Dear Gen. Harrison,
Counter-ESPY has allowed me to present you with additional information regarding the increasing proliferation of Leiji Matsumoto-inspired products at last weekend’s Wonderfest model and figure convention in Tokyo2.
It is my personal observation that Space Battleship Yamato is on the verge of a medium sized comeback both among fans here and in the marketing departments of Certain Companies That Shall Remain Nameless.
Could the new visibility of Yamato be tied to the rising surge of nationalism in Japan? Is “The Nish” involved somehow in all of this? And can we ever fully afford to trust a nation that has long believed the axiom "War is bad, but space battleships are great"?
I offer the following images for your consideration and await your reply via the Overtones...
As Professor Outa’s reading of the Yamato 2 episode “Challenge of the Rainbow Galaxy” has shown us, the Yamato itself psychologically functions for many as a surrogate penis. I’m not sure if this is the case for Matsumoto himself, but the old duffer sure likes looking at it a lot.
Most fans tend to poo poo the Yamato films and TV episodes that followed the Comet Empire storyline. That's their problem, I guess. Meanwhile, the Wonderfest dudes are totally high on the Dark Star Nebula saga. These are from modeler Einosuke Hino’s table. I was only slightly disappointed to see that they don’t come packaged in imitation Bandai boxes as shown on his website.
A closer look at that sweet Comet Empire, about the size of a grapefruit half and sold out at about 70 bucks.
Despite my usual indifference to “moe kei” figures, I can’t help but squeal a bit at fan interpretations of female Yamato crew members. You can’t really see them in this photo, but Nova got some pointy ass nipples…
Sasha Mio, the Leah Dizon of the Yamato saga. This looks more like a Matsumoto character then the version seen in the Be Forever film. I know, because I’ve watched it about a million times.
Ok, it wasn’t all Yamato all the time. This guy was selling Tochiro’s bullet ridden hat from Galaxy Express 999 as well as an elegant stuffed Tori-san.
I’d like to hang this memorial plaque of Captain Okita over my desk so his spirit can come to life in a time of crisis and convince me to crash my laptop into my enemies. But it would probably just fall down and land on my head.
Be Forever Wonderfest!
To: Deep cover agent 1980PM "Ginga Baato"
Your report is concise and complete, Headquarters is pleased with the information you have collected. Expect a pay grade bump upon your return.
Specific subjects addressed for discussion:
Matsumoto's Penis: It is known that he has had his penis replaced with a mechanical one in the 1980s. It is covered in glowing dials and guages. This has prevented him from getting oral sex for decades and this clearly affected his mind re. 'Yamato Ownership suit'.
Japanese Nationalism: Plans proceed apace, the cartoon mascots for the JSDF are performing well. Soon they will be able to reveal their secret storehouse of Markalights, Maser tanks and flying battleships. The cover story of 'earthquakes' and 'tsunamis' on the northern shores are working well to hide the training exercises.
Be Forever Yamato is a documentary.
Research has proven that as long as you do NOT put on a Captain's Hat and sit under the plaque of Capt. Okita, you are safe. Feel free to indulge.
Well done, Silver Bat! You are a credit to the team!
Gen. Harrison
personal message appended:
Good lord in a rowboat!
I thought the Gamilas Sofubi was rockin' my soul but...but..that hat...that hat...calls to me.
The gentleman making the Mecha Colli kits that BANDAI DIDN'T MAKE is my soul brother. Are those really plastic?! They look plastic, not resin!
BANDAI! LOOK AT WHAT HE DOES!
As cool as Tori-san is, I am VERY rocked by that kit of the Cosmo-Wolf fighter. Fuck me blind that is pretty.
Man, I so need to get money and go to Japan...
thank you Patrick. It's like I was there. Now do the podcast. :)
Posted by: Steve Harrison | February 27, 2007 at 08:53 PM
Space Wolf. Space Wolf fighter. I fail. I walk the road of shame.
Posted by: Steve Harrison | February 27, 2007 at 08:56 PM
Special Message Special Message Special Message
To: Silver Bat
Nishizaki is in the wind. Current Location unknown. Suggest using your cover cf. Tokyo Eye to investigate.
We must know what Nishizaki is up to and which side he is on.
Message ends.
Posted by: Steve Harrison | February 27, 2007 at 09:20 PM
All those Yamato mecha goodies look yummy! It feels like the 80s all over again...
Posted by: Fanboy | February 28, 2007 at 01:23 AM
"Research has proven that as long as you do NOT put on a Captain's Hat and sit under the plaque of Capt. Okita, you are safe."
That is absolutely right! Notice doesn't Kodai didn't put the hat on. The Kancho-dairi knows what's up.
http://www.geocities.com/sixtydeuce/kodainohat.jpg
Posted by: Shawn | March 01, 2007 at 10:47 PM
Please ignore my grammar mistake from previous post. I now hold my head in shame.
Posted by: shawn | March 02, 2007 at 09:23 AM
Piffil. I make more spelling mistakes and grammar errors than everyone else who posts on Patrick's blog combined.
Such as that sentence.
And in case anyone argues the 'Curse of the Captain's Hat' on the Yamato...there WAS an episode of Yamato III where Kodai was wearing his hat...and the ship took a hit and he was wounded by flying glass (or something)!
So there!
Posted by: Steve Harrison | March 02, 2007 at 10:50 AM