Leiji Matsumoto

Leiji Matsumoto

Birthday: 25 January 1938, Fukuoka, Japan
Birth Name: Akira Matsumoto
Leiji Matsumoto was born on January 25, 1938 in Fukuoka, Japan as Akira Matsumoto. He is a writer and director, known for Uchû kaizoku kyaputen Hârokku (1978), Kyaputen Hârokku (2013) and Uchû senkan Yamato 2 (1978). He is married to Miyako Maki.
[on space pirates] I loved pirates from a young age and wanted to be one. Pirates can travel the sea...Show more »
[on space pirates] I loved pirates from a young age and wanted to be one. Pirates can travel the seas as they like without anyone to answer to. Nationality, borders and age don't matter to them in the slightest. That freedom was the appeal of the pirate. They live freely, but take full responsibility for their actions. Wherever they may die or collapse, it's their problem and their problem only. That's what it means to "Live freely by their flag." There is no going back on their word, they cannot curse anyone else and there can be no regrets. I was enchanted by the pirate's way of life. Show less «
I originally became a manga artist because I always wanted to do animation. I'm a die-hard anime fan...Show more »
I originally became a manga artist because I always wanted to do animation. I'm a die-hard anime fan, and I have to become involved in every aspect of the process. In the end, I just couldn't keep up with it all. That's why I limited my involvement in later Yamato projects. Working on this series was a once in a lifetime opportunity for me, for which I owe Mr. Yoshinobu Nishizaki a debt of gratitude. If not for him, I'm sure it would have been a long while before I did anything in the field. I was there at the right time, and I'm very happy about that. Show less «
Space Battleship Yamato was my very first animated production, so when I close my eyes, every scene ...Show more »
Space Battleship Yamato was my very first animated production, so when I close my eyes, every scene revives in my memory. For me, Yamato is a monumental work I will never forget. That is why I always feel that I want to take care of it until the very end. Show less «
I tried to picture space as a balloon. The inside of the balloon is closed space. If I were to poke ...Show more »
I tried to picture space as a balloon. The inside of the balloon is closed space. If I were to poke at one specific point, would a wave spread out to all points? Show less «
My father would say, "A person is born to live, and I was not born to die." This became the main the...Show more »
My father would say, "A person is born to live, and I was not born to die." This became the main theme of Yamato. Show less «
I'm not satisfied with never being able to see the Earth firsthand from outside. So if I could prepa...Show more »
I'm not satisfied with never being able to see the Earth firsthand from outside. So if I could prepare for launch and fly into space, even with a chance of not being able to return, I'd want to see it with my own eyes. Show less «
People are born to live. Life is born to live. Only a fool would live to die. This is the most basic...Show more »
People are born to live. Life is born to live. Only a fool would live to die. This is the most basic aspect of my work. Show less «
The Japanese have accomplished miraculous economic growth and have an abundance of material things, ...Show more »
The Japanese have accomplished miraculous economic growth and have an abundance of material things, but as a result there is pollution and high prices, and we're far from leading happy lives. We are all just helpless cogs in the machine of the industrial world, especially when it comes to the material aspect of our lives. Will we find a way out of our predicament? History will allow us to determine this. Human civilization has lived through a number of dangers and somehow managed to survive to the present day. An important point for us to realize is that we are human beings, not products of the industrial world. Show less «
On true love: A love someone believes is true may not be true for others. That's the reason drama ge...Show more »
On true love: A love someone believes is true may not be true for others. That's the reason drama gets fatalistic. True love for everyone cannot exist. When people marry for love, some suffer from broken hearts. I think the drama comes from depicting such a relationship. Show less «
In Little Women (1949), there is a girl whose house goes bankrupt; the younger sister says, "At leas...Show more »
In Little Women (1949), there is a girl whose house goes bankrupt; the younger sister says, "At least I have a book." I thought, "Ah, I have a manga.". Show less «
I have a great attachment to Yamato, but if another new story is created, I do not want to participa...Show more »
I have a great attachment to Yamato, but if another new story is created, I do not want to participate unless my heart is in it. Otherwise, I am afraid Yamato will no longer be my work. Show less «
I described the warp in terms of sci-fi films that were current at the time, but I later made a film...Show more »
I described the warp in terms of sci-fi films that were current at the time, but I later made a film called Arei no kagami (1985) for the Tsukuba Technology Exhibition in 1985. In it we used a computer for the first time to depict a warp in space that opened up as a ripple. Though warp theory is common in movies now, one can take secret pride in being the first to show it on-screen. Show less «
On Maetel (his most famous heroine): Maetel is the woman who travels with an adolescent boy's dreams...Show more »
On Maetel (his most famous heroine): Maetel is the woman who travels with an adolescent boy's dreams. She's traveled with millions, tens of millions of boys, so far. In fact, there are as many Maetels as there are boys. That's also how she can show up in any story. All boys have met Maetel in different forms of encounter. The characters of Shadow and Emeraldas, who were girls in their adolescence, have met someone called Maetel, in the heart, from their childhood, or during the time when they were full of dreams. Show less «
On death: All people will die, and should live life to the fullest. Therefore, you should not take d...Show more »
On death: All people will die, and should live life to the fullest. Therefore, you should not take death lightly. Asking if a person would die for others is nonsense. Depending on the situation, the person can choose for themselves. Show less «
I always liked the pirate image. The skull mark appeared as a skeletal image in "The Ring of the Nib...Show more »
I always liked the pirate image. The skull mark appeared as a skeletal image in "The Ring of the Nibelung" and knights used it as the mark of immortality: "I'll continue to fight even if I am reduced to bone.". Show less «
On Ginga tetsudô monogatari (2003) (Galaxy Railways, the successor to Galaxy Express 999): 999...Show more »
On Ginga tetsudô monogatari (2003) (Galaxy Railways, the successor to Galaxy Express 999): 999 is the root and trunk, and Galaxy Railways is the branches and leaves. Show less «
I noticed that it's a big world when language barriers are gone.
I noticed that it's a big world when language barriers are gone.
On Uchû senkan Yamato (1974): We created Space Battleship Yamato to teach not only the adults,...Show more »
On Uchû senkan Yamato (1974): We created Space Battleship Yamato to teach not only the adults, but also the children the importance of having dreams and understanding ourselves. This is a 21st Century science-fiction adventure drama about a spirited group of young men and women who play an active part in the story. What I want to emphasize through their actions is that love defines our humanity. Show less «
Yamato is a very important work for me, so I think I should firmly decide when to quit so it won't h...Show more »
Yamato is a very important work for me, so I think I should firmly decide when to quit so it won't head to a miserable end. I don't want my child to be set adrift. The feeling I have for it is, to my mind, like parental love. Show less «
I consciously drew a long-haired woman in Sexaroid (1968) because of the social environment at the t...Show more »
I consciously drew a long-haired woman in Sexaroid (1968) because of the social environment at the time. I received a strong notice about drawing nude women, so I decided to draw her hair as a substitute for clothes. Thereafter, it became my habit to draw very long hair. It became part of my style. Show less «
I went walking around in Africa with a rifle just before an animal protection treaty took effect, so...Show more »
I went walking around in Africa with a rifle just before an animal protection treaty took effect, so it was a last moment in history. When I traveled from Kyushu to Tokyo, it was on the last steam locomotive. Such experiences breathe throughout all my stories. Show less «
I understand that the death of a character can move you to tears, but for me a character is like my ...Show more »
I understand that the death of a character can move you to tears, but for me a character is like my child. I never bring one forth just to be killed. As an author, I'm always thinking about a story with a long lifespan. Targeting a character for death simply for the sake of moving someone to tears is too simplistic. Doing this in Saraba uchû senkan Yamato: Ai no senshitachi (1978) and destroying Yamato at the end is no different. Show less «
I showed my work to my friends, and they said it was good. But Japan is a big place. I had to be hon...Show more »
I showed my work to my friends, and they said it was good. But Japan is a big place. I had to be honest with myself that I didn't know much about cartooning, and was resigned that it might be impossible [to become an excellent cartoonist one day]. Because of conditions in Japan then, I feel grounded today. Then there are those friends who knew me before I became famous. Show less «
After I made Sexaroid (1968) and the Fourth Dimension World series (1968-70) and moved on to Oidon M...Show more »
After I made Sexaroid (1968) and the Fourth Dimension World series (1968-70) and moved on to Oidon Man (1971), they consequently became my two core creations: the technical world of sci-fi, and the lyrical world of reality. They became the wheels of my car and this has not changed even now. Show less «
No matter what, the animation of Disney and Fleischer still hold an immovable influence in my mind. ...Show more »
No matter what, the animation of Disney and Fleischer still hold an immovable influence in my mind. If one wants to make exceptional animation, you look at Disney in particular. Bambi (1942) and Pinocchio (1940) are the result of human blood and sweat. You can feel the youth, passion, and vitality of Disney in them. Show less «
I will never say "I won't do any more" or "I quit drawing", because my work will live on as long as ...Show more »
I will never say "I won't do any more" or "I quit drawing", because my work will live on as long as I do. Show less «
If Uchû senkan Yamato (1974) was my elementary or junior high, then Ginga tetsudô Three-...Show more »
If Uchû senkan Yamato (1974) was my elementary or junior high, then Ginga tetsudô Three-Nine (1978) was my high school and Uchû kaizoku kyaputen Hârokku (1978) and Shin taketori monogatari: 1000-nen joô (1981) were my university studies. Show less «
His explanation of the warp theory: Warp theory is something like teleportation. Teleportation means...Show more »
His explanation of the warp theory: Warp theory is something like teleportation. Teleportation means moving through time instantaneously, and a warp is like jumping across time. Space travel is actually time travel, and when we look at a star we are seeing ancient light. We can take pictures of them, but we don't actually know if they are still there. We call this a time machine, but human intelligence has not yet expanded enough to take in the great structure of the universe. Show less «
On a revolving stage, all things come back to you if you persist, so I don't take it adversely and I...Show more »
On a revolving stage, all things come back to you if you persist, so I don't take it adversely and I root for everyone to have good luck. Show less «
On working on Uchû senkan Yamato (1974): This was my first experience creating animation, and ...Show more »
On working on Uchû senkan Yamato (1974): This was my first experience creating animation, and I am happy that I could dedicate myself this much. I became another self, walking around inside Yamato, following one path to another; this experience was shared with the entire staff. Yamato is the great ship which brought me to the world of animation, my lifelong dream. Show less «
Yamato's story is not one of immortal heroes. Instead, it is the shadow of death, a familiar theme. ...Show more »
Yamato's story is not one of immortal heroes. Instead, it is the shadow of death, a familiar theme. It was a heavy burden on me to draw a story dealing with death. Show less «
On the concept of a mutant race: I hate it from the bottom of my heart. I won't blame others who use...Show more »
On the concept of a mutant race: I hate it from the bottom of my heart. I won't blame others who use it [in their writing], but I would never make a mutant into a primary character. If we could turn a tide simply by being more evolved, everyone in the world would be free from suffering by now. I believe that humans do great things out of need. Maybe the concept is accepted as science-fiction, but I have an instinctive dislike for it. Show less «
Generally, the women I had affection for in my childhood had a common character of strength and gent...Show more »
Generally, the women I had affection for in my childhood had a common character of strength and gentleness for some reason. Their lives and character are reflected through my heart and my heroines. Show less «
I put in my best effort even if nothing good comes of it. That's my creed.
I put in my best effort even if nothing good comes of it. That's my creed.
I think the age of Disney came into existence because Sleeping Beauty (1959) was made in a businessl...Show more »
I think the age of Disney came into existence because Sleeping Beauty (1959) was made in a businesslike manner. The fact that he made Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) in his 30s is amazing. Therefore, I think I'm entering the world of animation too late. Show less «
My work is drawn from men's point of view. Women are an eternal mystery to me. We men don't understa...Show more »
My work is drawn from men's point of view. Women are an eternal mystery to me. We men don't understand women at all. That's why women are so wonderful. Show less «
Animation must not in any way limit the imagination of those who watch it.
Animation must not in any way limit the imagination of those who watch it.
Harlock emphasizes the importance of passing things on and the importance of friendships that help y...Show more »
Harlock emphasizes the importance of passing things on and the importance of friendships that help you along the way. Consequently every one of them must give their all. Regardless of whether their lives are short or long, they must do their best so that each generation may learn and teach the next generation. Show less «
Zero means there is no end.
Zero means there is no end.
In 2002: 13 years ago [1989] I held delusions of grandeur about starting up a large production compa...Show more »
In 2002: 13 years ago [1989] I held delusions of grandeur about starting up a large production company that would rival Disney, and I was about to buy a stock of film and animation cels with the last of my income. But I realized that if it turned out to be impossible, I would end up utterly alone. The economic responsibility overcame the dream. I should be glad. Show less «
Space Battleship Yamato was an important work that prepared my place in animation. It allowed me to ...Show more »
Space Battleship Yamato was an important work that prepared my place in animation. It allowed me to reach back into myself as a boy and face the strong impressions my senses provided to me then. It made me ask the basic question of whether or not I would want to see this anime. Show less «
On women: Those who come are welcome. Those who leave are not regretted.
On women: Those who come are welcome. Those who leave are not regretted.
I believe that if we ever do encounter higher forms of life in space, it would not result in a shoot...Show more »
I believe that if we ever do encounter higher forms of life in space, it would not result in a shootout. Perhaps just quiet observation, contact, and parting? However, a species would not be able to make the leap into space if they did not have a spirit at some level, though that alone would not be a qualification. In that respect, the human race is still immature. But we will almost certainly reach that stage in a few more generations. I believe so. Show less «
For me, all my works are one big work in a sense. When I write, I am aware of it as a single story. ...Show more »
For me, all my works are one big work in a sense. When I write, I am aware of it as a single story. Therefore, I will bring it all together when I write my last story, one big adventure with all my characters: a final curtain call. However, if I begin to write that now, I'll get the feeling that I'm approaching my own demise, so I don't want to do it yet. Until I'm conscious that it will be the end, I'll never do it. Show less «
I often think I should work without pretense, not just to tell stories of love and justice. They sho...Show more »
I often think I should work without pretense, not just to tell stories of love and justice. They should also be fun, heartwarming, and unassuming. Show less «
Everyone reaches a point in their life when they must set out on a journey. I'm sure every one of yo...Show more »
Everyone reaches a point in their life when they must set out on a journey. I'm sure every one of you has some recollection of such an event. If you are still young, it will inevitably happen someday. Your fate is decided by whether you decide then to embark on that journey or not; the same as leaving port as a pirate. Your life changes when you make your decision whether to leave or not. Show less «
A human's life is limited. Within that limited time we strive to fulfill dreams; both our own and ot...Show more »
A human's life is limited. Within that limited time we strive to fulfill dreams; both our own and others. I wanted to relay these dreams, creating an endless chain from the past to the future; a theme that links many of my works including Captain Harlock, Galaxy Express 999, Queen Emeraldas, Otoko Oidon and Gun Frontier. Show less «
There will always be situations where one becomes a shield at the command of others, and it's good i...Show more »
There will always be situations where one becomes a shield at the command of others, and it's good if this can save human lives. However, that person must not die, either. Another truth is that, needless to say, it's important to save many lives. Then to work for both solutions, the only way is not to fight at all. This is my answer and solution. Show less «
In closed space, the most distant past and the far future exist together. In other words, if you rea...Show more »
In closed space, the most distant past and the far future exist together. In other words, if you reach the place to touch the ring of time, you could go either to the past or the future. Show less «
When I visited a huge ship at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Nagasaki, it had the same kind of bridg...Show more »
When I visited a huge ship at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Nagasaki, it had the same kind of bridge as Yamato. I asked a young engineer, "How could this be so?" He said, "It couldn't be helped because I watched it when I was growing up." I didn't know that I had such an impact! Show less «
I always wanted to use "Thus Spake Zarathustra" in one of my works. So can you imagine how was I dis...Show more »
I always wanted to use "Thus Spake Zarathustra" in one of my works. So can you imagine how was I disappointed to see 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)? "Oh, somebody has done it already! It should have been me!" That's what I thought then. Show less «
There is no charge of militarism against America's Star Trek (1966) even though the Enterprise is na...Show more »
There is no charge of militarism against America's Star Trek (1966) even though the Enterprise is named after a real aircraft carrier. The Enterprise is sort of the Yamato for America, and Americans understand its meaning. Show less «
On the relationship between man and machine: A machine can only exist following the birth of human b...Show more »
On the relationship between man and machine: A machine can only exist following the birth of human beings, and becomes a companion for life. Even when the blood and sweat of a human combines with the oil and crystal of a machine, a machine would still regard the human as superior. If humans disappear, machines will no longer work. A machine is renewable, and can move separately from the human spirit if it is passed on to another hand. But the human mind is not transmitted elsewhere at death. A machine can be destroyed, but it can then be reproduced and may work differently when another person uses it. But the heart and the will of a human won't be inherited when they die. So I believe we can destroy machines, but not humans. That was my original intent when we made Yamato. Show less «
If you examine the context of world history, Yamato represented the influence of the Japanese milita...Show more »
If you examine the context of world history, Yamato represented the influence of the Japanese military on other countries, which was not pleasant. Its story was relevant to my own family history, since my father was a former commander in the naval air forces. Show less «
On Ginga tetsudô Three-Nine (1978) (aka Galaxy Express 999): It's a train ride through one's m...Show more »
On Ginga tetsudô Three-Nine (1978) (aka Galaxy Express 999): It's a train ride through one's mind, or the train that travels along with one. And each person has a different journey.... Show less «
On Uchû senkan Yamato: Aratanaru tabidachi (1979): The producer and I got into a big fight sin...Show more »
On Uchû senkan Yamato: Aratanaru tabidachi (1979): The producer and I got into a big fight since he liked to kill everyone and I hated it. When I create a story and a character, I think about why I'm doing it and put my whole self into it. So if the character is easily killed off, it feels to me like my child or brother was murdered. This is the difference between producer and creator. I actually got very angry, throwing the script away saying, "I don't care anymore," and decided to go it alone and make my own works. I couldn't stand by and watch it turn into a sob story about death, and I could no longer put up with the disagreement. He didn't want to let it go, and I was tired of it. Show less «
On his ideal woman: An angel by day and a prostitute by night; kind-hearted and warm-hearted; and a ...Show more »
On his ideal woman: An angel by day and a prostitute by night; kind-hearted and warm-hearted; and a woman who will live forever in my memory. Show less «
For me, Yamato is "the ship I am about to board" [a Japanese proverb about having to finish what we ...Show more »
For me, Yamato is "the ship I am about to board" [a Japanese proverb about having to finish what we start], so my attachment is stronger than that of others. At the same time, I want to express my appreciation to the numerous staff members who coped with my selfish voyage. Show less «
Special effects aren't just animal costumes, they are meant to look plausible. Star Wars (1977) and ...Show more »
Special effects aren't just animal costumes, they are meant to look plausible. Star Wars (1977) and Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) are good stories, but the addition of special effects give them better atmosphere and make them more plausible. They succeed in bringing childhood dreams to life. Show less «
Capitan Harlock (Harlock: Space Pirate)
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