TV-Series
Description
Captain Harlock is the central figure of Arcadia of My Youth: Endless Orbit SSX, a space pirate whose life has been defined by loss and a steadfast refusal to surrender his ideals. Before becoming an outlaw, he served as a captain in the Solar Federation, a human military organization, where his first command was a starship named the Deathshadow. This path ended when the Illumidas, a militaristic and destructive alien empire, conquered Earth. The occupation led to the death of his wife, Maya, and resulted in his own banishment from his home planet. These events forged him into a rebel, and he now commands the powerful spaceship Arcadia, which was designed and built by his closest friend, Tochiro Oyama.
Harlock is defined by a deep-seated belief in freedom and personal conviction. He fights not for any government or cause, but for principles he holds within his heart, often flying the Jolly Roger as a symbol of a pirate's life lived according to one's own code. Despite his status as a wanted fugitive, he is an idealistic and chivalrous man, though not prone to showing much emotion. This stoic exterior makes the rare moments when he displays anger or frustration, such as when confronted by a computer-controlled ship replicating his own tactics, all the more striking. In Endless Orbit SSX, some portrayals present him as slightly more talkative and serving as a mentor figure to the younger members of his crew, guiding them with his experience. He will not compromise with the Illumidas under any circumstances and is bound by a code of honor that compels him to defend the innocent.
His primary motivation in this series is two-fold. The first is to battle the Illumidas, who continue to oppress Earth and other worlds. The second, and perhaps more personal quest, is the search for a mythical haven known as the Planet of Peace, a place where humanity and other peoples of the universe can live freely without war. This search gives his endless voyage a profound sense of hope and purpose.
The most significant relationship in Harlock's life is with Tochiro Oyama. Tochiro, a small, bespectacled engineering genius, built the Arcadia and later integrated his own consciousness into the ship's computer, creating a spiritual bond that persists even after his death. Harlock often acts as a protector to Tochiro's daughter, Mayu, and holds a deep, unspoken trust with Emeraldas, a formidable female captain who commands her own ship, the Queen Emeraldas. Emeraldas is a kindred spirit who shares his beliefs and fights the same enemy, though she is far more solitary. His primary antagonist is Mr. Zone, a human traitor who joined the Illumidas out of a personal vendetta against Harlock, stemming from a professional dispute when both served in the Solar Federation. Harlock's crew on the Arcadia forms a surrogate family, including the alien La Mime, the brave Kei Yuki, and the young orphan Tadashi, a former bounty hunter who comes to respect and join the captain.
In terms of abilities, Harlock is an exceptionally skilled fighter and pilot. He is an expert marksman, rarely missing his target despite losing his right eye, and a formidable swordsman in duels. As a commander, he is highly intelligent and capable of devising effective tactics to overcome numerically superior foes in space combat. He carries signature equipment including a laser pistol, often called a Cosmo Dragoon, and a laser sword known as a Gravity Saber. His appearance is iconic and unmistakable: he wears a long black cape with a high collar, black clothing adorned with a skull emblem, and a prominent scar on his left cheek. He also wears an eyepatch, the result of an exchange of gunfire with an Illumidas patrol on occupied Earth, and his attire frequently features the number 42, a symbol associated with death in Japanese culture, reflecting his own fearlessness about mortality.
Harlock is defined by a deep-seated belief in freedom and personal conviction. He fights not for any government or cause, but for principles he holds within his heart, often flying the Jolly Roger as a symbol of a pirate's life lived according to one's own code. Despite his status as a wanted fugitive, he is an idealistic and chivalrous man, though not prone to showing much emotion. This stoic exterior makes the rare moments when he displays anger or frustration, such as when confronted by a computer-controlled ship replicating his own tactics, all the more striking. In Endless Orbit SSX, some portrayals present him as slightly more talkative and serving as a mentor figure to the younger members of his crew, guiding them with his experience. He will not compromise with the Illumidas under any circumstances and is bound by a code of honor that compels him to defend the innocent.
His primary motivation in this series is two-fold. The first is to battle the Illumidas, who continue to oppress Earth and other worlds. The second, and perhaps more personal quest, is the search for a mythical haven known as the Planet of Peace, a place where humanity and other peoples of the universe can live freely without war. This search gives his endless voyage a profound sense of hope and purpose.
The most significant relationship in Harlock's life is with Tochiro Oyama. Tochiro, a small, bespectacled engineering genius, built the Arcadia and later integrated his own consciousness into the ship's computer, creating a spiritual bond that persists even after his death. Harlock often acts as a protector to Tochiro's daughter, Mayu, and holds a deep, unspoken trust with Emeraldas, a formidable female captain who commands her own ship, the Queen Emeraldas. Emeraldas is a kindred spirit who shares his beliefs and fights the same enemy, though she is far more solitary. His primary antagonist is Mr. Zone, a human traitor who joined the Illumidas out of a personal vendetta against Harlock, stemming from a professional dispute when both served in the Solar Federation. Harlock's crew on the Arcadia forms a surrogate family, including the alien La Mime, the brave Kei Yuki, and the young orphan Tadashi, a former bounty hunter who comes to respect and join the captain.
In terms of abilities, Harlock is an exceptionally skilled fighter and pilot. He is an expert marksman, rarely missing his target despite losing his right eye, and a formidable swordsman in duels. As a commander, he is highly intelligent and capable of devising effective tactics to overcome numerically superior foes in space combat. He carries signature equipment including a laser pistol, often called a Cosmo Dragoon, and a laser sword known as a Gravity Saber. His appearance is iconic and unmistakable: he wears a long black cape with a high collar, black clothing adorned with a skull emblem, and a prominent scar on his left cheek. He also wears an eyepatch, the result of an exchange of gunfire with an Illumidas patrol on occupied Earth, and his attire frequently features the number 42, a symbol associated with death in Japanese culture, reflecting his own fearlessness about mortality.