The bloody war only ends when an authoritarian government, the Gaia Sanction, declares Earth a sacred planet forbidden to humanity.

With the help of four unstoppable ships powered by alien technology, Harlock's fleet prevents Earth from recolonization until a treaty allows diplomatic elite to immigrate.

Yama agrees, desperate to atone for a childhood accident that paralyzed Isora and critically injured their mutual love, Nami.

The real Arcadia ambushes the fleet, rams Isora's flagship, and Harlock takes the crew hostage.

Overcome by the possibility of a peaceful "starting over", Harlock abandons his previous plans and decides to expose the Gaia Sanction.

Desperate to contain the situation, the Gaia Sanction's leader decides to use a doomsday particle cannon to destroy the Arcadia.

After the Arcadia crash lands on Earth, Harlock sets the final detonator and says another Homecoming War is inevitable.

As the Gaia Sanction fleet confronts the Arcadia, the crew wakes up, seemingly healed by the dark matter, and the ship escapes, now commanded by Yama who then becomes the new Captain Harlock.

In the next year they presented a preview of Space Pirate Captain Harlock at Annecy International Animated Film Festival.

The story was reconstructed by the writer Harutoshi Fukui to reflect the themes of modern society and Toei provided the latest filmmaking technology for the film.

[4] With a production budget of ¥3 billion[6][7] ($30 million),[4] it surpassed Katsuhiro Otomo's Steamboy (2004) to become the most expensive Japanese anime film of all time.

[13] Space Pirate Captain Harlock is the most successful Japanese film ever screened in Italy, making about US$6.8 million by the end of January 2014.

[18] It was recognized as the best international animated feature at the fifth annual 3D Creative Arts Awards held at Warner Bros. Studios in Los Angeles on January 28, 2014.