What is Legend of the Galactic Heroes?
Legends of the Galactic Heroes (Legend of the Galactic Heroes) is a science fiction epic based on a series of science fiction novels by Yoshiki Tanaka, published beginning in 1982. Set somewhere in distant space in the 36th-37th centuries, Legend of the Galactic Heroes is a story of the epic struggle between the Galactic Empire, a dynastic monarchy based on 19th century Prussia, and the Free Planets Alliance, a nominal democracy.
I've seen a little bit of Legend of the
Galactic Heroes, and it seems like just a bunch of people talking and stuff. What is
its appeal?
Legend of the Galactic Heroes is different from other anime in that there are no giant transforming robots, transsexual martial artists, or cute transforming magical girls. If you're looking for any of these things you'll be disappointed. Legend of the Galactic Heroes is far more serious. It is an epic opera set in space, (except without people singing). All types of characters, from high nobility, admirals, and politicans, to common soldiers and farmers, are interweaved into the story.
Legend of the Galactic Heroes has aspects that appeal to many different types of fans. Fans who like shows for plot and intrigue will experience quite a bit of both. Other fans who are interested in character designs will find that the show has a great diversity of characters and a strong emphasis on character relationships. Military buffs will enjoy the large-scale space battles (many of which are based on real historical battles) and the military decorum.
The grand scale of the story is well embodied by the space battles in the series- the spectacle of thousands of ships in precise formations locked in mortal combat while the strains of 'Bolero' or the 'New World Symphony' play in the background is simply a sight to be seen.
It is little wonder that Legend of the Galactic Heroes is often known as the Star Wars or Babylon 5 of anime.
What formats does Legend of the
Galactic Heroes exist In?
There are a total of 18 novels, 10 for the main story and 8 "side story" novels. The novels are available in Japanese and Chinese. Legend of the Galactic Heroes has been made into an anime, and also exists in Japanese and Chinese manga (comic book) form. There is a complete television adaptation available on laserdisc and VHS video cassette. There is also a VideoCD (VCD) collection available in Taiwan. A subscription only DVD release is in progress in Japan (Region 2).
Region 2 - Legend of the Galactic Heroes DVD Information:
They are shipping only to addresses within Japan.
There are no English subtitles or dubbing on these DVDs. However, the Chinese Mandarin dub (from the TV broadcast in Taiwan) will be included, along with of course the original Japanese.
List price is 231,000 Yen (for all of Legend of the Galactic Heroes that's ever been animated, including the 110 episodes of the main series, Golden Wings, the movies, and Gaiden, on a total of 45 DVDs.).
Box extras include a special "encyclopedia" DVD and reprints of three of the mini-books which were included with the Legend of the Galactic Heroes Laserdisc boxes.
At least a few of the scenes will be remastered/reanimated. Check the ginei.com DVD page (about halfway down) for a comparison of the before/after scenes.
Initially, they are only selling it as a special order through the ginei.com web site. Order deadline is March 31 2002. After this date, they may or may not sell it through traditional channels.
The box set will be sent out in segments, by chronological order of the series (i.e. starting with Gaiden, and ending with season 4).
As of Feburary
2002, here's
what has been made for Legend of the Galactic Heroes:
The 110 episodes of the
main story, divided into 4 seasons.
2 movies, "My Conquest
in a Sea of Stars" and "Overture to a New War." "Sea of Stars"
takes place before the main story. "Overture" occurs
after "Sea of Stars" and overlaps with the first few eps of the main story.
A special prequel OVA
"Golden Wings," which uses the character designs from the manga.
"Gaiden," a
prequel series of currently 52 episodes.
What are the Gaiden OVAs?
OVA means "Original Video Animation" (also known as OAV, or "Original Animated Video"), which is anime released direct to video, as opposed to TV or movies. "Gaiden" (literally meaning "outer story") refers to the Legend of the Galactic Heroes side-stories, which take place outside the primary 10 novels that comprise the Legend of the Galactic Heroes canon and the main 110 episode series. These are more recent stories mostly focusing on the earlier lives of Reinhard and Kircheis after they joined the Imperial Army and before the Battle of Astarte. There is also a set of stories about the earlier lives of Yang Wenli and Julian Mintz. The animation of the Gaiden side-stories is still ongoing, however they will probably run out of story sometime in the not too distant future, unless the "make Mr. Tanaka write more Legend of the Galactic Heroes" club that was talked about at the Anime Expo Legend of the Galactic Heroes panel by anime producer Yukio Kikukawa succeeds in its mission. [Answer courtesy Walter Amos]
Tokuma Shôten is interested in licensing the series in the United States and recently, at Anime Expo 2000, the producers indicated that if there were as few as 2500 pre-orders for a DVD set -- they would be a "go". Currently the Legend of the Galactic Heroes Info Center is hosting a petition to try to demonstrate interest to Tokuma Shôten and possible buyers in the United States. If you haven't already signed it, please do so!
A fansub is a copy of a movie, television episode or OVA that has been translated and subtitled by fans for other fans (think "fan subtitle"). Thanks to the age of desktop video there are many groups of fans who produce fansubs in the United States, Canada and beyond. Please keep in mind that selling fansubs is illegal (distributing them is too but understandable since there is no way to purchase the series in the United States. The laserdiscs and videotapes in Japan are extremely expensive.)
Various distributors on http://www.fansubs.net or "Fansubs and Fandubs" section of the Anime Web Turnpike at http://www.anipike.com.
How many episodes of Legend of the
Galactic Heroes have been fansubbed?
As of February 2002, 42 episodes have been subbed that are available for distribution. Around a dozen additional scripts exist but no widespread fansub distribution of them exist as yet.
Where can I get translated English
scripts of Legend of the Galactic Heroes?
Try http://fansubs.anime.ca/files/scripts/LoGH/ (You will need a program that can unzip files, such as PKZip or WinZip.)
You might also want to try http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Subway/8975/, which contains a small number of scripts translated from the Chinese version of Legend of the Galactic Heroes. Scripts will also soon be available here at the Legend of the Galactic Heroes Info Center.
Why are the LoGH laserdiscs and videotapes so expensive compared with other animes?
Apparently, this is because LoGH does not have the sponsorship from toy companies that many other animes do, and so they rely on subscriptions as their primary means of sales. Also, many of the LoGH laserdiscs are printed in very limited quantities.
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Where can I find some Legend of the
Galactic Heroes web sites?
See the Links section.
Is there a Legend of the Galactic
Heroes Internet Relay Chat (IRC) channel?
Yes there is! On irc.logh.net we have created a channel called #logh. Feel free to join us at any time! For more information, visit the chat page.