The year is 2199. The human race has been crushed in their war with the Gamilos, driven into underground cities by the invader's assault. Scientists estimate they have only a year left. The young officers Susumu Kodai and Daisuke Shima receive a mysterious capsule from a ship that made an emergency landing on Mars and return with it to Earth. It contains humanity's last hope: the planet Iscandar on the other side of the Magellan Galaxy has the technology to defeat the Gamilos and restore the planet. The space battleship Yamato is entrusted with this task, but they have only one year before humanity ends. Note: The first episode received a special preview on the TV channel Family Gekijou on 6th of April, 2012. A day later, on 7th of April, 2012, the first 2 episodes were combined for a theatrical screening shown in 10 theatres across Japan until 20.04.2012. Episodes 3-6 received the same type of theatrical screening on 30.06.2012. Episodes 23-26 received the same type of theatrical screening on 24.08.2013. The first DVD/BD volume contained 2 episodes, subsequent volumes contained 4 episodes.