That's a good question.
Technically you don't NEED to go watch the older series and movies. Since Y 2199 is a remake of the original 1974 series and presumably if successful, they'll go on from there to the Comet Empire story and beyond, you're basically getting in on the ground floor and experiencing it as any new fan would.
I'd recommend seeing the old series though if you can. Almost all the old episodes are available on Youtube. Both the original and the Star Blazers adaptations of Seasons 1, 2 and 3.
If you do, try to be a little forgiving of the animation, particularly in season 1. Remember when it was made. Also - different times, different mores, and different visions of the future. In particular, be prepared for some cultural subtext about WWII and the Cold War. And because of the age of the show, there's a LOT of "Zeerust". Stuff which has aged badly or in odd ways.
If you've ever watched anime from the 1960s and 70s, you'll kind of know what to expect. Also Godzilla films and other Toho films like the Mysterons of the period.
Naturally I say this as an old-school fan. And I'm biased of course.
And really - there is NOTHING wrong with simply experiencing the 2199 version of the show with no reference to the original.
It's really a VERY good retelling, and it's expanding on the original in many wonderful ways. The producers of the show are obviously as enamored of the original as us old-time fans. Heck - they ARE old time fans themselves who made good in many cases!
Take it from this old-timer - they've done the original proud.
I can't imagine being more pleased both with the faithfulness to the original spirit and the ways in which they've decided to make the show different and new. It's really Triple-A material all the way.
If there's anything that -does- confuse you or make you scratch your head, look me up. If I can't answer something, I know exactly who to go to who can.
Technically you don't NEED to go watch the older series and movies. Since Y 2199 is a remake of the original 1974 series and presumably if successful, they'll go on from there to the Comet Empire story and beyond, you're basically getting in on the ground floor and experiencing it as any new fan would.
I'd recommend seeing the old series though if you can. Almost all the old episodes are available on Youtube. Both the original and the Star Blazers adaptations of Seasons 1, 2 and 3.
If you do, try to be a little forgiving of the animation, particularly in season 1. Remember when it was made. Also - different times, different mores, and different visions of the future. In particular, be prepared for some cultural subtext about WWII and the Cold War. And because of the age of the show, there's a LOT of "Zeerust". Stuff which has aged badly or in odd ways.
If you've ever watched anime from the 1960s and 70s, you'll kind of know what to expect. Also Godzilla films and other Toho films like the Mysterons of the period.
Naturally I say this as an old-school fan. And I'm biased of course.
And really - there is NOTHING wrong with simply experiencing the 2199 version of the show with no reference to the original.
It's really a VERY good retelling, and it's expanding on the original in many wonderful ways. The producers of the show are obviously as enamored of the original as us old-time fans. Heck - they ARE old time fans themselves who made good in many cases!
Take it from this old-timer - they've done the original proud.
I can't imagine being more pleased both with the faithfulness to the original spirit and the ways in which they've decided to make the show different and new. It's really Triple-A material all the way.
If there's anything that -does- confuse you or make you scratch your head, look me up. If I can't answer something, I know exactly who to go to who can.