Veering between gleaming, clean-lined techno-lust and a punkier, junk-space aesthetic, it really is a marvel to look at: an artfully dazzling distillation of videogamey flash, proggy space-majesty and Final Fantasy flounce.

This digitally animated Japanese space adventure is as po-faced as they come.

The spectacular visuals and fights are the real stars.

The dazzling visuals and immense scale employed by director/animator Shinji Aramaki adequately compensate (just) for the derivative narrative in his update/reboot of Leiji Matsumoto's visionary 1970's space-opera, 'Harlock'.