Description
"Ginga Hyōryū Vifam" is a 1983 science fiction anime series set in a distant future where humanity has colonized other planets. The story begins on the planet Roche, where a group of children and teenagers are left stranded after their parents and other adults are killed or captured during an alien attack by the mysterious Raalgon forces. The young survivors, led by 13-year-old Juli, take refuge in a spaceship called the Vifam, which was originally designed for exploration and training. With no adults to guide them, the group must learn to operate the ship, navigate the dangers of space, and survive while searching for a safe haven.
The narrative focuses on the children’s struggle to adapt to their new reality, balancing their grief and fear with the need to work together. Juli, the de facto leader, shoulders the responsibility of keeping the group united and making critical decisions. Other key characters include Kotsett, Juli’s younger brother, who often clashes with her but gradually matures; Roy, a skilled mechanic who becomes essential to maintaining the Vifam; and Mimsy, a younger child who provides emotional support and a sense of innocence amidst the chaos. Each character contributes unique skills and perspectives, highlighting the importance of teamwork and resilience.
As the Vifam travels through space, the group encounters various challenges, including hostile alien forces, resource shortages, and internal conflicts. They also meet other survivors and factions, some of whom offer assistance while others pose new threats. The Raalgon, the primary antagonists, remain enigmatic throughout much of the series, with their motives and origins gradually revealed as the story progresses. The children’s journey is not only a physical one but also an emotional and psychological odyssey, as they grapple with loss, fear, and the weight of their responsibilities.
The series blends action, drama, and character development, emphasizing the growth of the young protagonists as they transition from frightened children to capable survivors. Themes of perseverance, camaraderie, and the resilience of the human spirit are central to the narrative. The Vifam itself becomes a symbol of hope and determination, representing the children’s will to survive and find a new home. The story concludes with a resolution that ties together the characters’ arcs and the overarching conflict, offering a satisfying conclusion to their journey.
The narrative focuses on the children’s struggle to adapt to their new reality, balancing their grief and fear with the need to work together. Juli, the de facto leader, shoulders the responsibility of keeping the group united and making critical decisions. Other key characters include Kotsett, Juli’s younger brother, who often clashes with her but gradually matures; Roy, a skilled mechanic who becomes essential to maintaining the Vifam; and Mimsy, a younger child who provides emotional support and a sense of innocence amidst the chaos. Each character contributes unique skills and perspectives, highlighting the importance of teamwork and resilience.
As the Vifam travels through space, the group encounters various challenges, including hostile alien forces, resource shortages, and internal conflicts. They also meet other survivors and factions, some of whom offer assistance while others pose new threats. The Raalgon, the primary antagonists, remain enigmatic throughout much of the series, with their motives and origins gradually revealed as the story progresses. The children’s journey is not only a physical one but also an emotional and psychological odyssey, as they grapple with loss, fear, and the weight of their responsibilities.
The series blends action, drama, and character development, emphasizing the growth of the young protagonists as they transition from frightened children to capable survivors. Themes of perseverance, camaraderie, and the resilience of the human spirit are central to the narrative. The Vifam itself becomes a symbol of hope and determination, representing the children’s will to survive and find a new home. The story concludes with a resolution that ties together the characters’ arcs and the overarching conflict, offering a satisfying conclusion to their journey.
Episodes
Staffel 1
1Alien Invasion! Escape from the Planet Under Construction!
2Emergency Launch! The Battle-Scarred Training Ship Janus
3Change of Survival: 0.29%! A Challenge to Sorrow
4To Verwick Orbit! No Reply From the Ground Base!
5The cockpit you`ve longed for! Round Vernian, Activate!
6Search for the professor! Encounter with the aliens!
7The lonely 14! Alien Aerial Unit Approaching!
8Tall Geta Operation!? The launch of the Small Soldiers!
9Enemy Attack Within the Thunder. We`ll fight by Ourselves!
10Space or Ground? The Decisive Space Defense Battle!
11Farewell, Vernick. Departure of the Janus.
12Launch Preparation Complete! Depart for Earth!!
13Begin Artillery Training! The Terrifying First Spaceship Battle!!
14Spy on Janus!? Puzzling Enigma of A Runaway.
15Impact!! A Shocking Message Left by the Alien
16All Hands, Battle Stations! Bring Back Katue!
17Farewell, Kate. Aiming for a New Destination.
18Scrawling Heavens. The Captain Loses Confidence!!
19One More War. The Janus`s Little Mama.
20Rise, Scott! You are the Leader!
21Wave of Enemy Beam Attacks? There is a Tomorrow for Us
22Janus, Respond! Contact from Earth!
23The Janus is Our Ship!! A New Departure
24Kate`s Log
25The Graffiti. Roddy Shuffle.
26New Model RV Scramble!!
27Roddy Hasn`t Returned!
28Roddy Imprisoned.
29Order to Escape Tout
30Desperate Push into the Atmosphere
31The Unknown Planet Kukto
32Reunion After the Rain
33Farewell, Our Beloved Ship
34Search Kukto
35Rescue Kentsu!
36Head for the Prison Camp!
37Roddy Becomes Bait
38Steal the Transport!
39Break the Barricade!
40Mueller`s Secret
41Don`t Shoot Katue!
42Papa! A Moment of Reunion
43Commence Operation Surprise Attack!
44Song of the Universe
45Final Presents
46Forever 13
Cast
- Lucchina Pleshette
Comment(s)
Staff
- Series Director
- StoryboardKazuo YamazakiJunji NishimuraKatsuyoshi YatabeKazuo TeradaYūichirō YokoyamaIku SuzukiSusumu IshizakiToshifumi TakizawaShūichi HirokawaMasanori MiuraShōichi YasumuraAmi TomobukiRyōji Fujiwara
- Episode DirectorJunji NishimuraYasuo HasegawaKatsuyoshi YatabeOsamu SekitaHideki TonokatsuMamoru HamatsuSusumu IshizakiMasanori MiuraShōichi YasumuraRyōnosuke NakamuraAmi TomobukiRyōji Fujiwara
- Original Work
- Original creator
- Art DirectorToshiharu Mizutani
- ProducerMasuo UedaYoshihiko Marutani
- Sound DirectorKatsumi Ōta
- Screenplay
- MusicToshiyuki Watanabe
- Original Concept
- Character Design
- Animation DirectorHideyuki MotohashiHiromi MuranakaMichiyo SakuraiYasuchika NagaokaTsuneo NinomiyaNobuyoshi SasakadoYūzō TomizawaItaru SaitōMakoto Itō
- Mecha designKunio Ōkawara
- Director of PhotographyHōsaku Miura
Production
- ProductionSunrise





