Space Pirate Captain Harlock

When a mysterious invader from the stars catches Earth unawares, only the legendary space pirate Captain Harlock and the crew of the Arcadia have the will to stand against them.

Space Pirate Captain Harlock (1978-1979) is a Japanese animated space opera series created by Leiji Matsumoto for TV Asahi. Its title character, the enigmatic outlaw Captain Harlock, commands the battleship Arcadia, and his loyal crew, including the first officer Tadashi Daiba (Akira Kamiya) and the alien Mime (Noriko Ohara), must stand against a mysterious invader from the stars that has caught Earth unprepared. Across a single season of forty-two episodes, the engine is simple and relentless: each week the Arcadia crew plots a resistance, slips past enemy fleets, and fights to keep a rebellious freedom alive against a force that wants the planet. Shot in the hand drawn style of a 1970s Japanese television production, it carries the sweeping scale of a space epic in weekly installments. Its tone is romantic and defiant, blending outlaw idealism with melancholy and wartime sacrifice. Fans of Space Battleship Yamato, Galaxy Express 999 and Cowboy Bebop will find resonance in its blend of rebellious heroism and cosmic adventure, a classic manga adaptation that remains a landmark of retro anime storytelling.

Audiences regard the series as a positive, well-regarded entry in classic Japanese space opera animation, with its rating sitting in a solid range for a 1978 title.

• Space Battleship Yamato (1974)shared space opera adventure, rebellious pirate protagonist, classic 1970s anime sensibility
• Cowboy Bebopshared space pirate captain, lone wanderer defying an empire, cosmic adventure tone
• Galaxy Express 999shared seinen-leaning space opera, romantic outlaw hero, galactic conflict against a machine-like power
• Star Blazersshared space opera scale, fleet battles, idealistic crew against an overwhelming invader

Created by

Leiji Matsumoto

Release Date

1978-03-14

Episode runtime

22 min

Rating

7.8 / 10 (61)

What is Space Pirate Captain Harlock about?

When a mysterious alien invasion threatens Earth, the legendary space pirate Captain Harlock and his crew aboard the Arcadia are the only ones willing to fight back.

What is Space Pirate Captain Harlock like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Space Pirate Captain Harlock as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is Space Pirate Captain Harlock violent?

Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Space Pirate Captain Harlock as moderate.

What did critics think of Space Pirate Captain Harlock?

Audiences regard the series as a positive, well-regarded entry in classic Japanese space opera animation, with its rating sitting in a solid range for a 1978 title.

Which shows are like Space Pirate Captain Harlock?

Shows with a similar feel include Space Battleship Yamato (1974), Cowboy Bebop, Galaxy Express 999, and Star Blazers.

How long is Space Pirate Captain Harlock?

Space Pirate Captain Harlock: 1 season, 42 episodes.

Is Space Pirate Captain Harlock still running?

No, Space Pirate Captain Harlock has ended.

Where can I watch Space Pirate Captain Harlock?

In United States, Space Pirate Captain Harlock streams on Crunchyroll, Crunchyroll Amazon Channel.