If you loved
Space Pirate Captain Harlock
Shinji Aramaki · Film · 2013
You crave the way Space Pirate Captain Harlock pits defiant outcasts against corrupt systems in a dying, indifferent universe.
Start with the source
The source
Space Pirate Captain Harlock
Leiji Matsumoto · Series · 1978
Books on the same thread
Ender's Game
Orson Scott Card · Book · 2013
Explores: Child Soldiers, Alien Invasion, Moral Ambiguity.
Like the crew in Space Pirate Captain Harlock, Ender faces impossible odds and heavy moral burdens, forcing him to make painful sacrifices to ensure the survival of his species.
銀河英雄伝説 (Legend of the Galactic Heroes)
Yoshiki Tanaka · Book · 1982
Shares a thread with Space Pirate Captain Harlock: Space Opera.
If the grand scale of Space Pirate Captain Harlock resonated with you, this epic will satisfy your appetite for high-stakes political maneuvering and the heavy toll of interstellar warfare.
Howling Dark
Christopher Ruocchio · Book · 2020
Shares a thread with Space Pirate Captain Harlock: Space Opera.
Much like the wandering spirit of Space Pirate Captain Harlock, this journey through distant suns explores the existential dread of finding one's place in a vast, alien-filled galaxy.
Planet of the Apes
Pierre Boulle · Book · 1963
Shares a thread with Space Pirate Captain Harlock: Existentialism.
Fans of the environmental warnings in Space Pirate Captain Harlock will appreciate this foundational critique of civilization, which similarly questions the trajectory of humanity when confronted with its own decline.
Series on the same thread
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
Rafał Jaki · Series · 2022
Explores: Cybernetic augmentation, Dystopian society, Mercenary life.
The gritty, neon-soaked rebellion against a decaying society seen in Space Pirate Captain Harlock finds a new, visceral home in this story of mercenaries fighting to survive a corrupt city.
Cowboy Bebop
Series · 1998
Shares 2 threads with Space Pirate Captain Harlock: Existentialism, Cyberpunk.
If you connected with the existential loneliness of the protagonist in Space Pirate Captain Harlock, you will appreciate this crew of outcasts searching for redemption in a broken, lawless solar system.
Arcane
Christian Linke · Series · 2021
Explores: Sisterhood, Dystopian Society, Technological Advancement vs. Social Decay.
The clash between technological advancement and social decay that defines the world of Space Pirate Captain Harlock is mirrored here in the tragic, fractured relationship between two warring twin cities.
Attack on Titan
Series · 2013
Explores: Survival, Existential Horror, Loss of Innocence.
Just as Space Pirate Captain Harlock fights for humanity's future against overwhelming threats, this story captures the desperate struggle for survival when the walls of civilization begin to crumble inward.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Orphans
The Light and Tragic Company · Podcast · 2025
This audio drama captures the same sense of isolation and camaraderie found in Space Pirate Captain Harlock, focusing on the intimate experience of surviving in a harsh, unforgiving cosmic environment.
Dan Carlin's Hardcore History
Dan Carlin · Podcast · 2025
Explores: civilizational collapse, human nature, moral ambiguity.
The nihilistic reflections on power and civilizational collapse in Space Pirate Captain Harlock are examined here through real-world history, providing a grounded look at the cycles of human hubris.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What order should I watch Space Pirate Captain Harlock in?
There is no required viewing order for the franchise. The 1978 television series and the 2013 movie are independent adaptations. You can watch either the 2013 film or the original 1978 series first to enjoy the story of the captain and his crew defending Earth from space invaders.
Is Space Pirate Captain Harlock 2013 a direct sequel to the 1978 television series?
No, the 2013 movie is not a direct sequel to the 1978 television series. Both titles are separate adaptations that feature Space Pirate Captain Harlock and his crew as they face off against invaders who seek to conquer the planet Earth.
How long is the 2013 Space Pirate Captain Harlock movie?
The 2013 movie titled Space Pirate Captain Harlock, directed by Shinji Aramaki, follows the captain and his crew as they battle space invaders. The film provides a complete narrative experience focused on the defense of Earth within its feature-length runtime.
Should I watch the 1978 television series if I enjoyed the 2013 Space Pirate Captain Harlock movie?
If you enjoyed the 2013 movie, the 1978 television series is a relevant choice for further viewing. Both versions explore the core premise of Space Pirate Captain Harlock and his fearless crew fighting to protect Earth from space invaders, though they are distinct interpretations of the source material.