24 minSeason 1 • Episode 42
LatestMayu, plant flowers on this burnt field. Then call the butterflies and birds back here. Daiba, make history."Harlock and his crew go for their triumphant return to Earth, but, all that awaits them is an order that they've been banished from Earth. Harlock, thinking for the young crewmembers' sake, pleads to the Prime Minister to just pardon them and to disband as pirates. However, even that plea is rejected. At that moment, all the Mazone that were lying dormant on Earth arise. Harlock realizes that the Queen hinted at this happening but it was too late, cities are laid in ruin. The Prime Minister cries for help to Harlock and they decide to have their final fight for the sake of Earth. Peace is restored. Harlock entrusts the remnants of Earth to Tadashi and the gang and once again heads for space.
When a mysterious invader from the stars catches Earth unawares, only the legendary space pirate Captain Harlock and the crew of the Arcadia have the will to stand against them.
Direction
Matsumoto's operatic framing makes space feel vast and lonely.
Score
That organ theme lives rent-free in your head forever.
Creator
Leiji Matsumoto
Makio Inoue
Captain Harlock (voice)
Akira Kamiya
Tadashi Daiba (voice)
Noriko Ohara
Mime (voice)
Chiyoko Kawashima
Kay Yuki / Mayu Oyama (voice)
Haruko Kitahama
Lafresia (voice)
Joji Yanami
Dr. Zero / prime minister (voice)
Hiroshi Otake
Yattran (voice)
Kenichi Ogata
engr. Maji / Android (voice)
Noriko Tsukase
Masu (voice)
Akiko Tsuboi
Cleo (voice)
Yumi Nakatani
Dines (voice)
Hidekatsu Shibata
Mitsuru Kiruta (voice)
Mami Koyama
Laura (voice)
Yonehiko Kitagawa
Prof. Daiba (voice)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This defined the 'space opera' aesthetic for decades, directly influencing Cowboy Bebop and even Mass Effect's tone.
The Arcadia's skull-and-crossbones design was controversial with Japanese censors who feared it glorified actual piracy.
JP
