Starship Operators

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Starship Operators
スターシップ・オペレーターズ (Sutāshippu Operētāzu)
Genre	Drama, Military, Science Fiction, Space Opera, Shōnen
TV anime
Directed by	Takashi Watanabe
Studio	J.C.STAFF
Network	TV Tokyo
Original run	January 5, 2005 – March 30, 2005
No. of episodes	13

Starship Operators (スターシップ・オペレーターズ, Starship Operators^?) is an anime series based upon science fiction novels written by Ryo Mizuno. The series, animated by Mediaworks, was aired on TV Tokyo in Japan. Starship Operators is licensed in English in the United States by Geneon.

Starship Operators is about the 73rd class of the Defense University of the Planet Kibi. As they are returning home after the maiden voyage of the Amaterasu (アマテラス, Amaterasu^?), they find that their home planet has been taken over by one of the galactic super powers, Henrietta Alliance of Planetary Nations, and the Kibi government was forced to surrender. The cadets have decided to ask Galaxy Network to fund the operation of Amaterasu as a fleeing self-governed nation in exchange for letting them live broadcast the reality show of one ship fighting its way through space until reaching the control zone of another super power, the Henrietta Independent Federation, for protection.

Contents 1 Characters 1.1 Primary (Command) Bridge 1.2 Secondary (Fire Control) Bridge 1.3 Tertiary (Conning) Bridge 1.4 Other Amaterasu Crew Members 1.5 Henrietta Planetary Alliance 1.6 Civilians 2 Episodes 3 Ships 4 Organizations 5 Places 6 Theme songs 7 Staff 8 Japanese Companies 9 External links

[edit] Characters

The Amaterasu command structure is divided into three bridges. If the first bridge is inoperable or unavailable, any of the other two may assume command. The Operators' uniform color signifies their station.

[edit] Primary (Command) Bridge

Operator uniform color: blue

Sinon Kouzuki (香月シノン, Kōzuki Shinon^?)

Sinon is the main protagonist and executive officer of the Amaterasu. She is a brilliant strategist in combat, often providing CO Kanzaki with a voice of reason.

Voiced by: Shizuka Itou (Japanese), Kelly Sheridan (English)

Alley Hisaka (氷坂アレイ, Hisaka Arei^?)

Alley is quiet and reserved, and often handles the ship-to-ship communications. She is fighting to avenge the destruction of the Maizuru that her father commanded.

Voiced by: Akeno Watanabe (Japanese), Paula Lindberg (English)

Miyuri Akisato (秋里ミユリ, Akisato Miyuri^?)

Miyuri is one of Sinon's close friends, and the chief astronomer. She joined the Defense Forces because the starships, in particular the Amaterasu, carry the best observatories in the galaxy.

Voiced by: Masumi Asano (Japanese), Nicole Bouma (English)

Cisca Kanzaki (神崎キスカ, Kanzaki Kisuka^?)

The commanding officer of the Amaterasu. He is an excellent administrator, but easily cracks under the pressures of battle.

Voiced by: Yukimasa Obi (Japanese), Andy Toth (English)

[edit] Secondary (Fire Control) Bridge

Operator uniform color: orange

Sanri Wakana (若菜サンリ, Wakana Sanri^?)

The daughter of the president of a Kibi corporation called "Wakana Rare Metals".

Voiced by: Mamiko Noto (Japanese), Ashleigh Ball (English)

Imari Kamiya (神谷イマリ, Kamiya Imari^?)

Although she is one of the youngest members on board, she acts as the crew's "big sister".

Voiced by: Yuko Kaida (Japanese), Laura Drummond (English)

Yukino Nanase (七瀬ユキノ, Nanase Yukino^?)

A short cadet who is cheerful and lackadaisical.

Voiced by: Satomi Arai (Japanese), Tabitha St. Germain (English)

Takai Kiryu (桐生タカイ, Kiryū Takai^?)

The fire control chief, and commander of the second bridge. Nicknamed the "King of Fighters" among the cadets, he is also an accomplished marksman.

Voiced by: Masayuki Katou (Japanese), Kirby Morrow (English)

[edit] Tertiary (Conning) Bridge

Operator uniform color: red

Akiho Maya (摩耶アキホ, Maya Akiho^?)

An easygoing cadet who has a good sense of humor.

Voiced by: Atsuko Enomoto (Japanese), Leah Breen (English)

Renna Satomi (里見レンナ, Satomi Renna^?)

Text-message pals with Sinon, but an otherwise quiet young woman. She is an agent of Kibi Intelligence.

Voiced by: Yuu Asakawa (Japanese), Holly Eccleston (English)

Rio Mamiya (間宮リオ, Mamiya Rio^?)

She is from a family of diplomats and politicians, and brought her uncle, former Kibi Prime Minister Tatsuma Mamiya, on board as head of the government-in-exile.

Voiced by: Ayako Kawasumi (Japanese), Anna Cummer (English)

Shinto Mikami (三上シント, Mikami Shinto^?)

The navigation control chief, and commander of the third bridge. Shinto also pilots the Amaterasu's small shuttle, and is among the best flight controllers in the Defense Forces.

Voiced by: Tomohiro Tsuboi (Japanese), Michael Coleman (English)

[edit] Other Amaterasu Crew Members

Operator uniform color: purple

Shimei Yuuki

A child prodigy, he holds mathematics and theoretical physics degrees at the age of 15. He is also the systems administrator of the AESOP computer, and is the only commissioned officer who remained on board the Amaterasu.

Voiced by: Miyu Irino (Japanese), Samuel Vincent (English)

Minase Shinohara

The ship's only medical staff, who was a trainee during the shakedown cruise.

Voiced by: Yu Kobayashi (Japanese), Rebecca Shoichet (English)

Sei Ogino

The ship's supply chief, and an expert economist.

Voiced by: Kaori Shimizu (Japanese), Sylvia Zaradic (English)

Kouki Sakakibara

The chief engineer of the Amaterasu. He is nicknamed Oyassan by fellow crewmates, to his annoyance.

Voiced by: Shinji Kawada (Japanese), Brian Drummond (English)

[edit] Henrietta Planetary Alliance

Admiral Dul Elroy

The commanding officer of the Alliance heavy cruiser Conquistador.

Voiced by: Hiroshi Matsumoto (Japanese), Michael Dobson (English)

Hans Georg Hermann

An intelligence officer in the Alliance military

Voiced by: Kan Tanaka (Japanese), Alec Willows (English)

[edit] Civilians

Dita Mirkov

The reporter for the Galaxy Network reality show Starship Channel.

Voiced by: Hitomi Nabatame (Japanese), Rebecca Shoichet (English), Katherine "Teng" Perez Masilungan (Tagalog)

Peter Spikes

The cynical, sarcastic producer for Starship Channel.

Voiced by: Tomoyuki Shimura (Japanese), Paul Dobson (English)

[edit] Episodes

Screenshot	Title	Original air date	#
	"Count Down" "Kaunto Daun" (カウント・ダウン)	January 5, 2005	1
	The 73rd graduating class of the Defense University is returning to planet Kibi in the combat spaceship Amaterasu, only to find that their home planet has been subdued. Left behind on the ship, the cadets make a deal with the Galaxy Network in order to fight the oppressor.
	"Trafalgar Crisis" "Torafarugā Kuraishisu" (トラファルガー・クライシス)	January 12, 2005	2
	Former Kibi Prime Minister Tatsuma Mamiya boards the Amaterasu to establish the ship as a government-in-exile. However, the Amaterasu is forced to warp to neutral planet Phoenicia by enemy ships and Kibi fighters. Not long after they flee, the Kingdom warship Trafalgar challenges them to a fight.
	"Call From Home" "Kōru Furomu Hōmu" (コール・フロム・ホーム)	January 19, 2005	3
	The Kingdom leadership decides to change tactics in dealing with the Amaterasu, which they deem a renegade and pirate vessel. Amid discontent and disunity in the ship's crew, Sanri's wealthy father makes an appeal for them to turn themselves in.
	"Final Answer" "Fainaru Ansā" (ファイナル・アンサー)	January 25, 2005	4
	The Kingdom sends the stealth vessel Aboukir to the Amaterasu with a simple message: "Surrender, or die." The Operators find themselves frantically searching the stars for the elusive vessel.
	"Great Escape - Part 1" "Gurēto Esukēpu Zenpen" (グレート・エスケープ　前編)	February 2, 2005	5
	Short on supplies, the Amaterasu manages to make a deal with the Planetary Nation of Shu for replenishment. The government invites the main bridge crew to a welcome ceremony, but they are stranded when the Kingdom declares war on Shu.
	"Great Escape - Part 2" "Gurēto Esukēpu Kōhen" (グレート・エスケープ　後編)	February 9, 2005	6
	As battles rage between factions on planet Shu, the stranded bridge crew must risk a dangerous retrieval mission. Shu Defense Minister Wong offers to fight the incoming Kingdom blockade with the Shenlong and to provide an escape route for the Amaterasu if the Shenlong should fall. Another Amaterasu crew member dies in the line of duty.
	"Stardust Memory - Part 1" "Sutādasuto Memorī Zenpen" (スターダスト・メモリー前編)	February 16, 2005	7
	After careful analysis and repeated combat trials with Cisca, Sinon formulates a strategy for the upcoming battle with four Kingdom warships. The catch, however, is that timing is critical in the strategy.
	"Stardust Memory - Part 2" "Sutādasuto Memorī Kōhen" (スターダスト・メモリー後編)	February 23, 2005	8
	The Shenlong sacrifices herself to allow the Amaterasu to escape. Although the Amaterasu is able to sink one ship, the trapped vessel warps away, taking a drone laser ship with it.
	"Turning Point" "Tāningu Pointo" (ターニング・ポイント)	March 2, 2005	9
	The Supreme Chairman of the Kingdom dies and Isabelle, his right hand, is the likely candidate to succeed him. The Amaterasu has warped into neutral space so they go to the spaceport of Parnia for resupply. Kouki takes his chances and asks Sinon out, catching her off guard. Mamiya Tatsuma travels to Earth to speak at an U.N. conference and to request the Earth Federation's assistance.
	"Sudden Death" "Sadon Desu" (サドン・デス)	March 9, 2005	10
	After the ressuply, AGI invites the crew of the Amaterasu to a party. The non-bridge staff elect to remain on board. Isabelle eliminates her political rivals during the Supreme's Chairman funeral. During the party, Kingdom commandos invade the docking bay of the Amaterasu, and Kouki is killed in the firefight. Its safety threatened, AGI cancels the support contract out of fear.
	"Return Match" "Ritān Macchi" (リターン・マッチ)	March 16, 2005	11
	Cisca informs the crew that they are free to resign, but only supply officer Sei does so. With 5 battleships approaching, Sinon comes up with an idea that will improve the turning speed of the Amaterasu, in order to target hostiles faster. Dita persuades Peter to broadcast the battle live, but with censored ship displays. The main systems of the Amaterasu are exhausted, but all enemy ships are destroyed with the exception of the Conquistador.
	"War Cry" "Uō Kurai" (ウオー・クライ)	March 23, 2005	12
	Blind and crippled, the Amaterasu struggle to regain their footing. The Conquistador is likewise blind from the last shot from the Amaterasu's plasma cannon. The Amaterasu decides to rush the Conquistador while she is still shooting blindly. Before the Conquistador can fire the finishing blow, she is ordered to hand the Amaterasu to the Earth Federation.
	"Moment of Truth" "Mōmento obu Turūsu" (モーメント・オブ・トゥルース)	March 30, 2005	13
	Using the Amaterasu incident as a rationale, the Earth Federation stages a massive coup d'état, and demands the surrender of the Amaterasu. In the face of inevitable defeat, Sinon formulates a political strategy of her own.

This list is still incomplete.

[edit] Ships

• Amaterasu - 3rd Freedom Guard Ship, Kibi Planetary Nation

(name origin: Amaterasu, Chief Shinto deity)

CO: Cisca Kanzaki

XO: Shinon Kouzuki

Crew: 46

Length: 310m

Width: 105m

Primary Armament: 4600mm Plasma Cannon

Secondary Armament: Torpedoes/Missiles

Tertiary Armament: one "Revolver" - 5 chamber LASER cannon, one Pulse LASER, one Plasma Coil Gun

Defensive Munitions: Anti-Laser Defensive Systems

Kasumi - Magnetic wave reflection plate

(from kasumi (霞) is the Japanese word for "misty")

Ikasumi - Magnetic wave absorption fiber

Armor: Hotaru Heat Protection Plates

Sensor: Kamioka - Neutrino emission Sensor

(origin: Kamioka Observatory)

Onboard AI: AESOP (Artificial Ensephalon System by Optical Processor)

Propulsion: 2 main thruster

6 sub thruster

Max acceleration 5+ G (with aux boosters)

• Trafalgar - 21st Battleship (Destroyer Class), Henrietta Alliance (15:50 Ep 2)

(name origin: Battle of Trafalgar, British naval victory over combined French and Spanish fleets, 1805)

CO: Captain Joseph Meyer

Primary Armament: LASER cannons

Defensive Armament: 10000mm Plasma cannon

Destroyed: EP 2

• Maizuru - 2nd Freedom Guard Ship, Kibi Planetary Nation (07:52 Ep 3)

(name origin: Maizuru 舞鶴, JMSDF Western District fleet headquarters)

CO: Captain Hisaka Jin

Destroyed: EP 1

• Aboukir - Stealth Ship, Henrietta Alliance (7:30 Ep 4)

(name origin: Battle of Aboukir Bay, Japanese name for Battle of the Nile British naval victory over French fleet, 1798)

CO: Admiral Ricardo Fares

Destroyed: EP 4

• Actium - Stealth Ship, Henrietta Alliance

(name origin: Battle of Actium, Gaius Octavius' victory over Marcus Antonius and Cleopatra, 31 BC)

Primary Armament: LASER Cannon

Defenses: Invisible to active and passive sensors

Destroyed: EP 12

• Solomon - Flagship, Henrietta Alliance

(name origin: Battles of the Solomons Sea, Japanese name for naval battles around Guadalcanal, 1942)

CO: Fleet Admiral August Perry

• Shenlong - Battleship, Shu Planetary Nation, (12:35 EP 7)

(name origin: Shenlong, a spiritual dragon from Chinese myth or a style of Kung Fu)

CO: Captain Wong

Primary Armament: 1 Plasma Cannon

Secondary Armaments: 4 missiles

Tertiary Armaments: 4 pulse lasers, 2 pulse beams

Propulsion: 1 main thruster

2 sub thrusters

Max Acceleration: 7 G

Destroyed: EP 8

• Conquistador - Heavy Cruiser, Henrietta Alliance, Gordova Planetary Nation (13:03 EP 7)

(name origin: Conquistador, a term used for Spanish explorer-soldiers during Spanish conquest of Americas)

CO: Admiral Dulle Elroy

Primary Armament: 1x 4000 caliber Plasma Cannon

Secondary Armament: 1x 300PM class LASER Cannon

Propulsion: 2 Main thrusters

8 sub-thrusters

Max Acceleration: 10 G

Destroyed: EP 13

• Lissa (Dragonfly) - Warship (Skipper Class), Henrietta Alliance (13:10 EP 7)

(name origin: Battle of Lissa, Austrian naval victory over Italians, 1866)

CO: Captain Harrel Naja

Primary Armament: Lisa2 - Assault Module (pulse laser), capable of precision short-warp

Propulsion: 1 Main thruster

4 sub-thrusters

Max acceleration: 8 G

Destroyed: EP 11

• Leyte (Hammerhead) - Armored Battleship (Corvette Class), Henrietta Alliance (13:28 EP 7)

(name origin: Battle of Leyte, Japanese name for Battle of Leyte Gulf, US naval victory 1944)

CO: Captain Yun-suk Lee

Primary Armament: 4 Separating turrets (1 plasma cannon, 3 laser cannons)

Propulsion: 1 Main thruster

4 sub-thrusters

Max Acceleration: 7 G

Destroyed: EP 8

• Mariana (Hedgehog) - High Speed Warship (Frigate Class), Henrietta Alliance (13:35 EP 7)

(name origin: Battle of the Marianas, Japanese name for Battle of the Philippines Sea, US neval victory 1944)

CO: Admiral Louis Belmont

Primary Armaments: 4 LASER Cannons

Propulsion: 2 main thrusters

6 sub-thrusters

Max Acceleration: 9.5 G

Destroyed: EP 11

• Levant, Recon Ship, Henrietta Alliance (19:27 EP 9)

(name origin: Battle of the Levant, Japanese name for Battle of Navarino where an Allied fleet defeated the Turkish fleet 1827)

CO: Captain Tiet Langa

Incapacitated: EP 11

• Earth Federation Warship (EP 12)

Primary Armament: 4 LASER Cannons

Additional info - First names of ship captains from [[1]]

[edit] Organizations

Henrietta Alliance of Planetary Nations (ヘンリエッタ星域惑星国家同盟, Henrietta Sei'iki Wakusei Kokka Dōmei^?)

Militaristic alliance of nations within Henrietta region of known space. It has forced several neighboring planetary nations into submission, and after securing nonagression treaties, purchases their weaponry at ridiculous bargains. Because of such practices, this alliance is nicknamed the "Kingdom".

Planetary Nation of Kibi

Home of crew of Amateras. Currently has a pacifist administration. Surrenders to Henrietta Alliance after destruction of 2nd Guard Ship, Maizuru.

Planetary Nation of Shu

Government which used to be closer to Henrietta Alliance before the Amateras incidents. The Amateras and its crew have many fans in Planet Shu.

Galaxy Network

Large media corporation that finances the purchase of the Amateras and its crew's fight against the Henrietta Alliance, by creating a reality show based on it. Starship Channel broadcasting is based in Hollywood.

Arima General Industrial (AGI) Corp.

Large conglomerate that is equivalent to today's Boeing, and the company that developed and built the Amateras. AGI also acts as an intermediary for sale of military hardware.

Henrietta Independent Federation (ヘンリエッタ星域自治連合, Henrietta Sei'iki Jichi Rengō^?)

Another alliance of planetary nations that competes for power with the Kingdom.

[edit] Places

Kibi

(name origin: Kingdom of Kibi, 4th century western Japanese kingdom that acted as cultural bridge between Korea and Yamato, conquered by Buyeo invaders) [2]

Home planet of Amateras and its crew.

Phoenicia

(name origin: ancient Phoenicia, located north of the Canaan, enterprising maritime culture, conquered by Persia)

Neutral system where Amateras sought temporary sanctuary

Shu

(name origin: Shu (state), one of major states during China's warring states era, conquered by Qin)

Planet of origin for Captain Wong and Shenlong

Gordova

(name origin: Cordoba, Spain, Spanish city conquered by Moors)

Planet of origin for the Conquistador and its original crew.

Palmia

(name origin: Palmyra, Ancient Syrian city, conquered by Romans)

Location of Arima General Industry (AGI) Headquarter

[edit] Theme songs

Opening theme

• Radiance

by Mami Kawada

arranged by Tomoyuki Nakazawa

Ending theme

• Chi ni Kaeru ~on the Earth~

by KOTOKO

arranged by Yoichi Shimada

[edit] Staff

• Director - Takashi Watanabe
• Screenplay - Yoshiko Tomizawa
• Music - Kenji Kawai
• Original Work - Ryo Mizuno
• Character Design - Fumio Matsumoto
• Mech Design - Kimitoshi Matsumoto
• Sound Director - Toru Nakano

[edit] Japanese Companies

• Geneon Entertainment, Inc.: - Production
• J.C.STAFF - Animation Production
• MediaWorks (publisher) - Production
• TV Tokyo - Broadcaster/Production

[edit] External links

• Starship Operators English website
• Starship Operators Japanese website
• Starship Operators at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia
• Starship Operators at AniDB
• TV Tokyo's Starship Operators website