Hideaki Anno, the visionary creator behind the influential Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise, is set to direct a new Space Battleship Yamato movie titled Space Battleship Yamato √2199. The film will be produced by Anno's Studio Khara in collaboration with Production I.G.
This announcement marks a significant addition to the long-running Space Battleship Yamato franchise, which saw the release of the first in a series of seven remake films, Be Forever Yamato: Rebel 3199, in 2024. Anno's film, however, appears to be charting a distinct course from the ongoing remake.
Anno's involvement was initially hinted at during a 2024 event celebrating the series' 50th anniversary, where he spoke about Space Battleship Yamato's profound impact on his career and the broader anime landscape. "Without this work, anime would have been in a different form than it is today," Anno stated, emphasizing the original series' pivotal role in shaping his artistic vision.
In a recent interview with Monthly Newtype, Anno elaborated on his directorial aspirations for the project, expressing a desire to "create a Yamato that embodies our prayers and wishes for both the next generation and our own." This suggests a thoughtful approach that honors the legacy of the franchise while looking towards the future.
The original Space Battleship Yamato anime debuted in 1974, created by Yoshinobu Nishizaki and Leiji Matsumoto. Set in the year 2199, the story follows Earth's desperate fight against the alien Gamilons, whose actions have rendered the planet uninhabitable. A message from a benevolent alien civilization guides Earth's inhabitants to seek aid on planet Iscandar, leading to the refitting of the World War II battleship Yamato into a spaceship capable of interstellar travel for a perilous mission.
The original series was groundbreaking for its time, demonstrating anime's capacity to explore complex themes of war, sacrifice, and survival, paving the way for more mature storytelling in the medium. Its influence preceded Mobile Suit Gundam by five years and its impact continues to resonate within the industry, as acknowledged by Anno.
Anno's own Neon Genesis Evangelion, released two decades later, similarly reshaped the anime industry and introduced a generation of global audiences to its more complex and psychological narratives. For Space Battleship Yamato √2199, Anno will share directing duties with Yutaka Izubuchi, who previously worked on the Space Battleship Yamato 2199 series. The film is currently in production, though a release date has not yet been announced.