- Episodes : 12
- Genre : Action, Drama, Military, Sci-Fi, Space
- Airing Date : Apr 3, 2018 – Jun 26, 2018
- Producers : Production I.G
Contains Spoilers
Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu: Die Neue These - Kaikou re-introduces the story of the 150-year war between the Galactic Empire and the Free Planets Alliance. Through the Galactic Empire, we see the story of Count Reinhardt, and with the Free Planets Alliance, viewers are given the point of view of the young strategist, Yang Wen-Li. Despite their respective accomplishments and positions, not only do they have to face each other in battle, they also have to face the establishment of their respective nations.
It doesn’t matter if you’ve seen the original Legend of Galactic Heroes anime. Die Neue These tells the exact same story with some slight changes. While the original was over 100 episodes, the 12 episodes still provide enough context on who the characters are, and the circumstances surrounding the war. While Reinhardt and Wen-Li are respective equals, their motivations for joining their militaries are different but the series provides enough to make you see them as heroes in distinct and unique ways.
1. Retains the Same Designs (with Some Improvements)
The designs in the context of the characters, costumes, environments, and spaceships are more or less the same as the original series but updated by modern technology. When you watch this series as a fan of the old series, you’ll instantly recognize who is who. But if there is one thing that needed a change in regards to the presentation, is with how computer technology is portrayed. The computer graphics from the original series are portrayed akin to the computer graphics scenes from War Games, an old Matthew Broderick movie from the 1980s, while the computers in this series have holographic and 3D graphics.
2. There Are Both Heroes and Villains
Both Wen-Li and Reinhardt are respectively the good guys in ways that the series does a great job of presenting. While Reinhardt is motivated by power in comparison to Wen-Li who just wanted a free college education, his dedication to his friends and to the people are pure to the core. If anyone is the true villain(s), it is the establishment on both sides who don’t want to relinquish their power and use the war as an excuse to keep it.
1. You Already Have the Original Series
As for why you should skip this series, you already have the complete iconic original series. While this new anime is faithful to the original story and has superior animation, there are two qualities of the original that is superior in that we would like to share.
2. Generic Opening and Ending Themes
The opening and ending themes are intense and energetic, but feel generic with its structure and delivery, and doesn’t set the mood. The original series wins with OP and ED themes. Nothing will ever top, the emotion to Skies of Love from the first series. But just like in the original anime, the in-series soundtrack excellently uses a lot of orchestral tracks to largely emphasize on its classic European atmosphere.
3. Who Has a Better Voice Cast?
As for the Japanese voice cast, you readers may enjoy debating this. Both the old and new series have a who’s who in voice acting. In the present series, Wen-Li is now voiced by Kenichi Suzumura, who you may know as the voice of Shinn from Gundam Seed Destiny and as Daisuke Shima in the newer version of Space Battleship Yamato. In the original version, he is played by the legendary Kei Tomiyama, who played Kodai in the original Yamato and the original Tiger Mask, Naoto Date.
As for Reinhardt, he is played by Mamoru Miyano, the voice of Light from Deathnote and Rintaro from Steins;Gate. He inherited the role from Ryo Horikawa, most famous as the voice of Vegeta from Dragon Ball Z. Since Miyano and Suzumura have easily recognizable voices compared to their other roles, the previous cast just has too much talent.
Final Thoughts
No matter where you fall on the political spectrum, everyone can relate to this series with its politics. With all the crazy things going on in the US and around the world, we feel you can learn something from this series in regards to how government should serve the people. With the elections coming up (in Nov of 2018 for the US), watching this series should give you a realization on how you want to shape change in your community and your home nation.
For those that love space opera, a good war story, and political intrigue, this is certainly the series for you. While this new installment is 12 episodes, future installments through movies are confirmed to come later on and we have those to look forward to. So whether or not you’ve seen the old series, give this a shot.
Author: Justin "ParaParaJMo" Moriarty
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