HIDIVE, the popular anime streaming service, has announced it will add all 42 episodes of the classic science fiction anime series Queen Millennia to its library, with streaming set to begin on September 2. The series will be available in Japanese with English subtitles.
The acquisition brings the complete television anime adaptation of Leiji Matsumoto’s beloved manga to the platform, offering fans a chance to revisit or discover the influential space opera. Sentai Filmworks is also releasing a Blu-ray Disc Complete Collection of the series on the same date.
Delving into the Lore of Queen Millennia
Queen Millennia, known in Japan as Shin Taketori Monogatari Sennen Joō (The New Tale of the Bamboo Cutter: Millennium Queen), is a captivating science fiction narrative from the renowned creator Leiji Matsumoto. The story originally ran as a manga from January 1980 to May 1983 in Japanese newspapers before being adapted into a 42-episode anime television series by Toei Dōga (now Toei Animation), which aired from April 1981 to March 1982.
The Premise: Earth on a Collision Course
The plot of Queen Millennia unfolds in the then-futuristic year of 1999. Professor Amamori, an astronomer in Tokyo, makes a chilling discovery: a tenth planet named La-Metal is on a collision course with Earth. This massive planet, nine times the diameter of Earth, has a highly eccentric orbit and is calculated to impact Earth on September 9, 1999, at precisely 9 o’clock, 9 minutes, and 9 seconds. It is revealed that La-Metal orbits the solar system every 1,000 years, but this particular pass brings it dangerously close to Earth.
The Enigmatic Yayoi Yukino and the Millennial Queen
Central to the story is Professor Amamori’s assistant, Yayoi Yukino, who harbors a profound secret. Unbeknownst to most, Yayoi is the current “Millennial Queen,” a woman sent from La-Metal every 1,000 years to secretly oversee Earth and lead an underground organization controlling the planet. Her mission, however, is complicated as her interactions with humans, including Amamori’s nephew Hajime, lead her to question the original objectives of her home planet. Yayoi begins to work against the La-Metalians’ plans, seeking to protect humanity from the impending catastrophe.
Production and Legacy of the Anime
The Queen Millennia anime series was directed by Nobutaka Nishizawa, with music composed by Ryudo Uzaki and Tomoyuki Asakawa. The series, animated by Toei Dōga, initially aimed for 52 episodes but concluded after 42.
Western Adaptation and Context
In the West, some viewers may recognize elements of Queen Millennia from the 1980s adaptation by Harmony Gold and Carl Macek. This version, titled Captain Harlock and the Queen of a Thousand Years, combined footage from Queen Millennia with another of Leiji Matsumoto’s works, Space Pirate Captain Harlock, resulting in a 65-episode series. The HIDIVE release promises the complete and uncut original Japanese series, a treat for purists.
Connection to the Leijiverse
Queen Millennia is an integral part of Leiji Matsumoto’s expansive “Leijiverse,” a shared universe connecting many of his iconic works. Promotional materials once linked Yayoi Yukino/Promethium to the Queen Promethium of the Machine Empire from Galaxy Express 999, suggesting she would eventually become the Machine Queen. This connection highlights the interconnectedness of Matsumoto’s creative vision and the rich mythology he built across his various series.
About HIDIVE
HIDIVE is an American subscription video-on-demand streaming service that specializes in Japanese anime content. Owned by AMC Networks, HIDIVE offers a diverse catalog including simulcasts, fresh dubs, uncensored titles, and classic anime. The service is available in English language markets, including the U.S., Canada, U.K., Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. Its focus on fan-centric content and exclusive programming makes it a key player in the anime streaming landscape.
The addition of Queen Millennia further enriches HIDIVE’s collection of classic anime, providing a valuable opportunity for fans to experience this significant work by Leiji Matsumoto.
