To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the classic mecha anime Blue Comet SPT Layzner , a theatrical showing was held in Akihabara, Tokyo, today.

Specifically, the event was held in the UDX Theater in Akihabara and featured all three OVAs, followed by a talk by the people who helped make it.

The OVAs split the story of the TV series into three parts: the first half of the series, the second half, and the canceled ending.

This is because Blue Comet SPT Layzner didn’t finish its TV run and was canceled before the story ended, and the third OVA finally completed the story that fans wanted to see.

While I’ve seen Layzner on the big screen before, around the time of the Japanese Blu-ray remaster over ten years ago, I’ve not seen all three OVAs back-to-back in the theater, and it was certainly an experience.

This is because Layzner is not your typical 80s mecha anime. It had some serious animation talent behind it, and the animation is still really quite special, even 40 years later.

It was also great to see all the SPT battles again, and on the big screen, because I’m just reminded of how unique and strange the mecha move. They are obviously meant to be alien technology, and the acrobatic way they fly around really sells that.

Prior to the screening, I got to see some of the various garage model kits made by fans of Layzner , and these were all extremely impressive (shown above).

There was even showed the upcoming Hi-Metal R Layzner toy from Bandai Spirits, which was very nice, and I am definitely picking one up once it’s released this October.

Apart from seeing Layzner in gorgeous remastered quality on the big screen, there was also a really fun talk with the voice actor for Eiji, Kazuhiko Inoue , and the writer and director, Ryosuke Takahashi, after the screening.

While I have interviewed Takahashi previously, he touched on many of the subjects he covered with me. Namely, the absentee father motif that’s often present throughout his works.

However, this was the first time I’d seen Inoue up close, and he’s a very funny chap and, like the rest of us, was somewhat stunned that Layzner is still here and gaining new fans after 40 years.

Before the talk finished, there was a surprise appearance by voice actress Eriko Hara , who voices the computer inside the titular Layzner called Rei. It was clear this was not at all planned, but both Inoue and Takahashi took it in their stride and pinged comments back and forth with each other until they all stood for a group photo (shown above).

As always, I’m reminded just how passionate the Layzner fanbase is in Japan, and just how good an anime it truly is. To say they don’t make them like this anymore is most certainly an understatement.

If you’re at all curious about Blue Comet SPT Layzner , then feel free to check out my Blu-ray review as well as a recent write-up on how uniquely influential this anime is in Japan. Not to mention my interview with Kunio Okawara , who designed the mecha for this anime. You can also purchase the entirety of Layzner , the TV series and OVAs, on Blu-ray via Amazon for $69.95.

Disclosure: Thanks to Ishimaru-san for inviting me to this event.

Follow me on X , Facebook , and YouTube . I also manage Mecha Damashii and am currently writing a regular column in Japanese about mecha games for Game*Spark .