Hideaki Anno and Yutaka Izubuchi are joining forces to direct the feature-length anime film Cosmoship Yamato √2199 at animation powerhouses Production I.G and Studio Khara. The official website for the project launched on Tuesday, confirming that the legendary sci-fi franchise is entering an exciting new creative era under the stewardship of two visionary creators who have shaped modern Japanese animation.
Beyond directing duties, Anno is credited for initial planning alongside Production I.G founder Mitsuhisa Ishikawa, who serves as the production executive producer. Anno and Izubuchi are also collaborating closely on design works for the film, with Shin Office Academy presenting the production. The collaboration bridges two distinct creative pedigrees, uniting Anno's boundary-pushing auteur style with Izubuchi's deep-rooted mechanical design mastery.
A Lifelong Passion for a Sci-Fi Titan
Anno, who has frequently described himself as a massive fan of the original series since his middle school years, shared his personal connection to the project. "I want to keep making Yamato not only to fulfill a childhood dream, but also to imbue our prayers and wishes for the next generation and our own. It is with that resolve that we produce this," Anno noted in an official statement reflecting on his lifelong devotion to the property.
I do not think I would be the same person I am today without the franchise.
Hideaki Anno, Director
The project follows prior announcements made after the 50th-anniversary screening for Yoshinobu Nishizaki and Leiji Matsumoto’s original 1974 masterpiece, Space Battleship Yamato. With license approvals secured from rights holders Voyager Holdings and Tohokushinsha Film Corporation, Anno and Studio Khara have been laying the groundwork to bring fresh narrative and visual dimensions to the enduring space opera.
