Movie
Description
In the anime Space Battleship Yamato: The New Voyage, Desslar is depicted as the former supreme leader of the Gamilas Empire, a blue-skinned humanoid with flowing golden hair who typically wears a grey officer's uniform complemented by a cape. By the time of this story, he is no longer the ruthless conqueror of earlier conflicts but a complex figure leading the remnants of his people on a desperate journey to find a new homeworld after their own planet's destruction.
Desslar's personality is a study in contrasts, blending a natural charm and flamboyant, cultured demeanor with a lingering arrogance and a low tolerance for failure. He is a brilliant and cunning military tactician, but the nihilistic drive for expansion that once defined him has been tempered. Having witnessed the tenacity of the Yamato and its crew, and having undergone a profound change of heart during the war with the White Comet Empire, the Desslar seen in The New Voyage is driven by a new set of motivations. His primary goal is the survival of the Gamilas race, but this is now coupled with a deep sense of remorse for his past aggression against Earth. Furthermore, his long-held and unrequited affection for Queen Starsha of Iscandar resurfaces as a powerful motivating force, transforming from an obsession of conquest into a sincere desire to protect her and her planet.
In the story, Desslar serves as a pivotal ally to the crew of the Yamato, marking a decisive shift from his former role as a primary antagonist. Shortly after the conclusion of the war with the Comet Empire, he is leading the surviving Gamilas fleet through space. He makes a solemn decision to return to his dying homeworld of Gamilas for one final farewell. Upon arrival, he is horrified to discover that the planet is being illegally strip-mined by the mysterious Dark Nebula Empire. His furious intervention triggers a massive chain reaction that destroys Gamilas entirely. In the aftermath, he witnesses the twin planet Iscandar being knocked out of its orbit. Driven by his pledge to protect Starsha, he immediately orders his fleet to pursue Iscandar, simultaneously sending a distress signal to Earth to request the assistance of the Yamato. He thus becomes the linchpin in the effort to warn Starsha and her husband, Mamoru Kodai, of the approaching danger.
Desslar's key relationships are central to his role in the film. His dynamic with the Yamato crew, especially Susumu Kodai, has evolved from bitter enmity to a tense but genuine mutual respect and alliance. He informs Susumu's older brother, Mamoru, of the dire situation on Iscandar, and his loyalty to his own people remains absolute, as seen through his interactions with his close confidant and aide, Talan. However, his most significant relationship is with Queen Starsha. When he finally contacts her, she is initially wary of him, but he reassures her that he has changed, stating that he only wants to save her as a friend. This interaction reveals the depth of his regret for his past actions and his genuine, selfless concern for her safety.
The character's development is the driving force of his appearance. Desslar has completed a remarkable arc, transitioning from a charismatic and tyrannical dictator who attacked Earth out of a desperate need to save his own world, to a humbled and redeemed leader. In The New Voyage, he is no longer motivated by vengeance or empire-building. He acts out of a sense of duty to his people, remorse for his past, and a newfound appreciation for the value of love and sacrifice—traits he came to admire in Earth's defenders. He willingly fights alongside his former enemies to protect Iscandar, accepting Starsha's decision to remain on her planet even as it spells her doom, honoring her agency rather than forcing his will upon her.
In terms of notable abilities, Desslar is a highly skilled military commander and strategist, capable of orchestrating complex fleet maneuvers on the fly. He commands from a new, heavily modified flagship, a bright red battle-carrier that serves as the remnant of Gamilas military might. While his personal combat skills are not the focus, his most formidable asset remains his tactical genius and the immense authority he still holds over his loyal followers. He also possesses the signature Dessler Gun, a powerful energy cannon mounted on his flagship, which remains a testament to Gamilas's advanced weapons technology. His unyielding will to survive, which allowed him to endure a previous near-death experience in the vacuum of space, continues to define his resilient character.
Desslar's personality is a study in contrasts, blending a natural charm and flamboyant, cultured demeanor with a lingering arrogance and a low tolerance for failure. He is a brilliant and cunning military tactician, but the nihilistic drive for expansion that once defined him has been tempered. Having witnessed the tenacity of the Yamato and its crew, and having undergone a profound change of heart during the war with the White Comet Empire, the Desslar seen in The New Voyage is driven by a new set of motivations. His primary goal is the survival of the Gamilas race, but this is now coupled with a deep sense of remorse for his past aggression against Earth. Furthermore, his long-held and unrequited affection for Queen Starsha of Iscandar resurfaces as a powerful motivating force, transforming from an obsession of conquest into a sincere desire to protect her and her planet.
In the story, Desslar serves as a pivotal ally to the crew of the Yamato, marking a decisive shift from his former role as a primary antagonist. Shortly after the conclusion of the war with the Comet Empire, he is leading the surviving Gamilas fleet through space. He makes a solemn decision to return to his dying homeworld of Gamilas for one final farewell. Upon arrival, he is horrified to discover that the planet is being illegally strip-mined by the mysterious Dark Nebula Empire. His furious intervention triggers a massive chain reaction that destroys Gamilas entirely. In the aftermath, he witnesses the twin planet Iscandar being knocked out of its orbit. Driven by his pledge to protect Starsha, he immediately orders his fleet to pursue Iscandar, simultaneously sending a distress signal to Earth to request the assistance of the Yamato. He thus becomes the linchpin in the effort to warn Starsha and her husband, Mamoru Kodai, of the approaching danger.
Desslar's key relationships are central to his role in the film. His dynamic with the Yamato crew, especially Susumu Kodai, has evolved from bitter enmity to a tense but genuine mutual respect and alliance. He informs Susumu's older brother, Mamoru, of the dire situation on Iscandar, and his loyalty to his own people remains absolute, as seen through his interactions with his close confidant and aide, Talan. However, his most significant relationship is with Queen Starsha. When he finally contacts her, she is initially wary of him, but he reassures her that he has changed, stating that he only wants to save her as a friend. This interaction reveals the depth of his regret for his past actions and his genuine, selfless concern for her safety.
The character's development is the driving force of his appearance. Desslar has completed a remarkable arc, transitioning from a charismatic and tyrannical dictator who attacked Earth out of a desperate need to save his own world, to a humbled and redeemed leader. In The New Voyage, he is no longer motivated by vengeance or empire-building. He acts out of a sense of duty to his people, remorse for his past, and a newfound appreciation for the value of love and sacrifice—traits he came to admire in Earth's defenders. He willingly fights alongside his former enemies to protect Iscandar, accepting Starsha's decision to remain on her planet even as it spells her doom, honoring her agency rather than forcing his will upon her.
In terms of notable abilities, Desslar is a highly skilled military commander and strategist, capable of orchestrating complex fleet maneuvers on the fly. He commands from a new, heavily modified flagship, a bright red battle-carrier that serves as the remnant of Gamilas military might. While his personal combat skills are not the focus, his most formidable asset remains his tactical genius and the immense authority he still holds over his loyal followers. He also possesses the signature Dessler Gun, a powerful energy cannon mounted on his flagship, which remains a testament to Gamilas's advanced weapons technology. His unyielding will to survive, which allowed him to endure a previous near-death experience in the vacuum of space, continues to define his resilient character.