Ozma

Ozma was produced in 2012 by Studio Gonzo to commemorate the studio's 20th anniversary. The project is notable for being based on original concepts and character designs by Leiji Matsumoto, the legendary creator of Space Battleship Yamato and Galaxy Express 999. Matsumoto had developed the initial story ideas for Ozma decades earlier, intending to capture a sense of adventure set in a post-apocalyptic future where the earth has become a desolate desert wasteland.

The series follows a young man named Sam Coyne who discovers a mysterious girl named Maya, who is being pursued by an organization known as Thanatos. The visual direction aimed to blend traditional cel-style animation sensibilities with the specific aesthetic hallmarks of Matsumoto’s long-standing career. Despite the pedigree of its creator and the high-profile nature of the anniversary, the series received a measured reception from critics, who praised its nostalgic tone while noting that the execution felt somewhat detached from modern pacing standards.