Martian Successor Nadesico

Nadesico

Company type	Anime television series
Industry	Animation
Founded	October 1, 1996 (1996-10-01)
Founder	Tatsuo Satō (director)
Headquarters	Japan
Products	Animated television series, manga, OVA, movie, video games
Parent	Xebec

, commonly referred to as , is a Japanese animated television series produced by Xebec under the direction of Tatsuo Satō. The show features original character artwork by manga creator Kia Asamiya, with chief animation direction led by Keiji Gotoh, mechanical designs crafted by Mika Akitaka, and a musical score composed by Takayuki Hattori. A manga version, also created by Asamiya, was serialized by Kadokawa Shoten from 1996 through 1999 and was licensed for North American release by CPM Manga, presenting notable deviations from the anime storyline.

Broadcast between October 1, 1996, and March 24, 1997, the television series consists of 26 episodes and was followed in its broadcast slot by the Pokémon anime.

In 2005, director Tatsuo Satō announced via his blog that plans for a sequel titled Nadesico 2 had been officially terminated.

Plot

Set in the year 2196, humanity is engaged in conflict against alien entities known as the "Jovian Lizards." The formidable space warship ND-001 Nadesico is developed by Nergal Heavy Industries and operated by a crew of elite civilian specialists who frequently display minor eccentricities.

The central character, Akito Tenkawa, originally from Mars' Utopia colony, survived its destruction but suffers from memory loss and harbors a deep fear of the Jovians. Although he dreams of becoming a chef, Akito is repeatedly compelled to pilot the Nadesico's Aestivalis combat mechs. His time aboard the ship involves not only combat challenges but also navigating the romantic interest of nearly all female crew members, particularly captain Yurika Misumaru, while Akito himself prefers cooking and immersing in his favorite anime series, Gekiganger III.

Production

The series skillfully combines elements of comedy and drama, juxtaposing the lighthearted behavior of the crew with the grim realities of warfare. Many characters are depicted as anime enthusiasts who often draw parallels between the campy in-universe show Gekigangar III and their own dire circumstances. The narrative incorporates typical sci-fi anime tropes such as alien invasions and time travel but subverts expectations through unexpected plot developments.

Classified within the space opera genre, it contains numerous homages to classic anime like Space Battleship Yamato. The title Nadesico is a play on "Yamato nadeshiko", a term symbolizing traditional Japanese femininity. Characters serve as parodies of industry personalities such as voice actress Megumi Hayashibara and embody otaku culture through activities like doujinshi creation and cosplay.

Episodes include an in-universe anime convention and a spoof of Macross, featuring a Miss Nadesico contest that blends swimsuit modeling with singing competitions.

The fictional series Gekigangar III pays tribute to super robot mecha anime from the late 1970s to 1980s, notably works by Go Nagai and Ken Ishikawa, such as Getter Robo. The conflict between Earth and its colonies echoes themes found in Gundam, while the diverse crew draws inspiration from series like Harlock. Writers experienced in previous mecha productions contributed to various episodes of Nadesico.

Media

Anime

Main article: List of Martian Successor Nadesico episodes

Under the direction of Tatsuo Satō and produced collaboratively by TV Tokyo, Xebec, and Yomiko Advertising, the series aired from October 1996 through March 1997. ADV Films acquired licensing rights in 1998, initially releasing it on VHS before subsequent DVD editions including boxed collections such as Complete Chronicles (2002) and Perfect Collection (2008). Following ADV's closure in 2009, Nozomi Entertainment re-licensed and reissued the series alongside its movie and the Gekiganger III OVA in 2012. In 2017, Anime Limited secured Blu-ray distribution rights.

The opening theme is "You Get to Burning" performed by Yumi Matsuzawa. The primary ending theme is "Watashi Rashiku" (私らしく; "Being Myself") sung by Houko Kuwashima, with episode 26 featuring a different ending song titled "Itsuka...Shinjite" (いつか…信じて; "I Believe... Someday") performed by Kazumi Matsumura.

Manga

A manga adaptation provides a narrative aimed at an older audience that diverges significantly from the anime’s plot.

OVA

An original video animation compiling segments of the fictional anime Gekigangar III was released.

Movie

Main article: Martian Successor Nadesico: The Motion Picture – Prince of Darkness

Released in 1998, the sequel film titled The Prince of Darkness, written and directed by Tatsuo Satō, continues the storyline following events depicted in the Sega Saturn game Nadesico: The Blank of Three Years, effectively bridging the television series with its cinematic continuation.

Video games

The franchise includes four Japan-exclusive video games: two for Sega Saturn—Mobile Battleship Nadesico, which combines dating simulation with mecha gameplay, and The Blank of Three Years, an interactive narrative connecting various story arcs; Dreamcast’s 1999 release The Mission, which extends events beyond those shown in the movie; and a Game Boy Color mahjong game called Ruriruri Mahjong. Additionally, characters appear in crossover titles such as Super Robot Wars and Another Century's Episode, alongside franchises like Gundam, Mazinger, and Full Metal Panic!.

Reception

Critical response has been largely favorable. Initial DVD reviews highlighted shortcomings in English dubbing quality but praised character development—emphasizing Akito’s relatable journey from cook to pilot and Yurika’s evolution as captain. The series was lauded for effectively blending multiple genres including comedy, action, romance, and drama into a cohesive whole. Charles Solomon of the Los Angeles Times favorably compared its blend of humor and action to that found in Rocky and Bullwinkle. Other critiques commended performances delivered by the English voice cast.

The series quickly gained popularity; its movie won the prestigious 1998 Animage Grand Prix award. In polls conducted that year, Akito ranked ninth among favorite male characters; female characters Ruri Hoshino placed second while captain Yurika Misumaru came eighth among favorite female characters; additionally, the TV series secured third place for favorite anime.