Uchuu Senkan Yamato 2199 – Episode Two – Toward a Sea of Stars

Yamato 2199 has a delightful 1970s aesthetic, complete with flared uniforms, jump suits, big collars, and cravats. Compared to other space opera anime that go for a very modern, futuristic aesthetic, complete with curious fashion, hover vehicles, and all sorts of gadgetry, this is an almost old fashioned looking anime. In doing so the series has a distinctive look that sets it apart from other, similarly themes series. It is an old-fashioned series set in the future, and puts me in mind of Blake 7 (I’m not actually old enough to have watched it, but remember seeing reruns at some point on TV), or the much earlier Lost in Space. It is a curious mix of futuristic elements, and approach to fighters, but with an older aesthetic, that represents a direct link to Matsumoto Leiji’s original work.

Shoujo-tachi wa Kyoua wo Mezasu – Choosing Your Path in Life

I’ve always had a soft spot for anime that focus on school life, its just one aspect of the anime medium that fascinates me. Many may complain about its almost never ending presence, perhaps justifiably so, given the numerous generic, even poorly constructed series that have been released over the years. But even then, the actual school setting remains one that interests me; it is arguably one of the most important aspects of anime, and the stories that anime portray. Shoujo-tachi wa Kouya wo Mezasu uses this familiar setting to explore ideas of careers, and what one wants to do after high school, and important question in Japanese society where success is expected, but conformity remains central to its social fabric. The careers form that we briefly glimpse, and the importance placed on choosing a path after high school are very important aspects of school focussed anime.