is an anime

Anime

is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....

 series based upon science fiction

Science fiction

Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...

 novels written by Ryo Mizuno

Ryo Mizuno

is a Japanese author and game designer. Mizuno created Record of Lodoss War, Rune Soldier, Sword World RPG and Starship Operators. He was also involved with the Galaxy Angel manga. Mizuno recently worked on Tri-Ace and Square Enix's action-RPG Infinite Undiscovery. He has shown talent in both...

. The series, animated by J.C.Staff

J.C.STAFF

, is a Japanese animation studio founded in January 1986. Their first release was the three episode OVA Sengoku Kidan Yōtōden, in 1987. They have produced several well-known anime series, such as Revolutionary Girl Utena, Excel Saga, Shingetsutan Tsukihime, Shakugan no Shana, Toaru Majutsu no...

, was aired on TV Tokyo

TV Tokyo

is a television station headquartered in Toranomon, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Also known as , a blend of "terebi" and "Tokyo", it is the key station of TX Network. It is one of the major Tokyo television stations, particularly specializing in anime...

 in Japan. Starship Operators is licensed in English in the United States by Geneon

Geneon

is a Japanese music, anime and home entertainment production and distribution enterprise headquartered in Akasaka, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Geneon has been involved in the production and distribution of several anime in Japan...

.

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 , 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. She is also one of the most resistant in fighting with the "Amaterasu" against the kingdom. Sinon has some problems when is comes to understanding feelings and thus may appear cold.

Voiced by: Shizuka Itou (Japanese), Kelly Sheridan

Kelly Sheridan

Kelly Sheridan is a Canadian voice actress based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.-Biography:Sheridan has voiced various roles in anime and other animated cartoons, such as Barbie in the computer generated Barbie film series since 2001...

 (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. This hatred results in her being one of the most driven members of the crew to the point of near recklessness at times.

Voiced by: Akeno Watanabe

Akeno Watanabe

is a Japanese voice actor born in Funabashi, Chiba, Japan. She works at Osawa Office and her nickname is Akenon. She currently stars in Pokémon Best Wishes as Ash's newest rival, Shooti and from Episode 17 onwards has begun voicing Ash's Scraggy.-Anime:...

 (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. Miyuri has some of the best eyes on the ship and spends most of her free time observing the stars.

Voiced by: Masumi Asano

Masumi Asano

is a Japanese voice actress from Noshiro, Akita who works for Aoni Production. She is also known by her nickname, Masumin.- Notable voice roles :Anime* Saga in A Little Snow Fairy Sugar...

 (Japanese), Nicole Bouma

Nicole Bouma

Nicole Bouma is a Canadian voice actress who works for Ocean Studios in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.- Filmography :* Boys Over Flowers as Makiko Endo* Dokkoida?! as Kosuzu Sakurazaki/Tanpopo...

 (English)

The commanding officer of the Amaterasu. He is an excellent administrator but easily cracks under the pressures of battle. The only thing that prevents him from totally folding under the pressure at times is his pride as a man and officer. Captain Kanzaki is slightly pessimistic but he and the others use that nature to find flaws in combat plans and ways of improving the plans for maximum efficiency. Cisca is considered to be one of the leaders by the Kingdom. He was one of the two people on the ship that is aware that someone else is pulling the strings behind the scenes.

Voiced by: Yukimasa Obi

Yukimasa Obi

is a Japanese voice actor who works for 81 Produce.-Notable voice roles:*Zero Enna in The Candidate for Goddess*Atsushi in Figure 17*Frioniel in Final Fantasy II *Kitagawa in Futakoi*Kazuya Ohara in Hamtaro...

 (Japanese), Andy Toth (English)

Secondary (Fire Control) Bridge

Operator uniform color: orange

The shy daughter of the president of a Kibi corporation called "Wakana Rare Metals". She has a two year crush on Takai Kiryu but has not acted on it all.

Voiced by: Mamiko Noto

Mamiko Noto

is a Japanese voice actress working under Office Osawa. She was born in the city of Kanazawa, Ishikawa, and graduated from Hokuriku Gakuen Senior High School.-Voice:...

 (Japanese), Ashleigh Ball

Ashleigh Ball

Ashleigh Ball is a Canadian voice actress and the lead singer and flautist in the Vancouver-based jazz/pop band Hey Ocean!.-Filmography:-External links:...

 (English)

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

Voiced by: Yuko Kaida

Yuko Kaida

is a Japanese voice actress and theater actress from Kanagawa. She works at Ken Production. Kaida's most known roles include Neela Rasgotra in the Japanese dub of ER, Shimei Ryomo in Ikkitousen, Kyō Takamimori in Potemayo, Amane Ootori in Strawberry Panic!, Minako Tsukiyama in Maria-sama ga Miteru...

 (Japanese), Laura Drummond

Laura Drummond

Laura Drummond is a Canadian voice actress who works for Ocean Studios in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. She is the wife of Brian Drummond and president of the Urban Academy based in New Westminster.- Anime Roles :...

 (English)

A short cadet who is cheerful and lackadaisical.

Voiced by: Satomi Arai

Satomi Arai

is a Japanese voice actress from Saitama Prefecture affiliated with Yūrin Pro.-Television Animation:2003*Digimon Frontier *Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch 2004*Fafner in the Azure...

 (Japanese), Tabitha St. Germain

Tabitha St. Germain

Tabitha St. Germain is a Canadian stage actress. She has made the transition from stage work to voice work, and has since become one of the core female voice actresses working with Ocean Productions in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.- Anime :* .hack//Roots - Asta, Nazo Grunty* Black Lagoon -...

 (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. A very laid back young man with a strong will that doesn't give into peer pressure and doesn't believe that others should either, thus he gets frustrated with the other crew members who feel forced into staying on the ship. Takai also lost a father on the Guard Ship Maizuru but rather than fighting for vengeance like Alley Hisaka, he is more concerned about the justice of the Kingdom’s actions and uses the battles as a form of protest. Takai is considered third in command of the ship even though he directly states that he is unsuited for full leadership.

Voiced by: Masayuki Katou (Japanese), Kirby Morrow

Kirby Morrow

Kirby Morrow is a Canadian actor. He currently resides in Vancouver, British Columbia.- Filmography :2011 Mortal Kombat: Legacy King Jerrod– Kitana & Mileena: Part 1 … King Jerrod...

 (English)

Tertiary (Conning) Bridge

Operator uniform color: red

An easygoing cadet who has a good sense of humor.

Voiced by: Atsuko Enomoto

Atsuko Enomoto

is a Japanese singer and voice actress who works for 81 Produce . Her debut role was Yukino Miyazawa from Kare Kano.-Television animation:*.hack//Roots *.hack//SIGN...

 (Japanese), Leah Breen (English)

Text-message pals with Sinon, but an otherwise quiet young woman. Renna is an agent of Kibi Intelligence that was to keep and eye on the ship. She dies from gunshots from soldiers while on the planet of Shu. Renna desperately wanted to be a full member of the crew but was unable to due to her job as spy.

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. She is a very politically intelligent woman who at times acts as the public face of the crew. Rio is one of the two people who knows that someone else is pulling the strings behind the scenes. While she puts on a strong face, Rio is afraid of dying in the fighting. She only ever allows this vulnerability to be shown around Cisca Kanzaki. She was head of the debate team while in the academy.

Voiced by: Ayako Kawasumi

Ayako Kawasumi

is a Japanese voice actress and J-pop singer. She is affectionately referred to by her fellow voice actors and fans as "", "" and "". She is a skilled pianist, having practiced the piano since childhood....

 (Japanese), Anna Cummer

Anna Cummer

Anna Cummer is an actress from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. She spent half of her adolescence in Southeast Asia and the other half in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. She finished high school in Hong Kong at the French International School and studied drama in England where she completed...

 (English)

The navigation control chief, and commander of the third bridge. In addition to being the helmsman

Helmsman

A helmsman is a person who steers a ship, sailboat, submarine, or other type of maritime vessel. On small vessels, particularly privately-owned noncommercial vessels, the functions of skipper and helmsman may be combined in one person. On larger vessels, there is a separate officer of the watch,...

 of the Amaterasu, Shinto also pilots the Amaterasu's small shuttle, and is among the best flight controllers in the Defense Forces. He was given officer status due to his high grades and the fact he is one of the few males on the ship. That was done for the Network. Shinto's piloting skills have allowed him to save a number of his fellow crew's lives.

Voiced by: Tomohiro Tsuboi

Tomohiro Tsuboi

is a male Japanese voice actor. He is part of 81 Produce, previously Mausu Promotion.-TV animation:*Buso Renkin *D.Grayman *Fortune Arterial *Gakuen Heaven...

 (Japanese), Michael Coleman

Michael Coleman

Michael Coleman may refer to:*Michael Coleman , Canadian performer, voice of numerous anime characters*Michael Coleman , English writer of books for children and young adults; candidate for the 1996 Carnegie Medal...

 (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. Shimei spends most of his time away from the rest of the crew because of the need to work in a sealed room with AESOP. He always seems to smile even when in the face of imminent doom. Shimei dies in the final episode piloting the Amaterasu as a fireship, asserting his official rank as superior to the cadets'.

Voiced by: Miyu Irino

Miyu Irino

is a Japanese voice actor born in Tokyo.He is a good friend of voice actor Mamoru Miyano. He is nicknamed "Miyu-Miyu" by CLAMP members....

 (Japanese), Samuel Vincent

Samuel Vincent

Samuel Vincent is a Canadian voice actor who works with the Ocean Productions based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He was born in North Vancouver, British Columbia.-Biography:...

 (English)

Minase Shinohara

The ship's only medical staff, who was a trainee during the shakedown cruise. She is highly pressed for her medical skills.

Voiced by: Yu Kobayashi

Yu Kobayashi

is a female voice actress from Tokyo, Japan and is affiliated with HolyPeak. She also occasionally works as a key animator.-Anime:*12Riven - Yuyu Hoshino*Air Gear: Kuro no Hane to Nemuri no Mori - Emily Adachi*Amatsuki - Benitobi...

 (Japanese), Rebecca Shoichet

Rebecca Shoichet

Rebecca Shoichet is a Canadian voice actress.She took over Saffron Henderson's role of Sota Higurashi in InuYasha after Saffron moved to California to do anime voices in the USA.-Roles:* Nana - Nana O.* .hack//Roots - Saburou...

 (English)

Sei Ogino

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

Voiced by: Kaori Shimizu

Kaori Shimizu

Kaori Shimizu is the name of:*Kaori Shimizu , Japanese voice actress*Kaori Shimizu , '80s Japanese idol known for the video game Psycho Soldier...

 (Japanese), Sylvia Zaradic

Sylvia Zaradic

Sylvia Zaradic is a Canadian voice actor. She has worked primarily with the Ocean Group in Vancouver.-Anime roles:*Brain Powered - Midori Isami*Escaflowne The Movie - Sora*Galaxy Angel A - Major Mary*Galaxy Angel S - Major Mary...

 (English)

Kouki Sakakibara

The chief engineer of the Amaterasu. He is nicknamed Oyassan (Old Man) by fellow crew mates, to his annoyance. Kouki does his best to keep the engineering crew from panicking but due to the high demand for his level of skill, the chief engineer can not always break up every dispute. Kouki tries to act like a father to the young crew, especially Sinon.

Voiced by: Shinji Kawada

Shinji Kawada

is a Japanese voice actor. He also has also done voice work, especially in eroge, under the name .-Anime:*.hack//Legend of the Twilight Bracelet *Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo *Buso Renkin...

 (Japanese), Brian Drummond

Brian Drummond

Brian Drummond is a Canadian actor. He also serves on the board of directors for the New Westminster-based Urban Academy along with his wife, Laura Drummond, also a voice artist. He and his wife serve as vice-president and president, respectively.- Career :Drummond was born in Salmon Arm, British...

 (English)

Henrietta Planetary Alliance

Admiral Dul Elroy

The commanding officer of the Alliance heavy cruiser Conquistador. He is the first to start treating the Amaterasu as a real threat while his constitutions cannot see beyond the fact that the Amaterasu’s is made up of mostly children. The Admiral believes that only a three to one advantage over the Amaterasu will have a chance of beating the warship and it’s cunning crew. Elroy was responsible for sinking the Shenlong. While he is an officer of the Alliance, this man is willing to directly challenge orders if they go in the face of destroying the Amaterasu.

Voiced by: Hiroshi Matsumoto

Hiroshi Matsumoto

Hiroshi Matsumoto may refer to:* Hiroshi Matsumoto or "Finish" Hiroshi, a video game designer who produced the original Street Fighter as well as the Art of Fighting series...

 (Japanese), Michael Dobson (English)

Hans Georg Hermann

An intelligence officer in the Alliance military.

Voiced by: Kan Tanaka

Kan Tanaka

is a Japanese voice actor. He is affiliated with 81 Produce.-Anime:*Ah! My Goddess The Movie *Avenger *D.Gray-man *Duel Masters is a Japanese voice actor. He is affiliated with 81 Produce.-Anime:*Ah! My Goddess The Movie (Ishii)*Avenger (Commissioner, Scholar B)*D.Gray-man (Tapp Dopp)*Duel Masters...

 (Japanese), Alec Willows (English)

Civilians

Dita Mirkov

The enthusiastic reporter for the Galaxy Network reality show Starship Channel. She starts to sympathize with the crew and at times forgets that she isn’t officially part of the crew itself.

Voiced by: Hitomi Nabatame

Hitomi Nabatame

is a Japanese voice actress. She is affiliated with Ken Production. When voicing adult games, she is known as , , , or . She also sings opening themes for Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu under the name Miran Himemiya and Chocolate Rockers.-Anime:...

 (Japanese), Rebecca Shoichet

Rebecca Shoichet

Rebecca Shoichet is a Canadian voice actress.She took over Saffron Henderson's role of Sota Higurashi in InuYasha after Saffron moved to California to do anime voices in the USA.-Roles:* Nana - Nana O.* .hack//Roots - Saburou...

 (English)

Peter Spikes

The cynical, sarcastic producer for Starship Channel that heads the show and provided funds for the ship. He cares more about the ratings then the lives of the crew and only cares about the show.

Voiced by: Tomoyuki Shimura

Tomoyuki Shimura

is a Japanese voice actor who is affiliated with Ken Production.-TV anime:*Bakuman *Cromartie High School *Darker than Black *Dandoh!! *Digimon Frontier *Eureka Seven...

 (Japanese), Paul Dobson (English)

President Rau

Voiced by: Hiroshi Ito (Japanese) Fred Henderson

Fred Henderson

Fred Henderson is a Canadian voice actor who works for Ocean Studios in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He has played several roles in anime, most notably Ulen Hibiki in Gundam Seed and Colonel Todaka in Gundam Seed Destiny.- Anime roles :...

 (English)

Ships

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

(name origin: Amaterasu

Amaterasu

, or is apart of the Japanese myth cycle and also a major deity of the Shinto religion. She is the goddess of the sun, but also of the universe. the name Amaterasu derived from Amateru meaning "shining in heaven." The meaning of her whole name, Amaterasu-ōmikami, is "the great August kami who...

 (天照), a sun goddess

Solar deity

A solar deity is a sky deity who represents the Sun, or an aspect of it, usually by its perceived power and strength. Solar deities and sun worship can be found throughout most of recorded history in various forms...

 and a principal Shinto

Shinto

or Shintoism, also kami-no-michi, is the indigenous spirituality of Japan and the Japanese people. It is a set of practices, to be carried out diligently, to establish a connection between present day Japan and its ancient past. Shinto practices were first recorded and codified in the written...

 deity)

CO: Cisca Kanzaki

XO: Shinon Kouzuki

Crew: 46

Length: 310 m

Width: 105 m

Primary Armament: 4600 mm Plasma Cannon

(possibly derived from the 460 mm naval guns mounted on the Yamato-class Battleships

Yamato class battleship

The were battleships of the Imperial Japanese Navy constructed and operated during World War II. Displacing at full load, the vessels were the heaviest and most powerfully armed battleships ever constructed. The class carried the largest naval artillery ever fitted to a warship, nine naval...

)

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 (霞, "misty") - Magnetic wave reflection plate

Ikasumi - Magnetic wave absorption fiber

Armor: Hotaru (蛍, "Firefly") Heat Protection Plates

Sensor: Kamioka - Neutrino emission

Neutrino

A neutrino is an electrically neutral, weakly interacting elementary subatomic particle with a half-integer spin, chirality and a disputed but small non-zero mass. It is able to pass through ordinary matter almost unaffected...

 Sensor

(origin: Kamioka Observatory

Kamioka Observatory

The is a neutrino physics laboratory located underground in the Mozumi Mine of the Kamioka Mining and Smelting Co. near the Kamioka section of the city of Hida in Gifu Prefecture, Japan. A set of groundbreaking neutrino experiments have taken place at the observatory over the past two decades...

)

Onboard Artifical Intelligence (AI): AESOP (Artificial Encephalon System by Optical Processor)

Propulsion: 2 main thrusters

6 sub thrusters

Max acceleration 5G+ (with auxillary boosters)

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

(name origin: Battle of Trafalgar

Battle of Trafalgar

The Battle of Trafalgar was a sea battle fought between the British Royal Navy and the combined fleets of the French Navy and Spanish Navy, during the War of the Third Coalition of the Napoleonic Wars ....

, 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 (舞鶴市 Maizuru-shi), a city in Kyōto Prefecture

Kyoto Prefecture

is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region of the island of Honshu. The capital is the city of Kyoto.- History :Until the Meiji Restoration, the area of Kyoto prefecture was known as Yamashiro....

 京都府, headquarters of the JMSDF Western District fleet)

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

Battle of the Nile

The Battle of the Nile was a major naval battle fought between British and French fleets at Aboukir Bay on the Mediterranean coast of Egypt from 1–3 August 1798...

, British naval victory over French fleet, 1798)

CO: Admiral Ricardo Fares

Destroyed: EP 4

• Actium - Stealth Ship, Henrietta Alliance

(name origin: Battle of Actium

Battle of Actium

The Battle of Actium was the decisive confrontation of the Final War of the Roman Republic. It was fought between the forces of Octavian and the combined forces of Mark Antony and Cleopatra VII. The battle took place on 2 September 31 BC, on the Ionian Sea near the city of Actium, at the Roman...

, 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 Solomon Sea, Japanese name for a series of naval engagements during the Guadalcanal Campaign

Guadalcanal campaign

The Guadalcanal Campaign, also known as the Battle of Guadalcanal and codenamed Operation Watchtower by Allied forces, was a military campaign fought between August 7, 1942 and February 9, 1943 on and around the island of Guadalcanal in the Pacific theatre of World War II...

, 1942.

CO: Fleet Admiral August Perry

Appeared in novel

• Shenlong - Battleship, Shu Planetary Nation, (12:35 EP 7), a spiritual dragon from Chinese mythology.

CO: Captain Wong

Primary Armament: 1 Plasma Cannon

Secondary Armaments: 4 missile launchers

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)

CO: Admiral Dulle Elroy

Primary Armament: 1x 4000 calibre 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 (1866)

Battle of Lissa (1866)

The Battle of Lissa took place on 20 July 1866 in the Adriatic Sea near the Dalmatian island of Lissa and was a decisive victory for an outnumbered Austrian Empire force over a superior Italian force...

, Austrian naval victory over Italians; Battle of Lissa (1811)

Battle of Lissa (1811)

The Battle of Lissa was a naval action fought between a British frigate squadron and a substantially larger squadron of French and Venetian frigates and smaller ships on 13 March 1811 during the Adriatic campaign of the Napoleonic Wars...

, British naval victory against a substantially larger squadron of French and Venetian ships)

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)

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)

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)

CO: Captain Tiet Langa

Incapacitated: EP 11

• Earth Federation Warship (EP 12)

CO: Captain Josef Truman (possibly a reference to former American President Harry S. Truman

Harry S. Truman

Harry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States . As President Franklin D. Roosevelt's third vice president and the 34th Vice President of the United States , he succeeded to the presidency on April 12, 1945, when President Roosevelt died less than three months after beginning his...

)

Primary Armament: 4 LASER Cannons

• Unknown Henrietta Alliance warship (EP 1)

Primary Armaments: 1 Railgun

Support facilities: Onboard refinery capable for producing ammunition from nearby Asteroids

Destroyed: EP 1

Additional info - First names of ship captains from http://eswat.k-server.org/sto.htm

Organizations

Militaristic alliance of nations within Henrietta region of known space. It has forced several neighbouring 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

Boeing

The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001...

, and the company that developed and built the Amaterasu. AGI also acts as an intermediary for sale of military hardware.

Alliance of planetary nations that competes for power with the Kingdom.

Appeared in novel.

Earth Federation (Originally: Earth Alliance Planetary Nation)

A political power centered on Earth, rivalling or surpassing in power all others.

Places

Kibi
(name origin: Kingdom of Kibi

Kingdom of Kibi

' was a kingdom of fourth century Western Japan that acted as a cultural bridge between the Yamato state and the various kingdoms of the Korean peninsula. The Kingdom of Kibi covered most of what is today Okayama Prefecture...

, 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

Phoenicia

Phoenicia , was an ancient civilization in Canaan which covered most of the western, coastal part of the Fertile Crescent. Several major Phoenician cities were built on the coastline of the Mediterranean. It was an enterprising maritime trading culture that spread across the Mediterranean from 1550...

, located north of the Canaan, enterprising maritime culture, conquered by Persia)

Neutral system where Amaterasu sought temporary sanctuary. It is located near Kiba.

Shu
(name origin: Shu (state)

Shu (state)

The State of Shu was an ancient state in what is now Sichuan, China. It was conquered by Qin in 316 BC. Shu was based on the Chengdu Plain, in the western Sichuan basin with some extension northeast to the upper Han River valley. To the east was the Ba tribal confederation. Further east down the...

, 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

Córdoba, Spain

-History:The first trace of human presence in the area are remains of a Neanderthal Man, dating to c. 32,000 BC. In the 8th century BC, during the ancient Tartessos period, a pre-urban settlement existed. The population gradually learned copper and silver metallurgy...

, Spanish city conquered by Moors)

Planet of origin for the Conquistador and its original crew.

Palmia
(name origin: Palmyra

Palmyra

Palmyra was an ancient city in Syria. In the age of antiquity, it was an important city of central Syria, located in an oasis 215 km northeast of Damascus and 180 km southwest of the Euphrates at Deir ez-Zor. It had long been a vital caravan city for travellers crossing the Syrian desert...

, Ancient Syrian city, conquered by Romans)

Location of Arima General Industry (AGI) Headquarter

Theme songs

Opening theme

• Radiance

by Mami Kawada

Mami Kawada

is a J-pop singer who is currently signed to Geneon Entertainment Inc. She is also a member of the I've Sound who performs soundtracks for some eroge. Mami was usually paired up with co-I've member Kotoko when making soundtracks for anime...

arranged by Tomoyuki Nakazawa

Ending theme

• Chi ni Kaeru ~on the Earth~

by Kotoko

arranged by Yoichi Shimada

Staff

• Director - Takashi Watanabe
  Takashi Watanabe
  is a Japanese director. He is best known for directing the anime seies Boogiepop Phantom and Ichiban Ushiro no Dai Maō.-Director:*Boogiepop Phantom*Ichiban Ushiro no Dai Maō*Ikki Tousen*Kino's Journey Life Goes On...
  
  
• Screenplay - Yoshiko Tomizawa
• Music - Kenji Kawai
  Kenji Kawai
  , born April 23, 1957 in Shinagawa, Tokyo, is a Japanese music composer, for motion pictures, anime movies, video games and televised programs. He has contributed to the musical scores for numerous films from Japan and other countries in Asia, working in film genres as diverse as anime, horror,...
  
  
• Original Work - Ryo Mizuno
  Ryo Mizuno
  is a Japanese author and game designer. Mizuno created Record of Lodoss War, Rune Soldier, Sword World RPG and Starship Operators. He was also involved with the Galaxy Angel manga. Mizuno recently worked on Tri-Ace and Square Enix's action-RPG Infinite Undiscovery. He has shown talent in both...
  
  
• Character Design - Fumio Matsumoto
• Mech Design - Kimitoshi Matsumoto
• Sound Director - Toru Nakano

Japanese Companies

• Geneon
  Geneon
  is a Japanese music, anime and home entertainment production and distribution enterprise headquartered in Akasaka, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Geneon has been involved in the production and distribution of several anime in Japan...
  
   Entertainment, Inc.: - Production
• J.C.Staff
  J.C.STAFF
  , is a Japanese animation studio founded in January 1986. Their first release was the three episode OVA Sengoku Kidan Yōtōden, in 1987. They have produced several well-known anime series, such as Revolutionary Girl Utena, Excel Saga, Shingetsutan Tsukihime, Shakugan no Shana, Toaru Majutsu no...
  
   - Animation Production
• MediaWorks
  MediaWorks (publisher)
  was a Japanese publishing company in the Kadokawa Group known for their brand magazines and book labels. These included such well-known magazines as Dengeki Daioh, and Dengeki G's Magazine, along with MediaWorks' main light novel publishing imprint Dengeki Bunko. The company was merged with ASCII...
  
   - Production
• TV Tokyo
  TV Tokyo
  is a television station headquartered in Toranomon, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Also known as , a blend of "terebi" and "Tokyo", it is the key station of TX Network. It is one of the major Tokyo television stations, particularly specializing in anime...
  
  - Broadcaster/Production

External links

• TV Tokyo's Starship Operators website (Japanese)
• Starship Operators at the Internet Movie Database (IMDB)