Opinions of Gorath, The Mysterians, Battle in Outer Space?

[SparkieGojira]

[August]

Since I always loved space adventure stories, I first fell in love with YAMATO when I saw the Bandai plastic model kits (Yamato, Cosmo Zero and Robot Analyzer) at a store at Japantown in 1975. Then, I met a kid who moved from Japan to San Francisco, who raved about YAMATO, and then I bought the first edition YAMATO manga from Akita Shoten by Leiji Matsumoto -- and was blown away with this Uchu Romansu (Romatic Space Opera).

In 1977, I bought the three-volume Akio Hio manga version (which I liked better than the Matsumoto version), the Symphonic Suite soundtrack album and some photo books released in conjunction with the feature film -- and got a serious case of Yamato Mania! I also later got the Drama LP for the English-language version, and was surprised to see a small story on the film in Famous Monsters magazine.

I continued to buy YAMATO merchandise and model kits, and books and records for ARRIVERDERCI YAMATO -- and jumped for joy when I saw a preview for a new series called STAR BLAZERS on my local television station: "IT'S YAMATO! IT'S YAMATO!"

Then, my Yamato Mania grew worse... I haven't been the same since.

[Robert Saint John]

^^ I can thank this man for single-handedly reviving the love I have for YAMATO a few months ago. And curse him for giving me a new hobby to finance!

Best purchase I made last year: Bandai BPX-01 Soul of Popynica 1/625 Starship Yamato. So lovely.

Oh, back on topic: I recently tracked down a US VHS release of GORATH, but will withhold judgement until I see the original Japanese version. I found it rather boring.

I find THE MYSTERIANS a visual and audio feast! Absolutely love the SFX and the battle scenes. But I think it's rather slow paced, and am often tempted to fast forward through to the next SFX scene. Never actually saw the US version in the 60s or 70s (or any of these movies), which surprises me as we seemed to get all of the Toho kaiju classics.

I know I'm in the minority here, but I love BATTLE. I find the whole "UN" aspect so charmingly retro, love the soundtrack, the spaceships are classics, the scene where they pass the wreckage of the station very poignant, and the battle on the moon very rousing, almost up there with MYSTERIANS. And I love the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile. Maybe next year I'll get a new Toho Mechas series with *that*!

[musukogoji]

[August]