Movie
Description
Captain Harlock is a human space pirate from Earth, defined by his individualist philosophy and rebellion against oppressive forces. His full identity is Phantom Franklin Harlock III, inheriting the "Harlock" title within a lineage connecting him to relatives like Queen Promethium, Emeraldas, and Maetel. He bears a cross-shaped facial scar and wears an eyepatch over his right eye, lost in battle, typically clad in distinctive black attire featuring a Jolly Roger motif.
His background includes high-ranking military service in Earth's forces, ending when disillusionment with governmental corruption led him to desert alongside his close friend and engineer, Tochiro Ōyama. They stole the battleship Death Shadow to pursue independence, facing conflicts such as those against the Machine Empire alongside allies Emeraldas and Maetel. After Tochiro's death, Harlock took command of the starship Arcadia, designed by Tochiro, assembling a diverse crew including the psychic alien Miime, navigator Kei Yuki, and first mate Yattaran.
Across narratives, Harlock's motivations focus on honoring Tochiro's memory and protecting Earth without allegiance to its authorities. He acts as guardian to Tochiro's daughter, Mayu Ōyama, fulfilling a promise to his deceased friend. His crew operates on trust, often incorporating outcasts sharing his ideals. In some continuities, notably the 2013 film, Harlock gains immortality after a dark matter reactor accident that killed Tochiro and destroyed his eye. This event, coupled with Earth's ecological collapse from the same technology, drives him into a century-long quest for redemption, leading to nihilistic attempts to reset history before ultimately embracing hope.
In "Adieu Galaxy Express 999," Harlock aids protagonist Tetsuro Hoshino during his rebellion against the Machine Empire. Harlock's intervention ensures Tetsuro's safety, symbolizing his broader role as a protector of the oppressed. His character consistently embodies stoicism, tactical brilliance in combat, and an unwavering ethical code across all incarnations.
His background includes high-ranking military service in Earth's forces, ending when disillusionment with governmental corruption led him to desert alongside his close friend and engineer, Tochiro Ōyama. They stole the battleship Death Shadow to pursue independence, facing conflicts such as those against the Machine Empire alongside allies Emeraldas and Maetel. After Tochiro's death, Harlock took command of the starship Arcadia, designed by Tochiro, assembling a diverse crew including the psychic alien Miime, navigator Kei Yuki, and first mate Yattaran.
Across narratives, Harlock's motivations focus on honoring Tochiro's memory and protecting Earth without allegiance to its authorities. He acts as guardian to Tochiro's daughter, Mayu Ōyama, fulfilling a promise to his deceased friend. His crew operates on trust, often incorporating outcasts sharing his ideals. In some continuities, notably the 2013 film, Harlock gains immortality after a dark matter reactor accident that killed Tochiro and destroyed his eye. This event, coupled with Earth's ecological collapse from the same technology, drives him into a century-long quest for redemption, leading to nihilistic attempts to reset history before ultimately embracing hope.
In "Adieu Galaxy Express 999," Harlock aids protagonist Tetsuro Hoshino during his rebellion against the Machine Empire. Harlock's intervention ensures Tetsuro's safety, symbolizing his broader role as a protector of the oppressed. His character consistently embodies stoicism, tactical brilliance in combat, and an unwavering ethical code across all incarnations.