How to Re-Popularize Star Blazers

[darkyamato]

It seems too me that in today's time, Star Blazers is among classics not well popular with most anime fans. Heck, I even tried getting my anime fan aquaintences to check out this show, but they appear to be too into the latest anime to even visit anime's past. Meanwhile, it's been long since Skydance Production announced its desire to do a live-action movie based on this series (not on its Japanese counterpart Space Battleship Yamato though), and still no word on if the license has been granted or not.

What you think Voyager Entertainment (North American rights holder to Star Blazers and Space Battleship Yamato) could do to rebuild interest in Star Blazers within North America? Maybe the company should hire a company like IDW, DC, Marvel, or whoever to do a comic book re-imagining of the sci-fi tale. Or maybe commision a video game company to do a series of Star Blazers video games, whether to license designs from the original SBY or create new ones. Or how about produce and create a U.S. animated series sequel that intoduces a modern sci-fi look, whether focusing on new adventures of the original Argo or focusing on adventures of a new Argo or some EDF ship with a different name. Or maybe create and produce an animated series that reboots the adventures of the Argoe and features well-distinctive redesigns for the various Star Blazers characters and mecha so as to distinct between this and the original Star Blazers incarnation. How about re-dubbing the upcoming Space Battleship Yamato 2199 to replace the names with Star Blazers names and change the title to Star Blazers something (ex: call it "Star Blazers: Space Battleship Argo") .

Any thoughts?

[shantastic]

The sad truth is that despite a huge fanbase for anime in North America, said fanbase is not interested in the classics or the forerunners as you mentioned in your above post.

I grew up in the 1980's, so Star Blazers, Robotech, Battle of the Planets, Voltron, etc. were anime for me growing up, so the nostalgia factor is what keeps my fandom for these shows alive today.

I would love to see Star Blazers back in the spotlight here in North America, but sadly, I just don't see it happening since I doubt most companies would see it as a money making investment. I thought we were on the right track when the Sci-Fi channel started re-broadcasting the "Quest For Iscandar" last year, but they didn't even make it to the halfway point of the series before yanking it.

The best option would be to see 2199 brought over here, and hope it becomes a huge hit. That would seem to be the only option for renewing interest in the original series or getting a video game, comic book, etc.