LOGH must be one of the most ambitious and based things to come out of Japanese animation. Its original run began in 1988, and it still holds the record for the longest-running OVA series with the largest number of voice actors. It ran for nine years, adapting a novel. The story depicts the war in all its unfiltered form between two sides: the monarchical Galactic Empire (think space NatSoc who advanced humanity into the space age in the first place) and the democratic Free Planets Alliance (the rebels who broke away during the Empire's history). The Empire has fallen into disrepair; its degenerate nobles have plunged a once prosperous and proud nation into the deepest pits of corruption and debauchery. The Alliance rebels to establish a government free of corruption and tyranny, fighting for justice, freedom, and all that is good. However, they ultimately fall victim to the same issues and become arguably more corrupt than the Empire. Meanwhile, a (((third independent side))) (along with pale-faced, shadowy figures behind them, driven by an ancient, evil religion) pulls the strings from the sidelines, ensuring the pointless war between the two sides continues forever while they reap the rewards and run the show. The two protagonists, Reinhard von Lohengramm and Yang Wen-li, offer us a glimpse into both sides. Reinhard aims to cleanse the empire of corruption and unite the universe under his benevolent dictatorship, while being keenly aware of the (((third side))). The other, Yang Wen-li, is an average guy who wants to be a historian above all else. Due to circumstances, he ended up in the military and happens to be the greatest tactician in the galactic fleet. He hates being a soldier, yet he can't quit. Every now and then, he's this close to resigning, but no one will let him. He consistently sees through enemy plans and reads ahead. He knows of the (((third side))) too, and is probably the biggest noticer, but he fears being seen as a schizo for making unsubstantiated claims. Above all, he wants peace and to avoid bloodshed, and even sees a real possibility of the Empire and the Alliance coexisting in peace. However, he knows it's easier said than done. ---- I'm currently only on EP40, but I can already wholeheartedly recommend it. I've never seen a more accurate and insightful portrayal of war. I'm glad I waited all these years to start watching it properly. Had I started earlier, I wouldn't have been able to appreciate it as much as I can now. The rest is a recap of my comment I made a while ago after watching the first two movies: >I just started watching Legend of the Galactic Heroes, leaving the best for last after so many years. In the first two movies alone (which are merely the prelude), I could already see why it's one of the greatest animated series ever to exist. It's especially relevant today with the never ending wars fought pointlessly with the toll counting millions, and as far as anyone is concerned they're just like that, numbers. >Meanwhile the nobility and the ruling class behind these wars just keep playing their political games far away in safety in their lavish mansions, trying to actively sabotage admirals they don't like, no matter the cost. The crew butting heads with their commanding officers despite the insubordination charges is just another part of it too, and every other admiral just seems to be a complete suicidal moron that you start to wonder whether they got this position because of skill or nepotism. >We get to see the POV of the crew as well and how them surviving a skirmish is just a lucky day, and really they're expected to die at any point. The POV of destroyed ships is especially brutal, getting sucked into space with no way of survival. Great starting point so far. Watch order: 1. Grab two movies from here, My Conquest is the Sea of Stars, and Overture to a New War, which are the prelude and extended prologue: https://nyaa.si/view/1708257 2. Main series: https://nyaa.si/view/1200083 OR Laser Disk edition: https://archive.org/details/LOGH-LD-CA (BD version had many scenes redrawn digitally, which might seem jarring) 3. Gaiden: https://nyaa.si/view/1247085 The watch order here gets a little complicated, as they aired in a non-chronological order. >Spiral Labyrinth (Gaiden 2, episodes 1-14) >Valley of White Silver (Gaiden 1, episodes 1-4) >Those Who Revolt / Mutineer (G2, ep. 15-18) >Those Who Duel / Duelist (G2, ep. 19-22) >Those Who Recapture / Survivors (G2, ep. 23-26) >Morning's Dream, Night's Song (G1, ep. 5-8) >A Hundred Billion Stars, A Hundred Billion Lights (G1, ep. 13-24) >The Third Tiamat Battle (G2, ep. 27-28) >Disgrace (G1, ep. 9-12)