May 31, 2021
As I recently finished this show, I felt it was time to give it some love through a small review. This show surprised me in a good way, especially considering the fact that it's based on what's considered one of the best pieces of media in the SBY franchise (Farewell Yamato, and by extension SBY 2).
The core theme of love, signified by the under-title "Soldiers of Love" is brought to life through use of clever directing tricks, an expanded scope granted to the writing of this world (Considering Gamillas survival in 2199 and some other changes from the source, this was an inevitability) by
...
a master of Sci-fi (Harutoshi Fukui, Gundam UC). Even more beautiful scores both old and new are once again composed by Akira Miyagawa (Son of original composer, Hiroshi Miyagawa), leit motifs granted to both Zordar and Sabera among other characters, something that wasn't present in the original show.
Some fan favorite characters return and are introduced, as plot threads left in 2199 (And its movies) about Hijikata, Yamanami, Saito and Gamillas are brought to full fruition, as the Gamillan-Earth cooperation gives us tense political intrigues in the aftermath of a world crafted from the cradle that was the Iscandarian Cosmo-Reverse system.
My Sales Pitch: The crew of the Yamato are pushed into situations beyond the scope of their imagination, willingly heading out to save someone (Teresa) in need of help in our universe as recompense for the same favor being granted to them by Iscandar 3 years back. The Comet Empire is an entirely different enemy than Gamillas was, an intricate war machine hell-bent on annihilating the universe! Or so it seems... The promise to not use the Wave Motion Gun again in 2199 takes big focus this season, as its destructive capabilities in 2199 has left a sour taste in the crew of the Yamato, Kodai Susumu in particular.
Reintroduced after the 2199 side-story movie is the White Comet Empire, and its leader who despises love "Emperor Zordar"
What I love about Gatlantis as a race and enemy is their internal struggle against basic human emotions suppressed through means I won't bother to explain here, as that would be spoiling the fun. It's like watching genetically manufactured child soldiers getting thrust into war, and some of them naturally rebel against their locked away emotions to emulate normal human beings. And in the midst of all this, the Yamato has to stop the onslaught of all mankind with weapons they promised to never use again.
This show has themes like sins of the father, redeeming irredeemable crimes, the pro's and con's of love and the irrationality behind that emotion, are orders always absolute? Is co-existence between different races possible? The generation after Okita, or as they're referred to in the show "Okita's children", are they capable of overturning great peril and imminent annihilation with their wits, morals and strength?
In this show you'll find ethereal beings, a natural evolution to the formula that was established in 2199, a tightly knit web of sub-plots slowly progressing to their climax in one big explosion of satisfaction the closer we get to the end.
As a final note I'd like to commend the new director Habara for managing to pick up the work his predecessor (Izubuchi) left off, having worked on the Clockwork prisoner and first half of the Rainbow cluster battle in 2199, he is more than well equipped to handle this task hand in hand with head writer Fukui. The new voice acting talents on all sides are mostly veteran VA's from the Galactic Heroes and Original Gundam days, so those of you who have a good ear will be able to spot some of your favorite old men and women from decades past.
All in all, this show is one big celebration of Yoshinobu Nishizaki's vision of love as a tool to help make the world a better place, gathering talents in all departments form both the older and newer generations to create a masterpiece in the making called Space Battleship Yamato 2202: Soldiers of Love.
Please watch this show all the way until the end before you pass judgement, I can assure everyone that the buildup will be worth it.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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