Movie
Description
Daisuke Shima is a central character in the Space Battleship Yamato series, best known as the chief navigator and helmsman of the starship Yamato and the closest friend of the protagonist, Susumu Kodai.
Born on Earth into a family with a long maritime tradition, Shima was deeply influenced by his father, Captain Daigo Shima, a commander in the United Nations Cosmo Navy. This legacy initially set him on a path toward a career in space. However, his father was killed during a disastrous first contact mission with the Garmillas Empire, an event that helped shape Shima's resolve to serve in the navy. He went on to graduate from the Space Officer Training Academy alongside his best friend, Kodai.
In terms of personality, Shima is generally portrayed as a calm, level-headed, and objective individual who prefers logical judgment over emotional reactions. This trait serves as a vital complement to Kodai, who is often more impulsive and driven by passion. Their friendship is a cornerstone of the series; while they frequently argue about the best course of action, these conflicts ultimately strengthen their mutual trust and respect. In some later adaptations, such as Space Battleship Yamato 2199, Shima's personality is revised to be more hot-headed, harboring a strong hatred for the Garmillas due to his father's death, a trait originally associated with Kodai.
Shima's primary role aboard the Yamato is that of chief navigator and helmsman. He is entrusted with the operation and navigation of the vessel, a responsibility that often places him under tremendous pressure. His most notable ability is his expertise in warp navigation, a risky form of faster-than-light travel where failure could be catastrophic. Shima is depicted as a warp master with an exceptionally high success rate, and his skill is considered critical to the success of the Yamato's missions. Despite this proficiency, he sometimes suffers from a lack of self-confidence regarding his ability to control the mighty ship, although he consistently rises to the occasion and saves the crew from peril.
Shima's key relationships are central to his character development. His bond with Susumu Kodai is the most significant, evolving from bickering friends to comrades who share a profound, life-entrusting connection. He is also close with his younger brother, Jiro Shima. In the second season of the original series, Shima develops a deep, interstellar romance with Teresa, the guardian of the planet Telezart, a relationship that ends in heartbreak when she sacrifices herself to protect the Yamato. He also harbored an unrequited affection for his crewmate Yuki Mori in the first series.
Over the course of the narrative, Shima experiences significant development. He grows from a capable but occasionally uncertain officer into a decisive leader. In later storylines, he is promoted to executive officer under Captain Kodai and takes on greater command responsibilities. His journey is ultimately one of sacrifice; in the original continuity's Final Yamato, he is fatally wounded but continues to pilot the ship to complete the mission, dying in the line of duty after revealing his long-held feelings for Yuki Mori. In other continuities, his death is similarly depicted as a heroic sacrifice in service of Earth and his comrades.
Born on Earth into a family with a long maritime tradition, Shima was deeply influenced by his father, Captain Daigo Shima, a commander in the United Nations Cosmo Navy. This legacy initially set him on a path toward a career in space. However, his father was killed during a disastrous first contact mission with the Garmillas Empire, an event that helped shape Shima's resolve to serve in the navy. He went on to graduate from the Space Officer Training Academy alongside his best friend, Kodai.
In terms of personality, Shima is generally portrayed as a calm, level-headed, and objective individual who prefers logical judgment over emotional reactions. This trait serves as a vital complement to Kodai, who is often more impulsive and driven by passion. Their friendship is a cornerstone of the series; while they frequently argue about the best course of action, these conflicts ultimately strengthen their mutual trust and respect. In some later adaptations, such as Space Battleship Yamato 2199, Shima's personality is revised to be more hot-headed, harboring a strong hatred for the Garmillas due to his father's death, a trait originally associated with Kodai.
Shima's primary role aboard the Yamato is that of chief navigator and helmsman. He is entrusted with the operation and navigation of the vessel, a responsibility that often places him under tremendous pressure. His most notable ability is his expertise in warp navigation, a risky form of faster-than-light travel where failure could be catastrophic. Shima is depicted as a warp master with an exceptionally high success rate, and his skill is considered critical to the success of the Yamato's missions. Despite this proficiency, he sometimes suffers from a lack of self-confidence regarding his ability to control the mighty ship, although he consistently rises to the occasion and saves the crew from peril.
Shima's key relationships are central to his character development. His bond with Susumu Kodai is the most significant, evolving from bickering friends to comrades who share a profound, life-entrusting connection. He is also close with his younger brother, Jiro Shima. In the second season of the original series, Shima develops a deep, interstellar romance with Teresa, the guardian of the planet Telezart, a relationship that ends in heartbreak when she sacrifices herself to protect the Yamato. He also harbored an unrequited affection for his crewmate Yuki Mori in the first series.
Over the course of the narrative, Shima experiences significant development. He grows from a capable but occasionally uncertain officer into a decisive leader. In later storylines, he is promoted to executive officer under Captain Kodai and takes on greater command responsibilities. His journey is ultimately one of sacrifice; in the original continuity's Final Yamato, he is fatally wounded but continues to pilot the ship to complete the mission, dying in the line of duty after revealing his long-held feelings for Yuki Mori. In other continuities, his death is similarly depicted as a heroic sacrifice in service of Earth and his comrades.