I recently discovered both the US and Japanese versions of this venerable animated series on YouTube. And rewatching a few reminded me both of how big an influence this show has been on not just anime but science fiction in movies and television as well.
First airing (the voyage to Iscandar serial) in 1973, it was the father of modern anime as it predated anime such as Akira by 9 years. Over the course of its 6 series (so far) it has featured surprisingly sophisticated plots and very well drawn characters. It also features a number of themes which make it stand out. It follows the various adventures of the crew of the title spaceship. Among the themes it plays out are:
a) Loyalty
b) Honor (even among enemies)
c) Dedication - over the course of the series half or more of the crew have died - usually in action - because they put the safety of Earth above their own survival. Indeed they more than once did essentially suicide missions.
It also followed different characters maturing both as people and as officers. The main example is Kodai who starts out as the "strike commander" but moves up to Deputy Captain late in the first series when Captain Okita is dying of radiation poisoning and learns on the job how to be an effective leader. Subsequently he becomes Captain (his current position).
The series has had a sort of off and on history - frequently several years have gone by between serials. But it keeps coming back. Personally, I still think the best one is Series 2 - the Comet Empire.
If you're interested it all seems to be on YouTube scattered in various playlists.
First airing (the voyage to Iscandar serial) in 1973, it was the father of modern anime as it predated anime such as Akira by 9 years. Over the course of its 6 series (so far) it has featured surprisingly sophisticated plots and very well drawn characters. It also features a number of themes which make it stand out. It follows the various adventures of the crew of the title spaceship. Among the themes it plays out are:
a) Loyalty
b) Honor (even among enemies)
c) Dedication - over the course of the series half or more of the crew have died - usually in action - because they put the safety of Earth above their own survival. Indeed they more than once did essentially suicide missions.
It also followed different characters maturing both as people and as officers. The main example is Kodai who starts out as the "strike commander" but moves up to Deputy Captain late in the first series when Captain Okita is dying of radiation poisoning and learns on the job how to be an effective leader. Subsequently he becomes Captain (his current position).
The series has had a sort of off and on history - frequently several years have gone by between serials. But it keeps coming back. Personally, I still think the best one is Series 2 - the Comet Empire.
If you're interested it all seems to be on YouTube scattered in various playlists.
