T5W#564-Top 5 Anime Characters Who Belong on Battlestar Galactica (2004)

Recently Paramount+ became the new streaming home for one of my favorite TV Series of all time: the 2004 Reboot of Battlestar Galactica.  For those maybe not in the know: the reboot follows the original premise of the 1978 scifi classic, following a fleet of human refugee ships, led by the titular Battlestar Galactica, fleeing from a race of robots known as the Cylons.  This show means a lot to me, mostly due to me and my Dad doing our best to watch it together week after week even while I was away at college.  I’m about halfway through my rewatch so naturally, the topic turns to how would this show work as an Anime?  Probably quite well, especially considering shows like Space Battleship Yamato had similar themes and setups back when it was airing well before the original Galactica itself.  So new question then: if I were to assemble a cast for a BSG Anime, who would I pick from the countless number of SciFi Anime pilots, Captains and femme fatales?  That’s the question I’m gonna answer on todays Top 5 Wednesday as I list the Top 5 Anime Characters Who Belong on Battlestar Galactica (2004).  So Say We All.  Quick Note: I’m sticking to a one character per franchise rule on this one otherwise most of it would be Gundam characters…maybe a thought for a later list?

 
#5-Shiro Amada (Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08^th MS Team)

In a premise set against the backdrop of a devastating apocalypse, it pays to have the kind of pilot at the helm who never gives up hope but can also make the hard calls when necessary.  Shiro Amada of the 08^th MS Team goes through the ringer as the leader of his Gundam sporting MS Team but never loses who he is and stands by his ideals.  His struggles can match the very troubled yet well Lee “Apollo” Adama as he strives to figure out his place in ensuring Mankinds future whether it’s in the cockpit or in a more logistical role.

 
#4-Isamu Dyson (Macross Plus)

So I’m gonna break a rule here.  There isn’t really a Han Solo roguish character like Dirk Benedict’s original Starbuck in the 2004 series.  Don’t get me wrong Katee Sackhoff is a legend in her new spin on the role but when looking through Macross pilots to add to this list, Isamu stood out but not for matching anyone in the ’04 show.  He’s a charming rogue and ladies man who gets into trouble, flirts continuously and yet can pull miracles out of his butt when in the cockpit of his Valkyrie.  Also Isamu’s just a fun guy to hang around, just like the OG cigar chomping Starbuck.  (Seriously though, Katee Sackoff is the MVP of the ’04 series and I wont take anyone talking smack about her).
 

#3-Misato Katsuragi (Neon Genesis Evangelion)

Hey when it comes to fighting back the forces of the Apocalypse, there’s no one I’d rather have barking the orders than the beautiful head of NERV tactical.  Misato is a Queen of badassery, capable of making tactical decisions under stressful circumstances while not being afraid to throw down and show how awesome of a shot she is.  In ’04 BSG she’d kind of be a fusion of Admiral Adama’s right hand man, Colonel Tigh, and Cylon turned Human defender Sharon “Athena” Agathon.  Like I said, tough under pressure and making kicking ass look so good.

 
#2-Motoko Kusinagi (Ghost in the Shell)

One of the biggest changes to the Galactica Reboot is that the Cylons now have 12 Human models who can download into replacement bodies when they are killed.  Arguably the poster lady for the promotional campaign of the Reboot is the incredibly beautiful “Number Six”, played by Tricia Helfer.  Six is the lady who can seduce easier than most, thanks to a sweet voice and penchant for mini dresses.  And what other Anime character can do the same except maybe in skintight tactical gear like Major Motoko Kusinagi of Section 9?  Seriously, the pair can also make for unstoppable assassins with their enhanced strength and cybernetic abilities…hmmm Motoko vs. Six? Wonder who would win?
 

#1-Juzo Okita (Space Battleship Yamato)

If there’s any Anime character who looks like he belongs on any iteration of Battlestar Galactica, original or Reboot, it’s Okita, the Captain of the Yamato.  His and the look and feel of Admiral Adama (especially the super bad ass version played by Edward James Olmos in the ’04 series) matches Okita to a T from their military service records to how they carry themselves amongst their endlessly crew.  Okita is a proven tactical genius who carries risk with certainty and unshakeable belief in his crew to get the job done and see the mission through to the end.  And like Adama, he doesn’t take any crap and is one commanding officer I would not want to piss off.