![[News] Space Battleship Yamato Warps Into Third Dimension](http://www.anime3000.com/images/front_page/yamato.png)
Spaceship Battleship Yamato Warps Into Third Dimension
In yet another reminder that I have to use my pre-bought tickets for the Space Battleship Yamato Rebirth anime, a trailer of the live-action debut of the franchise has come out.
Fan anticipation has been cautiously optimistic. Japan does have a robust entertainment industry and a reputation in Asia for flashy, expensive movies, but not so much for serious sci-fi in the vein of Star Trek. Let's not forget the mixed reactions to previous live-action adaptations like 2004's Casshern and Cutie Honey.
Further complicating matters is the decision to cast boyband heartthrob Takuya Kimura in the starring role. While having a big name like Kimura is a guarantee that the movie will make money, can his hairspray-drenched hands take on the manly stoicism that defines the series?
Here's the trailer. Thanks to Michael Pinto of Fanboy.com for the tip-off.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jExoH_JjMZg
While I'm not terribly familiar with the series outside of a few Star Blazers tapes rented back in the day, the movie looks promising. The design aesthetics are faithful to the 1970s originals while now generously coated in distinctly 21st-century dinginess and dust. It reminds of the Battlestar Galactica remake, right down to the computer displays that look just a few steps above MS-DOS.
And just for the sake of it, here's the classic opening to Star Blazers, the 1979 English adaptation of the original anime.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5oniErmeuE
