Captain Harlock: Arcadia of My Youth [Blu-ray] [1982]

This was the second work involving Japan legend Leiji Matsumoto I watched. The first was known in the US as Star Blazers. I originally watched a severely cut down, watered down version on VHS called "Vengeance of the Space Pirate". It wasn't until I found an old DVD in the 90s of Arcadia that I saw the entire story for Captain Harlock. While Arcadia of My Youth (or My Youth in Arcadia, as it has also been released under) makes a great story as a stand alone, it also sets up an entry point into the Leijiverse for other stories, such as the rest of the story as started in this film. It also is an entry into the stories of Tochiro and Emeraldas as well as ties into the Galaxy Express 999 (Galaxy Express Three Nine) and other associated stories. If you enjoy Star Wars and/or Anti Hero stories, then check this film out. This anime offering is an action adventure in which Earth fights a war...and loses. Yet the Human Spirit seems can never be truly crushed. From the Engineering know how and sheer guts of little Tochiro, to the bravery and determination of Harlock as well as the honorable Zoll of Tocarga,this story will hold your imagination for the entire run.