The new anime "The Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These" will begin airing in April 2018!　Mamoru Miyano as Reinhardt and Kenichi Suzumura as Jan Wenley

On Wednesday, September 20, 2017, the "Launch Event of New Anime Project "The Legend of the Galactic Heroes" - Encounter of the Stars" was held at Shinjuku Bunka Center, where the latest information was announced.

The "Legend of the Galactic Heroes" is a science fiction novel by Yoshiki Tanaka, and has been a bestseller with a total of more than 15 million copies sold since the first volume was published in 1982. The series was also called "Legend of the Galactic Voice Actors" because most of the voice actors active in Japan at the time were cast in the series. The series has expanded beyond animation to comics, video games, stage plays, and other media, and continues to attract many fans, and there have been announcements of a new animation production for some time.
⇒ The Legend of the Galactic Heroes", a masterpiece of science fiction, will be released as a new animation in 2017!　Production is by Production I.G.

According to the announcement, the new animation will be titled "The Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These" and will be based on the original novel "The Legend of the Galactic Heroes" starting from the first volume "Reimeihen". Production I.G, which has produced numerous high-profile works including "Ghost in the Shell" and "PSYCHO-PASS: Psycho-Pass" series, will be in charge of production, and the series will consist of 24 episodes.

The first season, "The Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These Encounters," will begin airing on TV in April 2018 with 12 episodes, and the second season, "The Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These Star Ran," will be reconfigured into three chapters of four episodes each, with event screenings at theaters during 2019.

Yoshiki Tanaka, the author of the original story, Shunsuke Tada, the director of the new anime version, Ryo Horikawa, who played Reinhardt in the anime "The Legend of the Galactic Heroes" directed by Noboru Ishiguro and produced from 1988 to 2009, Masashi Hironaka, who played Kirchheiss, and Nozomi Sasaki, who played Julian, were on stage at this event. who played Reinhardt in the anime "The Legend of the Galactic Heroes" directed by Noboru Ishiguro. In addition, Mamoru Miyano who plays Reinhardt, Yuichiro Umehara who plays Kirchheiss, and Kenichi Suzumura who plays Jan Wenley, who appear in "The Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These," which was released today, also appeared in front of fans.

During the "Legend of the Galactic Heroes Talk" by Horikawa, Hironaka, and Sasaki, they shared episodes from the production of Ishiguro's version of the anime, including how they began recording several episodes at a time as the story progressed. The three also performed an original reading by the three.

Next, the director and cast of the new anime "The Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These" spoke of their joy at being involved in the work "The Legend of the Galactic Heroes," and then a PV was shown for the first time, as were the cast members. Finally, Yoshiki Tanaka, the author of the original story, sent a message of hope for the new anime.

The following are some of the comments made at the event.

Staff & Cast Comments] (*titles omitted)

Yoshiki Tanaka (original author)
The Legend of the Galactic Heroes" is a work I wrote more than 30 years ago, but it is still loved by people today, and it is even being made into a new anime. There are too many good things about it (laughs). I saw the PV of the new anime and was overwhelmed by how cool it was. I even wondered who the original author was. It would be best if all the staff and cast members involved in this anime could feel that they have each created something that satisfies them. I, as a fan, would like to enjoy it purely.

Shunsuke Tada (Director of "The Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These")
When I was a newcomer in my second year of directing, I participated in the Ishiguro version of an animation as a director, and I remember being very nervous because it was my favorite work. This time, when I was offered the chance to direct the film, I gladly accepted, but I also felt a lot of pressure. I am most determined to make a film that will please the audience. I love Ishiguro's version, so I respect it in many ways, but it is not a remake. I would like to create our own "Legend of the Galactic Heroes" while respecting both works. The PV we showed today contains all the essence of the work we are trying to create. I was relieved to hear applause after the screening (laughs).

Ryo Horikawa (as Reinhardt in Noboru Ishiguro's version of "The Legend of the Galactic Heroes")
Today, I watched the PV of the new animation for the first time, and it retains a very solemn aspect, and the CG images are very beautiful and attractive. I am looking forward to seeing how it will develop. I hope that the new cast members will continue to explore new Reinhardt, Kirchweiss, and Jan Wenley. I think it is a new challenge for you to create your own roles, and I hope you will do your best.

Masashi Hironaka (as Kirchweiss in Noboru Ishiguro's version of "The Legend of the Galactic Heroes")
I have seen the new animated film and the battle scenes are wonderful. The Legend of the Galactic Heroes" is a human drama, so I am sure that if you can make it with that in mind, it will be a work loved by everyone. It is also wonderful that Mr. Shimoyama, who did a very good reading on the drama CD, is in charge of the narration. I hope it will be a wonderful work.

Nozomu Sasaki (as Julian in Noboru Ishiguro's version of "The Legend of the Galactic Heroes")
I felt a great respect for Ishiguro's version of the anime from the staff and people involved in the Tada-directed version. Once again, I feel proud to have participated in Ishiguro's version, and I am also looking forward to the new anime. If there are people who are going to experience the world of "The Legend of the Galactic Heroes" again this time, I would be very happy if they could watch the Ishiguro version of the anime, which is another galaxy, and enjoy both. I believe that both works will remain with us forever.

Mamoru Miyano (Actor of "The Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These" as Reinhardt)
I am very happy to be able to participate in a work that has been around since before I was born, a story that is truly legendary. Although the recording of the anime has not started yet, I have read the novel and am excited about how I will play this Reinhardt. I'm sometimes worried if I will be able to bring out his charisma. As Mr. Horikawa said, I hope to find the Reinhardt that only I can do and deliver a work that everyone will surely enjoy.

Yuichiro Umehara (Kirchheiss in "The Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These")
Your warm cheering has eased my nerves and renewed my determination to do my best from now on, but I will not rest on my laurels and will give my all to playing Kirchheiss. I couldn't believe that I would be involved in such a big production in my life, but today I have finally come to realize it, and I am filled with a sense of happiness. I will play Kirchheiss with my life, so please look forward to my performance.

Kenichi Suzumura (as Jan in "The Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These")
When I was still a newcomer as a voice actor, I played a soldier in an episode of Ishiguro's version of the anime. Since then, I have been playing the truly great role of Yang Wen Li. I feel tremendous pressure, but I will put my whole being as an actor into making Yang Wen Li a great role. That is something I cannot do alone. I would like to make this a wonderful work with the help of many people, so please give me your support.

■On the next page, we will introduce the main characters along with setting pictures of the new anime.