Blood Ties

I'm sure some are thinking, 'what a morbid way to start '14!'  Personally, I wouldn't blame them for thinking that, but I'm feeling patriotic... or something.

Also, this is fitting for anyone wanting to get in the mood: www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnrMBl…; Zar Belk~!

Right, so what's this about?  Space Battleship Yamato 2199.  Glorious remake of the original that aired in 1974.  Those who know me understand I've been hungering for a memorable anime ever since the original Last Exile.  (Not the crappy 'Fam Fam' sequel.)  Now, while I consider the likes of Mirai Nikki and Sword Art Online great shows in their own right, SBY 2199 is honestly on a completely different level.  You know that sense of awe you get when you've watched something and don't have anything bad to say about it?  SBY 2199.  Anyone who is a fan of space operas should be watching this.  No excuses.  You won't regret it.

As for this art, it depicts the insignia/emblem of the Gamilas Empire and its eternal struggle for equality among those who boast pure Gamilas bloodlines and the multitude of other alien races that serve them as a result of the growing empire's expansionary efforts.  Throughout the series it's heavily implied that these other alien races are subjugated into the Gamilas Empire and treated as second-class citizens.  Those who rise up in the ranks of the military though have the opportunity to be bestowed honorary Gamilas citizenships for themselves and their families, so there is often a sense of loyalty and honour portrayed throughout the series that defines the empire's blood ties on the battlefield.  Some episodes especially went into detail about this, like whenever soldiers from Zaltz (SP?) were getting involved.

Gah, needless to say I loved the human aspects of the Gamilas Empire.  While some among its ranks subtly portrayed historical undesirables among the Nazis of WWII, many others were good people who fought for their empire, often to the death.  Characters like Shultz, Lang, Norran, the Dietz and Domel families and even Desler before he went a little off the deep end were characters that really defined the honourable nature of the empire and that's what makes SBY 2199 even better.  There is no defining good and evil alignment portraying any major faction and that's what makes the Gamilians very human.

Anyhoo, I'm not sure if the blood stains are quite right here, so if anyone has any tips to make them look more realistic, please let me know.  Oh, and expect more SBY fanart on the horizon.

Artwork - © Kristopher P. Love // Space Battleship Yamato 2199 - © Xebec / AIC