While the film is an adaptation/prequel of the series Die Abenteuer des phantastischen Weltraumpiraten Captain Harlock (1978), certain changes were made:
- the Arcadia ship was coloured blue and constructed on planet Heavy Meldar; in this film it was constructed on Earth and colored green
- Zoll of Tokarga made a guest appearance in the series (Episode 21), but had an alien appearance rather than a humanoid appearance.
- in the series (Episodes 30 and 31), Harlock and Tochiro are seen as childhood friends, and would meet Emeraldas later; in the film Harlock has Emeraldas as an old friend, and he later meets Tochiro for the first time.
This was Yûjirô Ishihara's only role in an animated film (he was the voice of Phantom F. Harlock I).
The Deathshadow ship was earlier seen in Leiji Matsumoto's previous manga, "Space Battleship Yamato" (the manga, not the TV show), where it appeared along with Susumu Kodai's brother, Mamoru. This was a source of speculation among fans of Matsumoto that Harlock is possibly related to the Kodais (either being Mamoru Kodai or a descendant of him).
Serves as a prequel to Die Abenteuer des phantastischen Weltraumpiraten Captain Harlock (1978), and a pilot for Waga seishun no Arcadia: Mugen kidô SSX (1982).
Leiji Matsumoto: Writer, is the person Zoll's guards knock down when they rush into Harlock's ship to arrest Harlock.