Legend of the Galactic Heroes (1988)
A monumental Japanese space opera anime pitting two military geniuses against each other across an interstellar war of ideology, ambition, and sacrifice.
Legend of the Galactic Heroes - Series Information
- Original Title: 銀河英雄伝説
- First Air Year: 1988
- Last Air Year: 1997
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Animation, Drama, War, Politics
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 25 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 4
- Number of Episodes: 110
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: December 21, 1988 (Australia - M), December 21, 1988 (Spain - 16), December 21, 1988 (South Korea - ALL)
- Alternative Titles: أسطورة أبطال المجرة (SA), Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu (JP), La Leyenda de los Héroes Galácticos (MX), Повесть О Героях Галактики (RU), Legend of Galactic Heroes (US), Les Héros de la Galaxie (FR)
- Production Companies: Artland, Production I.G, Shochiku, Kitty Films, Tokuma Shoten, Tokuma Japan Communications, TV Tokyo, Suntory, wright staff, ビデオチャンプ, K-Factory
- Production Countries: Japan
Legend of the Galactic Heroes - Plot
War rages between the Galactic Empire and the Free Planets Alliance. With two new brilliant young leaders at the helm, anything can happen in this military space opera.
Legend of the Galactic Heroes - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a sense of the epic scale awaiting you:
In every age, in every place, the deeds of men remain the same
Where to Watch Legend of the Galactic Heroes
Looking for where to watch Legend of the Galactic Heroes?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
Legend of the Galactic Heroes - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Kei Tomiyama
- Ryo Horikawa
- Kazuhiko Inoue
- Yoshiko Sakakibara
- Masashi Hironaka
- Nozomu Sasaki
- Katsuji Mori
- Masako Katsuki
- Kaneto Shiozawa
- Norio Wakamoto
Writers
- Takeshi Shudo
- Hiroshi Toda
- Shigeru Yanagawa
Legend of the Galactic Heroes - FAQs
Is Legend of the Galactic Heroes worth watching?
Absolutely. Legend of the Galactic Heroes is widely regarded as one of the greatest anime ever made. Its sophisticated political philosophy, morally complex characters, and epic scope set it apart from virtually any other animated series. It rewards patient viewers with one of fiction's most ambitious narratives.
Is Legend of the Galactic Heroes based on a novel?
Yes. The series is adapted from Yoshiki Tanaka's acclaimed novel series of the same name, published between 1982 and 1987. The ten-volume saga blends military strategy, political philosophy, and character drama, and the anime adaptation closely follows the source material across all four seasons.
Where can you stream Legend of the Galactic Heroes?
Legend of the Galactic Heroes is available to stream on HiDive, which holds the license for the original OVA series in the United States. Availability may vary by region. You can check JustWatch for a full, up-to-date list of streaming and purchase options in your country.
Who are the two main characters in the series?
The series centers on two opposing military geniuses: Reinhard von Lohengramm (voiced by Ryo Horikawa), an ambitious Imperial admiral seeking to reshape the galaxy, and Yang Wen-li (voiced by Kei Tomiyama), a reluctant Free Planets Alliance strategist who values democracy above personal glory.
How many seasons and episodes does the series have?
The original OVA series spans four seasons and 110 episodes in total: Season 1 has 26 episodes, Season 2 has 28, Season 3 has 32, and Season 4 has 24. Each episode runs approximately 25 minutes, making the full series a substantial but deeply rewarding commitment.
What genre is Legend of the Galactic Heroes?
Legend of the Galactic Heroes blends Sci-Fi, Animation, Drama, War, and Politics into a sweeping military space opera. It is particularly noted for its philosophical depth and political intrigue, drawing comparisons to classic historical epics rather than conventional action-oriented science fiction anime.
When did Legend of the Galactic Heroes first air?
The series first aired on December 21, 1988, released as an original video animation (OVA). It concluded in 1997 after nine years of production. Because it was released directly to home video rather than broadcast television, it built its massive fanbase primarily through word of mouth and home media distribution.
Is there a remake of Legend of the Galactic Heroes?
Yes. A reimagined adaptation titled Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These began airing in 2018, produced by Production I.G. While it retells the original story with updated animation, many fans consider the 1988 OVA the definitive version due to its greater narrative depth and comprehensive coverage of the source novels.
More About Legend of the Galactic Heroes
Explore further details about the series through these authoritative external resources.