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by David Hirsch
former Starlog Editor

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David Vs. Godzilla
Ginza, Tokyo
September 2003

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FAREWELL TO THE MASTER

On March 21st, only 3 days after his 75th birthday, composer Hiroshi Miyagawa passed away. Best known as the composer of "Star Blazers" (AKA "Space Battleship Yamato"), his career actually spanned 42 years. Though much of his work remains unknown in the west, he was responsible for writing the song "Call Happiness" for the Peanuts to sing in "Ghidrah: The Three-Headed Monster" ("San daikaiju: Chikyu saidai no kessen") as well as several "Crazy Cats" comedy films.
However, it wasn't until he worked on the first TV series of "Space Battleship Yamato" ("Uchu senkan Yamato") that Miyagawa would discover worldwide fame four years later. Falsely labeled a "Star Wars" rip-off when it premiered on American TV under the "Star Blazers" title (with a character named "Wildstar"), "Uchu senkan Yamato" actually premiered in Japanese homes in 1974! John Williams may have been credited with bringing orchestral scores back to the cinema, but it was Miyagawa who first established the symphonic motif for a lavish, animated space adventure.
"Uchu senkan Yamato," created by renowned manga artist Leiji Matsumoto, was a modest success during its first run, but the story was to end there until "Star Wars" hit Japanese cinemas. The producers quickly cobbled together their own epic anime film from the 26 TV episode story arc that same year. Unlike the TV series, the feature film was a huge hit and a second film "Saraba uchu senkan Yamato: Ai no senshitachi" (AKA "Arrivederci, Yamato" or "Farewell to Space Battleship Yamato: In the Name of Love") was released the following year to great acclaim.
A second TV series was commissioned (despite the fact that the major characters were all killed off) which expanded the second film's story into another 26 episode story arc. Over the next five years, a TV-movie, 2 feature films and a third TV series fed the demands of Yamato's throngs of fans.
Miyagawa's scores were also a hit, Nippon Columbia released not only the original soundtracks, but symphonic suites, cover recordings, choral, electronic and disco themed albums. It didn't hurt that, of the many songs featured powerhouse singer Isao Sasaki belted out the title tune. A recent re-issue of the symphonic albums sold out even before they were released!
Luckily for CDJapan customers, we have a limited stock of the fabulous 11-disc "Eternal Edition" series that was released several years ago to coincide with the DVD release and a new illustrated magazine serial. Columbia remastered the original scores, and added many unreleased tracks.

SPACE BATTLE SHIP YAMATO - ETERNAL EDITION File No.0 & 1 Koukyo Kumikyoku "Shin Uchu Senak Yamato" (Symphonic Suite "Shin Space Battleship Yamato") - Seireki 3199 Great Yamato Hasshin Animation
This 2-CD set is the first all new Space Battlecruiser Yamato CD in fifteen years. Disc 1 contains the most popular Yamato BGM tracks, newly arranged by Yasushi Miyagawa. Disc 2 contains uncut songs a . . . Out of Print CD \| 2000/09/30 \| 3800yen
ETERNAL EDITION File No.2 & 3 "Farewell to Space Battleship Yamato" Animation
Second and third CD set release from "ETERNAL EDITION" series featuring unreleased BGM and more music of anime "Farewell to Space Battleship Yamato" . . . In Stock within 1-2 days CD \| 2012/02/15 \| 3800yen
ETERNAL EDITION File No.4 "YAMATO 2" Animation
A compilation of"Space Battleship Yamato 2" music. Out of the 53 tracks included here, 36 are previously unreleased on CDs. Contains"Space Battleship Yamato (TV length)","Hakushoku Suisei (White Dwarf . . . within 1-4 days following release CD \| 2012/02/15 \| 2500yen
ETERNAL EDITION File No.5. & 6 "Space Battleship YAMATO" Animation
The 4th volume in the "Yamato Eternal" series couples "Aratanaru Tabidachi (Yamato: The New Journey) - 1979" with "Yamato yo towa ni (Be Forever, Yamato) - 1980". Contains symphonic suite "Shin Yamato . . . In Stock within 1-2 days CD \| 2012/02/15 \| 3800yen
ETERNAL EDITION File No.7 YAMATO PART III Animation
Yamato 3 was originally airded in Japan in 1980 starting in October and consisted of 2 seasons. The series was produced as a sequel to the theatrical movie "Yamato yo towa ni (Be Forever, Yamato)". Th . . . within 1-4 days following release CD \| 2012/02/15 \| 2500yen
ETERNAL EDITION File No.8 & 9 [YAMATO-Final version] Animation
Here's the last volume in the "Yamato Eternal Editions" series. The music from the last Yamato movie in the grand series is out on high quality "Tuned" CD. This time round, the selection centers aroun . . . In Stock within 1-2 days CD \| 2012/02/15 \| 3800yen
ETERNAL EDITION File No.10 "YAMATO the BEST" Animation
It's the last volume to come out in the "Yamato - Eternal Edition" series. Songs (with vocals) have been selected beyond labels for this original edition. Many of classic Yamato songs are back on high . . . In Stock within 1-2 days CD \| 2012/02/15 \| 2500yen
YAMATO the Best II Space Battleship YAMATO Vocal Collection Animation
Featured artists include Isao Sasaki, Mitsuko Horie, et al. . . . In Stock within 1-2 days CD \| 2012/02/15 \| 2500yen

CDJapan is also stocking the reissue of the 1981 Original BGM series, not as complete as the "Eternal Edition," but cost effective for the frugal.

Original BGM Collection Space Battleship Yamato Part.1 Animation Soundtrack	Original BGM Collection Space Battleship Yamato Part.2 Animation Soundtrack
Remastered reissue. Originally released in 1981. . . . within 3-5 days CD \| 2005/05/18 \| 2000yen	Remastered reissue. Originally released in 1981. . . . within 3-5 days CD \| 2005/05/18 \| 2000yen
Original BGM Collection Space Battleship Yamato Aratanaru Tabidachi Animation Soundtrack	Original BGM Collection Yamato yo Eien ni Animation Soundtrack
Remastered reissue. Originally released in 1995. . . . within 3-5 days CD \| 2005/05/18 \| 2000yen	Remastered reissue. Originally released in 1995. . . . Out of Print CD \| 2005/05/18 \| 2000yen
Original BGM Collection Space Battleship Yamato III Animation Soundtrack	Original BGM Collection Space Battleship YAMATO Final Animation Soundtrack
Remastered reissue. Originally released in 1995. . . . within 3-5 days CD \| 2005/05/18 \| 2000yen	Remastered reissue. Originally released in 1995. . . . within 3-5 days CD \| 2005/05/18 \| 2000yen

Acoustic Yamato

Though hundreds of pop covers of Miyagawa's themes have been recorded over the years, his son Akira Miyagawa teamed up with sax master Makoto Hirahara a year ago to record light jazz versions of eight of the best loved themes.

Star Mania Series: Sore Yuke! Space Battleship Yamato [Limited Pressing] Animation
Out of Print CD \| 2005/11/23 \| 1429yen
Symphony Space Battleship Yamato Live Animation
Fimed live on May 4, 1984. Performed by NHK Symphony Orchestra. . . . Out of Print DVD \| 2005/06/22 \| 2800yen

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