Starship Operators

Infobox animanga/Header
name = Starship Operators


caption = Cover of 1st volume Region 1 DVD of "Starship Operators".
ja_name = スターシップ・オペレーターズ
ja_name_trans = Sutāshippu Operētāzu
genre = Drama, Military science fiction, Space operaInfobox animanga/Novel
light = yes
title =
author = Ryo Mizuno
illustrator = Ryu Naito, Kimitoshi Yamane
publisher = flagicon|Japan Dengeki Bunko
demographic = Male
first = 10 March 2001
last = ongoing
volumes = 6Infobox animanga/Anime
title =
director = Takashi Watanabe
studio = J.C.Staff
licensor = flagicon|Japan flagicon|USA flagicon|Canada Geneon
flagicon|UK MVM Films
flagicon|Australia flagicon|New Zealand Tokyo Night Train, then Madman Entertainment
network = flagicon|Japan TV Tokyo flagicon|Philippines HERO
first = January 5, 2005
last = March 30, 2005
episodes = 13

Nihongo|"Starship Operators"|スターシップ・オペレーターズ|Sutāshippu Operētāzu is an anime series based upon science fiction novels written by Ryo Mizuno. The series, animated by J.C.Staff, 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 nihongo|"Amaterasu"|アマテラス, they find that their home planet, Kibi, has been taken over by one of the Henrietta region's super powers, Henrietta Alliance of Planetary Nations.

The original command crew all abandon ship, as per the conquerors' demands. Left alone on the ship, the cadets decide to keep their command and fight on. To this end, they have decided to ask Galaxy Network to fund the operation of "Amaterasu" as a fleeing self-governed nation in exchange for letting them broadcast the ship's adventures live - as a reality TV program.

The novel's storyline also features Amaterasu finding its way through space to reach the control zone of another super power, the Henrietta Independent Federation, for protection.

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.

Primary (Command) Bridge

"Operator uniform color: blue"

: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 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 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)

: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)

econdary (Fire Control) Bridge

"Operator uniform color: orange"

:The daughter of the president of a Kibi corporation called "Wakana Rare Metals".:"Voiced by:" Mamiko Noto (Japanese), Ashleigh Ball (English)

: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)

:A short cadet who is cheerful and lackadaisical.:"Voiced by:" Satomi Arai (Japanese), Tabitha St. Germain (English)

: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)

Tertiary (Conning) Bridge

"Operator uniform color: red"

:An easygoing cadet who has a good sense of humor.:"Voiced by:" Atsuko Enomoto (Japanese), Leah Breen (English)

:Text-message pals with Sinon, but an otherwise quiet young woman. She is an agent of Kibi Intelligence. She dies from gunshots from soldiers.:"Voiced by:" Yuu Asakawa (Japanese), Holly Eccleston (English)

: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)

: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)

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" (Old Man) by fellow crewmates, to his annoyance.:"Voiced by:" Shinji Kawada (Japanese), Brian Drummond (English)

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)

Civilians

Dita Mirkov:The reporter for the Galaxy Network reality show "Starship Channel".:"Voiced by:" Hitomi Nabatame (Japanese), Rebecca Shoichet (English)Peter Spikes:The cynical, sarcastic producer for "Starship Channel".:"Voiced by:" Tomoyuki Shimura (Japanese), Paul Dobson (English)

Episodes

hips

* Amaterasu - 3rd Freedom Guard Ship, Kibi Planetary Nation: (name origin: Amaterasu, Chief Shinto deity): CO: Cisca Kanzaki: XO: Shinon Kouzuki: Crew: 46: Length: 310 m: Width: 105 m: Primary Armament: 4600 mm 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 Encephalon 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: 10000 mm 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: Appeared in novel

* 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 naval 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 [http://eswat.k-server.org/sto.htm]

Organizations

;nihongo|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 "Amaterasu". 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 "Amaterasu" incidents. The "Amaterasu" and its crew have many fans in Planet Shu.

;Galaxy Network:Large media corporation that finances the purchase of the "Amaterasu" 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 "Amaterasu". AGI also acts as an intermediary for sale of military hardware.

;nihongo|Henrietta Independent Federation|ヘンリエッタ星域自治連合|Henrietta Sei'iki Jichi Rengō:Alliance of planetary nations that competes for power with the Kingdom.:Appeared in novel.

;Earth Federation:A political power centered on Earth, rivaling or surpassing in power all others.

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) [http://www.amazon.com/dp/9748299228/] :Home planet of Amaterasu and its crew.

;Phoenicia(name origin: ancient Phoenicia, located north of the Canaan, enterprising maritime culture, conquered by Persia):Neutral system where Amaterasu 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

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

taff

* 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

Japanese Companies

* Geneon Entertainment, Inc.: - Production
* J.C.Staff - Animation Production
* MediaWorks - Production
* TV Tokyo - Broadcaster/Production

External links

* [http://www.starshipoperatorsdvd.com/ Starship Operators English website]
*
* [http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/starship_o/ TV Tokyo's Starship Operators website]