I recently had the opportunity of finishing the original Captain Harlock TV series, which first aired back in 1978. I was already familiar with Leiji Matsumoto`s work, the most famous character to have spawned from his creative mind indubitably being Captain Harlock, so it was only a matter of time before I came around to watching this classic in it`s entirety. 1978 is a long way back, especially with how fast animation techniques are updated and more money being put in a single production, so how does this show stand the test of time? The short awnser: incredibly well!
The story around Captain Harlock takes us into the far future. The human race has conquered the stars, and due to many advances in science and technology everyone lives a peaceful life of comfort and luxury. The people of earth have become collectively lazy, as everyday tasks are handled by robots and machines leaving the
humans with nothing but leisure time. One day, a large black sphere lands in Tokyo, with it came the warning that the earth originally belonged to the Mazone, an ancient race that will finally return to reclaim their rightful planet. The threat from the Mazone had been foreseen by Professor Daiba, who tries to warn the Earth`s government but nobody believes him stating that aliens do not exist and
is ridiculed. His words are heard by renegade Captain Harlock who leads his outlaw crew aboard the Arcadia as pirates through the galaxy. It`s all too late, with the Mazone infiltrating from the shadows, and their massive fleets underway to take Earth when the time is ripe. Despite already being exiled from Earth, Harlock continues to sail with a banner of skull and crossbones to vanquish the
Mazone in a lone and long war to protect the Earth and in his own words "Fights for no one`s sake, only for something deep in his heart"
The show was aired in 1978, and like most anime of the period, it is riddled with tragedy, violence and opression. The cruelties and tragedy`s of two civilisations at war have been played out very well and even a man with solid dedication like Harlock can fret about his existence with a seemingly never ending bloody war on his hands.Unlike most shows nowadays, careful attention is giving to each character despite the large and colorful cast. Who could forget Mime ? the alcoholic alien woman who`s dedicated her life to Harlock,or the equally alcoholic ship doctor that uses his cat in order to steal bottles of sake and the vengeful Daiba who takes all the effort he can in exterminating the Mazone. You`ll even feel for that extra character that you just know`ll die in the next episode or two.
The animation is well, what you would expect from a show from 1978. You can compare it to Uchuu senkaan Yamato, though Harlock is better animated in my opinion.Truly tough, the late 70`s animation didn`t distract at all watching Leiji matsumoto`s masterpiece. More often than not, I am annoyed by cheap animation shortcuts or weird CG placements in modern anime than be hindered by old animation in general.
Soundtrack wise, it`s all very epic and mostly symphonic and vocal in nature like the pirate songs that echo trough the darkness of space as the Arcadia sails by is a very nice touch.
Something of note, there are actually many variations made on Captain Harlock by his creator Leiji Matsumoto. They all are different, and don`t follow the same universe or timeline, but they all feature the same characters in slightly
different settings which all entail Harlock stoically fighting against totalitarian regimes be it alien or earthborn in origin. I have seem a few of these " other " Harlock shows, despite being manly none of them have managed to capture my heart in such a way that the original 70`s show does and this show comes from
me as an anime essential classic ! Go see it the moment you get the chance, and you won`t be disappointed.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED (for sheer manliness)
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Gwenster
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