Space Carrier Blue Noah
A secret warship fights alien terraforming in 2052.
**Space Carrier Blue Noah** (Japanese: 宇宙空母ブルーノア, *Uchū Kūbo Burū Noa*) is a Japanese science fiction anime series produced by Academy Productions. It originally aired from October 13, 1979, to March 30, 1980. An English dub was released under the title *Thundersub*, and in Spanish-speaking countries it was known as *Nave Anti-Espacial*.
The story takes place in 2052. The planet Gotham faced destruction when a black hole threatened its sun. Scientist Leader Zytel (General Zee) built the Terror Star, a giant satellite that could hold 200 million Gothamites, and led them on a thirty-year search for a new home. When they reached Earth, Zytel sent probes to assess the planet, which could be terraformed for Gothamite survival.
Earth’s scientists discovered the alien surveillance. Nine global research centers (N1 to N9) coordinated a response. Dr. Cromwell Collins, head of an oceanographic center tied to N1, warned his son Colin of the danger. Before being killed in a Gothamite attack, he gave Colin a glowing pendant and the word "Thundersub," telling him to reach N1.
After most research centers were destroyed—only N1 and N9 survived—Colin and his friends fled toward N1, encountering a mute girl named Anna along the way. At N1, a whirlpool led them to a hidden cave, where Colin’s pendant revealed a sealed chamber containing Blue Noah (Thundersub), a secret warship. When Colin spoke its name, the ship activated and surfaced.
Captain Noah and his crew, returning in the test sub Tempest Jr., found Blue Noah. The Captain learned Colin’s father had designed the ship and was shocked to find Anna, his estranged daughter, aboard. The youths were welcomed and assigned to the Tempest Jr.
When the Terror Star entered Earth’s orbit, its tidal effects caused massive quakes and storms, killing 90% of the human population in a single day. Gothamite forces built sea fortresses to extract heavy water, their energy source. Blue Noah began counterattacking and rescuing survivors, drawing the attention of the Death Force, led by Col. Jrgens (Lupus).
The crew rescued Lt. Domingo, who revealed Blue Noah could be converted for space flight at N9 using an Aero Conversion Engine. En route to Bermuda, they discovered Gothamites were building Gravity Control bases at both poles to make Earth habitable for themselves. Blue Noah destroyed the South Pole base, but Tempest Jr. failed at t
- type
- Anime television series
- producer
- Academy Productions
- original_run
- October 13, 1979 – March 30, 1980
- episodes
- 24
- director
- Kazunori Tanahashi
- music_composers
- Masaaki Hirao, Hiroshi Miyagawa
- theme_song_vocals
- Mayo Kawasaki
Lore & Background
Colin and his high school friends flee toward N1, finding a mute girl named Anna along the way. At N1, Colin's pendant reveals a hidden chamber containing Blue Noah (Thundersub), a powerful secret warship designed by his father. The ship is activated when Colin speaks its name. The returning test sub Tempest Jr., piloted by Captain Noah, finds Blue Noah; Captain Noah recognizes the teens and is shocked to find Anna, his estranged daughter. The crew learns that the Gothamite forces, led by Col. Jrgens (Lupus), have established sea fortresses to extract heavy water. Blue Noah begins counterattacking and rescuing survivors, eventually converting for space flight at N9. The series culminates in a space battle where the Terror Star's life support fails, leading to its destruction and Earth's recovery.
Reader's Guide
Space Carrier Blue Noah represents a notable entry in late-1970s Japanese science fiction anime, blending underwater and space combat themes. Its production by Academy Productions and direction by Kazunori Tanahashi, with planning by Yoshinobu Nishizaki, places it within the broader wave of space opera anime of the era. The series aired in Canada on CKVR-TV and CFPL-TV, and in the Philippines on RPN-9 and IBC-13, indicating a modest international reach. The English dub title 'Thundersub' and Spanish title 'Nave Anti-Espacial' reflect its adaptation for different markets. The series' plot, involving alien terraforming and a secret warship, echoes themes common in contemporary anime but distinguishes itself through its focus on oceanic and space environments. The character of Captain Noah, who sacrifices himself and is buried with the epitaph 'The man who saved Earth,' and the eventual marriage of Colin and Anna, who found an organization to prevent future invasions, provide a narrative closure that underscores the series' message of resilience and cooperation.
Did You Know?
- The series originally aired as a 2-hour TV special titled 'Birth of the Young Lions,' later split into four 30-minute episodes for rebroadcast.
- The Gothamite military arm is called the Death Force, led by Col. Jrgens (Lupus).
- Captain Noah's epitaph reads 'The man who saved Earth.'
- The Terror Star's life support systems had a design flaw that caused most of its population to perish.
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