わが青春のアルカディア (1982)

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Arcadia of My Youth is an anime feature film depicting the origin of seminal character Captain Harlock, created by Leiji Matsumoto. At one time, it was considered to be the central hub of the so-called "Leijiverse" with the events depicted in other works such as Galaxy Express 999 and Space Pirate Captain Harlock. The film was directed by Tomoharu Katsumata, with Kazuo Komatsubara as animation director.

Production

The opening scenes of Arcadia of My Youth feature parts of The New World Symphony by Antonín Dvořák. This film starred acclaimed Japanese actor Yujiro Ishihara in his final role before his death in 1987. He was the voice of Phantom F. Harlock. It was also his only role in an animated film.

Arcadia of My Youth draws many parallels to the German occupation of France during World War II as well as the post-World War II American occupation of Japan. Maya's nickname as "The Rose" and the "Voice of Free Arcadia" mirrors the romantic image of the secret French Resistance radio broadcasters and of the Japanese propaganda machine featuring radio broadcasts by English speaking female announcers collectively known as "Tokyo Rose".

The prologue of this film does not make it clear whether or not Phantom F. Harlock survived his mission. He is assumed to have survived as his voiceover monologue indicates that he is reading from his autobiography which is titled "Arcadia of My Youth".

This film is controversial in that Phantom F. Harlock II was portrayed as a German fighter pilot during World War II. The Tochiro of that era, who had read Harlock I's book, at least found it unusual in that he asked Harlock II why he was flying an Iron Cross plane. The liner notes for the Animeigo DVD state that Harlock's response, "Just paying rent", hid a deeper meaning.

There is much confusion as to where Arcadia, Harlock's birthplace is. It was always assumed to be somewhere in northern Europe, despite its naming after the rustic Greek paradise in the Peloponnesus. Harlock gives the proper name of his ancestral birthplace as Heiligenstadt, meaning that Arcadia is most likely a nickname.

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