Legend of the Galactic Heroes Gaiden (1998)
A Japanese animated prequel series exploring the formative years of Reinhard von Lohengramm and Yang Wen-li before the events of the original saga.
Legend of the Galactic Heroes Gaiden - Series Information
- Original Title: 銀河英雄伝説外伝
- First Air Year: 1998
- Last Air Year: 2000
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (25 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 52
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: February 9, 1998 (Australia - M), February 9, 1998 (South Korea - ALL)
- Production Companies: Artland, 德川书店
- Production Countries: Japan
- Alternative Titles: Legend of the Galactic Heroes: A Hundred Billion Stars, A Hundred Billion Lights (US), Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu Gaiden (JP)
Legend of the Galactic Heroes Gaiden - Plot
Prequel to the original series, focusing on Reinhard and his steps up the chain of command in the Galactic Empire. Also focusing on the FPA's Yang Wen-li. A chronicle on how he earned the title "The Hero of El Facile" and his handling of assignments he received after the historic event. Spiral Labyrinth also continues with the background of Reinhard and Kircheis where the first Gaiden left off.
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Legend of the Galactic Heroes Gaiden - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Hozumi Goda as Wen-li Yang (voice)
- Ryo Horikawa as Reinhard von Lohengramm (voice)
- Masashi Hironaka as Siegfried Kircheis (voice)
- Keiko Han as Annerose von Grünewald (voice)
Legend of the Galactic Heroes Gaiden - FAQs
What is Legend of the Galactic Heroes Gaiden about?
It's a prequel anime series set before the events of the original Legend of the Galactic Heroes. The story follows Reinhard von Lohengramm's early rise through the Galactic Empire's ranks and Yang Wen-li's path in the Free Planets Alliance, including how he earned the title "Hero of El Facile."
Do I need to watch the original series first?
Watching the original Legend of the Galactic Heroes first is strongly recommended. Gaiden functions as a prequel and companion piece, and much of its emotional weight depends on familiarity with the main cast. Newcomers can follow the plot, but longtime fans will get far more out of it.
How many seasons and episodes does Gaiden have?
Gaiden spans two seasons and 52 episodes in total. Season 1 contains 24 episodes, while Season 2 — known as Spiral Labyrinth — expands with 28 episodes, continuing the backstories of Reinhard, Kircheis, and Yang Wen-li.
Who voices the main characters in Gaiden?
The core cast features Hozumi Goda as Yang Wen-li, Ryo Horikawa as Reinhard von Lohengramm, Masashi Hironaka as Siegfried Kircheis, and Keiko Han as Annerose von Grünewald. All four reprise their roles from the original Legend of the Galactic Heroes series.
Is Legend of the Galactic Heroes Gaiden based on a true story?
Not at all — it's a work of science fiction adapted from Yoshiki Tanaka's acclaimed novel series. While the saga draws on real historical parallels and political philosophy, the characters, galactic empires, and interstellar conflicts are entirely fictional creations.
Where can I watch Legend of the Galactic Heroes Gaiden?
Streaming availability for Gaiden varies by region. Your best option is to check JustWatch, which aggregates current viewing options across all major platforms and services in your country, making it easy to find where the series is available to stream, rent, or buy.
What is the difference between Gaiden's two seasons?
Season 1 focuses primarily on Yang Wen-li's early career and the events surrounding El Facile, while Season 2 — subtitled Spiral Labyrinth — shifts focus back to Reinhard and Kircheis, picking up where the first season's imperial storyline concluded and deepening their formative years.
When did Legend of the Galactic Heroes Gaiden first air?
The series premiered on February 9, 1998, and ran through 2000. Produced by Artland, it served as a companion to the long-running original OVA series and was released during the final years of that franchise's original animated run.
More About Legend of the Galactic Heroes Gaiden
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