"When the oceans of the Earth died, people said: 'the time has come for the end of mankind'... And, of the infinite ocean overhead, whyfore, they closed their eyes, and fervently mourned the future of mankind. Of the few men who, gritting their teeth, trusting in the bright new futures of mankind, embarked on this new infinite ocean, the universe, those people pointed their fingers and laughed, jeering, 'Outlaws, chasing a hopeless dream'... This is the story of such a time, a long time ago, in the year 2977 A.D."

Intro

Harlock, the Outsider Hero

The Arcadia

The Enemy

The Basic Plot Setup

More on Harlock and other Versions

Quotations from TV episodes

Links

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A space opera primer, an SF transposition of the wild-West lone gunslinger fighting for justice on the frontier, a global critic to a too superficial humanity and to the corruption of politics, a melancholic simphony over freedom and on the willingness to do what needs to be done even with everything against, a choice of not following the masses in their degeneration and vices, a taciturn, tough and charismatic leader when appropriated, a last and only enemy to the invasion of a gigantic galactic army of Modigliani-like beautiful vegetal women connected with Mayas' archaeology, Captain Harlock is all this and more... and he is impossible to forget. I will consider here the part of Harlock's saga consisting of the first TV series. The TV series is based on the manga of Leiji Matsumoto, and is co-authored by Taro Rin, who introduced some important modifications with respect to the original manga version (mainly the character of Mayu, some spotlight on particular crew members and a less stylized attitude for the main characters, smoothing some of Matsumoto's possibly extreme characterizations). I will occasionally describe differences between the manga and the TV series. The main difference can be stated now and concerns the final part of the saga: The manga leaves us with an open final, where the conflict Harlock is involved in is not yet resolved. The TV series instead has a clear conclusion, even if a few points are left open.

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Captain Harlock is tall, thin, wears a black cloak, a white skull adorns his chest, has long hair and a patch over his right eye, a large scar across his face, carries a rapier-shaped laser rifle ready to fire or to be used in a sword fight, and is often shrouded in a mantle of silence. In his contemporary society Captain Harlock is an outsider, a pirate who has chosen to leave the corrupted humanity and to explore space in his ship, the Arcadia. Harlock wanders into the open space with a few human beings who share his dreams and aspirations. Earth's goverment usually blames Harlock for everything negative that happens in space, even when Earth is attacked by an alien invader and astronomers are murdered everywhere. Harlock thus finds himself taken in-between an alien enemy from outer space, the Mazone populace lead by Queen Raflesia, and the Earth's populace, that considers him a silly Don Quixote or a criminal. Notwithstanding this hopeless situation, Harlock decides to fight for Earth. Why? Because in the meadows flowers still bloom? Because his beloved ones rest buried in that planet? Because... the real reason why Harlock protects Earth is one of the fascinating puzzles for the young spectator, if there is a reason at all. In the animated TV series the introduction of Mayu, daughter of the late friend of Harlock, Tochiro, who designed the Arcadia, is an element that could have spoiled this "motivation quest" feature of the series. The easy way out would now be that Harlock is protecting Earth because the planet is home to the only child of his late friend. However, in the original manga version there is no Mayu, and in the TV series the little orphan (an anime cliche) is handled skilfully and the motivation quest retains its interest. Interestingly, Harlock has promised Tochiro that Mayu will never enter a pirate ship, thus excluding Mayu's access to Arcadia. If these men believe in what they do, why do they require that the child never enter a pirate ship? This perhaps shows that the decision to go against the system is a suffered one, and one they whish there were no need to take, thus leaving Mayu out of it. See also below Tadashi's difficult choice of going against the system. This approach is however more characteristic of the TV series than of the manga. In the manga Harlock is shown saying explicitly that Earth is worthless, that humanity would deserve its end, and Tadashi is also more negative than in the Anime. One can suspect Taro Rin is involved in this smoothing of extreme features, a smoothing suited to a mature and complex character as Harlock.

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The name of the ship is sometimes spelled differently ("Alkadia", "Arkadia"...) but the intention is to name the ship after the Greek region "Arcadia" that gave also name to the Italian literary movement (in the 17th century the Arcadians sought a natural poetic style based on the classics and on Greek and Roman pastoral poetry in particular, as opposed to Marinists "spectacular" approach). This spaceship looks magnificent, ancient and modern at the same time, with batteries of energy cannons on its deck, and was designed by Tochiro, a genius and late friend of Harlock. The ship is also equipped with all kinds of sensors and devices, and is guided by a sentient computer embedding the soul of its creator, Tochiro himself, whose little daughter Mayu is one of the few links Harlock has with Earth. The Arcadia is thus "alive", and in most critical situations its "consciousness" awakens, which is a considerable edge. The ship is also suited to the long silent introspective moments so characteristic of this series, when Harlock is sitting in the ancient wood armchair of his room, meditating, drinking a glass of wine and listening to Meeme's harp music, contemplating the beautiful immensities of the outer space through the decorated windows of the Arcadia's stern. The Arcadia's stern is structured and painted as a wooden ancient sea galeon.

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Mazonians are extremely beautiful, seemingly delicate Modigliani-looking vegetal women lead by Queen Raflesia, whose biology has a different nature. Eventually Raflesia will be shown to have red blood, as opposed to her people's green standard. Mazone's home-world is dead, and Mazonians are looking for a new home planet. In the remote past they had visited Earth, and left traces of their presence in ancient cultures such as the Mayas. Mazone's empire claims Earth as their legitimate new home-world. Mazonian can assume the aspect of trees, seaweeds, and of vegetal life in general. They have been waiting for centuries in letargic state and in vegetal form in several areas of Earth. When killed, they burn like paper.

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The story begins by showing humanity to be in a state that reminds, in some respects, our current society...

"Our story occurs a long time ago, in 2977 A.D. In those remote times, Earth's inhabitants used to live in a state of prosperity. Patient and reliable robots used to exploit other planets' resources in order to derive all possible goods to be carried to Earth. The Government used to provide Earth's populace with everything necessary and no one needed to work any longer. In order to prevent rebellions and riots, the Government used to broadcast in all houses ipnotic radiations, by suitably manipulating radio-TV waves. As a consequence, almost all human beings on Earth were kept in a state of comfortable numbness, when... suddenly.... all astronomic observatories on Earth were destroyed by terrible explosions. All famous astronomers vanished, or were murdered by misterious hands. Of all this was blamed he who wandered alone as an outlaw of the spaces: Captain Harlock. And Harlock was sentenced to death." (from the first TV episode, translated from Italian)

Earth's populace of 2977 is thus apathic and indifferent, concerned only with TV programs, sensuality, sport, gambling, eating, drinking, etc...  The prime minister is often busy playing golf, and does not bother following emergencies or other "annoyances". Other politicians are similarly depicted, and when two scientists warn them about a sudden concrete danger concerning all Earth, they are too busy watching horse races and playing golf to take alerts seriously, pretending that the scientists are just being alarmistic, notwithstanding the evidence produced. One of these scientists is Professor Daiba, father of the young Tadashi.

Tadashi realizes that his father and himself are being followed by some shrouded figures, who vanish as soon as they try to expose them. A mysterious object is approaching Earth, and Daiba with his son study it from their astronomic observatory. They argue the object might be the cause of the destruction of several astronomic observatories, and Tadashi proposes it is Harlock's doing. However, his father knows better...

Indeed, Harlock with his spaceship Arcadia intercepts the object, a huge black sphere with some Maya-like symbols on it. Harlock orders to fire against it in order to avoid its brutal impact with the atmosphere and the subsequent disastrous landing, but in vain. The sphere absorbs the Arcadia's cannons energy blast with no consequence. Harlock observes powerless as this happens...

This is also an educational point not to be underestimated, given the large amount of kids that followed the first series: One immediately realizes that Harlock is not an omnipotent invincible hero but just a human being. One has always to try and do one's best, but sometimes it simply isn't enough. The black sphere lands on Earth, destroying a district of the Capital. With the help of Professor Kuzuko,  an expert in Mayas and ancient civilizations, professor Daiba tries to solve the mystery of the black sphere. The Earth government does not care much, they plan a new park and will incorporate the sphere as a bizarre monument. The easiest and most effortless explanation is chosen: The sphere has been sent by Harlock, the famous criminal. Instead, the sphere is a "flag", stating that "this is the second homeworld of omnipotent Mazone", and works also as a signalling device. Meanwhile, scientists keep on being murdered by mysterious entities, and Professor Daiba is no exception, especially because of his scientific inquires on mysterious people who were silently working to conquer Earth. Immediately after murdering Daiba, the shrouded figure turns her attention to Tadashi and starts strangling him....

....Harlock arrives on the scene too late to save Professor Daiba but in time to help Tadashi, and fires his sword shaped laser rifle at the shrouded figure. The figure turnes out to be a woman that burnes like paper. Harlock forces Tadashi out of the shock as they collect the data professor Daiba had gathered. Harlock invites Tadashi to visit his famous starship, the Arcadia. The boy accepts but is immediately disappointed by the seeming superficiality and lack of organization reigning inside the starship, although when the alarm rings he realizes that things change drastically and efficiency dominates. "Why should we do ceremonies in our own home?" explains Harlock. When needed, everyone does his part passionately and professionally, but afterwards one is free to do what he likes. So inside Arcadia you don't see space cadets in shining uniforms but rather ordinary people playing chess, playing music, assembling model kits, resting, chatting etc. Thus Harlock's frequent solemnity is balanced by the more mundane and cheerful attitude of part of the crew. Quite a change with respect to Matsumoto's earlier series Yamato, where military discipline inside the spaceship Yamato was essential all the time. Yet, Tadashi confirms his disappointment, and moreover  he does not believe that working out of the law and of the institutions can result in something good... he has a kind of natural diffidence towards becoming an outlaw and a pirate. This is another excellent plot intuition, and rather educational at that, if you consider again that the show's audience included many kids at the time. It is shown that Tadashi's final decision to go against the system will not be taken light-heartedly or easily, but with great torment. Indeed, after leaving the Arcadia Tadashi goes back to Earth, although Harlock has provided him with a signalling device that Tadashi can use any moment to call the Arcadia back. Tadashi tries to reason with the Prime minister to convince politicians to give an escort to Professor Kuzuko, now in danger for having worked with Professor Daiba, and to take some kind of action. Commander Kirita, a military leader that is one of the few passionate men still on Earth and who hates Harlock, unawaringly jealous of what the pirate represents, interfers and Tadashi is accused of betrayal for having visited Harlock's ship, and therefore is imprisoned. The prime minister offers liberty if Tadashi accepts to go back to the Arcadia and kill Harlock. Disgusted, Tadashi asks again that professor Kuzuko be protected, when news arrive that Kuzuko has just been killed. The prime minister shrugs off the news as of no relevance, and Tadashi cannot bear the situation any longer. He manages to free himself and runs away. Hunted by the police, Tadashi finally surrenders to the only possible form of fight and signals Harlock that he is ready. The Arcadia directs its prow towards Earth and welcomes Tadashi onboard. Harlock points out that whenever Tadashi should decide that his ideals are incompatible with Harlock's and with what is done by the Arcadia he is free to leave.

Mazonians have always considered Earth as their second home, and now claim a right to replace humans. Contrary to Earth's populace, they are well organized and resolved. The only possible enemy they have to face is Harlock. Eventually, it is the Arcadia that makes the difference. Had the Arcadia been an ordinary starship, Harlock's single ship would have had no chances against the whole army of Mazone. However, the Arcadia and its crew are anything but ordinary. Its crew include, among others, Meeme, who was rescued by Harlock as the last survivor of her planet; Yuki, the young woman who is second in command of the Arcadia; Dr Zero, taking care of medical needs, who has a certain propensity towards wine and to a practical and matter-of-fact attitude; Masusan, the Arcadia's cook, she is usually quarreling with Dr Zero over the strange movements of bottles of wine vanishing from the kitchen; Yattaran, the engineering genius that assists Harlock in technical matters with a craze for model kits and with a rather peculiar attitude towards obedience... and a lot more people who look crazy as some of the above but that, when the alarm rings, are more efficient than machines...

As the series moves on, the war between Harlock and Queen Raflesia takes several twists, up to the final confrontation. Eventually the Arcadia wins, a single ship defeating an empire. Nobody understands how it has been possible, and also Raflesia, who is finally spared by Harlock after a final sword fight, wonders. The Arcadia goes back to Earth and its people, notwistanding a last attempt of the prime minister to consider them criminals, will participate actively to the rebuilding and rebirth of Earth. Harlock and Meeme alone leave with the Arcadia, in a sad goodbye, to look for a place to die, although knowing Harlock, he will fight many more battles for freedom before finding final rest in death.

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Harlock's silence and melancholy do not have to be confused with weakness. Harlock is a strong and mature character, capable of hard choices, a long experienced strategist, with a feeling for war tactics. As for the traditionally romantic side, Harlock is not involved sentimentally with any woman, which is a major difference with more conventional "romantic" pirates such as Salgari's Black Corsar. But in the context where the series is put this is more a benefit than a drawback. Harlock's tranquil passion is expressed in his assertion of freedom and of values that are no longer considered important by his contemporary society, and he seems to be involved in something requiring total dedication, leaving no space for romantic love and mating rituals. This has sometimes contributed to attach an impression of male chauvinism to Matsumoto, due also to the fact that the enemy army is composed by female aliens. It is true that the manga has the main male characters expressing chauvinist cliches bordering on the ridicolous, including for example the idea that women should always please men, being aware of the huge effect that feminine wiles have on the men themselves. However, the TV series improves considerably on this: One should not forget that the second in command of Arcadia is a young woman, Yuki (contrary to the manga, where Yattaran is second in command). The TV series has none of the chauvinist sentences given in the manga. Moreover, Emeraldas, the lonely pirate lady and wife of Tochiro is also a strong female character of the series. Above all, one should not forget that in earlier Matsumoto's Yamato series women represented salvation, in the figure of Starsha. Harlock is in this sense an anomaly, in that this time salvation comes from a man. Harlock however retains some traits of the "savior woman" of earlier series: At times he appears as reflexive, detached and remote as Starsha used to be. Furthermore, a cover is kept on his past, adding to the character's appeal, although a later OAV will show some traits of his past. It will be seen that Harlock had loved a woman named Maya earlier in his life, a woman who had died for Earth's freedom. The related OAV, "My youth in Arcadia" (with the wonderful Albinoni's adagio as part of the soundtrack), contradicts the first TV series discussed here in many respects, as does the series stemming from the OAV, "Infinite orbit SSX", and the recent "Harlock Saga", based on Wagner's tetralogy. In Matsumoto's works continuity is not considered to be important and each series and OAV should be considered as occurring in a new universe that retains some of the preceeding universes characteristics while changing some others. Thinking of hypertime fluxes might help if one cares about continuity...

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Finally, a few Harlock links.

Prosperoworks.org has a section devoted to Captain Harlock, interestingly entitled "The Second Mazonian War: Captain Harlock, the Gulliver's Travels, Don Quixote, and the censorship", with information on a novel by Ric De Boni that is a sequel to the first TV series.

Captain Harlock memory museum has some sketchy, brilliant and competent comments on the first TV series and points out some of the original elements.

Rei's home page contains interesting informations and remarks on the several versions of Harlock.

Nik Guerra's "The dark universe of Harlock" is a site featuring original art and a comparison of the different versions of Harlock. Interestingly, it is noticed how, in many respects, the first TV series conveys the most convincing, poetic and multi-dimensional atmosphere, even though later productions concerning this character could rely on much more advanced animation techniques and means.

Massimo Marchetti's anime page has an excellent section devoted to "Capitan Harlock" in Italian, from which I took some of  the above scans. This page includes an image gallery, descriptions of episodes of the TV series, plus material on Emeraldas and My youth in Arcadia.

Robottoni Home Page (Big Robots' home page) has a section in Italian devoted to "Capitan Harlock", with a character profile, the list of TV episodes and a few animations.

[Other links to be added soon]

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