I remember the day in late August (maybe early September) of 1979 that I caught 'Star Blazers' on WNYC TV (before Fox became Channel 5 in my area) and I was immediately hooked. Simply nothing else like it was available on TV or in theaters at the time (Star Wars was re-released earlier that year but ESB was next year, and The Flannel One's creation was not a regular TV series).
Fast forward three decades and now the animated series is rebooted (due to the popularity of the live-action movie).
Despite some flaws (I won't get into them here; too nit-picky, some would say) this is simply the BEST reboot of any series that I have seen. I have caught 22 of the 26 episodes. Each episode, most of which had counterparts in the original series (some differ greatly but remain consistent) tells another dimension of the story, and all of it adds up. I cannot wait for the final four.
The characterizations are stronger, the movement and image crispness are a wonder to behold. Kudos to Studio Xebec. The design of the EDF and Gamilon capital ships, as well as the fighters, bombers and other small vehicles (many of which were lifted from or inspired by the original series) are EVERYTHING that I wanted in a reboot of 'Star Blazers/Yamato.' I can't say this enough: this series is ripe for a competent Hollywood adaptation. It's a combination of Lord of the Rings, Star Trek, Saving Private Ryan and M*A*S*H with the musical theatricality of Les Miserables (thankfully there are no song and dance routines, but the music is awesome).
If you have not had the chance to view it, do so immediately. If you are a fan of Star Wars or the re-booted BSG, you will enjoy it. And, if you are a fan of the original, either the Japanese version or the American 'Star Blazers,' you owe it to your self to sit down, and spend 22 minutes per evening - one episode per night until the series is complete - for the ride of a lifetime.
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