The voice of Phantom F. Harlock, in the pre-title sequence over the Stanley Witch, was played by Ishihara Yuujiroo, one of Japan's best-known modern actors, and is his only performance in an animated film. When he died, several years ago as of this writing (1993), it's said that practically person in Japan worthy of being called an actor attended his funeral.

For additional reference, we recommend just about anything by Matsumoto, in both manga and anime form, but as a starting point, the following original manga stories are suggested: "Stanley no Majo" (The Stanley Witch), and the original "Waga Seishun no Arcadia." Both stories are collected in "The Cockpit," currently in print as a five-volume perfect-bound set by Shoogakkan.

The Revi C/12D was an actual precision sight used by the Axis in World War II. Supposedly, Matsumoto has an actual working Revi C/12D himself, and loaned it to the animators for reference.

When Tochiro asks Harlock II, "...why're you flying around in an Iron-Cross plane?" Harlock replies, "It's what you might call paying rent." The offhand manner in which he says this line masks a deeper meaning. It refers to the Harlock Clan being a feudal one, dating back many centuries, most probably located in Prussia. In feudal times, a lord had an obligation to serve the king, to whom he had pledged fealty, in time of war. This obligation is the "rent" to which Harlock refers. Even though the feudal system which produced this custom no longer exists, and even though Harlock believes the war to be pointless, he is nonetheless bound to hold himself to that obligation, for the sake of his personal honor, as well as that of his clan.

Production Staff

Japanese Production Staff AnimEigo Production Staff

Voice Actors

Japanese Voice Actors

Song Lyrics

Image Song: Byakuya ni Hitori (Alone in a White Arctic Night)

Natsukashii kaori ga kaze no naka yurameku omae wa moetsuki moo inai no ni. Are kara kokoro wa eien no byakuya sa. Anna ni dare ka o aisenai. Kodoku to kodoku dooshi tabibito to tabibito. Futari o tsutsunda tsuka no ma no manatsu yo. Ima mo ryoote ni omae no omomi to nukumori ikizuku. Omae ni inochi o yaretara yokatta no ni kooshite ore dake naze ikiteiru. Mitsumeteite kure kono sora no dokoka de omae ni hajinai ikikata o. Kodoku to kodoku dooshi tabibito to tabibito. Deatta toki kara mieteita wakare sa. Toki no kanata de aeru hi shinjite byakuya o sasurau.

A nostalgic smell flutters in the wind even though you burned out and are no longer here. Since then, my heart has been an eternal white Arctic night. I cannot love anyone like that. Loneliness together with loneliness-- a traveler and a traveler. The momentary midsummer that enveloped we two. Even now, in my hands your weight and warmth sighs... I wish I could have given you life. But why is it that I alone am alive like this? Look down, please, from somewhere in the sky, on this way of life that does not embarrass you. Loneliness together with loneliness-- a traveler and a traveler. It was a parting we could see from the time we first met. Believing in the day when we can meet, far off in time, I wander in the white Arctic night.

Taiyoo wa Shinanai (The Sun Will Not Die)

Yoru ga tsuzuite mo taiyoo wa shinanai. Yami no sono hate de moetsuzuketeru. Kao o agete tomo yo miageyoo yoake o. Mada minu tomo yo ashita wa kitto kuru. Kootta daichi no naka de wa hisoyaka ni hana no inochi ga ikitsuzuketeru Nakusanaide tomo yo kiboo no tane o Na mo shiranu tomo yo ashita wa kitto kuru Hito wa hitori de wa chiisana ametsubu. Keredo atsumareba umi ni mo nareru. Kasaneaoo tomo yo kokoro no te no hira o Watashi no tomo yo ashita wa kitto kuru. Ima no sona namida muda ni wa shinaide Yagate kuru hi no tsuyosa ni kaeyoo. Ikite hoshii tomo yo aisuru hito no tame ni. Subete no tomo yo ashita wa kitto kuru.

Though the night continues on, the sun will not die. At the end of the darkness, it keeps on burning. Lift up your faces, friends. Let us look up at the dawn. Friends who still do not see, tomorrow will surely come. Within the frozen ground, in secret, the flower's life continues on. Friends, do not lose the seed of hope. Friends whose names I do not even know, tomorrow will surely come. A single person is a small raindrop. But if gathered together, they can even become an ocean. Friends, let us bring together the palms of our hearts' hands. My friends, tomorrow will surely come. Do not waste those tears of yours now. Let us turn them into strength for the day that will eventually come. I want you to live, friends, for the sake of those you love. To all friends, tomorrow will surely come.

Theme: Waga Seishun no Arcadia (Arcadia of My Youth)

Mae dake o mitsumete ore wa tabidatsu owatta kinoo ni kui wa nai kara. Yasuragi wa iranai kodoku ga hoshii. Kodoku de nakereba yume wa oenai. Uchuu yo kootta hoshi no umi yo! Ore no tamashii wa idomitsuzukeru! Omae ga tsumetaku kibishii hodo ore no chi wa atsuku moetsuzukeru daroo. Jiyuu to hikikaeni fueru kizuato yaketsuku itami mo ikiru shirushi da. Ai ni futo ayumi o tometa hi mo aru. Soitsu mo harukana kako no hitotsu da. Uchuu yo kawaita hoshi no kooya yo! Ore no kono inochi subete kakeyoo! Ore ga tada hitotsu mezasu mono wa saigo ni waratte shineru jinsei dake. Uchuu yo kootta hoshi no umi yo! Ore no tamashii wa idomitsuzukeru! Omae ga tsumetaku kibishii hodo ore no chi wa atsuku moetsuzukeru daroo.

Staring only straight ahead, I set out because I have no regrets for yesterday, which is done. I do not need serenity. I want solitude. Without solitude, I cannot chase my dream. Space! Oh, frozen Sea of Stars! My spirit will continue to defy you! The colder and stricter you become the hotter my blood will likely continue to burn. The increasing scars I have in exchange for freedom, and burning pain, are signs that I live. There was also a day when I stopped walking in love. That too is part of the faraway past. Space! Oh, parched Wasteland of Stars! Let's stake everything on this life of mine! The only thing I am after is just a life, at the end of which I can laugh as I die. Space! Oh, frozen Sea of Stars! My spirit will continue to defy you! The colder and stricter you become the hotter my blood will likely continue to burn.

Image Song: Hoshizora no Last Song (Last Song of the Starry Sky)

Furimukanaide mayowazu itte kokoro no mama ni anata no ashita e. Watashi nara ii konna ni kirei na omoide ni dakarete ikirareru kara. #1: Arigatoo kui no nai hibi o. Arigatoo eien no ai o. Donna ni tooku hanareteite mo anata wa watashi no furusato. Wakareta ato mo watashi wa ikiru anata no mune no honoo ni kawatte. Tabi no omosa ga tsurai yofuke ni wa inochi no katasumi atatamesasete. Sayonara... doko made otte Sayonara... anata dake no yume, Futari wa nido to aenai keredo anata o aisete yokatta. Kurikaeshi #1.

Don't look back, go without doubts, the way your heart leads, to your tomorrow. I will be all right, because I can live embraced by such lovely remembrances as these. #1: Thank you for days with no regrets. Thank you for eternal love. No matter how far apart we may be you are my home. Even after we part, I will live transformed in to the flames in your heart. On late nights when the weight of the journey is hard let me warm a corner of your life Good-bye... Chase everywhere Good-bye... after the dream that is yours alone. Though we two can never meet again I am glad to have been able to love you. Repeat Refrain #1.