Space Battleship Yamato [Star Blazers] 2202: Soldiers of Love

[Norbie]

I love Yamato 2199.

The Japanese blu-ray volumes are a must-have (yes, I'm biased) and thankfully every volume contains English subtitles. There was a US release but the less said about it the better...

There isn't much information regarding future blu-ray release's of Yamato 2202 but in time news will become more concrete. Until then please enjoy the following -

http://ourstarblazers.com/vault/099a/


As usual a big THANK YOU to Tim Eldred.

[Naiera]

Originally Posted by Norbie

There was a US release but the less said about it the better...

Why?

[jameslee17]

Originally Posted by Naiera

Why?

The US distributor, Voyager Entertainment, which has pretty much botched and destroyed the whole notion of Yamato/Starblazers in North America for years, had the rights to the 2199 blu-ray release, re-titled them Starblazers 2199 but left the subtitles and original Japanese audio intact and sold them domestically for an affordable price direct and through regular distribution, like Amazon. But after releasing 4 out of 6 discs, they suddenly and without any explanation stopped which meant volume 5 and 6 never saw the light of day. The only way to complete the set was to get the Japanese import versions. Luckily they were region free and subtitled but you had to pay import prices.

[CouncilSpectre]

Assuming the JP blus continue to include English subs then yep, definitely picking this up

[gpn]

As long as there are subs, I'll be picking it up. 2199 was such an excellent update to the original, I have complete faith they'll do a an equally great job with 2202. I have all of 2199 (except the compilation movie) on my shelf with first print slip covers, and I'm looking for award to 2202 joining them.

[Kirben]

Unfortunately I think they are just trying to making more money off the series, after the pointless and poor midsequel (2199: Odyssey of the Celestial Ark).

2199: Odyssey of the Celestial Ark had too many issues:
Comet Empire was poorly represented (too generic)
New characters that only seem to exist for fan service.
Full of clichés (secret pocket in space, trying to turn enemies against each other, hidden race which created all others, working together to get out)
Doesn't fit in well with series at all (The sacrifice in next episode is ruined, by expanding the Jirel race).

[jala12]

Unfortunately I think they are just trying to making more money off the series,

That's an odd statement to make, because all series are made to make money in some shape or form.

Comet Empire was poorly represented (too generic)

What we saw in the movie were really just some goons, and not really meant to be anything that was cause for alarm just yet. Because this had to take place just prior to the end of the series, they couldn't do anything too major but would nonetheless tease the main enemy force that would appear in series 2.

New characters that only seem to exist for fan service.

I thought they served their purposes in the story well enough. Whatever fanservicey moments that occurred weren't much different than what was already in the main series.

Full of clichés (secret pocket in space, trying to turn enemies against each other, hidden race which created all others, working together to get out)

Some of it could be handled better, but it works well in context of the series' underlying themes.

Doesn't fit in well with series at all (The sacrifice in next episode is ruined, by expanding the Jirel race).

It's pretty negligible considering that Celestella was fully aligned with Gamillas. The only odd thing about it was how Yuki never mentioned their discovery of more of her race. But she wouldn't have cared much by that point anyways.

[Kirben]

Originally Posted by jala12

That's an odd statement to make, because all series are made to make money in some shape or form.

2199: Odyssey of the Celestial Ark is designed solely to sell more to fans, rather than tell a decent story or expand the universe in any good way.

2199: Odyssey of the Celestial Ark would have been better focused on the first encounter with a more interesting Comet Empire, and taking more advantage of the existing cast of characters.

Originally Posted by jala12

It's pretty negligible considering that Celestella was fully aligned with Gamillas. The only odd thing about it was how Yuki never mentioned their discovery of more of her race. But she wouldn't have cared much by that point anyways.

In the series Celestella was the last of her race, dedicated to Dessler, the only person who had shown them compassion and trust. After 2199: Odyssey of the Celestial Ark, Celestella was just a lost member of a race, who never knew she had the option to return to her race.

[jala12]

2199: Odyssey of the Celestial Ark is designed solely to sell more to fans, rather than tell a decent story or expand the universe in any good way.

2199: Odyssey of the Celestial Ark would have been better focused on the first encounter with a more interesting Comet Empire, and taking more advantage of the existing cast of characters.

I dunno. It remains to be seen whether or not the stuff that occurred in the movie comes up again in second season. Further solidifying the new relationship between Earth and Gamilas is a good idea if it plays a part in the future. They probably don't want anything too dramatic with the Comet Empire. The way I see it, it's a steady build up. We see them getting their asses kicked in episode 10 by Domel. Then in the movie we see that they are capable of becoming a threat to our heroes. And then by season 2 they're out for revenge and a lot tougher than previously thought.

The movie wasn't anything special, but I thought it was perfectly serviceable and sets up potential events.

Celestella was just a lost member of a race, who never knew she had the option to return to her race.

I don't think she would care even if she had an option (which she doesn't anyways because the ship blasted off into the unknown). She was fully devoted to Dessler at that point and

[Show spoiler]pretty much destined to die.

[Gokusen]

The Yamato 2202 website has been updated...

http://yamato2202.net/

Looks like a box set for 2199 with new extras coming out next January with 2202 being released in 7 volumes starting in March. And from the teaser at the website, it's either a remake of season 2 or the Farewell Yamato film.

Hope they will preview the new Andromeda (not just a sketch) and the other Earth Defense Force ships soon because those were some of my favorite ship designs of all time.

And maybe they'll finally get around to releasing the original season 2 and 3 on BD.

[Gummi]

Originally Posted by jameslee17

The US distributor, Voyager Entertainment, which has pretty much botched and destroyed the whole notion of Yamato/Starblazers in North America for years, had the rights to the 2199 blu-ray release, re-titled them Starblazers 2199 but left the subtitles and original Japanese audio intact and sold them domestically for an affordable price direct and through regular distribution, like Amazon.

They MSRP'd for $45 per disk and didn't sell for much less than that, I would not call that affordable at all. It's barely cheaper than the really expensive Japanese version, squashing my hopes of a cheaper western release for this show.

Originally Posted by Kirben

Unfortunately I think they are just trying to making more money off the series, after the pointless and poor midsequel (2199: Odyssey of the Celestial Ark).

I was also severely disappointed by this film, it is utterly pointless and downright terrible. I don't consider the film to have any bearing on any future series or their quality though. The film even takes place between episodes of the first season, which should indicate that the events of the film have no impact on the story and will probably never be referenced again. I'm very hopeful and excited for the new season.

[jameslee17]

Who pays MSRP nowadays? When I bought the Starblazers 2199 blu-rays, they were $30 apiece. The Japanese import versions were easily double that price.

Your problem now is that Voyager Entertainment only did a limited production run of the Starblazers blu ray discs and are next to impossible to find now, so the only option for you is the Japanese import discs.

[prophetic]

Originally Posted by jameslee17

Who pays MSRP nowadays? When I bought the Starblazers 2199 blu-rays, they were $30 apiece. The Japanese import versions were easily double that price.

Your problem now is that Voyager Entertainment only did a limited production run of the Starblazers blu ray discs and are next to impossible to find now, so the only option for you is the Japanese import discs.

"Limited production?" They straight up canceled the final two discs. You have an odd definition there...

[jameslee17]

Do you actually own the Starblazers 2199 discs? Before Voyager Entertainment suddenly quit, they released 4 discs. Each one, they only pressed and sold 2000 copies. On the back of each disc box, there is a label that says xxxx/2000. That's what I mean by limited production.

[Norbie]

Originally Posted by jameslee17

Who pays MSRP nowadays? When I bought the Starblazers 2199 blu-rays, they were $30 apiece. The Japanese import versions were easily double that price. ...

From where did you get your sets at $30 apiece? That's a great price!

[jason00]

I voted yes, but obviously only if they have English subs again. I have the seven original volumes but not the movies, and I would buy this season too. I don't like the price of imports of course, but I buy so little anime these days it's not that big of a deal.