Final Yamato is the type of finale that operates more as encore and less as a sequel. In that aspect the character development stagnation (or even regression) and the plot rehashing feel strangely appropriate. The task of killing the Yamato is a difficult one that has to be done with a heavy heart. The first time it was attempted with Farewell Yamato, in a half compelling and half spiteful “kill em all” manner, people were (rightfully) not done with it yet and craving for more. Final Yamato though is here to tell you that the time has come and you need to let go, but we will have a hell of a farewell party on our way out. It is funny how both these movies will besmirch Okita's character. One by flipping his entire ideology and attitude, in a way I found rather gross personally (although I don’t have only negatives things to say about Farewell), and the other by including him as an empty husk to be the captain placeholder, that I was not as mad about as I should be on paper. In my head it is partly the prototype of 3.0+1.0. Kodai's character works as a symbolic stand in for the audience, which after a decade of Yamato infatuation is time to move on from the fixation of their youth, grow up and touch grass (have sex). Additionally it marks the end the romantic space opera era and narratives that were left behind with the advent of works like Gundam (until the hearts of people yearn for it again).
Despite its clunky plot and pacing in terms of audio-visual merits this movie is a blast. Kanada on his A game, incredible water animation (it has been a captivating feature of the franchise since the start), large scale battles (including cavalry???), stunning backgrounds and rich colours. When it comes to music, Kentarou Haneda brings a very tender but intense quality to the soundtrack which adds variety to the totality of the (massive) Yamato music collection. Hiroshi Miyagawa's soundtrack for the previous entries had always a scifi modern element (especially in Be Forever Yamato) despite its strong adherence to old fashioned classical pieces. Kentarou Haneda's contribution was to significantly abandon modernity and crank up the larger than life orchestral music. The overwhelming epicness is even more intensified by the mixing, having the music on the foreground, on a noticeably higher volume, often overpowering the dialogue.
One of the most prominent thoughts in my mind when I watched Farewell Yamato was that the fictional ship should not have the same fate as its real life counterpart. Destroying the vessel that has been re-framed as symbol of hope, and on top of that in a suicidal manner, was something that never sit well with me thematically. In spite of that after Final Yamato I said "My God, this ship was made to be sunk". Partly because of Final Yamato's more visible meta character (we are not exactly kamikaze-ing hope here but we are putting a franchise to sleep) but most importantly because of how this entire scene is crafted. And obviously I'm not talking about the part where Yamato explodes in half which is indeed a shocking thing to witness being animated. One of the traits I love the most in Leiji Matsumoto media is the level of machinery personification they achieve. Some times metaphorically, sometimes literally. I happen to be a mecha fan as well but I don't think any of the mechs I've seen in anime, that certainly reach higher anthropomorphic presentation thresholds, have made me feel such endearment as much as the vessels featured in his works have. When people ask me why I like Yamato I just say that this damn ship has a soul. Final Yamato's sinking scene is one of the most haunting in the entire franchise. Its last rise from the sea with the howling echo of the dying engine, like a wounded sea creature, and its slow submergence followed by silence and the soft rustle of the waves, is both awe-striking and heart wrenching. Even if everything else in the movie has left you indifferent this scene is deeply affective.
Certainly, Final Yamato is not the ideal graceful exit a franchise (more so a franchise like Yamato) could have but it leaves its mark regardless.
Goodbye, all of Yamato.
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