Talkback: Space Battleship Yamato (2010)

[August]

Takeshi Yamazaki's Space Battleship Yamato



The official website has been overhauled and updated, complete with an English version (check out the English subtitled trailer, too)!

http://yamato-movie.net/en/

[godzilla1996]

Looks interesting, I might check it out.

[Killswitch]

Can't wait to get my hands on a copy of that!
I

[o.supreme]

That trailer looks awesome. I would love to see this in the theater!

[August]

Yesterday, November 6th, I attended the American Film Market screening of SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO at the Criterion Theater in Santa Monica! As a long-time, hardcore YAMATO fan, I was extremely happy with the movie, which was subtitled in English. In a word, SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO is spectacular! Takashi Yamazaki takes the original story into amazing new directions, and marries it with the best elements of the previous entries... Yamazaki does for YAMATO what J.J. Abrams did for STAR TREK!

[August]

The Family Mart (aka Famiama) chain is already launching their tie-in productions: Yamato Milk Coffee, Chilled Coffee Beverage (in carton), Iscandar Melon Soda Pan, and some giveaway Yamato stickers (in the stickers, you can see the stern of Okita's ship from the Battle of Mars, a Black Tiger and the Cosmo Zero (from Asahi Beer). Also, there's also a lottery for a pair of Susumu Kodai's dogtags from the film. You receive an entry form for them for every purchase of 500 Yen or more at all Family Mart stores:

http://gigazine.net/index.php?/news/com ... _campaign/

The Original Soundtrack goes on sale December 1st (CD jacket design unveiled):
http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0047Y1WAW

The official novelization:
http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4094085483/

[KaijuSapian]

It's unfortunate to learn however that one of the original creators of this series died just about 4 days. Yoshinobu Nishizaki supposedly drowned falling off a research boat (which was ironically named Yamato).

[August]

It was his own research vessel, which is why it was christened "Yamato" — it was also the maiden voyage of the ship. The Japanese authorities are also investigating possible foul play, since he was found so far from the ship (he died shortly after his rescue).

Daily Mainichi:
http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/201 ... 2000c.html

The Japan Times;
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/ ... 109a8.html

The Hollywood Reporter:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/s ... zaki-42772

Variety:
http://www.variety.com/article/VR111802 ... +nishizaki

Posted at the "Yamato Crew" website on November 9:

On November 7, 2010, "Space Battleship Yamato" author and producer Yoshinobu
Nishizaki died suddenly by an unexpected accident.

We assume the will of the deceased and are committed to the continued creative
development of Space Battleship Yamato, which is loved by all of you.

We sincerely appreciate the kindness everyone had extended to the deceased
during his lifetime.

Enagio Inc.
CEO Shoji Nishizaki
Yamato Crew Executive Office

[Killswitch]

Yesterday, November 6th, I attended the American Film Market screening of SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO at the Criterion Theater in Santa Monica! As a long-time, hardcore YAMATO fan, I was extremely happy with the movie, which was subtitled in English. In a word, SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO is spectacular! Takashi Yamazaki takes the original story into amazing new directions, and marries it with the best elements of the previous entries... Yamazaki does for YAMATO what J.J. Abrams did for STAR TREK!

Lucky dog! I can't wait to see it!

Are some of the main characters from the series, missing in this film?

[August]

Which "main" characters? All of them are there: Captain Okita, Susumu Kodai, Yuki Mori, Daisuke Shima, etc.

[Killswitch]

Which "main" characters? All of them are there: Captain Okita, Susumu Kodai, Yuki Mori, Daisuke Shima, etc.

Although I own a couple Yamato DVD's, I am more familiar(and grew up with) their Star Blazers names. Glad that they are all there.

[August]

Killswitch, all of the main characters are there — from Wildstar to Dr. Sane (now a female character) — you can check out a load of information on the differences between the US and Japanese versions/characters over at the official STAR BLAZERS website http://www.starblazers.com

In the meantime, here's some more news of tie-in products, merchandize, and PR events for the film opening in less than two weeks:

Please check out my blog for "DRESSING 'SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO'", a look at the costumes & props for the upcoming film, which where on display in Japan, including photos of two of the original spacecraft miniatures used in the film:
http://augustragone.blogspot.com/2010/1 ... amato.html

Here's Hitachi's YAMATO campaign promoting their new line of HD TV/Monitors, featuring some choice footage from the film:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aL3JmgfwkhE

The Family Mart chain (aka Famiama) has already launched their tie-in productions: Yamato Milk Coffee, Chilled Coffee Beverage (in carton), Iscandar Melon Soda Pan, and some giveaway Yamato stickers (and a giveaway to win a pair of Susumu Kodai's dogtags from the film):
http://gigazine.net/index.php?/news/com ... _campaign/

Family Mart's Official page for this promotion:
http://www.family.co.jp/campaign/yamato1/index.html

The Original Soundtrack goes on sale December 1st:
http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0047Y1WAW

The official novelization from Shogakukan:
http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4094085483/

Shogakukan is also publishing a "Junior Cinema Novel" (for juvenile readers) for the film on November 24th:
http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4092306105/

A two-volume "New Edition" of Leiji Matsumoto's "New Space Battleship Yamato" manga, under the "Shonen Sunday Comics Special" imprint, on November 18th from Shogakukan:
http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4091227295/

Epson just launched its online YAMATO promotion. These are all postcards you can print out — lots of cool shots, including first-reveals for some of the spaceships (Yukikaze and Cosmo Zero). There are two sets to choose from, General and New Years 2011: http://webprint.epson.jp/mypage/pickup/ ... ents_nenga

The official YAMATO website (Japanese version only) has been updated with interactive graphics and lots of new images:
http://yamato-movie.co.jp

According to the official live-action YAMATO website, famed Anison, Isao Sasaki (who sang the original theme songs for the first YAMATO TV series and many of its sequels) is going to sing on November 28th (Japan time) at the Akasaka Sacas in Tokyo! This is the opening event for the special exhibit of original props and costumes from the upcoming movie, as well as the unveiling of a giant, 49-foot, laser-firing Yamato — the centerpiece of the exhibit (listed in the previous posts).

During the opening event, Isao Sasaki will be joined on stage by Director Takashi Yamazaki and... ANALYZER (the robot from the film) himself!

This event is limited to 500 attendees. Drawn at random, 250 winners will receive a pair of tickets to this opening gala. All entries must be submitted by this coming Monday, November 22nd (Japan Time) to be eligible:

(Japanese only):
https://ssl.toho-movie.jp/senden/yamato_event/

Cool, huh?

On December 1st (Japan Time), at the Toho Cinemas Nichigeki, Toho's largest theater in Tokyo (located in the Ginza Ward), they will be having the two main stars of the new film, Takuya Kimura (Susumu Kodai) and Meisa Kuroki (Yuki Mori), and director Takashi Yamazaki, on stage for the 2:45 pm screening (Japan Time).

Those attending should order their tickets for this presentation NOW!

Check here, first (Japanese only):
http://www2.toho-movie.jp/movie/shonich ... o/top.html

Then, go here (Japanese only):
http://www2.toho-movie.jp/movie/shonich ... nichi.html

[Killswitch]

Thanks for all the links & info! That 49 foot Yamato should be pretty cool!
Can't wait to see the film!

[August]

Here are some frame enlargements from the actual film:


Cosmo Tigers in formation at the Battle of Mars!


Cosmo Tigers engage Gamilus warships at the Battle of Mars!


Construction of the Earth's last Space Battleship, Yamato!


The Yamato casts off for her voyage to the planet Iscandar!


The last hope of mankind, Yamato, leaves Earth orbit!


The Yamato attacked from all sides by the Gamilus forces!


Powering up the Yamato's ultimate weapon: The Wave Motion Gun!


The Wave Motion Gun chamber is compressed!


The Wave Motion Gun is fired!


The Gamilus task force is utterly annihilated!


Robot Analyzer springs into action on the planet Gamilus!


Analyzer fires upon the hordes of Gamilus soldiers!


The final conflict... Can the Yamato survive?

Source:TV Dogatch

[Arrow]

The scenes in those pictures look downright beautiful. I've never seen the series, but I'll definitely be checking this out.

[August]

The movie is written and directed in such a way that you don't have to have any prior knowledge of the original, but it is also fresh enough for hardcore fans (like me).

[Killswitch]

Thanks for the photos, they look very good.

[August]

The 'Buck stops with 'Yamato': Space adventure has atmosphere & star power, but lacks gravity
by Cristoph Mark / Daily Yomiuri Staff Writer:

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/features/arts/T101124002172.htm

Mostly negative review concerns itself with the writing, acting and drama of the film, but its obvious that the reviewer doesn't understand or know enough about the franchise, and relies mostly upon comparing it to the recent BATTLESTAR GALACTICA redux. Of course, these comparisons are an easy crutch for a reviewer, much like how everyone compared the original GALACTICA to STAR WARS. I saw the film, too, and I felt that it was much better than he is giving it credit for — and as a YAMATO fan, I didn't feel it missed the mark.

It's especially ironic since (according to legend) the late producer, Yoshinobu Nishizaki, who created YAMATO, was asked by Glen A. Larson — when he was being sued by 20th Century Fox over GALACTICA being too similar to STAR WARS — to speak on his defense. Larson asked Nishizaki to recognize that GALACTICA lifted from YAMATO and not STAR WARS! Nishizaki found the whole incident to be rather amusing.

It seems that 32 years later, the two series are still connected in their rebirths!

[Primevalgodzilla V2]

For something made at $22 million, the effects look like something made at $100 million. I got the same vibe for District 9.

[August]

The biggest difference between US and Japanese films is that the Japanese do not have Unions, therefore the wages are not cutting into the budgets, and the actors aren't paid the ridiculous amounts that they are in the US. This helps to keep the costs down on Japanese film productions — especially for a country the size of Japan and the ceiling on the potential domestic audience. Still, the director, who helmed the VFX (with a crew of 50 — all based in Japan), had over eight months to create the visual effects for this movie, and it shows in every scene!

Here's a positive review of SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO by the Japan Times' redoubtable Mark Schilling:
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/ ... 126a1.html

Meanwhile, here are the Countdown commercials airing in Japan:

Countdown — 6 DAYS LEFT UNTIL RELEASE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_OYqrDIVGQ

Countdown — 5 DAYS LEFT UNTIL RELEASE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHjUpaX64yc

Countdown — 4 DAYS LEFT UNTIL RELEASE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwW2SdEIEp0

Countdown — 3 DAYS LEFT UNTIL RELEASE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1TncRdVeZQ

Countdown — 2 DAYS LEFT UNTIL RELEASE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqT3B4pmkjY

Countdown — 1 DAY LEFT UNTIL RELEASE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hc7HNWiCA9E

Here's the opening two-minutes of SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO from Fuji Television's SMAP show broadcast on November 29th:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk5AyXPfVZs

Here's a second clip from the SMAP special; the Yamato casts off with an alien super-weapon bearing down on her:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nIej5weq1U