Ginga Hyōryū Vifam

Ginga Hyōryū Vifam (銀河漂流バイファム) is an anime television series created by Sunrise in 1983.

Production
Galactic Drifter Vifam premiered in Japan on Japan News Network's TV stations (including MBS and TBS) between October 21, 1983 and September 8, 1984. The series was directed by Takeyuki Kanda and included mechanical designs by artist Kunio Okawara (who previously designed mecha for the Mobile Suit Gundam anime series).

The show's intro theme, "Hello Vifam", was composed and performed by the Japanese progressive rock band TAO. This theme is one of the first Japanese animation title songs written entirely with English language lyrics.

A sequel television anime, Ginga Hyōryū Vifam 13 (銀河漂流バイファム13), aired on MBS and its affiliated networks between March 21, 1998 and October 3, 1998.

The first series was also later re-run in Japan on Animax in December 23, 2006.

Plot
During the year A.D. 2058 hostile forces (collectively known as the "Astrogaters") attack the human colony at Clayad, the third planet of the Ypserlon system which is located 43 light years away from Earth. Because of this the colonists on Clayad are evacuated from the planet. During the confusion some of the human children become stranded from their parents and escape in the training combat space ship, the Janous. With the help of the ship's defense systems (which include the advanced and powerful VIFAM aerospace combat mecha) they manage to arrive at Belwick, the fourth planet of the system where other humans supposedly live. However, upon arriving they discover that the colony at Belwick had already been destroyed by the enemies too. Learning to pilot the VIFAMs and other mecha the 13 children decide to escape to Earth by themselves.

On their way to Earth they discover a damaged alien ship piloted by an Astrogater. From him they learn that one of the children is actually an alien as well and that their parents have been captured and taken to the Astrogater home planet Kukto's artificial satellite, Tuat. After numerous battles with Astrogaters (Kuktonians as they call themselves) and receiving some help from Earth military forces they manage to reach Tuat. One of children is captured and taken prisoner on Tuat where he learns that there is a rebel faction among the Kuktonians and effects an escape with the help of the imprisoned rebels. After liberating the prisoners the children learn their parents have been moved planet side to Kukto.

Characters

 * Roddy Shuffle (ロディ・シャッフル)


 * Barts Lyan (バーツ・ライアン)


 * Scott Heyward (スコット・ヘイワード)


 * Clare Barbland (クレア・バーブランド)


 * Katue Piason (カチュア・ピアスン)


 * Maki Rowel (マキ・ローウェル)


 * Kentsu Norton (ケンツ・ノートン)


 * Shalon Publin (シャロン・パブリン)


 * Fred Shuffle (フレッド・シャッフル)


 * Pench Eliza (ペンチ・イライザ)


 * Gimmy Eril (ジミー・エリル)


 * Malro Jr. Bonner (マルロ・Jr.・ボナー)


 * Routinie Pressette (ルチーナ・プレシェット)


 * Kate Hathuway (ケイト・ハザウェイ)


 * Mervin Clake (メルビン・クレーク)


 * Frederick Roden (フレデリック・ローデン)