First broadcast in the United States in 1979, Star Blazers was an animated television series adaptation of the Japanese anime series Space Battleship Yamato I (1974), II (1978), and III (1980). It is notable as the first popular English-translated anime that had an overarching plot and storyline, requiring that the episodes be viewed in order. Also, at the time, it dealt with somewhat more mature themes than other productions aimed at the same target audience.