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Sasha Iscandar Kodai. She is the one being in existence that connects history. The knot in the circle of time.
Sasha Iscandar Kodai (SASHA ISCANDAR 古代, Sasha Iscandar Kodai),[4][7] referred to simply as Sasha Iscandar by Dezariam and registered with the Earth Federation under the false identity of Mio Sanada (真田 澪, Sanada Mio), is an Earthling-Iscandarian hybrid. She is the daughter of Mamoru Kodai and the last Queen of Planet Iscandar, Stasha Iscandar.
Although conceived in 2199, Sasha was maintained in an incorporeal state until late 2205 and was physically born at the conclusion of the Iscandar Incident. She was subsequently taken into Earth Federation custody, placed in quarantine, and assigned an observation team led by, headed by Cosmo Navy commander Shiro Sanada, her late father's best friend, and with Kaoru Niimi as her foster mother.
As one of the fragments of Iscandar, she became a target for Dezariam during their invasion of Earth in 2207. She was secretly hidden at the Icarus Observatory aboard the battleship Yamato, but was successfully kidnapped by the Dezarian major Alfon. She was transported to Dezariam’s future in the 32nd century, arriving inadvertently in the year 3184 rather than the intended destination of 3199.
Sasha’s appearance revealed the existence of time travel to Dezariam, setting in motion the events of the Iscandar Incident and the Dezariam invasion Earth. As a result, she came to be regarded by Dezariam as the “knot in the circle of time,” the individual responsible for closing the temporal loop.
After spending 15 years in the future, Sasha succeeded in returning to the past, bringing with her a program created by the late Kaoru Niimi capable of shutting down the AI Mother Dezariam. Following a brief stay in Galman-Garmillas, she rejoined the Yamato on its journey toward Dezariam.
Biography[]
Pre-birth[]
Sasha Iscandar Kodai was kept inside a capsule
Sasha Iscandar Kodai was conceived by Queen Stasha Iscandar and the Earthling sailor Mamoru Kodai, a lieutenant commander of the United Nations Cosmo Navy who had been captured by the Greater Garmillan Empire, which was currently at war with Earth's United Nations. Kodai died soon after her conception, and Queen Stasha named her after her late sister, Sasha Iscandar.[8] Iscandar Kodai was kept in an incorporeal form for the following years, as a floating sphere of energy inside of a capsule and kept inside Crystal Palace, at Iscandar's capital.[2]
Early life[]
Birth[]
Sado and Kyozuka take care of Sasha
Following planet Iscandar's destruction at the end of the Iscandar Incident and the deaths of her mother and aunt Yurisha, on October 24, 2205,[4] Sasha Iscandar Kodai was born aboard the Earth Federation carrier Asuka, while her capsule was being held by her paternal uncle Susumu Kodai's fiancée, Yuki Mori. Moments after her birth, she grabbed her uncle's finger and laughed. The carrier and its fleet headed back toward the Earth, and during the voyage back Iscandar Kodai was taken care of by Doctor Sakezo Sado and Nurse Miyako Kyozuka.[2][9]
Stay at the Icarus Observatory[]
Iscandar Kodai was placed in quarantine for two years[1] and assigned an observation team led by Cosmo Navy commander Shiro Sanada, who was her late father's best friend.[10]
Sanada suspected that Dezariam, the country responsible for the Iscandar Incident, intended to invade Earth. In the months following the incident, Dezariam reached out to key individuals in the Earth Federation's military, political, and financial sectors, claiming to be Earthlings from a future facing destruction. In response, Sanada and General Heikuro Todo organized Operation DAD, a secret operation to defend against the impending Dezarian invasion. Iscandar Kodai was identified as one of Dezariam's targets due to her inheriting Queen Stasha's element.[3]
Along with the space battleship Yamato, which was equipped with an Iscandarian-made Wave Motion Core, she was known as one of the two "fragments of Iscandar." To protect her, she was taken to the Icarus Observatory, a secret facility where the Yamato was also housed. There, she was given a false identity as "Mio Sanada," the niece of Shiro Sanada.[3]
For the following years, her upbringing was entrusted to Lieutenant Kaoru Niimi, who assumed the role of her foster mother. Niimi managed the Yamato's accounting and medical departments and worked alongside its autonomous sub-computer, New Analyzer, to enhance Iscandar Kodai's diet, exercise, and overall quality of sleep.[5]
Iscandar Kodai looks out into space
In October 2207, as the quarantine period was about to end, Sanada read Iscandar Kodai a poetry book, frustrated by his inability to convey his feelings with words. Suddenly, she began looking with intensity at the expanse of space out of a window nearby, seemingly sensing something, unnerving Sanada. At the same time, in the far reaches of the solar system, Dezariam began its invasion.[1]
Meeting Kodai again[]
Iscandar Kodai sees his uncle again for the first time
After the Invasion of the Ground Reverse, the crews from the former Yamato fleet gathered at the Icarus Observatory as part of Operation DAD. Iscandar Kodai was introduced to the group, which included her uncle, Susumu Kodai. At the time, Kodai was struggling emotionally following the apparent death of his fiancée, Mori, in the previous battle. When Iscandar Kodai attempted to walk toward him, he backed away. Instead, Miyako Kyozuka hurried over to embrace her.[3]
Iscandar Kodai was present at a later strategy meeting aboard the Yamato, playing in a corner of the room, when the battleship came under attack and took off from the Icarus Observatory. From a screen in the infirmary, she looked at the battleship easily dispatching a Dezarian space fortress.[3] She was also present at a later meeting, where she stood in Niimi's arms.[11]
Sasha pouts to Kiryu
After his poor performance in a battle against Dezariam, Susumu was demoted by Admiral Osamu Yamanami and ordered to return to Earth.[11] At that time, Iscandar Kodai was in the omnidirectional radar room, where Niimi, Sanada, and Ensign Mikage Kiryu were working. Suddenly, she jumped into Sanada's arms and began to nag Niimi. Her foster mother suspected that she might be sensing the fear of the adults around her, as the child appeared to understand language very well, even though she had not yet spoken. Noticing her pout, Kiryu asked if she wanted to go say goodbye to her uncle.[12]
Sasha tries to reach Kodai
After reaching the hangar where Susumu was about to leave, Iscandar Kodai spoke for the first time, calling out to him. However, he once again backed away, and Kyozuka again went to comfort her.[12]
Kidnapped by Dezariam[]
Hours later, Yamato came under attack and was infiltrated by the Dezarian major Alfon. Niimi kept Iscandar Kodai secured to her and tried to reassure her, but they were hit by a stun grenade and captured by the intruder. Kodai confronted Alfon in one of Yamato's observation decks, but the Dezarian was extracted by the battleship Grodez, taking both Iscandar Kodai and Niimi with him.[12]
Sasha in Dezariam's care
Now in Dezarian custody, the child was placed in a pod and put to sleep. The strategy AI Mother Dezariam, told her to sleep well, stating that something would happen to her upon awakening.[12]
The pods holding her and Niimi was moved to a malfunctioning Pleiades-class battleship.[13] The vessel attempted to travel toward the center of the galaxy in order to pass through the spatio-temporal node and head to the Dezariam main planet, however, it malfunctioned and reappeared in the future 15 years before its intended arrival. The ship was located inside the Sea of Torment by Dezariam in 3184, which in turn led to the discovery of the spatio-temporal node, creating a casual loop.[14]
Life in the 32nd century[]
Iscandar Kodai's retrieval ultimately led to Dezariam attempting the Iscandar Transfer Plan and the History Revision Plan. She came to be regarded as the "knot in the circle of time", and her capture became necessary to fulfill the events of the casual loop.[14] Iscandar Kodai spent the following 15 years on Dezariam, where she was treated with considerable care by the Dezarians. She was provided with a place to live on the devastated planet and was allowed to grow up in a manner similar to a human child despite Dezariam’s condition. According to Niimi, no harm was inflicted on her mind or body. Niimi believed that the Dezarians expected something from her due to her status as a fragment of Iscandar.[15]
Niimi herself was subjected to repeated and violent interrogations. Nevertheless, both survived, and Iscandar Kodai grew up alongside her, eventually referring to Niimi as her “aunt.” They studied Dezarian society, gaining an understanding of the central role played by the AI Mother Dezariam. Niimi developed a correction program, that she believed could eliminate the AI’s bias against the Earthlings of the 23rd century, thereby stopping the Dezarian invasion of the past.[15]
The two waited for an opportunity to escape into the past, which finally arose in 3199. The 17-year-old Iscandar Kodai succeeded in escaping, while Niimi sacrificed herself to ensure her safe departure, entrusting her with the program.[15] Iscandar Kodai believes she could have ran back and saved Niimi, but she froze in fear and ran away.[16]
Return to the past[]
Stay on planet Galman[]
The teenage Sasha Iscandar Kodai inside of the pod, drifting through space
Iscandar Kodai reappeared in 2207 two weeks after her initial kidnapping.[17] A Galman-Garmillas fleet led by Commander Fomt Berger discovered the pod containing her drifting through space.[17] The pod was located because it was emitting an SOS signal from Earth.
She was brought to planet Galman to Supreme Leader Desler. When he summoned the Yamato crew to the planet, Sasha stood beside him and proclaimed that her uncle was coming.[18]
Some time before Yamato’s arrival, Iscandar Kodai was given four Iscandarian gemstones to wear on her chest, which had been recovered from the Shalbart ruins on Galman. Desler later met her on the balcony of his headquarters in the holy city of Luda. When Iscandar Kodai asked him about Queen Stasha, Desler spoke highly of her late mother. He placed significant emphasis on Iscandar Kodai’s Iscandarian heritage, which caused her to flee from the balcony.[16]
Meeting the Yamato crew again[]
Iscandar Kodai meets Susumu Kodai and the rest of the crew
Iscandar Kodai observed the arrival of the Yamato on planet Galman from the docks of the holy city of Luda. When the ship’s crew was received at Desler’s headquarters by General Ghader Talan, she rushed forward and embraced her uncle, Susumu Kodai, who quickly recognized her despite her physical age. After briefly recounting her experiences, Iscandar Kodai was subjected to a series of medical examinations, which confirmed that she was in good health.[14]
Following the attempted Capture of Planet Galman, a holographic message entrusted to Iscandar Kodai by Kaoru Niimi was presented to the Yamato’s senior officers in the ship’s strategy room. The message detailed Iscandar Kodai’s life on Dezariam and explained the nature of the correction program. Iscandar Kodai insisted that the Yamato immediately depart for Dezariam to use the program on Mother Dezariam, but Susumu reprimanded her for her recklessness and impatience, prompting her to leave saddened.[15]
Susumu later confronted Iscandar Kodai on the docks, attempting to explain that, although painful, her ideas might not always be accepted immediately and that cooperation was necessary. Iscandar Kodai interpreted this as an expectation to suppress her feelings and failed to understand its purpose. She accused Susumu of similarly hiding his own desire to return to Earth and rescue Yuki Mori. Distressed by what she perceived as his lack of honesty, Iscandar Kodai ran off once more.[15]
Iscandar Kodai is invited into the "Yamato Girl Club"
That evening, while alone on the Yamato’s open-air deck, Iscandar Kodai was approached by crew members Mikage Kiryu and Miyako Kyozuka, who invited her to dine with them in Kiryu’s quarters and welcomed her into the informal “Yamato Girl Club.”[15]
Ra-Jendra and departure from Galman[]
One morning, while spending time with Kyozuka and Ensign Ryusuke Domon, taking pictures on the Yamato’s open-air deck, Iscandar Kodai witnessed the escape attempt of Ram Ra-Jendra, the Grand Duke of Berth and a member state leader of the Bolar Federation, who had recently been taken into Galman-Garmillas custody. Domon restrained Ra-Jendra, who loudly claimed that his battleship, the Rajendra, was about to explode. Iscandar Kodai approached him and stated that she believed he was telling the truth.[19]
Iscandar Kodai pointing at the warp-out location
Indeed, her intuition proved to be correct. Later that day, it was discovered that a Bolar planet destroyer missile was approaching the planet. Iscandar Kodai boarded the Yamato as it joined other vessels in an attempt to locate the missile as it emerged from warp. She soon sensed the missile’s presence telepathically and identified its warp-out location. However, lacking corroborating sensor data, Admiral Osamu Yamanami ordered her to wait. As the search continued without results, Iscandar Kodai pleaded with the crew to trust her, warning that it would be too late to stop the attack once the missile became visible.[19]
Hearing her over communications, Susumu falsely reported detecting a spatial fluctuation at the position Iscandar Kodai had indicated, prompting the Yamato to target the area. When the planet destroyer missile emerged at that exact location, the Yamato successfully destroyed it using the wave motion gun. Iscandar Kodai quietly thanked her uncle for believing in her.[19]
With the cooperation of Grand Duke Ram, Supreme Leader Dessler and the Yamato crew resolved to investigate the Ganell Nebula, believed to be the source of the cosmic cooling phenomenon affecting Galman and Berth. Iscandar Kodai was asked to help Lieutenant J.G. Miki Saijo with using the Omnidirectional Radar, a device which could help develop her latent telepathic abilities. She stubbornly objected, insisting that the Yamato’s priority should remain the mission to Dezariam. Despite Susumu’s attempts to explain the importance of the investigation, she ran off after being reprimanded.[20]
Iscandar Kodai talks with Grand Duke Ram
That evening, she encountered Grand Duke Ram. He apologized for their first meeting, explaining that General Ghader Talan had later informed him of her royal lineage. She expressed frustration with the Yamato’s new mission to explore the Ganell Nebula, and stated that her lineage had no meaning after Iscandar's destruction. Ram advised her that patience would be valuable and that there were no shortcuts in life. He also urged her to remain calm and treat others with compassion, upholding the ideals of Iscandar even if her home planet no longer existed.[20]
On her return to the Yamato, she encountered a Zaltzi family who entrusted her with a hologram letter to their father, Yahbu Sukelji, who was currently aboard the Earth battleship. Their words about family and understanding left a strong impression on her. After delivering the message to Sukelji, Iscandar Kodai immediately requested that Susumu allow her to join the Yamato’s crew. Although her status remained semi-official, she was accepted, and Domon and Kyozuka affixed an anchor decal to her bodysuit, which she greatly cherished despite it being a simple piece of merchandise.[20]
Iscandar Kodai and Saijo working in the omnidirectional radar
During the voyage through subspace toward the Ganell Nebula, Iscandar Kodai assisted Saijo in the Omnidirectional Radar room. She detected two Dezarian capture fields approaching the ship and, during the ensuing engagement, proposed firing the wave motion gun to breach the dimensional boundary layer after the dimensional submarine Zerandal—carrying Sukelji—was damaged and lost in subspace. Although warned that the firing solution would require extreme precision, Iscandar Kodai assured him that she could determine the correct firing angle.[20]
To facilitate the process, Iscandar Kodai was left alone in the Omnidirectional Radar room while Susumu assumed control of the wave motion gun, as the system functioned more effectively when operated by individuals with a strong emotional bond. During the procedure, Iscandar Kodai broke down in tears, confessing her guilt over Niimi’s death and her fear of allowing anyone else to die. She explained that her obstinacy regarding the Dezariam mission stemmed from a desire for atonement and to fulfill her foster mother’s wishes. She also condemned herself for what she perceived as selfishness but reaffirmed her determination to save the crew of the Zerandal, despite the hardships she now understood awaited her.[20]
Using Iscandar Kodai’s calculations, Susumu successfully fired the gun, allowing the Zerandal to escape back into normal space. However, the resulting shockwave from the ruptured dimensional boundary threw Iscandar Kodai against a wall, causing her to lose consciousness.[20]
Appearance[]
Sasha Iscandar Kodai in her grown and toddler appearances
Sasha Iscandar Kodai is an older teen with blonde hair and amber eyes, which she inherited from her mother. While the color of her hair is also inherited from Queen Stasha, its texture comes from her father, Mamoru Kodai.[21] She was born with an abundance of hair.[9] As of October 2207, she wears her hair long,[3] is 165.8 cm tall, and weighs 49.8 kg.[14] Chronologically, she is less than two years old, but physically she is estimated to be around 17 years old.[17] Due to her nature as an Iscandarian-Earthling hybrid and the unique circumstances around her birth, it's unclear how human biology applies to her.[14]
As a toddler, Sasha was dressed in a light blue dress over a white turtleneck sweater, complemented by white tights and black shoes adorned with a small lilac ribbon on top. She also wore a wing-shaped hairpin decorated with a purple gem and a golden anchor pendant.[3]
After her growth, Iscandar Kodai wears a light-blue body suit that was gifted to her by Supreme Leader Desler,[22] with darker blue details on the arms, outer legs, and boots. The suit includes details resembling typical Iscandarian clothing, like an ornate silver trim outlining certain parts, such as the chest, shoulders, cuffs, thighs, and calves. Around the neck is a high white collar, which exposes part of the neck and the neckline, and is embedded with four pinkish Iscandarian gems[17] which glow in response to her telepathic abilities.[16]
After she joined the Yamato crew, the three lines typical of Earth Defense Force uniforms were added to her upper arms, alongside a Yamato ship patch. A light blue anchor decal was added to her clothes' chest.[16]
Personality and traits[]
As a toddler[]
Sasha Iscandar Kodai in early October 2207
At two years of age, Sasha Iscandar Kodai had only spoken once,[12] so she hadn't displayed much of her personality yet. She was playful[3][11] and intelligent, as she seemingly understood language completely even before speaking.[12] She had an attachment for Shiro Sanada and Kaoru Niimi,[12] who raised her,[10][5] and for her uncle Susumu Kodai.[3][12]
Before her kidnapping, she was growing up to be a honest and kind girl.[17]
As a teen[]
At approximately 17 years of age, Iscandar Kodai generally displays the behavior and knowledge typical of a girl her age, though she occasionally acts uncharacteristically immature,[16] exhibiting a childlike fragility and stubbornness.[23] Presumably, this is a result of her upbringing on planet Dezariam, but Sanada suspects other factors might be at play.[16] Due to her upbringing, she's unfamiliar with certain concepts of human social life, like eating together.[15]
Outwardly cheerful and friendly,[9][16] Iscandar Kodai also possesses a more introspective and troubled side. She struggles with her identity as the last Iscandarian and with the pressure of living up to her mother, the late Queen Stasha Iscandar.[16][23] She additionally feels deep guilt over the death of Niimi and is determined to stop Dezariam as a form of atonement.[16] This sense of urgency causes her frustration with mission delays imposed by the Yamato crew[15][16] and contributes to feelings of isolation.[22]
has a low opinion of herself, believing she is selfish, weak, and undeserving of the kindness and expectations others place upon her. Despite this, she is strongly determined to achieve her goals and to prevent further deaths like Niimi’s.[16]
Iscandar Kodai with the Yamato crew
Having been raised alongside Niimi, whom she referred to as her “aunt,” Iscandar shared a close emotional bond with her.[15][16] She also has a parental relationship with her uncle, Susumu Kodai;[16] although she initially felt betrayed by him not fully showing his feelings,[15] the two soon developed mutual trust.[19] They are each other's last remaining family member.[24] She has a friendly relationship with members of the Yamato crew, particularly the "Yamato Girl Club",[15] and formed especially close bonds with younger crew members Ryusuke Domon and Miyako Kyozuka.[15][16]
She also possesses telepathic abilities.[16][19]
Gallery[]
Behind the scenes[]
Sasha Iscandar Kodai is portrayed by Megumi Han in Be Forever Yamato: REBEL 3199.[25] Her mother, Keiko Han, portrayed Sasha Kodai in the original Be Forever Yamato.[26]
The ending of 3199's fourth chapter, "Hikari no Nami", is Sasha Iscandar Kodai's character song.[27]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Begin the Secret Operation! Head for the New Yamato!"
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 "Iscandar, the Dying Planet of Sorrow"
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 "Fire the Starting Gun! The New Battleship Yamato Comes to Life!"
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Trajectory of YAMATO official 2024 calendar
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 starblazers-yamato.net CHARACTERS Be Forever Yamato: REBEL 3199 chapter 2 entry for Kaoru Niimi (archived on CosmoDNA)
- ↑ "Sasha, A Reunion Across Time"
- ↑ Official English spelling revealed in the Be Forever Yamato: REBEL 3199 Trading scene photo acrylic keychains released for Chapter 2
- ↑ "The Distant Promised Land"
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "Hello Sasha"
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 starblazers-yamato.net CHARACTERS Be Forever Yamato: REBEL 3199 chapter 2 entry for Shiro Sanada (archived on CosmoDNA)
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 "Fierce Clash! Destroy the Invisible Battleship!"
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 12.7 "Alphon Infiltrates! Get Back Sasha!"
- ↑ "The Terrible Orfevre Zone! Yamato, Bet It All On A Surprise Attack!"
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 "Sasha, A Reunion Across Time"
- ↑ 15.00 15.01 15.02 15.03 15.04 15.05 15.06 15.07 15.08 15.09 15.10 15.11 "Frulul's Day Off"
- ↑ 16.00 16.01 16.02 16.03 16.04 16.05 16.06 16.07 16.08 16.09 16.10 16.11 16.12 16.13 16.14 "Enter The Dark Gas Clouds! Chase The Witch Of Uralia!"
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 starblazers-yamato.net CHARACTERS chapter 3 entry for Sasha Iscandar Kodai (archived on CosmoDNA)
- ↑ "The Fierce Attack Of The Deusura-III! The Terrible Operation Asteroid!"
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 "All Ships, Sortie! Eliminate The Planet Destroyer Missile!"
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 20.5 "Enter The Dark Gas Clouds! Chase The Witch Of Uralia!"
- ↑ Character File: 42 Sasha/Sanada Mio [Yamato Communications] on V-storage
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 Star Blazers REBEL 3199 Chapter 4 program book p.10
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 starblazers-yamato.net CHARACTERS 3199 chapter 4 entry for Sasha Iscandar Kodai (archived on CosmoDNA)
- ↑ starblazers-yamato.net CHARACTERS chapter 4 entry for Susumu Kodai (archived on CosmoDNA)
- ↑ It has been announced that Megumi Han will play the role of Sasha, 11/8/2024 on starblazers-yamato.net
- ↑ Be Forever Yamato
- ↑ The theme song for "Chapter 4" will be sung by Sasha (voiced by Megumi Han)! The music video has also been released! The song will be released digitally on September 30th!!
Japanese language information[]
サーシャ・イスカンダル・古代, Sāsha Isukandaru Kodai