Legend of the Galactic Heroes Gaiden (1999)
Synopsis
Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu Gaiden (1999) is the second of two OVA adaptations of side stories from the Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu novel series. This second adaptation follows the achievements of Yang Wen-li of the Free Planets Alliance before the fateful Battle of Astarte, and continues the tales of Reinhard von Müsel and Siegfried Kircheis of the Galactic Empire. Spiral Labyrinth Yang is propelled to the spotlight after his famous evacuation of civilians from El Facil. Following an unofficial double promotion and a flurry of media attention, he chronicles his research of the Year 730 Mafia—a close-knit group of Alliance military officers centered around the famed tactician Bruce Ashbey. He investigates a startling claim by Ashbey's deceased widow that may have enormous political ramifications: that the great war hero was not killed in action but murdered. The Mutineer Reinhard and Kircheis are posted on the destroyer Hameln II, docked at Iserlohn Fortress. After gaining the respect of the crew, Reinhard's leadership is tested when the captain is severely wounded and passes command authority to Reinhard, the next-highest ranking officer on deck. The Duelist While Reinhard and Kircheis are working in the Imperial capital Odin, Reinhard learns of a mining rights dispute involving Dorothea von Schaffhausen, a friend of his sister Annerose von Grünewald. Upon hearing that Count Herxheimer intends to settle the matter with a duel, Reinhard volunteers to represent the Schaffhausen family. The Retriever After falling out of favor with the nobility, Count Herxheimer is trying to escape to the Free Planets Alliance with a stolen Seffle particle generator prototype. Reinhard is tasked with retrieving both the prototype and the defector, but is only assigned the cruiser Hässliche Entlein due to the confidential nature of the mission. The Third Battle of Tiamat To commemorate the 30th year of the reign of Kaiser Friedrich IV, the Empire announces a large-scale military campaign against the Free Planets Alliance. In the ensuing clash between the Imperial expeditionary force and three Alliance fleets, Reinhard's timely intervention shapes the tides of war. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
Audience reception is mixed, with some appreciating the expanded lore and character backstories, while others find the animation quality and certain storylines disappointing. The Yang-centric arc is generally well-received, but the Reinhard arcs are considered less engaging. The series is recommended primarily for hardcore fans of the original Legend of the Galactic Heroes who are seeking more content.
Strengths
- Expands upon the lore of the main series, providing more background on key characters.
- Presents interesting side stories that flesh out the world and history.
- The Yang-centric arc (Spiral Labyrinth) is considered a highlight for its intricate plot.
- Improved animation quality compared to the original OVA series.
Weaknesses
- Some arcs, especially those focused on Reinhard, are considered less engaging or even boring.
- The animation is unpolished compared to the main OVA and other Gaiden series.
- The series can feel disjointed due to the switching between Yang and Reinhard storylines.
- Some find the writing to be self-indulgent and repetitive, highlighting flaws present in the main series.
- Lack of tension and a more humorous tone compared to the serious nature of the main series.