Harlock: Space Pirate (2013)

Veering between gleaming, clean-lined techno-lust and a punkier, junk-space aesthetic, it really is a marvel to look at: an artfully dazzling distillation of videogamey flash, proggy space-majesty and Final Fantasy flounce.

IGN recommended this and I must say it was interesting. The plot is a little messy and I wasn't with the story all the time but it threw some unexpected story twists. The sci fi elements were really good and the space shift was a fantastic design. The world building fell into a bitter love triangle which moved things away from the action but it normally swung back into action. The graphics are great during the fight scenes, the issue with motion capture, is the lack of facial expressions. The film has a grand storyline and I hope they continue the series. 21-05-2017.

Space Pirate Captain Harlock, helmed by Shinji Aramaki, is science fiction animation bliss.

With nearly 2 hours of screen time to show, plot details fall short in certain places, although there is enough material to complete a full story. The film certainly doesn't travel at light speed and the action doesn't carry the movie by any means.

Visually is where this picture impresses. The renderings of backgrounds and objects are satisfying and the design of the characters, which Japanese animation tends to do well in, takes another step forward with the CG generation.

The voice work is creditable with characters getting the voices they deserve. Shun Oguri, Aoi Yu, Maaya Sakamoto, Haruma Miuri, Kiyoshi Kobayashi and Toshiyuki Morikawa make up a bulk of the major characters.

As far as science fiction animations go, Space Pirate Captain Harlock puts itself in a highly recommendable group.