Space Battleship Yamato 2 06
Uchuu Senkan Yamato 2 Episode 06
宇宙戦艦ヤマト2 Ep. 06 (TV, Anime)

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis:

Yamato begins its approach to the 11th planet of the solar system, which is now under attack from Admiral Nazca’s fleet. Waves of fighter-bombers are laying waste to the base there and a squadron of transport craft drop tanks to begin a ground assault. The base’s space cavalier force does what it can to defend the base but are fighting a losing battle. Yamato detects several squadrons of enemy fighters and engages them, its pulse lasers taking out many of the craft and even shielding Yamato from taking missile hits. Admiral Nazca receives a report that Yamato is on approach, so he orders that several battleships be deployed to take it out.

Yamato‘s crew detects the inbound battleships and with its extended range on the main guns, Yamato is able to engage the enemy before they can attack. By the time the enemy ships can return fire, it is already mostly too late with Yamato destroying all but two ships. Susumu orders that the last to be left as they need to provide relief to the base. Yamato approaches Nazca’s battle group and its first volley hits Nazca’s carrier. Yamato takes out the three battleships sent to intercept it. Realizing they are in desperate trouble, Nazca orders his surviving escort ships to retreat.

Susumu orders the Black Tiger’s deployed and to let the fleeing enemy to escape as they need to rescue survivors on the base. The Black Tiger’s clear the skies of the remaining enemy fighters and the ground of enemy tanks. Two red cross transports land to gather the surviving space cavaliers. Sanada learns that there are only 20 soldiers left, lead by commanding officer Saito. They are returned to the ship for treatment while Sanada reports that based on the alloys of the destroyed craft they recovered on the planet’s surface, they aren’t fighting Gamilus forces but a new enemy.

Since this information needs to be reported to Earth, Susumu makes contact with HQ. After receiving the news of this new enemy, the HQ Chief changes the status of Yamato and crew from renegade to active duty, sanctioning their mission to find the source of the message that had been received. Chief then orders the mobilization of Earth’s forces and the solar system patrol fleet placed on alert. Meanwhile, Nazca reports to Desler, begging him to tell the Emperor of what happened here. Desler tells Nazca to make the report himself and then speaks to himself, waiting for Yamato‘s eventual arrival.

Thoughts/Review:

Well, Yamato now has a contingent of space cavaliers, or as Wikipedia calls them, “space marines.” I don’t know why the Japanese used the term “space cavaliers” (空間鬼兵隊) since that term is used for cavalry units. It is possible that this detachment of troops on the 11th planet are like a cavalry division. The modern U.S. military still has those troops, even without horses. I can understand why people would call these troops marines though, especially since they are now stationed on Yamato and will likely function in that role.

I wonder why the writers established this 11th planet as having once been populated by some unknown aliens in the distant past. It seemed like an odd distraction because right now, it doesn’t appear to have any bearing on the story. It is possible that down the road, there will be more made of this, but for whatever reason, I don’t believe that will happen.

No Andromeda this episode. It is still early so we’ll see if that ship and its captain play a future role.

Oh, while I’m thinking of it, Yuki has only been roving between being a nurse and the radar officer on the bridge. I’m betting we’ll see her doing more stuff again since she’s to token babe of the ship.