“Harmagedon” / 「幻魔大戦」, Original Japanese Movie Poster 1983, Katsuhiro Otomo Character Designs, Rare Horizontal B1 Size (103 × 73 cm) AA47

This is an original Japanese B1 theatrical poster printed for the first Japanese release of Harmagedon / 「幻魔大戦」, Rintaro’s ambitious 1983 apocalyptic science-fiction anime.

Produced by Haruki Kadokawa, the film brought together the original story of Kazumasa Hirai and Shotaro Ishinomori, music by progressive-rock icon Keith Emerson, and character designs by Katsuhiro Otomo shortly before the international breakthrough of Akira.

This rare poster is presented in the imposing horizontal B1 format, allowing the central painted campaign image, extensive production information, and illustrated character profiles to unfold across a broad, highly detailed composition.

Film background

A malevolent cosmic force known as Genma is moving across the universe, destroying entire worlds in its path.

After his own civilisation is annihilated, the cyborg warrior Vega travels to Earth and joins Princess Luna of Transylvania, a powerful telepath who has foreseen the planet’s destruction.

Together, they seek out individuals possessing dormant psychic abilities. Their most important recruit is Jo Azuma, a troubled Japanese high-school student whose extraordinary psionic power may be essential to humanity’s survival.

As Genma approaches, psychics from different countries and cultures must overcome distrust and unite in a final defence of Earth.

The film was directed by Rintaro, whose major works include Galaxy Express 999 and the later Metropolis.

The principal creative credits include:

Original Story: Kazumasa Hirai and Shotaro Ishinomori
Producer: Haruki Kadokawa
Character Design: Katsuhiro Otomo
Music: Keith Emerson
Director: Rintaro

The principal Japanese voice cast includes:

Tōru Furuya as Jo Azuma
Mami Koyama as Princess Luna
Masaki Terasoma as Warrior Vega
Masako Ikeda as Tao

Harmagedon was a major early-1980s anime production, combining international locations, large-scale destruction, psychic warfare, and a more realistic visual approach to human characters than was common in mainstream animation of the period.

Poster design

This extraordinary horizontal B1 poster functions as both a theatrical advertisement and a detailed visual guide to the film’s universe.

The centre is dominated by an immense painted image of the armoured cyborg Vega, positioned against a burning red cosmic landscape. Above him, a city appears to disintegrate beneath the advancing power of Genma.

At the foreground, the principal psychic warriors gather in a dynamic group. Jo Azuma stands at the centre, surrounded by Princess Luna and the international team of psionic fighters who must unite against the approaching catastrophe.

The blazing red, orange, blue, and black palette gives the central image the scale of a cosmic disaster painting.

The enormous blue headline across the top reads:

「幻魔侵攻――地球はいま《ハルマゲドン》へ！」

Translated:

“Genma invades—Earth now heads towards Harmagedon!”

The vertical text beside the central artwork reads:

「大宇宙の破壊者『幻魔』が迫る！
いま、全世界のサイオニクス戦士に
テレパシー通信が発せられた！
……結集せよ……地球を守れ……」

Translated:

“Genma, destroyer of the vast universe, approaches! A telepathic message has now been transmitted to psionic warriors throughout the world. Gather together—protect the Earth.”

The large red title at the bottom reads:

「幻魔大戦」

with the small reading:

「げんまたいせん」

The English title:

“HARMAGEDON”

appears along the lower-right edge.

Character profiles

The side panels contain numerous film stills, production notes, and individual character portraits.

The lower character roster identifies several members of the international psychic alliance:

TAO
SALAMANDER
YOGHIN
ASSANSIN
SONNY
WARRIOR VEGA
PRINCESS LUNA
JO AZUMA

These illustrated profiles are particularly significant because they prominently showcase Katsuhiro Otomo’s early anime character designs.

The left-side editorial copy promotes the production as:

「映画史をぬり変える空前のアニメ誕生！」

Translated:

“The birth of an unprecedented anime that will rewrite film history!”

It also highlights the popularity of the original novels and manga, together with the soundtrack by Keith Emerson.

The right-side feature announces:

「現代最高のスペシャリストがこの壮大な企画に結集！」

Translated:

“The greatest specialists of the modern era unite for this monumental project!”

The result is an exceptionally rich Japanese campaign piece combining dramatic painted artwork, character design, film stills, explanatory text, and production history.

Rarity and significance

Original B1 posters were produced in considerably smaller numbers than standard Japanese B2 cinema posters.

This horizontal example is especially desirable for its large-scale central artwork, extensive character material, Keith Emerson connection, and early Katsuhiro Otomo designs.

It documents an important transitional moment in Japanese animation, shortly before Otomo’s Akira transformed the international perception of anime.

It is a Japanese horizontal B1-size poster, measuring approximately:

103 × 72.8 cm / 40.6 × 28.7 inches

Condition

Very Good condition. The poster retains vivid red, orange, blue, and black colour, clear illustrated detail, readable character profiles, and very strong overall display impact.

The sheet was previously folded and has visible vertical and horizontal fold lines, associated creasing, light surface wear, and minor handling marks. The reverse shows corresponding folds and gentle age-related wear. Despite these points, the poster remains complete and displays impressively.

Reference: AA47.

Please review both photographs carefully, including the reverse, as they show the exact poster and its condition.

This is an original Japanese horizontal B1 theatrical poster from the film’s first-release 1983 campaign, not a reproduction or reprint.

It is now over 40 years old.

Certificate of Authenticity included.