Evangelion Creator Returns to Direct Another Sci-Fi Anime Classic

Hideaki Anno will direct a new Space Battleship Yamato movie

In October 1974, one of the most influential anime and sci-fi series of all time aired for the first time in Japan: Space Battleship Yamato, known in the United States as Star Blazers. Now, 52 years after the anime's debut, a legendary anime creator known for his visionary contribution to sci-fi joins the Space Battleship Yamato franchise.

Hideaki Anno, the creator of the Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise, will be directing an anime movie titled Space Battleship Yamato √2199, produced by Anno's own Studio Khara in collaboration with Production I.G. This is only the latest in a long list of Yamato announcements, as in 2024 the franchise also released the first in a series of seven remake films, Be Forever Yamato: Rebel 3199. Anno's movie, however, seems to be taking a different direction from the remake movies.

A new Space Battleship Yamato movie is coming from the creator of Evangelion

Announced through an official website and an X profile, Space Battleship Yamato √2199 marks the first collaboration between Anno's Studio Khara and Production I.G. In 2024, during an event held for the 50th anniversary of the series, the director briefly mentioned being involved in a project in the Yamato franchise. On that occasion, Anno stated how influential Space Battleship Yamato had been to shape his taste and career: "Without this work, anime would have been in a different form than it is today." In a recent interview for Monthly Newtype, Anno mentioned that he aims to "create a Yamato that embodies our prayers and wishes for both the next generation and our own."

The original Space Battleship Yamato anime was created by Yoshinobu Nishizaki and mangaka Leiji Matsumoto (Galaxy Express 999). It is set in the year 2199, and Earth is at war with the alien race of the Gamilons, who have poisoned the planet with radiation. The distressed Earth Defense Force finds a message from another, peaceful alien civilization, urging the Earthlings to travel to planet Iscandar to receive help and save their home. Using plans for a light speed engine sent by the aliens, the Earth Defense Force repurposes the WWII-era Japanese battleship Yamato into a space vessel. The Yamato crew embarks on a dangerous trip across the stars.

Space Battleship Yamato was revolutionary because it showed anime wasn't necessarily a medium aimed at kids. It could tell stories of war, sacrifice, and survival. It preceded Mobile Suit Gundam by five years, and it marked a shift in the industry whose influences are still felt today, as Anno stated. Twenty years later, Anno's Neon Genesis Evangelion had a similar effect. By then, anime was starting to become a truly global form of entertainment, and audiences all over the world were exposed to its more "mature" side.

Speaking of classic sci-fi anime franchises, Studio Khara has also recently produced Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX, where Anno worked on the screenplay. For Space Battleship Yamato √2199, Anno will co-direct with Yutaka Izubuchi, who worked on Space Battleship Yamato 2199. The movie is currently in production, with no release date mentioned.