Sentai Filmworks is set to release the complete collection of the classic anime series Queen Millennia on Blu-ray on September 2, 2025. This release brings Leiji Matsumoto’s space opera to modern audiences with high-definition quality and English subtitles, offering both longtime fans and new viewers a chance to experience this influential series.
What is Queen Millennia?
Queen Millennia (Japanese: Shin Taketori Monogatari: Sennen Joō, “The New Tale of the Bamboo Cutter: Millennium Queen”) is a science fiction anime created by the legendary Leiji Matsumoto. The story is loosely based on the Japanese folktale Taketori Monogatari (The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter), which tells of a girl who comes from the stars to rule Earth.
The Storyline
The series is set in 1999, as Professor Amamori discovers a tenth planet in Earth’s solar system named La-Metal. This massive planet, nine times the diameter of Earth, is on a collision course. Amamori calculates that La-Metal will impact Earth on September 9, 1999, at 9:09:09 AM.
Amidst this impending catastrophe, a mysterious and beautiful woman named Yukino Yayoi works as Professor Amamori’s assistant. However, Yayoi is secretly Queen Millennia, sent from La-Metal to Earth to observe humanity. As the Queen, Yayoi is tasked with preparing Earth for colonization by La-Metal. However, as she lives among humans, including Amamori’s nephew Hajime, she begins to question her mission and develops conflicting loyalties.
Key Themes
- Loyalty and Sacrifice: Yayoi grapples with her duty to La-Metal and her growing affection for Earth and its people.
- Impending Doom: The looming threat of La-Metal’s collision creates a sense of urgency and tension throughout the series.
- The Human Condition: The series explores themes of love, loss, and the will to survive in the face of overwhelming odds.
Production Details
Queen Millennia was originally produced by Toei Animation. The series aired from 1981 to 1982, spanning 42 episodes. It also spawned a film released in 1982, coinciding with the TV anime’s climax.
Key Staff
- Original Creator: Leiji Matsumoto
- Director: Nobutaka Nishizawa
- Script Writers: Keisuke Fujikawa, Shigemitsu Taguchi, Hiroyasu Yamaura, Toyohiro Andō
- Music: Ryudo Uzaki, Tomoyuki Asakawa
- Character Design: Kaeko Iguchi, Leiji Matsumoto
Cast (Japanese)
- Keiko Han as Yukino Yayoi/La Andromeda Promethium II
- Keiko Toda as Hajime Amamori
- Ichiro Nagai as Professor Amamori
Sentai Filmworks Blu-ray Release
Sentai Filmworks’ release of Queen Millennia includes all 42 episodes of the TV series, presented in Japanese with English subtitles. The Blu-ray set is rated TV-14 and is scheduled for release on September 2, 2025.
Features
- Language: Japanese
- Subtitles: English
- Runtime: 1050 minutes
- Rating: TV-14
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
- Special Features: Disc Credits
- Number of Discs: 5
- Studio: Sentai Filmworks
- UPC: 816726023670
Characters
- Yukino Yayoi/La Andromeda Promethium (Queen Millennia): The protagonist, an alien from the planet La-Metal, sent to Earth to observe and prepare it for colonization. She works as Professor Amamori’s assistant and a school teacher, torn between her duty and her growing affection for humanity.
- Hajime Amamori: Professor Amamori’s nephew, a junior high school student who lost his parents. He develops a close bond with Yayoi and becomes involved in the struggle to save Earth.
- Professor Amamori: An astronomer who discovers the impending collision of La-Metal with Earth. He is Yayoi’s employer and a key figure in understanding the threat to humanity.
- Queen Larela: The ruler of La-Metal and Yayoi’s mother, she commands the colonization efforts on Earth.
Reception and Legacy
Queen Millennia is considered a classic of the Leijiverse, the shared universe of Leiji Matsumoto’s works. While it may not be as widely known as Space Pirate Captain Harlock or Galaxy Express 999, it remains an important and influential series.
Critical Response
Some reviews note that the pacing of the TV series can be slow, with the plot developing gradually. However, the characters are generally praised, and the emotional impact of the story is highly regarded.
Connection to the Leijiverse
Queen Millennia is connected to other works in the Leijiverse. Some promotional material identified Promethium as the daughter of the Queen Promethium from Galaxy Express 999. Yayoi’s destiny is explored further in Galaxy Express 999, where she succeeds her mother as Queen Promethium.
Why You Should Watch
- Classic Space Opera: Experience a classic space opera from the legendary Leiji Matsumoto.
- Intriguing Story: Follow Yayoi’s journey as she grapples with her identity and the fate of two planets.
- High-Definition Quality: Enjoy the series in improved visual quality with the Blu-ray release.
Where to Pre-Order
The Queen Millennia Complete Collection on Blu-ray is available for pre-order from various retailers, including:
- Sentai Filmworks
- Crunchyroll Store
Final Thoughts
The Sentai Filmworks Blu-ray release of Queen Millennia is a significant event for fans of classic anime. With its compelling story, memorable characters, and connections to the larger Leijiverse, this series deserves a place in any anime collection. Pre-order your copy today and prepare to experience the epic tale of Queen Millennia.
