One of anime's most influential and enduring classics, Space Battleship Yamato, is to receive a sequel.

Known in the west as STAR BLAZERS, this series was instrumental in introducing anime to the west, not to mention making a big impression on writers and artists in both Japan and the West.

STAR BLAZERS showed many viewers for the first time that an animated series could have mature themes, developed and changeable characters, and longer story arcs that moved away from the episodic status quo

The original producer, Yoshinobu Nishizaki, is heading the new project, which is set in 2220, or 21 years after the first Yamato story.

An expanding black hole threatens Earth, so three hundred million people set forth into space to find a new home. The fleet is attacked, and the Yamato leads the counterstrike. Susumu Kodai, the hero of the first series, is now a space captain with a daughter named Miyuki with his wife Yuki (the heroine of the first series). (ANN)

For more on the original Star Blazers, check out our series page below (and sit tight for more exciting Star Blazers news mid year)