"There is so much writing in English on Japanese cinema that can't be accepted at face value — not because the writers are careless, but because the differences in culture and language are just too intricate. When I see August Ragone's name on a piece of writing, it gives me permission to place my faith in it completely. Among Japanese fantasy film historians, he's the best working in English." —Tim Lucas, Video Watchdog

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

PREVIEW: HERE ARE THE FIRST 9 MINUTES OF
"YAMATO: 2199 ~ ARK OF THE STARS"!

ああ「宇宙戦艦ヤマト2199 星巡る方舟」本編冒頭映像 !


Click over to YouTube to watch this video full screen and in 1080p!

The Shochiku Motion Picture Company has just uploaded the first nine minutes and thirty-three seconds of the highly-anticipated animated feature-length film, SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO: 2199 ~ ARK OF THE STARS, opening nationwide in Japan on December 6th. This all-new adventure takes place between Episodes 24 & 25 of the hit remake of the 1974 space opera, in which the Yamato, returning from Iscandar, encounter a vanguard of Imperial Gatlantis (known in the US as the Comet Empire)! Meanwhile, a rouge force of the Gamilas Empire are pursuing her for revenge... Just watch it, already!


One of the spectacular theatrical images heralding the new film!

For the film, composer Akira Miyagawa has penned an instrumental arrangement of the famous theme song, collaborating with world-renown violinist, Taro Hakase, best known outside of Japan for the Celine Dion's song, "To Love You More" (off the album, "Let's Talk About Love"). On December 3rd & 4th (Japan Time), the full feature was previewed for 4,000 lucky Japanese fans over the Bandai Channel streaming service — three full days before the theatrical premiere — but thankfully, Shochiku has kindly allowed fans outside of Japan the chance to preview this first reel of ARK OF THE STARS, so enjoy! Japanese-language only.

6 comments:

Michael Jones said...

I'm going next week. I can't wait!

August Ragone said...

Michael,
Enjoy it! And please come back and comment after you see it!

Cheers,
August

Unknown said...

So August...who are the guys in the armored space suits (UNCM) fighting?

August Ragone said...

Nick,
The United Nations Cosmo Marines, 7th Battalion, were engaging Gamilas forces on the Moon. When they spot the Yamato, it's on her maiden flight from Earth. The scene is a pre-credits flashback.

Hope this helps!

Cheers,
August

Unknown said...

Thanks; I therefore assume that the Marines are fighting the Gamilas('Gamillons'?) who were bombarding Earth? I never knew they did ground combat.

August Ragone said...

Nick,
In the original series, the Gamilas (Gamilons) sent tanks to attack an expeditionary team on Titan. This was also featured in YAMATO: 2199, but this time Saturn's other moon, Enceladus.

I would imagine that the Gamilas had an outpost of some kind on the Moon, because "who controls the Moon, controls the Earth."

Meanwhile in the Comet Empire series, the Marines engaged in ground combat in at least two episodes of the series, on Brumas and on Telezart.

Hope this helps!

Cheers,
August