Captain Harlock: The Classic Collection Vol. 1

Captain Harlock: The Classic Collection #1

by Leiji Matsumoto

The original Captain Harlock series, introducing one of the most revered and recognizable characters in science fiction history—released in English for the first time! Introducing Captain Harlock, the fiercely independent space pirate who fights totalitarianism in every corner of the Universe. When a mysterious alien force invades Earth, teenager Tadashi Daiba joins up with the only people brave enough to defend the Captain Harlock and his ragtag crew of renegades! Aboard the space battleship Arcadia, Harlock sets forth to uncover the truth behind the beautiful extraterrestrial women taking over his home planet. "Harlock leads the way to a world of new ideas." —James Cameron (Film Director)

Genres: Manga, Comics, Science Fiction, Graphic Novels, Comics Manga, Seinen, Adventure

400 pages, Hardcover

Published June 12, 2018

About the author

From the Wikipedia page:

Leiji Matsumoto (松本零士) is famous for his space operas such as Space Battleship Yamato. His style is characterized by tragic heroes; tall, slender, fragile-looking heroines with strong wills and in some cases, god-like powers; and a love of analog gauges and dials in his spacecraft.

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

When a strange sphere crashes into earth, heralding an alien invasion, people are strangely apathetic. A space pirate named Captain Harlock arrives to combat the aliens, the Mazon, and only teenager Tadashi Daiba agrees to join him. Can Captain Harlock and the crew of the Arcadia defeat the Mazon menace?

I first heard of Captain Harlock decades ago when Eternity was publishing his adventures. Seven Seas packaged the first third of his early adventures in this gorgeous hardcover so I was powerless to resist.
While I didn't like it as much as Astro Boy or Devilman, I liked this early manga fairly well.

Captain Harlock tells the tale of an invasion by the women who burn like paper, the Mazon. I won't reveal their true nature. Anyway, Daiba, a boy whose parents were killed by the Mazon, joins Captain Harlock in his fight against them.

The tone of Captain Harlock is a little strange. It seems to be a commentary on complacency at times. There are serious parts and some humorous parts. I really like the art, although some of Harlock's crew are drawn a little too cartoony for my taste. The Arcadia has a great design. The ship battles are really well done, reminding me of stuff I'd see on Robotech cartoons back in the day.

To be honest, this volume is Captain Harlock tracking down leads about the Mazons for the most part. The characters don't have a lot in the way of background so far, although we know Harlock lost a dear friend sometime in the past and Mimay is the last of her people, a race of aliens that subsist on alcohol. Aside from a few ship battles, there isn't a whole lot of action. I guess it's mostly a setup volume.

All things considered, Captain Harlock: The Classic Collection Volume 1 is a worthwhile read, a nice piece of manga history. I'm in for the next two volumes. Three out of five stars.

[Frédéric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brought back memories of little me watching the anime in the late 70's. Darker than I remembered even though critics on politicians and their lack of courage aren’t too subtle.
Art is somewhat dated but not uninteresting with use of blacks not so commonly seen in mangas.

Retro, old school, sometimes awkward and naive but one can see why it impressed so many people back then.

[Skjam! · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a gigantic black sphere lands on Earth in the distant future, humankind has become too apathetic to care much about what it might mean. Top scientist Dr. Daiba warns of possible danger, but is ignored by the lazy President of Earth. When Dr. Daiba is murdered, his son Tadashi is approached by a mysterious figure that kills the assassin. To Tadashi’s shock, the woman bursts into flames and burns like paper!

The mysterious figure proves to be the notorious space pirate, Captain Harlock! Although the government of Earth considers him a criminal (because he is; stealing is illegal), Captain Harlock and his ship Arcadia are the only ones standing between the human race and annihilation. After Tadashi sees for himself that Earth’s military is useless, he cuts ties with the planet and joins Harlock’s cause.

This 1977 manga series was created by Leiji Matsumoto, who had been a major part of the Space Battleship Yamato anime series in 1974 and had created a manga loosely based on that show. He decided to follow up “battleships in space” with “pirate ships in space.” He also tried to make Captain Harlock a model of an ideal man, embodying traditional Japanese masculine virtues in a futuristic setting.

The enemy turns out to be the Mazon, plant aliens whose warrior caste looks like beautiful human women to the point that many of them have infiltrated Earth society with the help of heavy makeup. Their scouts have in fact been on Earth for thousands of years, but now the Mazon are ready for conquest.

Tadashi has trouble adjusting to life on the Arcadia at first. Most of the crew seem to be drunks and layabouts, the first mate is obsessed with plastic models and refuses most other duties, and Mimay appears to be just the ship harpist. The only crew member who is actively running the ship is second officer Kei, a woman of many talents.

But these appearances are deceiving. In times of actual danger, the crew is able to shift into battle mode. The lax discipline is because Harlock can trust them to rise to the occasion. (This somewhat reflects conditions on real pirate ships of the Golden Age of Piracy; the captain was elected and had to persuade the crew to follow orders, rather than be dictator.)

Over the course of this first volume, Tadashi becomes a fighter, and we learn more about the Mazon threat. There are hints about Harlock’s tragic past, and the deaths of his true love and best friend. (These do not necessarily match the information in any other Harlock story–Matsumoto isn’t in to tight continuity.)

While the overall mood of the series is somber, with the protagonists wondering if Earth and its feckless inhabitants are really worth saving, there’s plenty of comic relief with the golf-obsessed Earth President and the wacky Arcadia crew members.

This volume also contains an alternate universe story, where Harlock is the captain of the Deathshadow, protecting an Earth that is now nearly uninhabitable and known as the Red World. It’s pretty sexist.

Matsumoto does some fine spaceships of various unlikely shapes, and the action is exciting. On the other hand, he has one shape and face for beautiful women, and uses it over and over. Some folks may find the philosophy bits a trifle overdone and melodramatic.

Keeping in mind that this is an older series, and the manga industry has changed drastically (especially in roles for women), this is well worth looking at.

[Josiah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to try a Manga out and choose poorly. There maybe some intricacies I'm missing or some cultural issues I'm not sure, but this for me fit firmly in the category of almost so bad it's good?

I would say this is aimed at 14yo boys with themes that are deeply misogynistic and fascist with constant sneering at Earth for its degeneracy. The book's titular figure is an authoritarian ideal while also claiming to love freedom and adventure. Its not worth me sitting down and trying to talk about how the story constantly undetermines its own seeming values, but it does so with aplomb.

[Derek Royal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some classic manga, and of the science fiction variety. I had heard of Captain Harlock for a while and had wondered what it was all about. I have to say that I was engaged by this, and I particularly enjoyed the first half. The second gets rather weird and wild, with so much going on at times that things get a little confusing. Or maybe it’s just my tired perceptions.

[Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of some really great classic sci fi stories featuring the character Captain Harlock. Really enjoyed it!

[ISMOTU · Rating 5 out of 5]

The original manga classic! I've become a little obsessed with Captain Harlock over the last year or so and have been waiting for this collection to arrive. It does not disappoint, all the action, intrigue, and melodrama of the anime series is here (though no sign of Mayu-chan yet). I think the pirates are depicted much more realistically than many other fictional pirates (space or otherwise) though they still skew more toward the heroic than historical pirates. The grandeur and scope of Matsumoto's art is just gorgeous.

[Ruz El · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5.

Blind bought this one after hearing the name kicked around for ages. Basically it's treasure island, with a young man hooking up with a space pirate after Earth is being passively attacked by aliens. There's a cynicism on humanity that is surprising. The set-up seemed to take forever, but I suspect the future volumes will be much better since the later stories once it settled in were getting real good.

[Hoss Keen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read mix with the different characters and their personalities made for a good time. Add the mystery of the enemy aliens and a bonus chapter separate from the main book gives a nice break from the book if you are going to read the second volume right after this one.

[Zachary · Rating 3 out of 5]

A manga classic in a beautiful new format. A bit stale and dry by today's standards but still enough of an enjoyable adventure to see why it was so influential at the time of it's release.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story is pretty dated, but the starship designs are fantastic.

[Sandbox World · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're a fan of classic, old-school manga, you'll adore the humble origins of Captain Harlock as he boldly makes his way into our collective imagination. His journey began at a time when manga and anime were still finding their voice, and the raw, untamed energy of his character captured the hearts of those who were lucky enough to witness his rise. Before Captain Harlock became the legendary space pirate we know today, he was a symbol of rebellion, mystery, and adventure—qualities that resonated with the spirit of manga’s early days.

Captain Harlock, stands as a symbol of defiance and adventure in the vast, mysterious reaches of the universe, created by the legendary Leiji Matsumoto. Imagine, if you will, the wonder of discovering an enigmatic hero in the cosmos—one who embodies rebellion against the oppressive forces of his time. When this series first arrived on the shores of North America, it was 1978, and we were still caught up in the exciting, lightsaber-filled world of Star Wars. But Captain Harlock was something entirely different, something deeper, a treasure that arrived at a moment when our minds were already primed for otherworldly adventures.

As he soared into the pages of Leiji Matsumoto's universe, Captain Harlock was a beacon of something new, a character who broke free from traditional molds and became the embodiment of freedom in the vastness of space. The simplicity of his beginnings made his eventual rise all the more thrilling—a man with a mysterious past, standing strong against overwhelming odds. His iconic look, complete with the black coat, piercing eyes, and unyielding determination, captured the very essence of what made old-school manga so captivating: raw emotion, powerful storytelling, and a character that made you believe anything was possible.

The character was born from the imagination of Leiji Matsumoto in 1977 and first came to life in the animated series Space Pirate Captain Harlock in 1978. What made Harlock stand apart from other cartoons of the time was how it reflected a world shaped by history's heavy scars. The series emerged 30 years after Japan’s surrender in World War II, and the weight of that history was present in the series. Unlike the lighter, more kid-friendly cartoons that were common in the West, Captain Harlock confronted real, heavy issues like death, loss, and sacrifice. It wasn't just a story—it was a portrayal of a nation that had suffered great tragedies and was still finding its place in the global world. This was a time when Japan was poised to redefine itself on the world stage, and in doing so, would dominate the world of animation and manga, creating an influence that endures to this day.

In many ways, Captain Harlock marked the dawn of a new era in anime—one where adult themes found their way into animated stories. It wasn't just for kids; it was for anyone who dared to look beyond the surface and understand the deeper meaning of the battles fought in space and the hearts of the characters. Matsumoto's iconic character design left a lasting impression, even influencing other legendary works, including Osamu Tezuka’s Black Jack, one of Japan’s most beloved manga creations.

What’s truly mesmerizing about Captain Harlock is how faithfully the animated series captured the essence of the original manga. The story came alive in a way that felt both timeless and groundbreaking. And while American audiences were still being introduced to heroes like Popeye, Godzilla, and Yogi Bear, Captain Harlock arrived with an intensity and gravitas that few could match. His ship, the Arcadia, was nothing short of a marvel—a sleek, powerful vessel armed with cannons that fired in a flurry of cosmic fury, sending foes fleeing in all directions.

It’s amazing to see how Harlock’s character and the stories surrounding him have evolved, but there’s something truly magical about returning to those early moments when he was just starting to carve out his place in the world of manga and anime. These humble beginnings hold a special place in the hearts of those who appreciate the roots of this incredible medium, where every panel told a story of daring and bravery, and where a simple pirate in space could ignite a fire of imagination that continues to burn bright to this day.

Captain Harlock wasn’t just a pirate; he was a force of nature, a symbol of independence and defiance against the odds, and his adventures continue to inspire awe and wonder even decades later.

[Dave J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pleasant surprise here. I wasn't expecting the kind of dark expression and realistic character development similarly found in some of my favorite manga from the 90s and early 2000s. Captain Harlock delivers on these things and more as the story progresses. And if you've ever watched Star Trek, Firefly, Cowboy Bebop, or read any space operas like Dune, this will be familiar territory.

The manga begins fairly normally, looking to be the start of a romantic, pulpy space romp, but this veneer soon gives way to scenarios full of dread, the unknown, grief and murky moral dilemmas. Characters have a good deal of depth, sometimes questioning their actions and motives, and they always appear rightfully tiny against the vastness of space. Conflicts are often solved in cold and gruesome ways, a constant reminder of the volatile, indifferent nature of space and the self-preservative attitude characters must have in order to survive in it.

The art itself is impressive and finely detailed. Spacecrafts are meticulously drawn, and the same goes for stars and planets. I lingered on a lot of the more impressive panels, marveling at it all. Matsumoto is also adept at using contrast, sometimes showing the sheer scale of a thing through heavy usage of black so that a panel's lighting appears more vivid. For what remains unseen in shadow, Matsumoto leaves that up to your imagination.

As for the way characters look, since manga from this era takes inspiration from Tezuka—who took inspiration from Walt Disney and Max Fleischer—the characters all have a distinctly vintage look about them like that of Mickey Mouse, Popeye and Superman, which either results in funny-looking short characters (similar to Mr. Smee from Peter Pan) or heroic-looking ones, like the captain. One of my other favorite mangas from this era, Ashita no Joe (a.k.a. "Tomorrow's Joe", a boxing manga), has similarly drawn characters, although this style doesn't detract from my enjoyment of either series. The designs are more charming than off-putting, but I do have one complaint: some of the characters in this manga look too similar to each other. I wonder why Matsumoto didn't go for more variety.

Captain Harlock is surprisingly short—only 3 volumes (15 chapters) long—but it's a tightly knitted series nonetheless. It flips between serious and funny moments with ease, and as I mentioned previously, characters are varied and realistic. It can be hard to make readers sympathize with villains, but Matsumoto is a clever writer and enshrouds many events in moral ambiguity. Sadly, this story isn't without some contrivances, but they're not too egregious. And the language of the story is of good quality, often showcasing well-written poetic lines (although this could be the translator's embellishments, I'm not sure).

Even though certain tropes are familiar and there's a good deal of unexplained jargon, Matsumoto keeps things fresh with a crew of intriguing, funny and thought-provoking characters. I wish this was longer, but even so, this manga manages to tell more in 15 chapters than a lot of others do in 100 or more. This was a good first impression of Matsumoto's work and I'm looking forward to checking out his other series.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

This 70s manga is rough, even by the standards of the day, but it possesses a unique melancholy and romantic charm. Its opening narration on mankind’s voyage among the stars is powerful and poetic. This is matsumoto’s signature — evocative concepts, tinged with great heroism and adventure, but also a profound sadness and darkness.


“A boy’s eyes burn with hopes for the future.

The eyes of a young man recall struggles in which he staked his life.
It is the way of a man’s life to grow old without regret…

This is the story of men who sought adventure and romance in the vast ocean called the universe!”


The recurring text that opens each chapter is almost a mantra, a hypnotic chant meditating on freedom, adventure, and death.


“I will wander to the horizon of the stars. People call me Captain Harlock…In the dark ocean of space, in the ocean with no tomorrow, I shall live in freedom until the fire of my eyes burns out. Under my flag, under my flag, I shall live in freedom.”

The echo of this ethos can be seen in many other properties, from gundam and macross to cowboy bebop and one piece.

Harlock’s ship is made partly from an old Spanish galleon and is emblazoned with a skull and crossbones. It parallels the other ships that Leiji has created; the Yamato and the galaxy express, mixing historical and science fiction components. Again, implying a kind of melancholy, a nostalgia for a lost past.

There are many intriguing aspects to this boundless universe, but few are explored in adequate depth. Instead the plot has a piecemeal quality, missing key information and taking leaps at random.

There are two main stories in this volume: The first is of Daiba, an earth boy, joining Harlock’s crew, which offers a nice opportunity to introduce the ship and its quirky crew. The second, with Harlock himself as the lead, is of the battle against the Mazon — mysterious invaders, the women who burn like paper.

Motivation, backstory, stakes, and goal are frequently absent. Plot lines are dropped; continuity and logic are questionable; nothing is really fleshed out. Suspense is minimal. And the plot fails to make much forward progress, despite a profusion of pages.

Daiba’s murdered father and professor Cuzco are forgotten. We don’t know how the earth became so decadent. We don’t know who Harlock is, where he got his ship. We know he is haunted by tragic events in his past but they remain a mystery. Both he and Daiba wonder whether the earth is even worth saving at all, more existential darkness.

At one point Harlock orders his ship to do a 180 out of the blue, abandoning one mission in favor of another. Many scenes fail to bear fruit and unraveling the mystery of the Mazon is painfully slow.

So in the end Harlock is an evocative concept, and even moreso a mood, but don’t expect a well crafted story.

[Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the art, and the characters of Captain Harlock, Mimay, Queen Emeraldas, but the plotting is weak, and oftentimes makes no logical sense. An invasion of earth by the Mazon, a plant people, heavily influenced by the Erich Von Daniken pseudoscience that was popular in the 70s. The plotting reminds me of A. E. Van Vogt, where things happen for no reason, course changes rapidly with little justification, deductions based on little to no evidence. This is a fantasy with the trappings of science fiction, but no knowledge or concern for real science.

[Erik · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've heard of Captain Harlock solely by name for years now but didn't know much of anything about it. I expected a fun adventure with swashbuckling space pirates. What I got instead was a bizarre and interesting scifi epic. The characters and plot hooked me right away.

I don't know what it is about Matsumotos art style I loved but something about his lanky character design is just so iconic. I also really need a model of the Arcadia to build now. Looking forward to reading more!

[Reyne Derrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tried to like it, but honestly it feels like nothing is happening. Where’s the plot? So far all we get is an idea of a story but no actual story. Also the main character is completely useless and barely appears after the first few chapters and captain harlock can’t carry a series about him to save his life.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not entirely sure how the original is so much less sexist than the more recent reboot, but this is the kind of series where you understand the occasional truth of the saying that the original is always better.

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick impressions: New or old reader, this is a good space tale with some action and a bit of mystery. I really liked this volume. I will be looking for the next two in the series to keep reading. So far, enjoying the tale.

(Longer review on my blog soon.)

[C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Immediately improving on my biggest issue with the anime, pacing. While still going in circles somewhat the manga clips along just a little better than the show did. Which means I just get to enjoy the Captain Harlock of it all.

[Comics Alternative · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://comicsalternative.com/manga-re...

[Julien L · Rating 5 out of 5]

weird spacey, barren 70s sci-fi manga.

[Alexandre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good trip down nostalgia lane . ALBATOR 78 !!

[Raz O'Xane · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible pacing, sexist, wants to be funny but lacks subtlety. Aged poorly, the art is awful.

[Dan P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sure it's a little simple and has some glaring plot holes, but it's so conceptually rich and influential on all of today's space ship dramas. I really enjoyed this

[Marie Kos · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have a thing for pirate fiction and knew about Captain Harlock since childhood, but didn’t seek out the comic until after Leiji Matsumoto passed away (R.I.P.). I did NOT expect it to be as bad as it is. It is honestly hilarious!

I didn’t find it worth sticking with, but it is a treat to experience it for myself. It’s like Austin Powers level of parodic, only unintentional.

[Landon Schmidt-Warnecke · Rating 1 out of 5]

Captain Harlock series
Score: 32
Art: 8/20
Story: 4/20
Characters: 5/20
World-building: 10/20
Writing: 5/20

[Loz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable! Classic and eccentric, with a compelling central mystery.