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Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem
Page Last Updated: 4/8/2022
Interstella 5555 is many a person’s first exposure to Leiji Matsumoto. It was mine! Way back in 2009 or so on YouTube, before I even fully knew of the man’s work, the “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” was the first ever time I laid my eyes upon his art style.
And suffice to say: since you’re on this fansite dedicated to the works of Leiji Matsumoto right now, it left a lasting impression on me.
When I’ve shown people Harlock, or 999, they’ll say “Oh this looks like Daft Punk!!” And I get to gleefully tell them these two artistic icons collaborated. And that Daft Punk were massive fans of his work!
(Given that they are both French, it makes sense! His work is massive there. They’re actually quoted on the back of Kondansha’s Queen Emeraldas English Manga release! The photo is my own.)
Set to tracks from their album Discovery, Interstella 5555 is told with zero dialogue, only with the music and some sfx being what you hear. This movie tells the story of a band: Octave, Arpegius, Baryl, and Stella. Who all respectively play the keyboard, the guitar, the drums, and the bass.
Being kidnapped and stolen from their home planet by the mysterious Earl de Darkwood, sapping the band of their memories, and putting on mind control glasses, he pretends to be their manager and forms the band: The Crescendolls.
The space pilot Shep hears of the band’s kidnapping, and is determined to save the band, as well as his love: Stella. What are the Earl’s plans? Why exactly did he want to get this band of aliens? Will Shep be able to rescue them? Watch and find out!
To me, this movie is a masterpiece of visual storytelling. With no dialogue, the music and actions of the characters tell such a wonderful story. 
The team behind this did an outstanding job! Telling a whole story with the music of the album as it’s backdrop. I adore Interstella 5555 and come back to it very often.
While I didn’t see the movie in full until close to a decade later, Interstella 5555 is incredibly special to me, since it was the first time I would ever see anything by Leiji Matsumoto. This art style stood out to me back then. It was anime, but also felt old school because of the style. The distinct look of his art was etched into my mind forever ever since.
If it weren’t for Interstella 5555, you wouldn’t be reading about it on this very fansite right now.
And because of that, this movie will always be super special to me. I owe so much to it. A must see for any fan of Leiji Matsumoto, Daft Punk, or both!
And as one final addition: Check out this old archived interview!