Legend of the Galactic Heroes (Japanese: 銀河英雄伝説, Hepburn: Ginga Eiyū Densetsu), sometimes abbreviated as LOTGH, LOGH, LGH or Gin'eiden (銀英伝) in Japanese (and also depicted as Heldensagen vom Kosmosinsel in the anime intro), is a series of epic science fiction novels written by Yoshiki Tanaka.

In humanity's distant future, two interstellar states – the monarchic Galactic Empire and the democratic Free Planets Alliance – are embroiled in a never-ending war.

The story focuses on the exploits of rivals Reinhard von Lohengramm and Yang Wen-li, as they rise to power and fame in the Galactic Empire and the Free Planets Alliance, respectively.

The series did not receive an official English release until 2015, when North American anime and manga distributor Viz Media announced they had acquired the license to the novels.

His regime adopts extremist policies, including the suppression of any opposition and the extermination of anyone perceived too weak (such as the disabled and the poor), which is carried out until his death in IC 42/SE 351/AD 3151.

Ruled by a domain lord called the "landsherr", Fezzan gains power by acting as both paragon and trickster, providing the only link between the Empire and Alliance, while simultaneously playing the two sides against one another.

For 150 years, two mighty space powers have intermittently warred with each other: the Galactic Empire and the Free Planets Alliance.

Later, he wants not only to end the corrupt Goldenbaum dynasty, but also to defeat the Free Planets Alliance and unify the whole galaxy under his rule.

He was rapidly promoted to commodore because he demonstrated excellence in military strategy in a number of decisive battles and conflicts.

Unlike Reinhard, he is better known for his underdog victories and accomplishments in overcoming seemingly impossible odds and mitigating collateral damages and casualties due to military operations.

As a historian, Yang often predicts the motives behind his enemies, narrating the rich history of his world and offering commentary.

All types of characters – from high nobility, admirals, and politicians, to common soldiers and farmers – are interwoven into the story.

Throughout the story, executive political figures of Fezzan, in concert with the upper-hierarchy of the Terraism cult, orchestrate a number of conspiracies to shift the tide of the galactic war to favor their objectives.

The film chronicles the first combat encounter between Reinhard von Müsel (who later adopted the Lohengramm name) and Yang Wen-li, the two primary protagonists of the series.

Legend of the Galactic Heroes (銀河英雄伝説, Ginga Eiyū Densetsu) is the second and longest-running animated adaptation of Tanaka's series of novels.

Its ending theme song is "Futari Mita Yume ~Two of Us~", performed and composed by Hiroyuki Matsuda, written by Gorou Matsui, and arranged by David Campbell.

Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Overture to a New War (銀河英雄伝説 新たなる戦いの序曲, Ginga Eiyū Densetsu: Arata Naru Tatakai no Ōvachua) is the fourth animated adaptation of Tanaka's novels.

Series 2 released between December 1999 and June 2000, consisted of the adaptations of the novels Spiral Labyrinth and part of The Star Crusher ("The Third Tiamat Battle"), as well as the original stories "The Mutineer", "The Duellist", and "The Retriever".

The mecha designs by Naoyuki Kato were drafted by Atsushi Takeuchi, Shinji Usui, and Shinobu Tsuneki.

The anime stars Mamoru Miyano as Reinhard von Lohengramm, Kenichi Suzumura as Yang Wen-li, and Yuichiro Umehara as Siegfried Kircheis.

[15] A third season, Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These - Clash (銀河英雄伝説 DIE NEUE THESE 激突, Ginga Eiyū Densetsu: Di Noie Tēze - Gekitotsu) premiered in Japanese theaters as a three-part film series in 2022 on March 4, April 1, and May 13, respectively.

[17] A fourth season, Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These - Intrigue (銀河英雄伝説 DIE NEUE THESE 策謀, Ginga Eiyū Densetsu: Di Noie Tēze - Sakubo) premiered in Japanese theaters as a three-part film series in 2022 on September 30, October 28, and November 25, respectively.

[29] In February 2014, the most recent stage production of Legend of the Galactic Heroes opened, and it ended with an announcement of a new anime adaptation.

[2] Daryl Surat, writing for Otaku Magazine, called the series "anime's greatest sci-fi epic".

[36] Takumi Sato noted that the character of Reinhard von Lohengramm as depicted in the anime could be related to the "aestheticization of Hitler's image", comparing this phenomenon to similar Japanese works, such as Space Battleship Yamato.