of a moving black hole. An operation of immigration as progressed with moving over 300 million people from Earth … The latest transportation fleet is attacked during the immigration effort, yet is counter attacked by Space Battleship Yamato, now commanded by Susumo Kodai (38). Aboard, is daughter Miyuki … Child of Susumo and Yuki.”
 
The animated masterpiece “Space Battleship Yamato”, last scene in theaters 25 years ago, 73-year-old producer Yoshinobu Nishizaki, who worked on that film and the original anime series, declared that he wants his last work to be a new “Yamato” film. He said he hopes to surpass Hayao Miyazaki’s latest effort, “Gake no Ue no Ponyo.” To achieve that, Nishizaki has founded Yamato Studio, based in Nerima, Tokyo.

Studio Open general superintendent, Masuda Toshio gave toast to the revival project now that the copyright litigation is over, which was originally announced in July 2004. According to Mr. Nishizaki “This time it’s a fresh start, all is clear.”

In 1999, Mr. Nishizaki was arrested for violating sword and gun laws, who served time and was released December 19th 2007. Meanwhile, reconciliation between Leiji Matsumoto concerning each others work has gave way to allowing each to pursue their own works.

The movie IS currently titled “Fukkatu-hen” which Nishizaki has been planning since the mid 1990s.
Toshio Masuda (81) superintendent of Studio Open, is Chief Director of the Rival Movie. Toshio Masuda (81) has been directing films and TV since 1958, including “Life at the Showa Era” (1968), “Tora! Tora! Tora!” (1970), “Space Battleship Yamato” (1977) and “Arrivederci Yamato” (1978).

Tomonori Kogawa (58) will be Chief animator for the Revival movie. Tomonori Kogawa has animated such works as; “Space Runaway Ideon” (1980), “Aura Battler Dunbine” (1983), “Super Dimensional Cavalry Southern Cross” (1984) and “Heavy Metal L-Gaim” (1984).

Announced for 2009 release.