This article describes the female character Akira Yamamoto as depicted in Space Battleship Yamato 2199 and its sequels. For her male counterpart in the original series, see Akira Yamamoto (OS). For the similarly named character in the live action film, see Akira Yamamoto (live action film).
Red is the color of my home. And it is my color.—Akira Yamamoto, to Merda Ditz[9]
Akira Yamamoto (山本 玲, Yamamoto Akira), nicknamed "Rei" (玲, Rei) by her friends, is a Marsnoid fighter pilot of the Earth Federation Cosmo Navy. She served aboard the space battleship Yamato late in the Great Garmillas War, initially as part of its accounting department, but later becoming part of its fighter squadron.
Having achieved several victories during the battleship's journey to Iscandar, she was transferred to the Lunar Air Corps, becoming the leader of her own unit and a training instructor. She rejoined Yamato during the Gatlantis Campaign and later played a major role in the political movement to rescue the battleship's captain, Susumu Kodai, and his fiancée. Following the war, she was promoted to commander of Yamato's fighter squadron and led the unit during the Iscandar Incident.
History[]
Early life[]
Yamamoto sees Akio off to the Second Battle of Mars
Akira Yamamoto was born in Arcadia City on Mars, the granddaughter of a man[N 2] born on the red planet. Like other natives Marsoids, conditions on the planet turned Yamamoto's eyes red. Soon after her birth in 2179,[1] the Second Inner Planetary War broke out, forcing Yamamoto and her family were forced to evacuate Mars and settle on Earth. Most of her family was wiped out by the Garmillan planet bombs early in the Great Garmillas War, leaving only her and her older brother Akio Yamamoto behind. Akio eventually enlisted in the United Nations Cosmo Force as a recon pilot, and the two brothers became friends with his fellow pilot, Saburo Kato.[3][10] Due the the kanji making up her name having three different readings, her friends took to calling her "Rei", the Kan-on reading of the character.[4]
In February of 2198,[11] Akio was killed in action during the Second Battle of Mars against the forces of the Greater Garmillan Empire. Before departing, he had gifted the young Yamamoto with a red pendant, which was brought back to her by Kato.[3][10]
The voyage to Iscandar[]
Insubordinaing and joining Yamato squadron[]
Kato gives Yamamoto news of her assignment
Yamamoto also joined the Cosmo Force as a member of the United Nations Cosmo Navy, attaining the rank of Ensign.[1] She was selected to participate in Program Yamato and was present when the mission was officially announced by the Cosmo Navy's Commander-in-Chief, Admiral Juzo Okita. The space battleship Yamato would travel to the distant planet Iscandar to retrieve the Cosmo Reverse System, a device that could cure Earth's ruined biosphere. Yamamoto requested to be assigned to the warship's fighter squadron, but Kato, who had come to her home to pay his respects to Akio, informed her that she had been assigned to the accounting department. She sadly accepted the decision, and after looking at her brother's pendant, she went to take a pair of scissors and cut her hair short.[3] The battleship took off on February 11, 2199.[11] Yamamoto stood idly and watched planet Mars as the ship passed near it.[12]
Two days later,[13] as Yamato approached the Saturnian moon Enceladus to resupply, Yamamoto went to get Kato’s signature for some extra ammo he’d requested. She commented on the inertial control system being turned off in the hangar, and Kato explained that operating in such a crammed space was easier without gravity. He asked her if she liked her station, and she replied affirmitavely while gazing at the fighters.[14]
Yamamoto steals the Cosmo Zero
On Enceladus, Yamato came under attack from a force of Garmillan androids. Seeing the ship's pilots preparing to take off, Yamamoto decided to steal one of their planes and help in the battle. As the rest of the squadron struggled to take off due to the landing facilities for the Cosmo Falcon fighters being obstructed, Yamamoto stole an advanced Cosmo Zero fighter, α2.[15] She immediately took down two Garmillan tanks and was soon flanked by Kato, who asked her to identify herself. He was interrupted by the arrival of an enemy landing ship and, despite not recognizing her, he sent Yamamoto to help Lieutenants Susumu Kodai and Yuki Mori's medical team. She contacted Mori and informed her she was on her way, and took down another tank threatening the two officers, showing remarkable flight ability.[14]
Yamamoto reveals her identity to Kato and Shinohara
Back on board, Yamamoto was confronted by Ensign Hiroki Shinohara and Kato, who requested she remove her helment to identify herself.[14] Kato later talked to her alone, sternly stating he'd only let her slide once. She interrupted him by saying she had done the right thing given the circumstances, and requested a transfer to the fighter squadron. Kato asked her if she was trying to get revenge for Akio, and her silence was enough for him to understand her intentions. He angrily slammed a nearby locker, and explained that, even if he had wanted to, he did not have the authority to allow such a thing. Undeterred, she stopped Lt. Kodai, the ship tactics officer and Kato's direct superior, in the hallways, who recognized her as the Zero's pilot after she introduced herself.[4]
Yamamoto is introduced to the pilots.
Kodai agreed to take it up with Admiral Okita, who accepted Yamamoto's transfer. He introduced her to the rest of the squadron at the start of a briefing for Yamato's next major operation, much to her new comrades' adulation and Kato's surprise. Kodai was surprised to hear Kato call her "Akira", as he believed her name was Rei and she explained the common misreading of her name.[4]
Operation M2 and beyond[]
For this topic in more detail, see Operation M2
Yamamoto flies over Pluto's surface
Yamamoto was assigned to fly α2 as Kodai's wingman during Yamato's assault on the Garmillan base on Pluto. Operation M2 began on February 14,[11] with the launch of the fighter squadron into groups to locate the base among a set of possible locations. Just before launching, Yamamoto expressed her gratitude to Kodai for accepting her request, and he replied her skills had impressed him and told her not to get herself killed.[4] As they scanned the surface of Pluto, Yamamoto hummed the Cosmo Navy's anthem, The Galactic Pilot. They soon received a communication from Kato claiming he had found the enemy base, but Yamamoto noticed unusual lights coming from behind an aurora and urged Kodai to wait. A group of enemy fighters suddenly appeared from behind the aurora, and the two headed for their exit point to investigate. Behind the light, they found the location of the real Garmillas base and began shooting at the devices projecting the artificial aurora.[16]
Okita ordered them to stay on-site to find the origin point of an enemy beam weapon. As the weapon fired, Yamamoto was able to get its location visually and sent the coordinates to the Yamato. The battleship shot at the cannon and moved in to strike at the base directly. After the assault came to an end, Yamamoto gave Kodai a thumbs up and they returned n board.[16]
Kodai and Yamamoto at work repairing the battleship
In the aftermath of the battle, Okita decided to organize a line-crossing cerimony to celebrate Yamato leaving the solar system, and allowed all crew members to talk to their families on Earth one last time. At the festivities, Yamamoto noticed Kodai looking lonely, and was approached by Lieutenant Hajime Hirata the Chief Accountant of the accounting department offering her a cup of tea. She thanked him for agreeing to her transfer, but got distracted from Kodai leaving. Meanwhile, Yamato's deck crew was busy repairing the ship from the damage it had received in the previous battle, and its members would thus not be able to call home. Kodai decided to take the place of one of the workers, and Yamamoto followed him, allowing two deckhands to leave. As they worked, Kodai asked if she had already called home and if she was truly fine not doing so, but Yamamoto simply replied that she was. He noticed her unusual eye color, and Yamamoto confirmed that she was a Marsnoid and that she and her family had migrated due to the Second Inner Planetary War. Kodai asked if she had family back on Earth, but she told him that they had been killed in the Garmillas bombings and that her brother had lost his life in battle. To her surprise, He smiled bitterly and told her she was just like him. As they replaced one of the ship's Wave-motion Coils, Kodai asked her why she hadn't signed up for the air wing from the start. She explained that Kato hadn't allowed her to join, and stated that, although it didn't look like it, Kato was more sensitive to matters of life and death than most. She told him that Kato and Akio had been good friends and that he probably didn't want her to die in battle like her brother. They were interrupted by Yamato's boatswain Enomoto, requesting their help on the port side of the ship. Yamamoto replied affirmatively with a smile and a joking salute, and the two crossed to the other side of Yamato to continue their work. After returning to her quarters, she went to take a shower.[10]
Yamamoto sternly scolds the two deckhands
Days later, her and Shinohara boarded a Type 100 Reconnaissance Plane to patrol Yamato's surroundings. Shinohara friendly thanked the plane's AI for handling the automatic docking procedures, prompting Yamamoto to give him a wierd look. Despite denying she was looking at him, he explained that machines did a good work if you treated them right, much like anyone else. Suddenly, the hangar's crane arm malfunctioned, forcing him to forcibly detatch the recon plane which went out of control. Both of them made it out unscathed, but Yamamoto angrily chided the two deckhands responsible for overviewing the hangar's system. Enomoto joined in and apologised for his subordinates' poor job. Yamamoto and Shinohara were taken aback by the Boatswain's fierceness and both agreed that it was not a big deal.[17]
Meeting Merda Ditz[]
A video panel showing Yamamoto's reaction at Kodai removing his gun
Weeks later, Yamamoto found herself gazing at the necklace she had been given by Akio and thought back to her last time seeing her brother. Suddenly, in the middle of a warp, Yamato found itself trapped inside a dimensional fault and became stranded. There, they met with a Garmillan battlecruiser which claimed to have a plan to get both vessels out, and sent a messenger, Lower Storm Leader Merda Ditz, under a flag of truce to discuss in person. Yamamoto escorted Ditz with her Cosmo Zero, and she was present for surveillance as she talked with Kodai. The alien was set off by Kodai receiving her armed but quipped, stating that the Earthlings had been the race that had attacked Garmillas without even a declaration of war. Angered by her claim, Yamamoto shouted that they had been the ones to start the conflict, but Ditz swore on her family's honor to be telling the truth. To her surprise, Kodai took his gun from his belt and placed it on the table in front of Ditz.[9]
Yamamoto and Ditz fight
She remained in the conference room guarding Ditz even after Kodai had confirmed they would trust the Garmillans' plan, which consisted of Yamato shooting its Wave-motion Gun to open a rift out of the pocket dimension and the Garmillan vessel towing it out into regular space. Breaking the silence, Ditz noticed the red color of her pendant’s jewel, calling it beautiful albeit not on par with Garmillas' noble blue, and Yamamoto replied that red was her and her home's signature color. The Garmillan noted that the necklace appeared important to her, and she responded that both it and Kodai’s gun were mementos that their loved ones had left behind before Garmillas had killed them. Suddenly, the towing beam linking the two ships was cut, leaving the energy-deprived Yamato stuck. Yamamoto drew her gun at Ditz, stating she knew that had been their plan all along and that they were the enemy. Seeing her hesitate, the alien intimated her to fire if that was what she thought, but after Yamamoto removed the safety on her weapon, Ditz sent the gun flying to the other side of the room and the two began wrestling for it. Eventually, the Garmillan came out on top and held the other woman at gunpoint. However, she returned the weapon, stating that two pilots like them did not need to have that between them. At the same time, with the towing beams having reconnected, the two ships returned to normal space. However, a skirmish erupted between the Earth vessel and a Garmillas fleet, during which the battlecruiser was sunk by friendly fire. Yamamoto was informed of the situation from the first bridge and relayed it to Ditz, who fell back against a nearby cabinet by the shock.[9]
Yamamoto takes Ditz out of her cell
The following days, Yamamoto began following Ditz closely as she underwent a medical examination and was taken to a cell, much to Lieutenant Mori's concern. She went as far as going to watch the Kodai interrogate the Garmillan from a security room, despite a security department member telling her that her shift would not start for the next three hours. She then went to Yamato's training facility, where she ran on a treadmill at considerable speed. While she claimed she liked to excercise hard, Lt. Mori stated that trying too hard wasn't good for her and invited her to relax in the bathing facility and hang out. Yamamoto told her she was surprised that her superior was such an open person, given her reputation, but when Mori told her she didn't think it was right to redirect her anger for her brother's death at Ditz, she stated that she could only understand her feelings if she lost her family in the war. The Lieutenant sadly explained that she had been suffering from amnesia for a year, and that she had lost all memories of her past. Yamamoto replied that if that was the case, she could never understand her feelings, and rescued her as she floated through space. Yamamoto lost conciousness, but before she did she saw a vision of Akio reaching out to her superimposed over Ditz.[18]
She woke up aboard the battleship, where Mori informed her that Ditz had been the one to save her, and that she was departing soon. She also told her that she'd stay in the brig for six days as punishment, which Yamamoto gracefully accepted. She also told her superior that she believed she felt better.[18]
Through the Milky Way[]
Yamamoto and Shima talk
Yamamoto was released from the brig six days later. As she left, she was surprised by Kato and Shinohara waiting for her in the corridor. Kato handed over her pilot jacket, telling her not to do anything so stupid again. She was reluctant to accept it, given she had caused the loss of an important fighter, but to her surprise, Shinohara replied that her safety was more important. Kato tossed her the jacket, and she held it in silence. She later went to the Cosmo Zeros' hangar and overheard Kodai and Mori discussing Ditz's revelations regarding the war. Kodai stated that he did not want to believe her since he had lost his family in battle too. Mori replied that he could still make a new family for himself and that Yamato's crew was already a sort of big family. Hearing this, Yamamoto left the hangar. Still immersed in her thoughts, she sat in the elevator hall, where she was surprised by Lieutenant Daisuke Shima, who was glad to see she had been released. Noticing he was carrying a mop around, Yamamoto asked him what he was doing. Shima replied that he had been punished for insubordination much like she had been, and the two sat down to talk. He told her he understood her feelings and how she wanted to avenge her family, but she replied that in the end, her enemy had been the one to save her. She affirmed that, even if Kodai had probably been too idealistic while dealing with Ditz, she now understood him a little more and affirmed that she did not feel any hatred anymore now that she had had time to cool her thoughts. When her elevator arrived, she got up to take it and told Shima that Kodai had been worried for him. He told her he'd go talk to him, and, to her surprise, he thanked her for the talk.[19]
Yamamoto tinkers with her fighter
Weeks later, she went to calibrate her fighter with Shinohara in its hangar. The other pilot told her to leave it to the mechanics, but she replied that she liked to see the craft she piloted. At that moment, Kodai and Mori came into the hangar and began quarreling like lovers over Mori wanting him to teach her how to pilot. As she had been maturing feelings for Kodai, Yamamoto gave in to jealousy and stormed off the hangar, inadvertently making Shinohara fall from her fighter's cockpit. Moments later, Garmillas ships were spotted, and the fighter squadron prepared to launch. However, it turned out to be one of the many offensive reconnaissance missions carried out by the enemy in those days, and the pilots returned to their department room. This added to Yamamoto's already growing frustration, which she vented by kicking a locker before leaving once again.[20]
The Mutiny on Beemela 4[]
For this topic in more detail, see Mutiny on Beemela 4
Yamamoto takes down one of the mutineers
Yamato was damaged in a following battle and stopped to resupply at the nearby Earth-like planet Beemela 4. Admiral Okita was temporarily absent due to a relapse in health, and a faction of mutineers took the occasion to seize control of the ship. Yamamoto was in the pilot room locked showers when the takeover was announced via internal radio and managed to evade the armed guards coming to detain the air corps members by sneaking into a ventilation shaft. Making her way through the air ducts, she reached the room where Mori and the other bridge officers were being held, and jumped on their captors, apprehending them in hand-to-hand combat, much to Ensigns Ota and Aihara's admiration. Mori suggested they informed the landing party that had descended onto Beemela 4 of the situation on board, but Yamamoto replied that the mutineers had blocked all communications. Aihara told them there was one place they could still radio them from and took the group to the hangars where, to Yamamoto's surprise, they used a Type 100 plane's radio.[21]
The mutineers were eventually stopped, and order was re-established. Yamamoto and the other officers went to greet the returning landing party headed by Kodai, and she pouted at the sight of Mori hugging the Tactics Officer.[21]
The subspace gate and the Rainbow Star Cluster[]
For this topic in detail, see Planet Balun Breakthrough Operation and Battle of the Rainbow Star Cluster
Yamamoto confronts Shinohara
The landing party obtained data on a nearby subspace gate, which would allow the Yamato to bypass hundreds of light-years of travel. With the help of Princess Yurisha Iscandar, an Iscandarian who had been secretly kept on board and had recently gained consciousness after taking over the body of a young crew member, the ship's crew managed to understand the gate's operations. Captain Okita decided to send a stolen Garmillas plane to explore the other side and locate another subspace gate to the Large Magellanic Cloud. Shinohara volunteered for the mission. When they were left alone, Yamamoto confronted Shinohara on his behavior, as it seemed out of character for him. Shinohara explained that he had been inspired by a recon plane he had seen when he was young. Yamamoto silently got up from her chair and told him that a recon pilot's job was to return to base before leaving the room.[22]
Yamamoto finds Shinohara looking at the catapults
She went to see him off with Kato, who revealed that Shinohara would only have three hours to complete the mission, as they would have to depart immediately if they found out the gate on the other side was unusable. Yamamoto angrily asked if that meant they would leave without him as soon as the time ran out, but she was interrupted by Shinohara launching. After he left, she confronted Kato about the callsign their friend had chosen: "Sword 3", the same one Akio had once used. Kato explained that it had been Shinohara's specific request. Yamamoto held her necklace in her hand and reflected on her brother's words that returning was part of a recon pilot's job. Kato reassured her that Shinohara would return before leaving the room. Shinohara was slightly injured during the mission and lost consciousness but managed to return to Yamato. Yamamoto stood beside him in the infirmary.[22] Days later, he left the infirmary without telling anyone, and Yamamoto went to look for him on a nurse's behalf, and she found him in the control booth for the Zero's launch catapults. He asked if that was where she launched and if she had come there to retrieve him, which she confirmed with a chuckle. Yamamoto asked him if he had served alongside Akio, which he confirmed, and told him that Sword 3 had been her brother's code name. Smiling, he said that Akio never discussed those topics, and they both agreed that was the kind of man he was. After a brief silence, Yamamoto commented they had made it to the Large Magellanic Cloud, and Shinohara agreed.[23]
Yamamoto during the Battle of the Rainbow Star Cluster
Yamato made its way through the Rainbow Star Cluster, an unstable area of space where Okita suspected the enemy might attack them. The entire crew was kept in high alert and the pilots entered their fighters to prepare to scramble at the sight of the enemy. Yamamoto was tasked with staying behind to protect Yamato while the rest of the squadron launched to attack. As the Admiral suspected, Yamato was ambushed by a Garmillas task force and the squadron departed. A bomber strike force targeted the battleship while the fighters were away, targeting its guns and sensors. Yamamoto launched to defend the ship, and single-handedly managed to hold the entire enemy force off.[23][24]
Nearing Iscandar and fighting over Garmillas[]
Ditz stops Yamamoto from pointing at Yurisha
During the battle, Mori was kidnapped by the enemy, and the Yamato was heavily damaged.[24] To gather the supplies needed for repairs, the battleship moved to the nearby planet Leptapoda. The planet turned out to house a Garmillan prison facility, which experienced a riot led by a group of rebels, including Merda Ditz's father. The rebels met with a delegation from Yamato and provided them with information about the politics of the Garmillas Empire and their revolt against the dictator, Supreme Leader Abelt Desler. They also left Ditz behind to serve as a liaison, and Yamamoto happily saluted her as Kodai presented her to the fighter squadron. As Yamato began approaching Iscandar, which the Earthlings had learned to be planet Garmillas' twin world, Yamamoto went to the first hangar. She passed near Kodai and was taken aback by his unusual silence. She then confronted Ditz as she was working on her fighter plane, asking if she was fine with having to fight against her people. She replied that Yamato's mission was only to reach Iscandar and that fighting wouldn't be necessary unless they wanted to. She approached her rival and questioned if she still wanted to destroy her race in revenge. Her attempt at denying it was cut short by Princess Yurisha, who had recently returned to her own body, stating that was no longer the case. Yamamoto rudely addressed her, asking her why she hadn't told them that Iscandar and Garmillas were sitting right next to each other. Ditz found it extremely disrespectful of her to point at an Iscandarian, but to her surprise, Yurisha was unbothered by it. To answer her question, the princess asked Yamamoto if they'd still come to Iscandar if they had known.[25]
Yamamoto grins seeing Ditz enjoy her dessert
The three then went to Yamato's cafeteria together where they ordered a special parfait. Before sitting down, Yamamoto interrupted an intimate conversation between Kato and nurse Makoto Harada. She then playfully saluted them and swore they’d keep the confidentiality. At their table, Yurisha asked her if she had anyone special like that. She dodged the question, and Yurisha affirmed she did have someone. Surprised, Ditz asked if it was Kodai, but Yamamoto stated it was impossible. When the princess confirmed that the person she was referring to was not on board the Earthling pilot asked if they were on Iscandar, ignoring Ditz who believed asking too many questions would be rude. Changing the subject, Yurisha urged Ditz to eat her parfait, saying it was delicious. Hesitant, she asked Yamamoto if the dessert was edible, which she snarkily confirmed. Ditz obliged and found herself to surprisingly enjoy her food, which Yamamoto found amusing. She teasingly informed the Garmillas she had some on her cheek, embarrassing her and prompting her to change the subject to a request she had made to paint her fighter in red, which Yamamoto confirmed had already been dealt with. To Ditz's annoyance, Yamamoto continued to laugh at her. When she asked her what she was finding funny, Yurisha commented that she looked cute. Ditz immediately stood up and embarrassedly thanked the Iscandarian but replied with annoyance when Yamamoto repeated what the princess had said. Yamamoto changed the topic back to Yurisha’s special someone, asking her if they were waiting for her on Iscandar. Elusively, she simply replied that she had to tell them something once she got back home. Startled, the Earthling asked if she intended to confess, but Ditz cut her off for being too noisy.[25]
Yamamoto in her cockpit during the Battle of the Imperial Capital
As Yamato prepared to carry out the last warp before reaching Iscandar, Yamamoto and the rest of the fighter squadron listened to a rousing speech by Admiral Okita, before rushing to their respective fighters. As the battleship entered the Salezar system, home to Garmillas and Iscandar, a battle broke out between them and Desler's forces. Yamato attacked the Garmillan capital, and the fighter squadron was launched to assist Kodai and Yurisha on a mission to rescue Lieutenant Mori from a space fortress in orbit between the two worlds. Yamamoto took down a plane targetting Ditz and told her to leave the enemy to her, but she replied it was her task too. Eventually, Yurisha and Kodai succeeded in their rescue mission, and with the seeming death of Abelt Desler, the battle came to an end.[25][26]
Stay on Iscandar[]
Yamamoto and Ditz swim together
After the end of the battle, Yamato landed on Iscandar. Yamamoto joined the rest of the pilots on the starboard observation deck and looked in awe at the planet ahead. Later, she went swimming in the blue world's sea with the rest of the crew. A group of crewmates, including her, Shinohara, and Ditz, dove off the starboard catapult into the ocean underneath. She executed a perfect dive, and encouraged the hesitant Shinohara to do the same. Ditz pushed the pilot off the catapult before diving herself. Yamamoto complimented her for her skill, and she replied that it was only natural. They then went swimming below the waterline near Yamato's first bridge.[27]
Yamamoto, Kodai and Mori say their goodbies to Yurisha and Ditz
The following day, Yamamoto listened to Yamato's internal radio's broadcast of a message form Lt. Commander Mamoru Kodai, Kodai's brother who had been captured by the Garmillans and had crashlanded on Iscandar, where he had passed away due to his injuries. On June 27, after 11 days on the planet,[11] Yamato prepared to leave after fully recieving the Cosmo Reverser. Yamamoto, Kodai and Mori met with Ditz and Yurisha to say their goodbyes. Ditz and Kodai shook hands, and the Garmillan surprised Yamamoto by offering the same gesture to her too. They then boarded the batttleship and began their long journey back toward the Earth.[27]
Encounter with Gatlantis[]
For this topic in more detail, see Hunt for the World of Tranquillity
Kodai and Yamamoto talk about their siblings
A month after the take-off from Iscandar,[N 3] Yamamoto mused at her necklace in front of Yamato's main elevator and met with Kodai exiting from its door. She briefly saw a vision of Akio in his place, before realizing who she had in front of her and stepping back in embarrassment. The two sat in the lounge and she revealed how she had been thinking about her brother again, and he told her he had been doing the same. She began to ask about Mamoru’s time on Iscandar but stopped. Smiling, Kodai told her having siblings was a great thing, and she agreed. They were interrupted by Shima, and embarrassed to have been caught in an intimate moment, Yamamoto tried to edge away from Kodai. Shima proposed they go take a few pictures with his camera, and he took them to the rear observation deck, where Mori was waiting for Kodai for a date, much to Yamamoto's embarrassment and displeasure. Shima then got her and Mori to take a picture together.[28]
Yamamoto takes off during the Battle of Shambleau
Yamato was suddenly attacked by a fleet of warships from the Gatlantis Empire and was forced to warp away rapidly without making the necessary calculations. The battleship remained stuck in a dimensional fault, at the center of which stood a mysterious planet. The area became the site of another battle with the Gatlanteans, and Yamamoto took off with the rest of the squadron. The battle was fought side-by-side with a Garmillan fleet that had remained stranded there like Yamato. When the hostilities ended and the pocket dimension faded, Yamamoto and the other pilots gathered in one of the observation decks. The youngest airman Sho Sawamura flashed a smile to a female crew member, earning him a frown from Yamamoto. She suddenly noticed that the planet-like structure was turning invisible and called the others to attention to look at it.[28]
The Galactic Theater Gate and the return to Earth[]
Yamamoto and Shinohara take out the Cosmo Zero's machine gun
About a month later, as Yamato approached the location of the subspace gate, Yamamoto and Shinohara prayed in front of the pictures of the many airmen who had died during their journey. Suddenly, the battleship was ambushed by Garmillan forces loyal to the fallen Supreme Leader Desler, who boarded it while it traversed the subspace corridor. During the assault, Yamamoto and Shinohara used the machine gun taken from Kodai's damaged Cosmo Zero to gun down a group of enemy android.[29]
Yamamoto takes the lead in welcoming Lieutenant Mori
Yamato came out relatively unscathed from the battle, but many crewmembers were injured or killed, including Mori, who fell into a coma. Despite this, regular navigation resumed, and as the battleship neared the Earth in December, Kato and Harada got married. Yamamoto attended the ceremony and worriedly looked at Kodai, who was trying to fake a calm persona despite Mori's condition. She was approached by Shinohara, who put his arm around her shoulders and jokingly told her it would be their turn to get married next. Annoyed, Yamamoto nudged him in the stomach. Later, as Earth came into view, she went to the first bridge to get a look at the planet. Suddenly, Kodai walked onto the bridge carrying a miraculously healed Mori. Yamamoto stepped in front of the couple and, smiling, saluted Mori and formally welcomed her back on behalf of the entire crew.[30]
Interwar period[]
After Yamato's return and the activation of the Cosmo Reverse System, Earth was restored to its former beauty. The war with Garmillas formally ended in 2200,[31] and an alliance was established with the Greater Garmillan Empire, now under a more benign interim government. The United Nations began transitioning into the Earth Federation, and the UN Cosmo Force underwent a period of reorganization. Yamato was decommissioned, and Yamamoto was transferred to the Lunar Air Corps, stationed on a base on the Moon. She became a test pilot for the prototype Cosmo Tiger I fighter, a highly maneuverable and difficult machine to operate, and became considered an ace pilot.[32] She used the plane to train young pilot recruits alongside Kato. She was also put in charge of her own team, which was completely made out of former Yamato airmen, including Shinohara.[7][33][8][34]
She eventually signed an advisory contract with the clothing company Under Armor, and released a statement for the company.[35] The company's logo was put on her uniform and painted on her Cosmo Tiger I.[7]
Yamamoto during the teaching excercise in December
Over time, she began to substitute for Kato more frequently as he had to take leave to visit his son Tsubasa, who was being treated for a serious illness in a sanitorium on the Moon. By early December, she had already filled in for him three times in a month and had gained a reputation as a strict instructor. Around that time, she carried out an excercise with a group of cadets flying the new mainstay Cosmo Navy fighter, the Cosmo Tiger II. She reprimanded them, especially the young Jiro Tsurumi, for their poor performance, stating that they couldn't afford to be so inadequate in front of Kato. After returning to the base, as she was looking at a picture of the old Yamato squadron members, she recieved a message from Kodai.[7]
Yamamoto salutes Kodai after taking down the drones that were threatening him
The former Yamato Tactics Officer was planning to secretly infiltrate the Garmillan embassy on the Moon to meet with the Garmillas Empire's Ambassador, who claimed to have information regarding a series of shared visions that had affected the former Yamato crew earlier that month.[33] Kodai was dropped by a cargo ship in a Type 100 near the surface of the satellite, and Yamamoto took down a series of autonomous drones that were guarding the embassy's perimeter to allow him safe passage. She immediately contacted Lunar Base Headquarters, claiming she had accidentally activated the drones herself, and asked to issue a formal apology to the embassy staff. She then saluted Kodai as he left to enter the embassy building.[7]
Terezart and the war with Gatlantis[]
Yamato takes off[]
For this topic in more detail, see Yamato Revolt
Yamamoto realizes the fighter helping them is Garmillan
On December 25,[36] Yamamoto, the rest of her squadron, and the Lunar Air Corps cadets participated in a training exercise with the Yamanami Fleet near Jupiter. The fleet was the first among many to be built using Wave-motion Gun-equipped vessels, which were being produced as part of the Earth Federation's new military plan. During the exercise, she and Shinohara discussed information leaked by other members of Yamato's former crew, which stated that the E.F. had been using a factory built in a hidden zone of time distortion to build ships at a much faster rate. Yamamoto wondered if that could actually be the truth, and Shinohara replied that it had to be, since the rest of Yamato's crew had gone as far as taking control of the ship and taking off illegally. She agreed and, stating they could no longer turn back, she turned her plane around and left to join their rebelling comrade, and was soon followed by Shinohara and the other pilots of her squadron. They were hunted down by a group of Cosmo Falcons, when suddenly an electromagnetic charge was deployed to the area, shutting down both their and their pursuers's sensors. As Yamamoto wondered aloud what was happening, a voice contacted her and stated that, with most devices now offline, the superior skills of the Yamato squadron pilots would grant them an easier victory. Yamamoto easily debilitated one of the enemy fighters, before realizing that the plane that was helping them belonged to the Garmillan embassy.[8]
As they finally met with the Yamato near the Asteroid Belt, Yamamoto spun her plane around the battleship's first bridge. Upon landing, she and the rest of her team confronted the pilot that had helped them, who identified as Lieutenant Klaus Keyman, military attachée to the Garmillan Ambassador. After an encounter with Andromeda, the flagship of the Yamanami Fleet, Earth HQ ratified Yamato's rebellion and pardoned the crew of all charges. The battleship was officially tasked with reaching planet Terezart, the source of the crew's visions, and met with the legendary goddess Teresa.[8]
Before Yamato left the Earth in open revolt, Kodai had asked for Mori to stay behind, fearing for her wellbeing. However, the former Operations Officer had boarded the battleship secretly with the help of other crew members. After she joined the ship, Yamamoto was also made aware of this.[37]
The 11th planet[]
For this topic in more detail, see Battle of the eleventh planet
Yamamoto argues with Keyman
As the Yamato approached the outer solar system, it located and rescued a shuttle carrying UNCM Sergeant Major Shiori Nagakura. She revealed that the 11nth planet of the solar system had fallen under attack from the Gatlantis Empire, and communications had been cut between the planet and the rest of the Earth Federation. Yamamoto interrupted a meeting between the ship's officers, including Keyman, who were discussing whether to carry out a rescue mission to save the civilians stuck on the battlefield. Headquarters had ordered Yamato to stand down, and Keyman believed the 11th planet was too off-course from their planned route to Terezart. Yamamoto stated that they were going to Terezart to answer a call for help and that it would be hypocritical of them to not rescue people suffering right in front of them. Keyman asked her who she was, and she told him he had saved her life during the previous dogfight. He complained that the meeting was restricted to high-ranking officers, but she interrupted him and asked if there was any difference between Garmillas and the Earth when it came to rescuing people. He argued that it had been too long since Nagakura escaped and that there were probably no survivors left. Yamamoto tried to reply that they couldn't know that yet, but Keyman interrupted her and stated the decision was up to Kodai, who was now serving as Yamato's acting captain after Okita's passing. Kodai ultimately decided that Yamato would try and save any remaining survivors.[38]
Later, Keyman went to the pilots' ready room and informed them he'd be flying alongside them in the rescue operation. Yamamoto asked him what his intentions were, and he simply replied they had to get things done quickly.[38]
Yamamoto launched in her Cosmo Tiger I and took down a group of Needleslave automatons that were threatening two civilians and a marine. She immediately confirmed the location of the survivors and joined the rest of the squadron in taking down the enemy forces nearby. The pilots eventually lost contact with Yamato, which remained trapped in a collapsed canyon. Yamamoto flew around in her fighter in an attempt to contact the battleship, but was unsuccessful. They eventually re-established communication with the battleship and landed on the surface as the 11th planet's artificial sun set. Keyman reported an increasing number of Gatlantean battleships warping out in orbit of the planet, shocking Yamamoto and the other pilots. Kato made a sarcastic remark about the Garmillan's cold attitude, but then ordered his men to eat their rations and asked Tsurumi to give some to Keyman, much to Yamamoto and Shinohara's relief. Seeing the Lieutenant eating alone, Yamamoto went to his side and apologized for Kato's behavior, explaining that his family was facing a difficult situation. Keyman cut her off, stating that the squadron commander had snapped at him because of his reluctance to believe Yamato could succeed under the dire circumstances. However, he explained that he believed Yamato was different from what it was in the previous war, and that letting Kodai shoulder all of the responsibility for the battleship's action was what had landed them in that situation. Yamamoto pointed out that Keyman had been opposed to the operation from the beginning, but he admitted that, if the ship made it out, Kodai's choice would have turned out to be the correct one.[38][39]
Yamamoto and Keyman watch the Gatlantean fleet being hit by the wave of energy
The next morning, Keyman suggested that Kodai fire Yamato's Wave-motion Gun at the artificial sun. This resulted in a powerful energy wave that rendered the massive Gatlantean fleet in orbit unable to move. Yamamoto approached the lieutenant and asked him if that was the same strategy he had used during the dogfight. He explained that the resonance was caused by the Wave-motion Gun's beam and the artificial sun's reactor. Yamamoto told him he had saved them once again, but Keyman dismissed her by stating he had only told Kodai the sun at dawn was beautiful. The pilots then returned to the battleship.[39]
The road to Terezart[]
Mori and Yamamoto talk on Yamato's open-air deck
Following the end of the battle, Yamamoto took part in another meeting, where Keyman suggested Yamato take the rescued refugees to the planet Stravase, a world in the general direction of Terezart, where a Garmillas patrol fleet could take them back to Earth. Soon after the meeting, Mori decided to reveal her presence aboard Yamato to Kodai, and after doing so, she went to the battleship's open-air bridge, where Yamamoto met with her. She jokingly told her that her cover had been blown, and Mori apologized for wasting their efforts to hide her. She hand-waved her worries, telling her the bond between Yamato's female crew was strong, but asked her why she would allow herself to be found out. Mori told her she just needed some fresh air before remaining pensively silent for a moment and adding that there was a limit to things. Yamamoto asked if she was talking about Kodai, but Mori replied she was referring to herself. She said she knew that revealing herself would probably get her thrown out but stated that she didn't want to remain a burden for the rest of the crew. With a sad smile, she added that as long as she was on board, she'd try to prove to Kodai she was there for him. The two laughed, and Yamamoto concluded she was envious of the couple.[37]
On Stravase, a battle broke out between Yamato and a Garmillas rebel organization, the Destruction Liberation Army. The terrorists detonated a series of ballistic missiles, which caused the unstable planet to collapse. Kodai and Mori were engulfed in the planetary collapse aboard a Type 100, but thanks to the quick thinking of Lt. Commander Sanada and Admiral Ryu Hijikata, whom Yamato had rescued during the previous battle, the two were saved. Yamamoto departed from Yamato aboard her Cosmo Tiger I and joyfully confirmed that Kodai and Mori were safe.[37][40]
Yamamoto falls under the influence of the space fireflies
Days later, as Yamato was traversing space, it encountered a group of alien life forms similar to fireflies, which infected the crew and began to manipulate their mood and cause them visions. Yamamoto saw a vision of Akio reflected in the window leading to the Cosmo Zeros' catapults, but she was snapped out of the creatures' influence by Keyman. With the Garmillan's help, the crew managed to debilitate the life forms, and Teresa suddenly showed herself to them in another vision. Yamamoto observed the image of Teresa praying, superimposed over a vision of planet Terezart, and was mesmerized by the goddess's beauty.[41]
Invesitagating Toko Katsuragi[]
Yamamoto spies Keyman and Katsuragi
Some time after, Yamamoto eavesdropped on an intimate and suspicious conversation between Keyman and Toko Katsuragi, an eleventh planet civilian that had stayed on board as an assistant to the ship's Chief Medical Officer. Rumors had started to arise among the crew of someone being a spy for the Gatlantis Empire, as the Gatlanteans had already managed to track them down once. In the pilots' ready room, Yamato's airmen discussed these suspicions, which were heightened by the fact that the battleship was approaching the White Comet, a possible Gatlantean base. Yamamoto stood there immersed in thought, thinking of ways to obtain proof supporting her suspicions of Katsuragi being the traitor.[42]
Katsuragi pins Yamamoto to the sick bay's wall
Katsuragi asked for her name, and Yamamoto sarcastically remarked about a spy not remembering names. The suspect acted innocent, but Yamamoto falsely claimed Keyman had told her the truth about her being a Gatlantean infiltrator. She then drew her gun and warned her not to move. She asked Katsuragi if she denied her claim, and the woman replied that if Keyman told her than it had to be true, as they were very close with each other. Her expression suddenly contorted, surprising Yamamoto and throwing her off guard. The suspect used the distraction to throw a piece of glass at her, causing her to drop her weapon, and then pinned her to the wall. Katsuragi belittled her trick question, and asked if she liked the Lieutenant. Suddenly, she was interrupted by Keyman, who pointed his gun at her. Katsuragi used Yamamoto as shield and tossed her across the room, making the Garmillan fall over. The spy was eventually captured and imprisoned in Yamato's brig.[42]
Battle on Terezart[]
For this topic in more detail, see Terezart Landing Operation and Blockade of Terezart
Yamamoto took part in a strategic meeting to discuss their plan for an operation to liberate it from the Gatlantean occupational forces. Terezart had been surrounded by an artificial rocky crust. To get behind it, members of the 7th Space Cavalry Regiment, who Yamato had rescued on the 11th planet, would don their Type 2 Space Mobile Armors and be carried by a Cosmo Tiger II equipped with a Warp Booster. Yamamoto asked about the booster, and Kato explained that he had used the device to reach Yamato from the Moon, and that it could carry out only one last flight. Kodai also explained that Yamato would join the advanced unit as soon as they attacked the fleet stationed behind the artificial crust, and would use the Wave-motion Gun against a part of the crust to destroy the remaining Gatlantean ships with the debris.[43]
Yamamoto in a Type 2 Space Mobile Armor during the Terezart Landing Operation
Tsurumi was chosen to fly the Cosmo Tiger II, and Yamamoto joined the space cavalrymen in the mission. Sergeant Major Nagakura warned her to stabilize her posture, as operating the mobile armor differed from flying in a fighter. Yamamoto jokingly told her the suit was designed to wreak havoc. When the Cosmo Tiger II warped out, Yamamoto and the marines engaged a Gatlantean close-support fleet. She took down two enemy cruisers before noticing Tsurumi was being chased by Gatlantean fighters and ordering him to break away. Yamato soon warped out to carry out the second part of the plan, but the Gatlanteans used missiles to destroy the rock they were supposed to fire at. Yamamoto and the Cosmo Marines used their mobile armor to stabilize the battleship by hand, allowing it to fire the Wave-motion Gun directly at the enemy fleet.[43]
Mori tells Yamamoto of Tsurumi's passing
The group landed in Terezart's vaporized ocean and engaged a Gatlantean ground unit of automatons. Yamamoto checked on Tsurumi, who had been badly injured in the battle and was lying outside his fighter. She urged him not to talk, but he told her someone had told him she'd be safe. Yamamoto was left wondering what her subordinate's words meant but was soon notified of a group of Medarusa-class tanks approaching their location. Nagakura ordered her to retreat and take Tsurumi to safety while they held their ground, and she departed. They were retrieved by Mori in a Cosmo Seagull and taken back on board Yamato, where Tsurumi was taken to the infirmary to get medical care. Yamamoto waited outside of the operating room's door, but Mori soon notified her that the boy had succumbed to his wounds.[44][45]
Yamamoto reaches out to Keyman
Soon after Yamato liberated Terezart of all Gatlantean presence, the ship was surrounded by a Garmillan fleet led by the thought-to-be-dead Leader Desler. A landing team was captured and taken to the enemy flagship. With Keyman's help, who had revealed himself as the Leader's nephew on an undercover on behalf of the empire's secret service, and had used this fact to get on board his flagship, they managed to free themselves. However, the Garmillan was injured and his plane crash-landed in the ocean. Yamamoto launched in her Cosmo Tiger I to rescue him and pulled him out from under the water just in time. She carried him on board and put him in the Chief Medical Officer's hands just as Teresa rendered her world invisible and untouchable. She smiled as she saw their friends and comrades welcome them back.[45]
The Battle of Saturn and Zemuria[]
For this topic in more detail, see Battle of Saturn and Decisive Battle off Mars
Yamamoto smiles hearing Keyman talk about his feelings for her
After the liberation of Terezart, Yamato began its journey back to Earth while the Gatlantis Empire prepared to invade the solar system. During the journey, Keyman insisted on being kept in the battleship's brig where he conversed with the imprisoned Katsuragi. He confided in her about his feelings for Yamamoto, whom he believed he had fallen in love with during his time on board the battleship. Yamamoto overheard their conversation from outside his cell and smiled to herself.[46]
Yamamoto urges Mori to leave during the battleship's evacuation
The Yamato arrived near Saturn on May 9,[47] during the Battle of Saturn between the Gatlantis Army and Earth's Wave-motion Gun fleet. It attempted to fire an enhanced version of the Wave-motion Gun at the White Comet but was sabotaged by Kato under Katsuragi's manipulation. As a result, it fell into the Gatlantean fortress.[48] Yamamoto searched for Keyman in the brig to evacuate him but found he had already left. Instead, she found Mori in the next cell, trying to persuade Katsuragi to leave. She told them to make haste and Mori asked her help to deal with the prisoner, but the ceiling suddenly began to collapse. Mori pushed Yamamoto out of harm's way but was knocked unconscious.[49]
Yamato crash-landed on a mysterious planet. Yamamoto scouted the surroundings in her fighter while Keyman and the Cosmo Marines investigated the surface. After asking if she found anything, the Garmillan suggested returning to Yamato due to the dangerous foggy atmosphere of the planet. As she returned, she speculated about their location, but Keyman advised against baseless speculation. Later, Mori woke up in Yamato's infirmary, having lost her memories from 2198 onward.[49] Yamamoto worriedly looked at her as her substitute radar operator reintroduced her to her duties.[50]
Yamamoto and other crew members witness Katsuragi's interrogation
She later witnessed Kodai interrogating Katsuragi, and present her with information retrieved from a pair of ancient AIs Keyman and his team had found while exploring the surface, which gave a detailed account of the history of the world they were on, Zemuria, and how Katsuragi was a copy of the last member of the Zemurian people. The woman later decided to collaborate with the crew, and Yamamoto escorted her to the AIs, which only answered to Zemurians. At her command the AIs revealed the existance of Golem, a device that could kill all Gatlanteans, which was stored in the throne room of Zworder, the Great Emperor of the Gatlantis Empire, located inside the White Comet. Yamato later managed to escape from planet Zemuria with the help of Andromeda and its sister ship, the Yamato-class Ginga.[50][51]
The final battle against Gatlantis[]
For this topic in more detail, see Battle against Neu Deusura and Golem Assault Battle
Yamamoto tells Mori about Kodai
Yamato underwent significant repairs at an emergency drydock in orbit around Mars. The crew was reunited with those who had escaped the battleship as it fell into the White Comet and the fighter squadron, including Yamamoto, went to meet Kato and saluted him. She later attended a strategic meeting where they discussed plans for the upcoming confrontation with the Gatlantis Empire's capital. The plan was to assault Zworder's throne room and activate Golem to end the war in one swift move. Despite the tragic situation and the Gatlantean forces closing in on Earth, Kodai suggested a diplomatic approach, using their attack to convince the Great Emperor to cease his war effort. Noticing Mori's confusion after the end of the meeting, Yamamoto approached her. Mori had been surprised by Kodai's insistence and questioned her on why he would push on alone for such a solution despite everyone being opposed to it. Yamamoto replied that it was simply the nature of the man Mori had fallen in love with, and that she had never seen a more loving couple than them in her life.[52]
Soon after, Yamato came under attack by Desler's flagship, now aligned with the Gatlantis Empire under the hopes that Zworder would grant the Garmillans a new home planet in place of Garmillas, which the Supreme Leader knew was approaching its uninevitable death. A confrontation aboard the ship resulted in the death of a Gatlantean spokesperson, who was a clone of the infant that had been adopted by Zworder and the original Zemurian from whom Katsuragi had been copied. The young Gatlantean's body was presented to Katsuragi, and Yamamoto watched over the grieving woman with Shinohara and Admiral Hijikata. Following the battle, Desler allied with Yamato and with the help of his ship and the backing of the Garmillas military, the Earth battleship commenced the battle against the White Comet.[52][53][54]
Yamamoto and Kodai during the gunfight inside Zworder's throneroom
As Yamato made its way through the White Comet, Yamamoto launched in her Cosmo Tiger I and joined Kodai's task force. They landed and approached the throne room, but a series of bulkheads shut down and separated them from each other, leaving Kodai and Yamamoto to face the Great Emperor alone. They began fighting a group of Needle Slaves protecting the sovereign and her handgun soon run out of ammunition. Luckily, at that moment they were joined by Nagakura and space cavalry commander Hajime Saito. Kodai managed to hold Zworder at gunpoint, but after a brief confrontation and the accidental death of his clone predecessor, the Great Emperor came to recognize the Gatlanteans' humanity and activated Golem himself.[54]
Yamamoto tearfully listens to Keyman's last words
All Gatlanteans except Zworder died instantly, and the Emperor was absorbed into his fortress as it transformed to suit his will. Yamamoto and the others evacuated and made their way to the Yamato as the White Comet's gravitational core charged up a devastating energy weapon meant to hit the Earth. The only way to stop it would have been to halt the energy conversion process. Keyman took off in his Czvarke with a Wave-motion Excavation Warhead, intending to make a suicide run to do so. The Garmillan was joined by Saito and asked the other pilots to escort Kodai back to the battleship. Devastated and on the verge of tears, Yamamoto interrupted Keyman and shouted that it was too sad for him to always live his life for others, begging him to live for himself for once. Saito disagreed and gently told her and Kodai that it would be much sadder for someone to always live for himself. He believed people were always searching for something precious that they could risk their lives to save. With tears streaming down her face, Yamamoto pulled back as Keyman voiced his last wish to his friends and comrades to grasp the future.[6]
The explosion of Keyman's Wave-motion Excavation Warhead engulfed Yamamoto's fighter, tearing it apart.[6] Although she appeared to perish in the explosion, the fighter's cockpit detached, and its AI automatically guided it back to the Yamato.[55]
Teresa's world and the referendum[]
For this topic in more detail, see Referendum on Kodai and Yuki Mori's repatriation
Keyman and Saito's attack only served to slow down the enemy superweapon. The heavily damaged Yamato was evacuated, but Yamamoto, who was thought to be dead, was left behind. Kodai and Mori steered the ship into a desperate suicide run against the transformed White Comet, but with Teresa's aid they were able to completely destroy the superweapon, ending the war. The battleship was then transported to the goddess's higher dimension.[6][56] There Yamamoto witnessed a large tree of light, the way Teresa saw the flow of time, and was contacted by the spirits of her loved ones, the goddess's emissaries. Although due to the nature of that dimension she was not able to recount whether she had spoken to her brother, Tsurumi or Keyman, she understood that the message Teresa wanted her to relay. Before Yamato descended from the higher dimension to regular space and reappeared inside of the time fault, Mori and Kodai had been given the chance to follow the battleship but had refused.[56]
Yamamoto talks to Burrell as she watches Keyman's epitaph on Hero's Hill
Yamamoto passed this message on to Ambassador Loren Burrell, Keyman's superior, soon after her rescue, during their visit to the memorial erected for the deceased Yamato crewmembers at Hero's Hill. She also shared her theory that the tree she had seen could be Teresa's true form. The Ambassador mentioned that Keyman had been tossed around by fate his whole life, but had achieved salvation by meeting her, which slightly embarrassed her. He also promised to do his best to answer Teresa's message, although it would not be an easy path. With support from Burrell, she, Lt. Commander Sanada, Captain Saki Todo of the Ginga, and Captain Yamanami of the Andromeda presented a proposal to collapse the time fault to send Yamato into the higher dimension and rescue Kodai and Mori. During a meeting with the Earth Federation leadership, she explained that the two were still alive and that Teresa had told her that unless they returned to Earth, the course of the future would sway from the optimal path. Initially facing opposition, thanks to Burrell's influence, the President of the Earth Federation agreed to settle the matter with a referendum.[56]
Ultimately, the voting populace supported Yamato's endeavor, and with the collapse of the time fault, Yamato managed to reach the higher dimension and rescue Kodai and Mori in the night between December 30 and 31.[57] Yamamoto was overjoyed as she looked at the two from Yamato's first bridge upon their rescue.[56]
Mission to Salezar[]
The 65th Escort Corps and the 38th Class[]
Following the time fault's sacrifice the Earth's military policy was forced to change to be more pacifistic. To showcase this change in direction, Yamato was put at the head of the newly-formed 65th Escort Corps, under Captain Yamanami's command.[58] The entire fleet was staffed mostly by former Yamato crewmembers, and with Kato's death at the end of the Gatlantis Campaign and Shinohara's transfer to the battle carrier Hyuga, another ship in the fleet, Yamamoto was promoted to Lieutenant and given command of a reorganized Yamato squadron.[59][5][60]
In the year after Yamato's return from the higher dimension, Yamamoto dedicated herself to training new pilots for the Cosmo Force's air force. She particularly followed Warrant Officer Shigeru Sakamoto, a member of Space Defense Academy's 38th Class of cadets, which was meant to participate in a diplomatic journey to Garmillas and Iscandar together with the 65th Escort Corps. The voyage was also meant to serve as a training journey for the 38th Class. During her training of Sakamoto she came to appreciate his abilities, but feared that his reckless nature could lead him to his death. As such, she tried her best to provide him with thorough educational guidance.[59][5][60]
Yamamoto and Nagakura discipline Caroline Raiden and Shigeru Sakamoto
The fleet took off on October 2, 2205,[61] and on the first day of training Yamato squadron carried out a joint excercise with Hyuga squadron near the Moon before joining up with the fleet. She led the squadron in mock combat from a Cosmo Tiger II, and warned her men to not get distracted when facing their opponents' new plane model, the Cosmo Python. She also scolded Sakamoto, who was being too cocky. She easily outmatched a rookie Python pilot with her abilities, and tried to tell Sakamoto off from flying into a debris field, but he turned off communications and ignored her. Six days later, the squadron carried out another excercise near Titan together with Nagakura's new space cavalry task force, during which Sakamoto carried out a series of unconventional maneuvers that detatched Nagakura from his plane. After he and his space cavalry partner during the excercise returned on board, Yamamoto and Nagakura sternly disciplined them.[5]
Days later, Yamato's pilot attended a strategy meeting held by the new Tactics Officer Tetsuya Kitano, promoted after Kodai's official promotion to captain of the battleship. At the meeting, Yamamoto became irritated by Sakamoto's behavior towards the newly promoted officer.[62]
Rescuing Iscandar[]
For this topic in more detail, see Rescue of Iscandar and Rescue Operation for Leader Desler
On October 16,[36] planet Garmillas was attacked and destroyed as its population began migrating toward their new home planet, Garmann. By the time the news reached Yamato, the identity of the attackers was still unknown, and, fearing retribution from the Bolar Federation, a powerful interstellar nation that had already entered into conflict with Garmillas, Earth HQ prohibited the Yamato and its fleet from carrying out a rescue mission to save the surviving Garmillans. Despite this, Kodai chose to ignore orders, and the fleet expelled the delegation and took off toward Iscandar, which had begun to move at unnatural speeds out of its orbit and had warped to the Vorzon system. As the captain relayed his orders to the battleship, Yamamoto looked up in determination and smiled.[62][63]
Yamamoto during the Rescue of Iscandar
As soon as the fleet arrived in orbit of Iscandar, Yamamoto took off in her plane with the rest of the fighter squadron and led them in an air battle above the Iscandarian capital against the unknown enemy's aircraft.[63][64] During the struggle, Sakamoto commented on the enemy's unusual maneuvers. Yamamoto reprimanded him for his hypocrisy before shooting down the plane and ordering her men to get the enemy away from the civilian immigration fleet that had landed on the planet. The enemy forces soon retreated, after identifying themselves as Dezariam, and Yamamoto participated in a strategic meeting with the Garmillas forces led by Leader Desler to decide their next steps.[64]
Yamamoto smiles at Ditz during the Operation to rescue Supreme Leader Desler
Following a failed attempt at rescuing the immigrant fleet, Queen Stasha negotiated a ceasefire with Dezariam, promising to hand over her world in exchange for free passage for the Garmillans and Earthlings. However, her true intention was to self-destruct her planet before the enemy could get their hands on it. Desler initially complied with the terms but suddenly turned his flagship around in a last-ditch attempt to attack the Dezarian flagship and stop Stasha from killing herself.[65][66] In response, the Earth-Garmillas joint fleet launched a rescue operation to save both Desler, Stasha, and Yurisha. During the battle, Yamamoto noticed that the seemingly unpredictable flight movement of the enemy fighters actually followed a single pattern and managed to easily take down her opponents. She flew side-by-side with Merda Ditz and smiled at her former rival.[67]
The battle ended with the rescue of Desler and the two royals, but planet Iscandar had to be sacrificed to destroy the remaining Dezarian forces, causing the deaths of Stasha and Yurisha. With the brief but devastating conflict over, Yamato and the 65th Escort Corps returned to Earth.[67]
Battles[]
Great Garmillas War[]
- Battle of Enceladus
- Operation M2
- Encounter with the Garmillas Dimensional Submarine (manga only)
- Planet Balun Breakthrough Operation (Ace with Scarlet Eyes)
- Battle of the Rainbow Star Cluster
- Battle of the Imperial Capital (also part of the Garmillas Civil War)
Gatlantis Campaign[]
Iscandar Incident[]
Others[]
Appearance[]
Akira Yamamoto is a young Marsnoid woman, a subspecies of Earthling.[68] She has the typical red eyes of the Marsnoids, as well as white hair. Before her first journey aboard the Yamato, she kept her hair long, but just before departing, she decided to cut it short.[69]
Yamamoto has white hair and red eyes. In 2199, she usually wore the Yamato squadron's uniform.
While working with the Cosmo Force on Earth in 2199, Yamamoto wore the brown Cosmo Force uniform Type B.[69] Afterwards, she typically wears the standard female uniform of the Yamato, and the pilot suit variant while piloting.[70] Initially, she wore the orange uniform of the accounting department,[70] but later switched to the black and yellow uniform of the Yamato squadron after her transfer.[71] After the first journey aboard Yamato, she changed to wearing a red tactics department uniform, even wearing it during her time in the Lunar Air Corps.[72] From 2202 to 2203,[72][73] the logo of Under Armor was placed on her uniform's left sleeve, as she had signed an advisory contract with the company.[72][74] She sometimes wears the Yamato squadron's bomber jacket over her uniform.[75]
After her return from high-dimensional space, she wore the UNCF Air Corps' service uniform.[76]
The bodysuit's holographic display
Beneath her uniform and flight suit, Akira wears a form-fitting bodysuit that is mainly gray, featuring a semi-transparent neckline. This bodysuit has six connectors on the back that allow it to connect to the pilot seat and includes an integrated interface to monitor the wearer's health by connecting to the U.N. Social Health Care Net.. It also enables the reception of messages. Under Armor's logo was also put on the body suit.[72]
At home, she has often worn a long sleeved black shirt with jeans.[69] On at least one occasion, she wore such a shirt underneath another grey t-shirt.
Personality and traits[]
Ditz and Yamamoto have a disagreement.
Yamamoto conducts her work and her personal affairs with obvious passion. That passion can easily turn into ferocity, both in battle against her enemies and in her personal interactions. Nevertheless, Yamamoto maintains a military professionalism that she calls upon in emotionally charged situations.[4][77][78]
Yamamoto and her necklace
Yamamoto values her connection with her deceased family, particularly her brother Akio, with whom she had a close relationship. She still feels a strong emotional bond with him even after his passing. One of her most beloved possessions is a necklace she had originally given to Akio, which was brought back to her by Kato after her brother's death.[9][3][10][4] The loss of her family members during the Great Garmillas War, especially Akio's death, fueled her intense hatred for the Garmillans and a desire for revenge. However, her feelings were tested when she encountered the Garmillan pilot Merda Ditz.[9][4] Despite her initial distrust and considering Ditz an enemy, Yamamoto's perception of her changed after being rescued by her during a duel. She began to understand and respect Ditz,[18] leading to a developing friendship and friendly rivalry between the two.[25][30]
Yamamoto is embarassed to be caught in the middle of a private conversation with Kodai
During the journey to Iscandar, Yamamoto developed romantic feelings for her superior, Lieutenant Susumu Kodai.[20][21][28] Kodai never returned her feelings, but they remained close friends.[10][28] Over time, Yamamoto's crush on Kodai faded, but to this day, they continue to trust and respect each other.[7][54] She also became friends with Lieutenant Yuki Mori, despite initially feeling jealous of her relationship with Kodai.[20][21][28] Their friendship grew, and Yamamoto now sometime serves as a confidant for Mori.[37][52]
Keyman and Yamamoto fell in love during Yamato's journey to Terezart
Years later, Yamamoto developed feelings for Garmillan Lieutenant Klaus Keyman,[42][46] despite their initially rocky relationship.[38] She was open with Keyman, and they often worked together.[39][49] Understanding Keyman's past, she encouraged him to live for himself in his final moments.[6] According to his superior, meeting Yamamoto had given Keyman salvation despite the challenges of his life.[56] When dealing with her feelings for Kodai she was often more bashful and jealous, aspects that did not carry over to her relationship with Keyman.[20][21][28]
Yamamoto with Shinohara and Kato minutes before the Battle of the Imperial Capital
Friction at the start of the mission to Iscandar did not harm her relationship with Kato, and she consistently remained close to him. Once the two began fighting side by side, their sibling-like relationship developped into one between equals.[3][4][26] She also became close friends with Kato's second-in-command, Shinohara, despite having to reject his playful advances on one occasion.[20][22][30]
Over the years, Yamamoto often found herself in the role of instructor for younger cadets.[7][60] As a teacher, she is passionate and extremely attentive to her students' needs and shortcomings, but she is also very strict with them.[7][34][60] She had a particularly close relationship with her pupil Jiro Tsurumi and was deeply saddened by his death in battle.[7][45]
Yamamoto also maintains a strong connection to her Marsnoid roots and self-identifies as a Marsnoid, despite having left the planet as an infant.[1][10][12]
In addition to her excellent piloting abilities,[1][18] Yamamoto is also highly skilled in hand-to-hand combat and can take on multiple better-equipped opponents while unarmed.[21] Similar to Ditz, she is also a skilled swimmer and diver.[27]
Manga[]
A young Akira Yamamoto declares to herself that she is fine to only have Akio in her life
In the Space Battleship Yamato 2199 manga adaptation, Yamamoto's love for Akio is much more unhealthy and codependent. Due to the bullying she experienced in her youth, Akio was her only source of comfort for a long time. She was content with having only him as a friend and didn't seek any other companionship.[79] Her feelings for him take on the connotations of an almost incestuous relationship. After his death, she kisses his dead body and shows the intention of giving birth to a clone of Akio by using his genetic materials.[80]
Yamamoto is also deeply dissatisfied with her life and much more hostile to Mori in their rivalry for Kodai's affections.[79][81] Her animosity toward the Garmillans also remains unresolved after her duel with Dietz.[79][82]
Ace with Scarlet Eyes[]
Yamamoto became friends with Warrant Officer Yuria Misaki
In the spin-off manga Ace with Scarlet Eyes, Yamamoto experienced severe bullying in her youth due to her Marsnoid origins, especially because of her eye color. This led to her developing a problem with making eye contact with others, making it hard for her to speak to new people, and generally made her introverted.[83][84] Early in her journey aboard Yamato, she felt like she didn't belong. This changed after her conversation with Yuria Misaki, with whom she developed a friendship.[83][84] Yamamoto noted that Misaki's presence made her want to open up to her.[83] She also became friends with nurse Makoto Harada.[83][85][86]
Manga[]
The Space Battleship Yamato 2199 manga adaptation expands and makes some differences to Akira's past and the events that concern her during the story.
After migrating to the Earth, she faced discrimination for her Marsnoid origins. Other kids often made fun of her hair and eye color. On one occasion, as she was crying in a park, Akio comforted her, telling her that she should ignore bullies and only concern herself with the opinion of her friends, who would appreciate her differences. He also told her that to do that she had to get over the wrongdoings done to her, before going off with his friends. She concluded to herself that she would be fine just having her brother.[79]
Yamamoto kisses Akio's body
Akio died to protect a young girl during a riot on Earth. After being informed of the event by Kato and the girl's mother, Yamamoto goes to see her brother's body, and kisses him in tears. As she later explained to Kato at her home, after informing him of his intention to become a pilot and avenge him, she also intends to use Akio's blood and genetic material present in her pendent to re-create him and give birth to a clone of him.[80]
Yamamoto is devastated to realize what Kodai was trying to make her understand
In order to help her get over her hate of the Garmillans, Kodai made a crew member fake an assault against Dietz during her time aboard Yamato. Kodai then calmed down the aggressor. Yamamoto later went over his words, which made extremely conflicted and ultimately made her choose to challenge Dietz on an aerial dogfight. Upon her return on board she was met by both Mori and Kato, the latter of whom commented that Akio wouldn't have wanted her to commit such actions, and made her understand what Kodai had attempted to do with the staged attack. This made her believe to have betrayed the expectations of both her comrades, Akio and even Kodai.[87] Yamamoto was still in her cell during the Psychic Attack on Yamato, and witnessed visions of Akio's death and the time he consoled her in the park. During her time in the brig she reflected upon her situation, noticing the irony of being locked up in the same cell Dietz had stayed prisoner in. She asked herslelf what kind of person she wanted to be, and came to the conclusion that her current life didn't satisfy her.[79] Upon being released she proudly declared to Mori that she wouldn't lose, implying she was talking about their love rivalry for Kodai.[81]
During the Encounter with the Garmillas Dimensional Submarine, Yamamoto is contacted by Enomoto to pilot Kodai's Cosmo Seagull to use the subspace sonobuoys.[88] She later took part in Kodai's landing team on Beemela 4 during Yamato's stay on the planet.[89]
Ace with Scarlet Eyes[]
The ten-issue manga series Ace with Scarlet Eyes written by Mayumi Azuma focuses on Akira Yamamoto's point of view and her perspective on the events of Space Battleship Yamato 2199.[90] It expands and makes changes to the events of the series involving her.[N 4]
Childhood[]
Akio protects the young Akira from bullies
After she immigrated to Earth, Yamamoto and her brother Akio faced discrimination for their Marsnoid origins, especially the color of their eyes, which led Yamamoto to develop a tendency not to look people in the eyes and talk to them. Akio often protected his younger sister from bullies at that time.[83]
First assigment aboard Yamato[]
After boarding Yamato as part of the Accounting Department, Yamamoto was caught looking at the specifics of a Cosmo Falcon by Chief Accountant Hirata. She immediately apologised and, although he reassured her she could stop working for a while, she asked to be assigned a new job. In the end Hirata assigned her to visit the various departmnent heads aboard the battleship and ask if they needed any supplies. She decided to go to Kato first to ease herself into talking with new people, and reflected over her inability to do so and stand up for herself.[83]
Yamamoto sees a Cosmo Zero for the first time
Kato was happy to see her enthusiastic about her new job, but Yamamoto informed him that she was there under orders from Hirata. He asked for more spare magazines for the Cosmo Falcons and she turned to leave. Kato told her that he was glad she hadn't been assigned to the fighter squadron, but to his annoyance, Yamamoto ignored him. She continued to think about his words and she stumbled upon a Cosmo Zero and began to admire it. She was approached by the fighter's pilot, Tactics Officer Susumu Kodai, who asked her if she was interested in fighter jets. Without thinking, she replied that she loved them, before embarassedly excusing herself and thinking she had only felt comfortable enough to say something so embarassing to him because he too had lost his brother in the war. She also then remembered she hadn't asked him if he needed any supplies.[83]
Yamamoto discusses with Niimi
She then went to visit the head of the Operations Department, Lieutenant Mori. While she did not need anything from accounting, she thanked Yamamoto for her hard work and the young girl noted her superior was a kind and loving person.[83] This gave her the determination to complete her task, which was immediately juxtaposed to the surprise she had seeing Chief Medical Officer Sakezo Sado cry over his cat in the infirmary. Yamamoto was approached by Sado's nurse, Makoto Harada, who asked her if she was feeling unwell. She replied she was there to get them any needed supplies, to which Sado replied asking her for more sake, before Harada stepped in and kindly let Yamamoto go.[91] Yamamoto then visited Yamato's Technical Analysis Room, where Technical Officer Shiro Sanada requested some supplies to her. Sanada's assistant, Information Officer Kaoru Niimi, informed Yamamoto she'd held counseling meeting to tend to the crew's mental health, and told her to visit her if she ever felt the need to. Yamamoto politely told her there'd be no need, and Niimi reassured her that it would be normal for someone to be under stress when leaving the Earth, especially given Yamato's important mission, or fear of losing someone important to them.[83]
Misaki tells Yamamoto she had finally looked her in the eyes
In Yamato's port observation deck, Yamamoto was met by Warrant Officer Yurisa Misaki of the Operations Department. Misaki excitedly introduced herself and gave Yamamoto a list of needed supplies. When she noticed that Yamamoto was not making eye contact, she asked if there was a problem. Yamamoto, deeply immersed in thought, replied that it could be because she felt like there was nothing useful she could do aboard Yamato. Suddenly, she snapped back to reality, realizing that, for some reason, Misaki's presence made her want to open up to her. Misaki earnestly reassured her that it was okay to feel scared, and that the crew aboard Yamato was like a big family, supporting each other through their difficulties. Yamamoto admitted that she didn't feel like she belonged aboard the ship, but Misaki insisted that she would surely find her place among the crew. Yamamoto was surprised at how Misaki seemed to understand what she was thinking, even without her saying anything. Misaki explained that she was sensitive and could sometimes feel other people's emotions. She asked Yamamoto not to think she was weird, and complimented her beautiful eye color when she finally looked Misaki in the eyes, which made her smile.[83]
Attack on Enceladus and transfer to the fighter squadron[]
Yamamoto hears about the situation on Enceladus and decides to intervene
Yamamoto then went back to the Accounting Department's room and gave Hirata the list of supplies she had gathered from the other department heads. She then resumed her work and thought back at Misaki's words. She noted that Yamato had been attacked just before its first sortie, comparing the battleship to a family full of scars much like hers had been. She suddenly heard to of her colleagues worriedly discussing the fact that a team made out of Kodai, Mori and Harada, which had landed on Enceladus, had just fallen under attack from Garmillas. Feeling she had to protect the people who had been kind to her, Yamamoto rushed out of the room, excusing herself to Hirata, and went to steal one of Yamato's Cosmo Zeros.[83]
Kato and Shinohara confront Yamamoto upon her return to Yamato
She took down a Garmillas tank that was threatening Mori and Kodai, showing remarkable piloting skills. Upon returning to the battleship, she was confronted by Kato and Shinohara. Her brother's friend tried to scold her for her irresponsible actions, but she simply shook him off, much to his anger. Alone in the pilot's ready room, Kato confronted her again, explaining that she had violated military regulations and put herself at great risk by flying a plane that had not been tested and having no prior experience aboard it. She coldly replied that she had done the right thing given the circumstances, which angered Kato even further. Despite his anger, he maintained his composure and questioned if she was trying to get revenge for Akio's death. Yamamoto did not reply and instead asked to be transferred to the fighter squadron.[85] Kato angrily slammed a nearby locker, and explained that, even if he had wanted to, he did not have the authority to allow such a thing.[86]
Yamamoto discusses with Kodai
She then went to the infirmary, where Harada scolded her for her recklessness and made her undergo a medical checkup to ensure she hadn't been injured. However, she also thanked her for coming to their rescue, which made her blush. Hirata also reprimanded her, although he informed her she wouldn't face consequences since she had saved the members of the landing team. He knew she had always wanted to join the air corps, but explained that only the captain could authorize such a transfer and only under a recommendation from the Tactics Officer. Hearing his words, Yamamoto rushed out of the Accounting Department's room and went to talk with Kodai. She met Kodai in Yamato's hallways, and he thanked her, although he also noted that as Tactics Officer he had to criticize her actions. However, Yamamoto pointed out that he had launched in a stolen Cosmo Zero under similar circumstances before Yamato's launch, which he embarrassedly admitted. However, he stated that he understood her desire to protect her comrades. Yamamoto recalled Misaki's words about the crew being a family, and stated she wanted to protect that family. Kodai pondered the idea, and noted that the crew would need those strong personal feelings to make the long journey to Iscandar. He asked Yamamoto if she wanted to fly as his wingman for the coming assault on the Garmillan base on Pluto, to which she joyfully agreed. He later presented Yamamoto to the rest of the fighter squadron.[86]
Operation M2 and the line-crossing cerimony[]
Yamamoto and Kodai talk as they carry out repairs outside of Yamato
Yamamoto fought in Operation M2 as Kodai's wingman. Following the operation's success, Admiral Okita held a ceremony to celebrate Yamato leaving the solar system. Yamamoto felt she wasn't fit for a party and decided to stay behind in the pilot's showers. There, she thought about the fact that other crew members would get to call Earth one last time and wondered who she would call. Realizing she had nothing to do in the showers either, she reluctantly joined the celebrations and met with Hirata. She thanked him for agreeing to her transfer but was distracted by Kodai leaving the room and followed him, ignoring what Hirata was telling her. Meanwhile, Yamato's deck crew was busy repairing the ship from the damage it had received in the previous battle. Its members would not be able to call home. Kodai decided to take the place of one of the workers, and Yamamoto followed him, allowing two deckhands to leave. As they worked, they discussed Yamamoto's Marsnoid origins and her immigration to Earth.[84][92]
Misaki asks Yamamoto to participate in YRA radio Yamato
After she returned on board, she was approached by Hirata and Misaki. Under suggestion from the Chief Accountant, Misaki suggested she participate as a guest in the pre-broadcast of YRA Radio Yamato, the radio show she'd be hosting. Despite her reluctance, she ultimately agreed, but shot Hirata an angry glance as Misaki led her to the recording booth. After introducing her to the audience, Misaki asked about Yamamoto's success in the previous operation. Embarrassed, she attributed it to Kodai's guidance. The host then introduced a game to her, asking which of the battleship's planes she believed to be more advanced, what her favorite place aboard Yamato was, and how she liked to spend her free time on board. Despite feeling her privacy was somewhat intruded, she answered the questions. When asked if there were any men she was interested in among the crew, she replied that she didn't know, although she did think about Kodai for a moment.[84][93]
Misaki tells Yamamoto she just went live
Lastly, Misaki asked her why she had decided to board Yamato. She replied that she wasn't sure, and went on to explain how she had joined the military to follow in the footsteps of her brother, but she too had ultimately developed a love for piloting. The host asked her why she hadn't joined the fighter squadron in the first place, and she said that Kato didn't want her to, explaining he was probably looking out for her, not wanting her to die like Akio. She told Kato was a sensible person, but explained that now that she was a pilot, she wanted to protect the crew and that she believed that's what her brother would've wanted. Ending the broadcast, Misaki thanked her for her help, and Yamamoto asked her to cut out the last part since she felt it was too embarrassing. To her surprise and dismay, Misaki informed her their entire conversation had been broadcast live to the crew. When she went back to the party, other crew members complimented her for her story, which only embarrassed her further. She then ran into Kodai, who told her that her words had encouraged him. He also added they'd do their best on the way to Iscandar, which she agreed to with a smile.[93]
Duel with Ditz[]
Yamamoto accuses Ditz of sabotage and she responds by challenging her to a duel
During Ditz's time aboard Yamato, Yamamoto was tasked with one of her cell's survaillance shifts. As she went to take over Toru Hoshina, the guard before her, she thought back to the Garmillan's words about the Earthlings being the ones to start the Great Garmillas War. Seeing her pensive, Hoshina asked her if she was alright, but she didn't reply. Later, she visited Ditz's cell and accused her of causing chaos with her words, insinuating that she was trying to sabotage Yamato's mission with lies. Ditz vehemently denied this, swearing on her family and Garmillas's honor that she was telling the truth. Convinced that talking wouldn't resolve their differences, Ditz challenged her to an air duel. Due to her Cosmo Zero being under repair she took off using a spare Cosmo Falcon. However, as she prepared for takeoff, she couldn't shake the feeling that Ditz might be telling the truth.[94]
Ditz brings Yamamoto back on board after their duel
Yamamoto quickly noticed that her fighter wasn't performing well, and it soon experienced engine failure. Ditz advised her to eject, and she managed to escape just before the craft burst into flames. Drifting in space, she felt completely defeated, until she heard her brother's voice, which gave her a renewed determination not to give up. Just then, Ditz came to her rescue. As she reached out to her rival, Yamamoto realized she didn't want to give up. The Garmillan brought her back on board, where Yamamoto questioned why Ditz had saved her. Ditz simply replied that their battle wasn't over and that they would meet again.[94]
After spending six days in the brig for her actions, Yamamoto was confronted by Kato and Shinohara upon her release. She expressed her new belief that while it was important to know who had started the war, her main focus would be to serve her duty as a fighter pilot. She also mentioned that her duel with Ditz had taught her something. Despite the gravity of her actions, Kato simply tossed her pilot jacket to her, and Shinohara reiterated that the most important thing was that she was safe. Yamamoto smiled as they welcomed her back into their ranks, and then went to Yamato's sauna where she took a bath with Lieutenant Mori.[94]
The recon mission at Balun[]
Yamamoto tries to volunteer for the recon mission, but Shinohara takes her place
As the Yamato approached a subspace gate, Kato informed the members of the fighter squadron that one of them would need to carry out a dangerous recon mission to the other side of the gate. Yamamoto tried to volunteer, but she was preceded by Shinohara.[95] As Shinohara prepared to launch, she was informed by Kato that he would have only three hours to complete the recon. Kato explained that if the gate was unusable, Yamato would need to leave immediately to avoid losing more time. Yamamoto angrily asked if that meant they'd leave Shinohara behind if he didn't complete the mission in time and demanded to do the recon flight instead of him. Kato coldly denied her request, telling her Shinohara had probably volunteered to prevent her from going. As time passed, Yamamoto couldn't stand still and wait and vented her frustration to Hirata. The Chief Accountant told her that there was a reason why she boarded Yamato, and even though she felt like she couldn't do anything at that moment, there was surely something she could do. Yamamoto then realized that if there were any enemies behind the gate, they would certainly not let Shinohara come back alive. She ran out of the room but stopped to thank Hirata for helping her come to that realization.[96]
Yamamoto reminds Shinohara of his duties as she shoots down his pursuers
She went to the first bridge to speak with Admiral Okita when suddenly Shinohara hailed Yamato. He informed the crew that the recon had been successful, but that a large Garmillas fleet was gathering on the other side of the gate. However, as he was being pursued by enemy planes and did not want to give Yamato's location away, he explained that he wouldn't be able to return to the battleship, and wished them a safe journey. Yamamoto and the rest of the fighter squadron immediately took off and destroyed his pursuers. She reminded him that a recon pilot's duty was to return to their base.[96]
Shinohara was taken to the infirmary, and Yamamoto sat beside him. He told her that he had remembered her words during his mission, and Yamamoto replied that returning alive wasn't simply a recon pilot's duty, but the duty of all of Yamato's crew. Shinohara agreed and they fist-bumped. Yamato's mission was successful, and Earth was ultimately saved. Yamamoto was among the survivors of Yamato's fighter squadron and became regarded as an ace pilot.[96]
Gallery[]
Notes[]
- While Yamamoto did receive a posthomous promotion to full Lieutenant after her apparent death in 2203, the promotion was not immediately recognized after her re-appearance in the time fault later that year. She continued to sport the Ensign rank insignia on her uniform until her later official promotion to Lieutenant.[56]
Behind the scenes[]
Akira Yamamoto is the counterpart of a male character of the same name from the original Space Battleship Yamato. Initially, the character was intended to be male with long hair, designed to be a "cool character" to contrast with Kato's seriousness. However, the decision was made to change Yamamoto's gender, and this character design and concept were reused for a new character, Hiroki Shinohara.[97][98] Although the pronunciation of Yamamoto's name remains the same as the original male counterpart, the Kanji making up the name are changed from "山本明" to "山本玲" to reflect the gender change.
Yamamoto's new design was created by Nobuteru Yuki[99] and is based on a rejected design Yoshinobu Nishizaki had asked Yuki to draw for Miharu Sasaki for Yamato Resurrection.[97][98][100] She is portrayed by Rie Tanaka in Japanese and Jeannie Tirado in English.
For a collaboration between the clothing company Under Armor and Space Battleship Yamato 2202: Warriors of Love, Under Armor stated to have "signed a contract with Akira Yamamoto".[35] The Under Armor logo appears on her uniform and bodysuit for the duration of the series, as well as appearing on her Cosmo Tiger I.[7]
In Michio Murakawa's manga adaptation of Space Battleship Yamato 2199, Yamamoto's hatred for the Garmillans doesn't end after her duel with Merda Dietz. Murakawa chose to make this change because he thought she would step down as the heroine if her character arc ended.[82]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Official Space Battleship Yamato 2199 website Character entry for Akira Yamamoto
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 starblazers-yamato.net CHARACTERS Space Battleship Yamato 2205: A New Journey entry for Akira Yamamoto
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 "Toward a Sea of Stars"
- ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 "The Trap on All Sides"
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Yamato, a New Departure!!"
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 "Farewell, Space Battleship Yamato"
- ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 "Tension – Reach the Embassy on the Moon"
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 "Clash! Yamato vs. Andromeda"
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 "Graveyard of the Universe"
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 "Farewell to the Solar System"
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 The Era of Space Battleship Yamato: Choice of 2202
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Escape from the Jupiter Sphere"
- ↑ Day count at the end of "Escape from the Jupiter Sphere"
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 "Gravestone on a Frozen Field"
- ↑ Space Battleship Yamato 2199 Model Sheet Design Collection EARTH p.104
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 "The Sun Sets on Pluto"
- ↑ "Clockwork Prisoner"
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 "A World I Once Saw"
- ↑ "What Lies Beyond"
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 "Point of No Return"
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 21.4 21.5 "A Choice for the Future"
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 "Over the Black Light"
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 "They're Coming!"
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 "Under a Rainbow Sun"
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 "The Planet That We Head For"
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 "One Man's War"
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 "The Distant Promised Land"
- ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 28.3 28.4 28.5 Space Battleship Yamato 2199: Odyssey of the Celestial Ark
- ↑ "The Forever War"
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 "Memories of the Blue Planet"
- ↑ Official Era of Space Battleship Yamato: Choice of 2202 website timeline
- ↑ Space Battleship Yamato 2202: Warriors of Love Complete Works Vol. 1 p. 24
- ↑ 33.0 33.1 "AD 2202 - Revive, Space Battleship Yamato"
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 Official Space Battleship Yamato 2202: Warriors of Love CHARACTER & MECHANIC entry for Akira Yamamoto
- ↑ 35.0 35.1 Under Armour to launch collaboration including licensing business for "Space Battleship Yamato 2202: Warriors of Love"
- ↑ 36.0 36.1 Trajectory of YAMATO official 2024 calendar
- ↑ 37.0 37.1 37.2 37.3 "The Trap at Planet Stravase!"
- ↑ 38.0 38.1 38.2 38.3 "Battle to the Death – The 11th Planet Rescue Operation"
- ↑ 39.0 39.1 39.2 "The Beam of Light Flashes! / Radiance of the Wave Motion Gun"
- ↑ "Zworder, the Devil's Alternative"
- ↑ "Bewitching - The Space Fireflies Beckon a Crisis"
- ↑ 42.0 42.1 42.2 "The Shocking White Comet Empire - The Yamato Rams Through!"
- ↑ 43.0 43.1 "The Terezart Landing Operation – Crush the Enemy Missile Fleet!"
- ↑ "Zurvival's Fierce Assault - Find Teresa"
- ↑ 45.0 45.1 45.2 "O Teresa, Cry for Dessler!"
- ↑ 46.0 46.1 ""Battle off the Coast of Saturn - Gather the Wave Motion Gun Fleet!"
- ↑ The Era of Space Battleship Yamato: Choice of 2202 dates Yamato's repairs on May 29 and states that the battleship fell on Zemuria 20 days prior, meaning the event must take place on May 9.
- ↑ "Yamato in Crisis - The Devil's Alternative Once More"
- ↑ 49.0 49.1 49.2 "Heir to the Yamato, Her Name is Ginga"
- ↑ 50.0 50.1 "Gatlantis, the Cursed Children"
- ↑ "Escape from the Nightmare!"
- ↑ 52.0 52.1 52.2 "The Fated Showdown!"
- ↑ "Warriors of Love"
- ↑ 54.0 54.1 54.2 "Yamato, Attack the Comet Empire!"
- ↑ Yamato 2202 story questions with Nobuyoshi Habara
- ↑ 56.0 56.1 56.2 56.3 56.4 56.5 "Earth, Yamato Is..."
- ↑ The Era of Space Battleship Yamato: Choice of 2202 establishes that Yamato returns to the Earth on December 31, 2203. Since the ship returns at dawn, its launch must occur on December 30.
- ↑ Space Battleship Yamato 2205 Complete Works literary materials pp 138-139
- ↑ 59.0 59.1 "A Galactic War is About to Break Out! Assemble the Yamato Fleet!!"
- ↑ 60.0 60.1 60.2 60.3 starblazers-yamato.net CHARACTERS Space Battleship Yamato 2205: A New Journey entry for Akira Yamamoto
- ↑ starblazers-yamato.net CHARACTERS Space Battleship Yamato 2205: A New Journey confirms that Yamato meets up with the rest of its fleet on October 1, meaning the take off must take place on October 2
- ↑ 62.0 62.1 "The Last Day of Garmillas"
- ↑ 63.0 63.1 "Save Iscandar! Rebellion of the Young Heroes!!"
- ↑ 64.0 64.1 "Emergency Order! Yamato, Shoot Iscandar!!"
- ↑ "Immigrant Fleet Rescue Operation. Go Beyond the Dimensional Wall!"
- ↑ "Iscandar, the Dying Planet of Sorrow"
- ↑ 67.0 67.1 "Hello Sasha"
- ↑ "Farewell to the Solar System"
- ↑ 69.0 69.1 69.2 "Toward a Sea of Stars"
- ↑ 70.0 70.1 "Gravestone on a Frozen Field"
- ↑ "The Trap on All Sides"
- ↑ 72.0 72.1 72.2 72.3 "Tension – Reach the Embassy on the Moon"
- ↑ "Yamato, a New Departure!!"
- ↑ "Space Battleship Yamato 2202: Warriors of Love" Signs Advisory Contract with Akira Yamamoto archived on September 8, 2016
- ↑ "Save Iscandar! Rebellion of the Young Heroes!!"
- ↑ "Earth, Yamato Is..."
- ↑ "Under a Rainbow Sun"
- ↑ "Memories of the Blue Planet"
- ↑ 79.0 79.1 79.2 79.3 79.4 Space Battleship Yamato 2199 ch. 32
- ↑ 80.0 80.1 Space Battleship Yamato 2199 ch. 26
- ↑ 81.0 81.1 Space Battleship Yamato 2199 ch. 34
- ↑ 82.0 82.1 Yamato Volume 5, Amanohashidate, and After That from Michio Murakawa's personal blog
- ↑ 83.00 83.01 83.02 83.03 83.04 83.05 83.06 83.07 83.08 83.09 83.10 Ace with Scarlet Eyes ch. 1
- ↑ 84.0 84.1 84.2 84.3 Ace with Scarlet Eyes ch. 5
- ↑ 85.0 85.1 Ace with Scarlet Eyes ch. 2
- ↑ 86.0 86.1 86.2 Ace with Scarlet Eyes ch. 3
- ↑ Space Battleship Yamato 2199 ch. 27
- ↑ Space Battleship Yamato 2199 ch. 36
- ↑ Space Battleship Yamato 2199 ch. 44-45
- ↑ "Elemental Gelade's Azuma Draws New Yamato 2199 Manga," Anime News Network, August 1, 2013
- ↑ Ace with Scarlet Eyes ch. 1 (volume version)
- ↑ Ace with Scarlet Eyes ch. 4
- ↑ 93.0 93.1 Ace with Scarlet Eyes ch. 6
- ↑ 94.0 94.1 94.2 Ace with Scarlet Eyes ch. 8
- ↑ Ace with Scarlet Eyes ch. 9
- ↑ 96.0 96.1 96.2 Ace with Scarlet Eyes ch. 10
- ↑ 97.0 97.1 Space Battleship Yamato 2199 Chapter 2 theater pamphlet p.27
- ↑ 98.0 98.1 Space Battleship Yamato 2199 Model Sheet Design Collection EARTH p.256
- ↑ Space Battleship Yamato 2199 Model Sheet Design Collection EARTH pp.210-211
- ↑ Space Battleship Yamato 2199 Yamato 2199 Rough Illustration Book p.19
- ↑ While the Cosmo Zero flown by Yamamoto is specifically called α2, Yamamoto's callsign is spelled "Alpha 02" as seen on Kodai's screen during the briefing for Operation M2 seen in "The Trap on All Sides". It's worth noting that Yamamoto should not have been included among the pilots on that screen since she had not yet been transferred to the fighter squadron, meaning her inclusion is a continuity mistake.
- ↑ The english version of Space Battleship Yamato 2199 erroneously states that Yamamoto's grandmother was born on Mars, but the original Japanese version clearly talks about her grandfather
- ↑ See Yamato 2199 timeline inconsistencies for more details
- ↑ This section will only detail the events that differ between 2199 and the Ace with Scarlet Eyes retelling