Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu: Die Neue These - Kaikou
Also Known As
The Legend of the Galactic Heroes: The New Thesis - Encounter
銀河英雄伝説 Die Neue These 邂逅
Background
Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu (or Legend of the Galactic Heroes) is a famous space opera and military science fiction series that was first released as a novel in November 1982 by Yoshiki Tanaka. The novel ran until November 1987, and a total of 10 volumes were released by Tokuma Shoten with Viz Media publishing the English adaptation. The series included illustrations by Naoyuki Kato for volumes 1 through 5, while Yukihisa Kamoshita illustrated volumes 6 through 10.
Since its initial release, it has gone on to be adapted into countless manga, novel spin-offs, films, anime, and OVAs, and it even had a musical adaptation by the all-female troupe Takarazuka Revue. Among its most notable adaptations was the 110-episode OVA directed by Noboru Ishiguro which was animated by Artland, Madhouse, and Magic Bus. This adaptation ran from December 1988 through March 1997.
Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu: Die Neue These - Kaikou Adaptation
Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu: Die Neue These - Kaikou (or The Legend of the Galactic Heroes: The New Thesis - Encounter) is an entirely new anime adaptation of the original novel series that was announced on Aug. 13, 2015. This new release is animated by Production I.G (Attack on Titan, FLCL) and will include 2 parts: this initial season with 12 episodes, and a second season titled Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu: Die Neue These - Seiran (or Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu: Die Neue These - Stellar War*). The second season will premiere in theaters as three films in 2019, each of which will consist of four episodes.
The new adaptation is being directed by Shunsuke Tada (Kuroko’s Basketball, Ghost in the Shell: Arise) with Noboru Takagi (Attack on Titan, Durarara!!) working on the scripts. In addition to Production I.G, DMM Pictures, Shochiku, and Tokuma Shoten are also working on the animation.
Iwao Teraoka (Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn RE:0096), Katsura Tsushima (Gintama), and Yoko Kikuchi (.hack//Legend of the Twilight) have also been brought on for character design while Atsushi Takeuchi (Appleseed), Shinji Usui (009 Re:Cyborg), and Shinobu Tsuneki (Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex) have been brought on for mechanical design. It’s also been revealed that the opening theme titled “Binary Star” will be performed by SawanoHiroyuki[nZk] (Attack on Titan) with Uru, and the ending theme “Wish” will be performed by ELISA (The World God Only Knows).
The series will star Mamoru Miyano (Bungo Stray Dogs, Death Note) as Reinhard, Kenichi Suzumura (Concrete Revolutio, D.Gray-man) as Yang Wen-li, and Yuichiro Umehara (Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphan*, Gate) as Siegfried Kircheis.
Characters
Reinhard von Lohengramm (CV: Mamoru Miyano)
Alongside Yang Wen-li, Reinhard is the protagonist of Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu. He was born as a noble named Reinhard von Müsel and lived with his father and older sister Annerose after the death of his mother whom he has few memories of. Despite their noble status, his family is poor and his father sells Annerose to Emperor Friedrich IV as a concubine, thus setting Reinhard on a path for revenge as he grows determined to destroy the corrupt society and Goldenbaum Dynasty.
He joins Cadet School and enters active service at the age of 15. His talent for military strategy results in his quick promotion, and at the age of 21, Friedrich IV bestows upon him the name Lohengramm.
He’s cold, calculated, and brilliant, willing to open up only to his sister Annerose and his friend Kircheis, excluding even his wife Hildegard.
Yang Wen-li (CV: Kenichi Suzumura)
Like Reinhard, Yang Wen-li is one of the protagonists of the series. He’s an extremely famous hero and gifted with military brilliance, but he dislikes his popularity.
Growing up he wanted to become a historian and attended the Free Planets Defense Force Command Academy only for the sake of a free education. By the beginning of the series he’s already famous as the “Hero of El Facil” for having evacuated the planet before the Empire took it. He’s an even better tactician than Reinhard, but far less vicious in his methods.
Siegfried Kircheis (CV: Yuichiro Umehara)
Often seen with Reinhard, Kircheis serves as a trusted adviser. He’s virtuous and constantly tries to keep Reinhard on the right path, and although he’s brilliant, his lack of desire for fame or power keeps in him Reinhard’s shadow.
Cast
Mamoru Miyano: Reinhard von Lohengramm
Kenichi Suzumura: Yang Wen-li
Yuichiro Umehara: Siegfried Kircheis
Yoshimitsu Shimoyama: Narrator
Staff
Original Work: Yoshiki Tanaka (published by Tokuma Shoten)
Original Mechanical Design: Naoyuki Kato
Director: Shunsuke Tada
Chief Animation Director: Takayuki Goto
Special Effects Director: Atsushi Takeuchi
Writer: Noboru Takagi
Supervision: Shunsuke Tada
Character Designers: Iwao Teraoka, Katsura Tsushima, Yoko Kikuchi
Mechanical Designers: Atsushi Takeuchi, Shinji Usui, Shinobu Tsuneki
Opening Theme: “Binary Star” by SawanoHiroyuki[nZk] with Uru
Ending Theme: “Wish” by ELISA
Studio: Production I.G
Broadcast Information
Premieres in April 2018
Official Links
Products on TOM
ArtFX J Legend of the Galactic Heroes Siegfried Kircheis
Legend of the Galactic Heroes Vol. 8
Legend of the Galactic Heroes Vol. 7
ArtFX J Legend of the Galactic Heroes Yang Wen-Li
ArtFX J Legend of the Galactic Heroes Reinhard von Lohengramm
Legend of the Galactic Heroes Complete Guide