Uchuu Kaizoku Captain Herlock

It is 2977 AD and mankind has become stagnant. Robots do all the work, the masses are kept tranquil by subliminal messages, and government officials are lazy, caring only about recreational activities like golf and horse racing. Captain Herlock has defied this insipid mentality, leading a group of like-minded rebels to a more adventurous life aboard the spaceship Arcadia.

A mysterious force known as the Mazone has invaded the Earth, taking the form of mysterious cloaked women that kill anyone who suspect their nefarious doings, such as Tadashi Daiba who is now on their hit-list. After his scientist father is ignored by the government and killed by the Mazone, he joins Captain Herlock and his ragtag group of pirates to assist them as they try to save humanity from the impending alien threat.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Captain Herlock Main

Inoue, Makio Japanese

Miime Main

Ohara, Noriko Japanese

Yuki, Kei Main

Kawashima, Chiyoko Japanese

Daiba, Tadashi Main

Kamiya, Akira Japanese

Emeraldas Supporting

Yoshida, Rihoko Japanese

Ooyama, Tochirou Supporting

Yamada, Keaton Japanese

Rafflesia Supporting

Kitahama, Haruko Japanese

Shiraku Supporting

Koyama, Mami Japanese

Ooyama, Mayu Supporting

Kawashima, Chiyoko Japanese

Yattaran Supporting

Ootake, Hiroshi Japanese

Rintarou Director, Episode Director

Ozeki, Masayuki Episode Director

Akehi, Masayuki Episode Director

Gatineau, Michel Script, ADR Director

Reviews

Jun 21, 2021

xokker7

Recommended

Captain Harlock, to simply put it, is a hidden but not so hidden masterpiece. If you know anime or are into anime culture a lot then you have seen him before. Uchuu Kaichou Captain Harlock is a great space opera about pirates and if you're into stuff like Devilman,Star Wars,Gundam,Macross etc you will enjoy this plenty. It's considered one of the best anime of all time for a reason like one of the reviewers state. The characters are very unique and pretty well written. It takes a lot from sci-fi from it's time so it is to be expected to have a ton of references. ... It's a Leiji Matsumoto classic of course, so if you're into his stuff this is a must watch/read. Back to my first point, you can spot it in many shows/manga like Sailor moon,a-ko,cowboy bebop etc.

Reviewer’s Rating: 8

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Jan 9, 2021

JuneNephthys

Recommended

"I fight for no one's sake, only for something deep in my heart." —Captain Harlock

"Uchū Kaizoku Captain Harlock" is less of a fantastical space adventure like "Galaxy Express 999" — and more of a grounded, political space drama that holds no bars with its direct message of fighting corruption. Captain Harlock and his motley team of disenfranchised space denizens take on Earth's oppressors! This series is very shrewdly written and wise — it is a romanticist's view on how to make the world right again after a liberation movement, and it is an ever-applicable statement to our current times!

⚠️ This review will contain light ... spoilers ⚠️

—Story/Characters

According to Leiji Matsumoto, he "was never a stickler for continuity" — so, the 1978 anime adaptation of Captain Harlock takes place within the same reality as the "Mystery of Arcadia" film. I find the invasion and incumbent oppression forced upon the earthlings by the Mazone to be eerily similar to a future that all of us might be gravitating towards, you see, the people of earth in the "Captain Harlock" anime are lackadaisical and have robots doing all of their work for them, so when a totalitarian regime sets in, there is no human will to stop it from happening... isn't that what social media and technological advancements have become for many of us?

All of the crew of the Arcadia gather together under their collective strengths: Kei Yuki, Tadashi Daiba, Tochiro Oyama, Doctor Zero, ※Mayu Ōyama, Yatteran, and Chief Engineer Maji — live against the system and are able to cohabitate in their own little, utopian microcosm. They live under the flag of righteousness and don't have allegiance to anyone, other than to each other and the outcasts of society. It's difficult to imagine a rebel faction like theirs working so harmonically in real life, but quixotic legion of do-gooder pirates is part of Leiji Matsumoto's dream of something that could only ever exist in fiction. But, a beautiful dream to have, nonetheless.

※ Note: I won't give anything away about what happens, but Mayu's backstory is a real tearjerker. Think Chroniko ("Kaiba") levels of sadness!

Harlock and Miime's relationship is something that I heavily ship, even though all they do is drink and Harlock listens to her play her harp. I'm pretty sure that Edmund Dantes and Haydée in ※"Gankutsuō" were loosely based off of these two! Miime and Haydée even have the similar backstory of being saved by their aforementioned male counterpart, and therefore, dedicating their life to them!

※ Note: Yes, I have read the original novel for "The Count of Monte Cristo" so, I know that Haydée has a similar role in the classic, book version, too! Though, it wasn't conveyed as being to the level of "Harlockian" as it is in the anime adaptation.

Matsumoto's construction of "Captain Harlock" was said in an interview to be a rebuilding of valor that was lost during the second World War. Harlock is chivalrous to all woman, fair to all of his enemies, and a safe haven to those who have been abused and forgotten by their venal society. As Panglossian as such a person may be, something that is far from mortal capability — like the immutable kindness of Kenzō Tenma in Naoki Urasawa's "Monster" — we can all ascribe to be more like Harlock: a flowering ideal, inconceivably honorable, and a companion to the weak of heart.

—Technical

Luna's Favorite Works by Each Respective Creator = ✅

Rintaro (director), notable works:
* 48x61
* Deimos no Hanayome: Ran no Kumikyoku ("Bride of Deimos") ✅
* Down Load: Namu Amida Butsu wa Ai no Uta ("Download: Devil's Circuit")
* Final Fantasy
* Ganbare Genki
* Genma Taisen
* Ginga Tetsudō 999 (Movie)
* Hi no Tori: Hōō-hen ("Phoenix: Karma Chapter") ✅
* Hi no Tori: Uchū-hen ("Phoenix: Space Chapter") ✅
* Hi no Tori: Yamato-hen ("Phoenix: Yamato Chapter") ✅
* Hoshi no Ko Chobin
* Jetter Mars
* Jungle Taitei
* Jungle Taitei (1989)
* Jungle Taitei (Movie)
* Kamui no Ken
* Kaze no Matasaburō
* Kujakuō
* Lupin VIII
* Manie-Manie: Meikyū Monogatari ("Neo Tokyo")
* Metropolis ✅
* Mūmin
* Osamu to Musashi
* Sabu to Ichi Torimono Hikae
* Sayonara Ginga Tetsudō 999: Andromeda Shūchakueki
* Shin Kujakuō ("Spirit Warrior")
* Teito Mongatari ("Doomed Megalopolis")
* Tetsuwan Atom: Uchū no Yūsha ("Astro Boy: The Brave in Space")
* Tezuka Osamu Monogatari: Boku wa Son Gokū ("The Tale of Osamu Tezuka: I'm Son Goku")
* Uchū Kaizoku Captain Herlock: Arcadia-gō no Nazo ("Space Pirate Captain Harlock: Riddle of the Arcadia Episode")
* Wagahai wa Neko de Aru ("I Am a Cat")
* Wanpaku Ōmukashi Kum Kum
* Wanpaku Tanteidan ("Boy's Detective Team")
* X Densha de Ikō ("Take the X Train") ✅
* X/1999 ✅
* X² Double X
* Yona Yona Penguin

Commentary: Rintaro's discography is very hit-or-miss for me, I thought works like X Densha de Ikō ("Take the X Train") and Deimos no Hanayome: Ran no Kumikyoku ("Bride of Deimos"), and there were productions of his that I didn't like so much, like, Teito Mongatari ("Doomed Megalopolis") and Down Load: Namu Amida Butsu wa Ai no Uta ("Download: Devil's Circuit"). Though, out of the assortment of mixed bag hits, the "Uchū Kaizoku Captain Harlock" anime adaptation takes the cake! Slow-paced meditative scenes, thoughtful character moments, and intense action sequences; Rintaro is a visionary director that deserves all of the accolades and praise that he gets, even if some of his works exist — just for the sake of existing!

Extra: The swelling operatic score in the anime was performed by non other than the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra!

Good Seiyū Work = ✅

Really Enjoyed the Seiyū's Performance = ✅ ✅

One of Luna's Favorite Performances OF ALL TIME = ✅ ✅ ✅

Makio Inōe as Captain Harlock (or Herlock), notable roles:
* William Albert Adley, Candy Candy ✅
* Hideki Horiguchi, Ganbare Genki
* Ryū, Genshi Shōnen Ryū
* Phoenix, Honey Honey no Suteki na Bōken
* Goemon Ishikawa XIII, Lupin III (series) — in all of the older "Lupin III" series, save for season one; Mr. Inōe passed away in 2019 and the role has been reprised by Daisuke Namikawa ✅ ✅ ✅
* Slegger Law, Mobile Suit Gundam — Tessyo Genda was the original voice in the TV version ✅

Commentary: Mr. Inōe is more predominantly known for being the most famous iteration of Goemon Ishikawa XIII in the "Lupin III" franchise, and his performance as Harlock isn't much different. A powerful presence with a strong, stoic sense of righteousness — this enigma rings clearly, like the peal of bell. Unfortunately, Mr. Inōe passed away in 2019, but his strong timber still echos the voices of the oppressed lower caste, that his characters respectively sought to defend. Incredible job with the character, rest in peace!

Noriko Ohara as Miime ("Mimay"), notable roles:
* Sindbad, Arabian Nights: Sindbad no Bōken (TV)
* Hiyoshi Gō, Chō Denji Machine Voltes V
* Nobita Nobi, Doraemon (1979) — voiced Nobita until Doraemon (2005), the role was reprised by Megumi Ōhara ✅ ✅ ✅
* Serge Battour, Kaze to Ki no Uta Sanctus: Sei Naru Kana ✅ ✅ ✅
* Emmanuelle Poirot, Lupin III: Part II ✅ ✅ ✅
* Claudia La Salle, Macross ✅ ✅ ✅
* Sebastian, Meiken Jolie
* Conan, Mirai Shōnen Conan
* Majo, Time Bokan
* Doronjo, Majo, Atasha, Mirenjo, Mun-Mun, and Mūjo — Time Bokan: Revival
* Shira Etō, Tokimeki Tonight ✅ ✅ ✅
* Oyuki, Urusei Yatsura ✅ ✅ ✅
* Wansa, Wansa-kun

Commentary: Noriko Ohara has an absolutely lovely voice; it's weird because I originally heard her as Nobita in "Doraemon" (who is a little boy, if you haven't watched it), but all of her female roles exude an aura of utter pulchritudinous-ness! For example, Emmanuelle Poirot ("Lupin III: Part II") plays a very minor role, but my image of her is very crisp and clear — I watched the series in its entirety a few years back, but I still have fond memories of watching that character interact with Lupin! Her presence is a very subtle, but beautiful one! Ms. Ohara is a one-of-a-kind performer! And that is why Miime is best girl, among other various reasons!

Chiyoko Kawashima as Kei Yuki and Mayu Ōyama, notable roles:
* Jimsa, Andromeda Stories
* Setsuna Meiō ("Sailor Pluto"), Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon (series) — Ai Maeda has reprised the role ✅ ✅ ✅
* Tony, Tera e...
* Hikaru Makiba, UFO Robo Grendizer

Commentary: I have only seen Ms. Kawashima as Setsuna Meiō in "Sailor Moon" — while I'm writing this, I have seen the Terra e... TV series, but not the original OVA, so I cannot comment on any of her other performances. As Kei Yuki, she's a side character, but when she is shown, she's very likable and sweet. Great job!

Akira Kamiya as Tadashi Daiba, notable roles:
* Lane Tadatos, 11-nin Iru! ✅
* Athos, Anime Sanjūshi ("The Three Musketeers")
* Kō'ichi Yamano, Babel Nisei
* Kyusaku Natsume, Bannō Bunka Neko-Musume (series)
* Sō'ichi Tomoe, Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon S ✅✅
* Mamoru Daichi, Chikyū Bōei Kazoku
* Chirin, Chirin no Suzu ✅✅
* Ryō Saeba, City Hunter (series) ✅✅
* Sanshirō Tsuwabuki, Daikū Maryū Gaiking
* Kogorō Mōri, Detective Conan — Rikiya Koyama has reprised the role ✅✅✅
* Doctor Chichibuyama, Doctor Chichibuyama
* John Kyosuke Hiba, Dog Solider
* Garlic Junior, Dragon Ball Z Movie 01: Ora no Gohan wo Kaese!! — stand-in for Shigeru Chiba
* Muscat Tyler, Elf 17
* King Arthur, Entaku no Kishi Monogatari: Moero Arthur
* Jimmy Orion, Gasshin Sentai Mechander Robo
* Ryōma Nagare, Getter Robo (series) — Hideo Ishikawa has reprised the role for the newer series, i.e. Shin Getter Robo and Change!! Getter Robo: Sekai Saigo no Hi
* Gai Daido, Getter Robo Go
* Elizabeth, Gintama Movie 2: Kanketsu-hen (Yorozuya yo Eien Nare) — stand-in for Shinji Takamatsu
* Roi Kuran, Haja Taisei Dangaiō
* Makimura, Hi no Tori: Uchū-hen ("Phoenix: Space Chapter") ✅✅
* Kenshirō, Hokuto no Ken — the role has been reprised by Hiro Shimono, Takehito Koyasu, and Katsuyuki Konishi ✅✅✅
* Shizune Mejiro, Igano Kabamaru
* Zorori, Kaiketsu Zorori: Mahōtsukai no Deshi
* Suguru Kinniku, Kinnikuman (series) — Toshio Furukawa has reprised the role
* Isamu, Kōya no Shōnen Isamu
* Akira Tosaka, Kyūkyoku Chōjin R
* Ashram, Legend of Crystania and Lodoss-tō Senki ✅✅
* Roy Focker, Macross ✅✅
* Shun Mitaka, Maison Ikkoku ✅✅
* Claude, Mirai Keisatsu Urashiman
* King Arthur, Moero Arthur: Hakuba no Ōji
* Nyarome, Mōretsu Atarō (1990)
* Que, Mujigen Hunter Fandora ✅
* Kiro, Nayuta ✅✅
* Indra, Otaku no Seiza
* Nao, Outlanders ✅
* Siegfried Dubhe and Algol Perseus, Saint Seiya ✅✅
* Lord Calvert, Slayers Gorgeous
* Kyōichirō Jin, Sukeban Deka ✅✅
* Seki Ray Shiroe, Terra e...
* Dandan, Time Travel Tondekeman!
* Kazuya Ryuzaki, Tōshō Daimos
* Shutarō Mendō, Urusei Yatsura ✅✅✅
* Takuma Ichimonji, Wakusei Robo Danguard Ace
* Shinnosuke Kazamatsuri, Yawara
* Akira Hibiki, Yūsha Raideen
* Shin Fubuki, Zero Tester

Commentary: Akira Kamiya is a very iconic voice in the industry, from his role of Kenshirō in the original "Fist of the North Star" to his defining role as the original voice of Detective Conan's alcoholic, womanizing Dad ("Kogorō Mōri")! Personally, my favorite role of his has been Shutarō Mendō ("Urusei Yatsura"), that character had a lot of flaws and issues, but Mr. Kamiya was able to convey them naturally and with a comedic cadence, that fit in with the show's milieu. In "Uchū Kaizoku Captain Harlock" — his character stands out less than some of the rest, but is able to come across as believable teenage boy, that is suffering through trials of war and hardship! Very talented seiyū, wonderful work in this series!

Rihoko Yoshida as Emeraldes, notable roles:
* Queen Badiane, Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon SuperS: Sailor 9 Senshi Shūketsu! Black Dream Hole no Kiseki ("Sailor Moon SuperS the Movie: Black Dream Hole") ✅✅
* Teto, Kaze no Tani no Nausicaä ✅✅✅
* Miwa Uzuki, Kōtetsu Jeeg
* Machiko Mai, Maicching Machiko-sensei ("Miss Machiko") ✅
* Megu Kanzaki, Majokko Megu-chan ("Little Meg the Witch Girl")
* Tickle Komori, Majokko Tickle
* Mirai, Mama wa Shōgaku 4 Nensei
* Monsley, Mirai Shōnen Conan
* Maria Grace Fleed, UFO Robo Grendizer
* Kurama, Urusei Yatsura ✅✅✅
* Rosalie Lamorlière, Rose of Versailles ✅✅
* Lisa, Wakusei Robo Danguard Ace

Commentary: Ms. Yoshida has a very husky, mature woman type of voice — this type of casting choice is exemplified best in her roles as Queen Badian ("Sailor Moon SuperS the Movie: Black Dream Hole") and as Kurama ("Urusei Yatsura"). Queen Emeraldas is a tough, ice queen like some of Ms. Yoshida's other prolific roles! She has a very commanding presence and has a very distinct voice, to the point, that when I first watched "Maetel Legend" — Atsuko Enomoto's portrayal of the character didn't originally register with me! Talented seiyū, it's a shame that she choose to retire in 1998!

There are not long-running television anime series that can pull off such a tight ending. I personally preferred "Galaxy Express 999" to the "Uchū Kaizoku Captain Harlock" series, but the latter had a much more satisfying conclusion. Leiji Matsumoto's "Harlock" saga will continue to have an important place in the annals of Japanese animation's history, because its brave and unabashed take on standing up to tyranny! "Uchū Kaizoku Captain Harlock" earns a 7/10 ranking and a place among the must-see anime classics!

Rating: ★★★★☆

Reviewer’s Rating: 7

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Jul 27, 2019

BellvonArtsy

Recommended

So for starters and clarity , I am both a fan & long time appreciator of Mr Matsumoto's work .
Now with that said I will be taking a mostly unbiased stance on this series and try to cover how it holds up by modern day standards and critique .

Story ~ 8/10

The base plot and narrative of Captain Herlock is akin to that of a classic spaghetti western.
filled to the brim with a rogues gallery of corrupt lawmen , deceptive military forces , villains from other galaxies and a society of downtrodden civilians looking for a savior up above .
And that savior comes in ... the form of a scarred and brooding space pirate who wants nothing more then to free earth from its plague of laziness and societal shackles that have weighed it down for far too long , all while a mysterious alien entity plans on a decisive and humanity destroying take over.
~~ And while all these aspects encapsulate the core and driving narrative of the series you can expect a fairly episodic drama in the vain of classic American westerns like Gunsmoke or Rawhide wrapped in a thick and shiny layer of Syfy pseudoscience and shanty time theatrics with the main plot often times taking a back seat to small 1 to 2 episode mini adventures. Think Cowboy bebop with more 50s style drama and theatrical flair in place of the 60s style jazzy coolness and frantic pacing.

Art ~ 8/10

The art direction for the show is at its peak shown in the astounding and breathtaking views of the future in the same imaginative breath as Rintaro's masterpiece adaptation of "Metropolis" mixed with a loving splash of Jean Giraud esque dreamscapes of space and far away planets , all being held together with the wonderfully bleak and looming designs of its gigantic battleship influenced Space crafts and towering obelisk like Japanese metropolitan earth setting , ~ and at its weakest you will be left with no less then the syfy standard black and white speckled space views and dreary metal corridors that blend into one another.

Animation ~ 5/10 , modern standard , 7/10 for the time of its creation

The animation for this series is its weakest point , not for being bad for the time of its creation
but because these limited budget late 70s animation productions simply don't hold up well in today's age. With most scenes looking more like a series of key frames with no in betweens in sight. but if your accustomed to watching this era of animation then you'll know its pacing well , and if you want to give an early series like this a try then I say try and focus on the plot and pretty character designs while you ease into its often jarring and stiff flow and movement .

Sound ~ 8/10

Very much one of the strong points of this series is its wonderfully fitting and on point soundtrack. Its made up of 40% Pirate shanty music done in an operatic fashion and 60% 70s style Enka jazz with love ballad style vocal accompaniment , Picture a Lupin III Yuji Ohno soundtrack with less funk but 3x more orchestral jazz . And as for the sound effects they are your standard "Zaps" "Pews" and "Booms" of any old fashion syfy anime , extremely cheesy in the most endearing of ways .

Characters ~ 6/10

I feel the characters have taken a bit of a beating by modern day critique standards
while they hold up well for their time of creation and even were quite ground breaking back then
they sadly are by today's standard incredibly trope heavy two dimensional characters who really exist to fit their needed roll and plot device. Now with that said they fit their role in a heart felt and loving way you can't help but enjoy it in the realm of the story itself , but when looked at on their own merit they stand quite short of true greatness , Captain Herlock was given the kind blessing of being brought back and made a reappearing character in Leiji's world and in doing so gets his much needed character development else where but sadly not as much as one would have hoped from his own granted series .

Enjoyment ~ 9/10

Even with the many short comings that come with a vintage space opera Like Captain Herlock
as long as you come in with an open mind and are looking to see a truly grand show of drama , love and adventure then I think most anybody can get a great deal of joy out of captain Herlock and his crew of misfit space pirates ~ tho I highly recommend pacing ones self with a few episodes at a time , cuz the cheese and drama will wear on ones nerves quick ~

all in all I give the show a rare but worthy ~ 8/10
If their are but two or three series that needed to be cherry picked from the 70s to represent the era and influence they had on anime and manga characters and writing to this day then
Captain Herlock is undeniably one of the few that will forever go down in Japanese animation history as a legendary work of pure genius and amazement .

Reviewer’s Rating: 8

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	Poll: Space Pirate Captain Harlock Episode 41 Discussion EZSPECIAL - Oct 7, 2012	6 replies	by CrysisWarXX3 »» Jul 12, 12:43 AM
	Poll: Uchuu Kaizoku Captain Harlock Episode 32 Discussion gohdan - Jul 27, 2013	8 replies	by SlammyHammy »» Jun 13, 9:51 PM
	Poll: Space Pirate Captain Harlock Episode 18 Discussion meneope - Sep 5, 2009	8 replies	by SlammyHammy »» Jun 12, 6:08 PM
	Poll: Space Pirate Captain Harlock Episode 20 Discussion Dunky - Apr 2, 2011	5 replies	by CrysisWarXX3 »» Mar 5, 12:12 AM
	Poll: Space Pirate Captain Harlock Episode 16 Discussion NeverKnowsBest26 - Aug 27, 2012	12 replies	by CrysisWarXX3 »» Mar 2, 11:53 PM

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