Matsumoto's Words of Wisdom

L. Matsumoto, creator of Starblazers, Captain Harlock, Galaxy Express 999, etc., says a number of things in interviews, recorded on videos on his web site. Some include (paraphrased):

A computer can never make art, which is the expression of the human heart. Any artist must still make the crucial parts.
True friends who stick by you through thick and thin are priceless
The Secret to keeping friends is to always give them an escape route when you argue with them. That way, they can escape and come back later and still be your friend.
Live by the saying that says "in everything, dedicate yourself." (This applies to dying, by the way.) A person who has lost his spark/spirit/willpower ("ki-ryoku") cannot do anything.
Have respect for the youthful dreams of others. Don't laugh at them. Respect each others' dreams and go bravely forward.
He chose his path because it was the only path where he saw a chance for himself. It was a tremendous gamble, but he chose the road himself, so there is no regret, succeed or fail.
Harlock's jolly roger flag represents the determination to keep fighting (for what one believes in). Even if reduced to bones, I will keep fighting.
Despite having a nature that sticks to a strict work pace (or else he gets sick), and the ability to sleep instantly (once got him in trouble when he slept through a fire next door), he still can't keep his deadlines ;)
He came through the post-War era where there was nothing (no food, nothing). Because he clambered out of those "ashes of Hell," he no longer fears anything. The "ashes of Hell" wound up being a great teacher.

Matsumoto Talks Character Trivia

(Explanations about his fictitious world.)

(At this point) Captain Harlock, Queen Emeraldas, and Galaxy Express 999 (as well as a bunch of other works) are all really the same story told from different angles [presumably he is talking about the newer Dark Queen plot]. Maetel Legend, however, gives a little more background:
- Maetel and Emeraldas are twins; Emeraldas is the older. They can almost be considered one person; Emeraldas was sent out to fight, Maetel to love.
- Yayoi, the Millennial Queen, is the mother of Maetel and Emeraldas. She sent them off just before her soul "died" when she became a mechanized tyrant. She perhaps even tells them to come back and defeat her someday.
Queen Millennial's action starts in 1999, Yamato (Starblazers) in 2199, and Galaxy Express 999 in 2223.
Harlock is modeled after Matsumoto's tall and handsome friend, the one who got piles of love letters in school. (Matsumoto, who got none, is more like Tochiro.)