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The official YouTube channel for Japanese singer Rei Yasuda is now streaming a music video for her latest song "Hikari no Sumika" ("Where the light dwells"), which is featured as the opening theme for the summer 2025 TV anime Ruri Rocks . Rei Yasuda "Hikari no Sumika" Music Video Ruri Rocks Creditless Opening Video Rei Yasuda was born in North Carolina in April 1993, and made her solo artist debut in July 2013 with the ending theme song "Best of my Love" for Star Blazers: Space Battleship Yamato 2199 . Since then, she has also provided theme songs for The Irregular at Magic High School , Natsume's Book of Friends , and Love All Play . Yasuda shared the following comment on "Hikari no Sumika" on her official website when it was announced in May: I wrote the lyrics for the opening theme song, "Hikari no Sumika." After reading the original manga, I was reminded by Ruri-chan and...

Being a huge fan of Neon Genesis Evangelion, I gobble up any production that has Hideaki Anno involved in it. Of course, the craving for more Evangelion content is never extinguished, but at the same time, it’s a delight to revel in other works of the director and creator.

Hideaki Anno has also been involved with Shin Godzilla, Shin Ultraman, Shin Kamen Rider, and plenty of other anime in the meantime. Some of them have been instant hits, and Anno’s prowess is visible in them. But his latest project might be the one to make everyone rethink his status in the anime industry.

Hideaki Anno’s new project is enough to make me forget the Evangelion blues Hideaki Anno’s upcoming project is a new Space Battleship Yamato movie | Credits: Academy Productions

Neon Genesis Evangelion has ended, and this time it’s concrete. Hideaki Anno himself admitted in...

When you think of space anime, a few big titles stand out: Space Battleship Yamato (or Star Blazers for old-school fans) is definitely one of them. It’s a classic. It’s legendary, no doubt. But if you’re a Star Trek fan with an appetite for something that totally nails that ‘strange new worlds, deep mysteries, and friendship conquers all’ vibe, Astra Lost in Space totally wins the race.

You might not have even heard of Astra, and that’s a crime. It’s an absolute gem hiding in plain sight. It’s short and snappy, completely full of heart, and it’s just ideal for anyone who dreams of traveling through the stars without all the heavy and dark baggage. Let’s find out more.

What’s the deal with Astra Lost in Space? Here’s why Star Trek fans will love it

Think about it: it’s the future,...

Anime OVAs can offer fans some of the best stories and animated moments in the medium. If fans have ever seen a series that consistently has fantastic animation in all its episodes, chances are they've watched an Original Video Animation or an Ova. These short anime series usually act as spin-offs to popular anime and help spread awareness of the brand. More often than not, a good Ova can stand on its own as a great addition to a long-running franchise or mark the birth of a new hit series altogether.

That's exactly what these examples do best. They elevate the stories told by their franchise to new heights, offering great animation and adding to the series' world-building. These OVAs can be a great entry point into an anime for anyone who doesn't want to watch dozens of episodes of the main anime series. These titles may not always be accessible for long,...

Quick Links This Space Opera Anime Is Still a Pop Culture Gem Space Battleship Yamato Inspired Several Other Anime Star Blazers Paved the Way for Global Anime Fandom

When it comes to iconic and popular anime genres, space opera fiction isn't the most common anymore. It's easy to forget that sci-fi anime gave rise to some of the biggest brands in the industry, including mecha classics such as Mobile Suit Gundam. Before that legendary series came about, however, anime as a whole was defined by one brand that's still incredibly important and popular to this day.

Space Battleship Yamato was released 50 years ago in 1974, and it's since been a major part of Japanese popular culture. Advancing anime storytelling, Space Battleship Yamato paved the way for countless other brands to do the same. Likewise, the anime was also instrumental in bringing the industry to Western audiences, making the brand much more important than many realize.

Space Battleship Yamato is one of the most influential anime in existence. Dating back to 1974, it had a style and story like no other. It inspired the likes of Gundam, Evangelion and Marcross. The style of Space Battleship Yamato also inspired the styles of some video games, such as Space Invaders. There are multiple series and films within the universe that you can explore. Now, the creator of Neon Genesis Evangelion, Hideaki Anno, has acquired the rights to a brand new Space Battleship Yamato film with a twist.

Space Battleship Yamato 1974. [Credit: Academy Productions]

Hideaki Anno has always been an artist who pushes boundaries and keeps evolving. Now, the news of a new Space Battleship Yamato film adaptation has created significant hype in the anime community. As an artist and director who was originally inspired and gave homage to the series, Anno is the perfect choice to continue the legacy. Fans...

Hideaki Anno, creator of the iconic Neon Genesis Evangelion anime, has announced that he will be in charge of a new film installment for Leiji Matsumoto's classic sci-fi franchise, Space Battleship Yamato. While attending Yamato's 50th anniversary event, the critically acclaimed director laid bare his appreciation for the original 1974 TV series and how it inspires him as an animator.

Per Comic Natalie, Anno is the main organizer of Space Battleship Yamato's 50th Anniversary Project -- a commemorative initiative that includes several different events and projects. On Oct. 6, Anno attended the 50th anniversary screening of Yamato's debut anime episode. He was accompanied by Yutaka Izubuchi, General Director of the Space Battleship Yamato 2199 film adaptation, and Ryusuke Hikawa, an anime and special effects researcher who also worked on the film. While engaging in a talk with his fellow creators, Anno recounts his initial experiences with the original series.

Hideaki Anno announced that his company, Khara Inc., has secured the rights to produce a new anime film for the Space Battleship Yamato series.

The announcement was made during the anime’s 50th anniversary screening event held in Tokyo on Oct 6, 2024.

During the event, Anno disclosed that Khara had secured the production rights from Voyager Holdings, which oversees the original series, and received permission to use the copyright from Tohokushinsha Film Corporation.

“This time, Khara Inc. was granted the rights by Voyager Holdings, represented by President Shoji Nishizaki, to create a new animated work based on ‘Space Battleship Yamato.’ At the same time, we obtained permission to use the copyright from Tohokushinsha Film Corporation.“

Speaking at the event, Anno expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “With this, I can now make a new Space Battleship Yamato work.“

While details of the new production remain under wraps, Khara’s official...

With Be Forever Yamato: Rebel 3199 anime premiering later this summer, the venerable Space Battleship Yamato series looks ready to win new fans over, and reignite the original fandom. This sequel series will follow up on the Space Battleship Yamato 2199 retelling, providing new rebooted material that fans can see without trawling follow-ups of the 1974 anime. This makes it the best time for the fans to check out this underrated sci-fi classic.

While the titular ship's profile is unmistakable, its presence internationally has faded since its hayday in the 70s. The new 3199 series, however, shows that it has not been forgotten.

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With the franchise getting a new lease on life in this unexpected reboot, fans new and old shouldn't be afraid to check out Yamato for the first time, as the new continuity makes the setting more approachable than ever.

Related 10 Best Science...

Since Metallic Rouge was announced at Fuji TV Anime Lineup Presentation 2023, it was clear that the new anime series from the prestigious Bones studio would be an emotive way to commemorate the first 25 years of the company made by ex-key members of Sunrise Studio (now Bandai Namco Filmworks). Most anime enthusiasts know Bones for series like My Hero Academia , Fullmetal Alchemist (both adaptations), Bungo Stray Dogs , Mob Psycho 100 and movies like Escaflowne, Cowboy Bebop and Josee, the Tiger and the Fish . But true fans of the studio’s vast filmography know that their original works had an important impact on the anime industry since their beginning. So, why is Metallic Rouge so perfect to celebrate Bones’ first 25 years? Impressive Original Stories As a futuristic mystery thriller, the strongest element of the story is how Toshizo Nemoto ( Log Horizon ) and Yutaka Izubuchi ( Space Battleship Yamato 2199 ) tell the story of...

Studio Bones has released more details about its upcoming sci-fi anime, Metallic Rouge.

Unlike the studio's previous hit, My Hero Academia, Metallic Rouge is not based on any other existing works. The anime's official website now showcases a third promotional video, which teases exciting mech-style action scenes. Bones has also revealed the full staff and cast list for Metallic Rouge. The series is scheduled to start broadcasting in Japan in January 2024, airing on Fuji Television's Ultra+ programming block. Earlier this year, Crunchyroll confirmed that it will stream Metallic Rouge for subscribers in all major territories, excluding Asia.

Related: This Forgotten 2000s Mecha Anime Is Getting A Modern Sequel

Metallic Rouge is classified as "tech noir" -- a science-fiction subgenre that blends film noir with dystopian plot elements. Its story is set in a world where androids and humans coexist. The series' hero Rouge and her partner Naomi are sent to...

Anime adeptly tackles a multitude of genres and the medium has found a particular strength when it comes to heightened stories set in outer space. The “space opera” subgenre tends to feature melodramatic tales that use space as a backdrop where romance, friendship, and warfare add rich emotion to this sterile setting.

There are some excellent sci-fi anime that spend time in space, but don’t really indulge in the typical space opera stereotypes. That said, viewers who want a crash course in the theatrical heights of space opera storytelling will be satisfied with this cross-section of anime that push the genre to its limits.

Related: 10 Most Underrated Anime That Take Place In Space

Super Dimension Fortress Macross 36 Episodes

The Macross franchise has evolved in some curious ways since its inception in the '80s and parts of it even helped form the basis of America's Robotech series. Super Dimension Fortress Macross...