Zipang

Zipang (2004-2005)

Zipang is a 26-episode made-for-TV historical sci-fi anime, an adaptation of the first part of a manga of the same name by Kaiji Kawaguchi that ran from 2000-2009 in Weekly Morning magazine. The series was produced with the cooperation of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, including cooperation from an official on active service at the time. It was first broadcast from 2004-2005, with a dub released in the West on DVD in September 2006. It features a similar premise to the 1980 American movie The Final Countdown, with a modern warship mysteriously sent back in time to World War 2 and forced to question where its loyalties now lie, whether it should change history, and if so in what way.

In this case the ship is Japanese, a brand-new Aegis-equipped guided missile destroyer DDH-182 JDS Mirai (the serial number would later be used by the actual JDS Ise commissioned in 2011) of the fictional Yukinami-Class, resembling a Kongo-Class destroyer with an additional hangar. Mirai is a homophone for the Japanese word for the future.

Since the manga was not finished when the series was made, the anime concludes on a cliffhanger: so far, there are no known plans to cover the rest of the story.

The following weapons were used in the anime series Zipang:

Pistols

Minebea P9

The Minebea P9 is the official sidearm of the JSDF. Commander Kadomatsu is given one for self-defence and to keep an eye on Lt. Commander Kusaka by Captain Umezu.

File:P220 Japanese-ver 9mm Pistol.jpg

Minebea P9, Japanese licensed copy of the P220 - 9x19mm

Nambu Type 14

The Nambu Type 14 are seen in the hands of the Imperial Japanese military.

Nambu Type 14, early model with round trigger guard - 8x22mm Nambu

FN Model 1910

A FN Model 1910 are seen wielded various characters as their sidearm.

FN Model 1910 - .380ACP

Submachine Guns

Thompson M1928A1

Thompson M1928A1 are seen in the hands of US Marines

M1928A1 Thompson with 30-round magazine - .45 ACP. This specimen has the sling swivel relocated to the top of the stock, a modification often made to Thompsons in British service.

Assault Rifles

Howa Type 89

The Howa Type 89 is the official service rifle of the JSDF. They are wielded by the Mirai's sailors for self-defence whenever it's main armaments are unavailable or unsuitable.

Howa Type 89 with integral bipod and bayonet - 5.56x45mm

Howa Type 89 - 5.56x45mm NATO

Battle Rifles

Arisaka Rifle

Arisaka Rifles are seen in the hands of the Imperial Japanese military.

Arisaka Type 38 - 6.5x50mm Arisaka

M1 Garand

M1 Garands are seen in the hands of US Marines which is partially anachronistic since Marines that first landed on Guadalcanal were primarily armed with 1903 Springfields.

M1 Garand with M1 bayonet - .30-06

Machine Guns

Browning M1919

A Browning M1919A4 is seen in the hand of a US Marine.

Browning M1919A4 on M2 tripod - .30-06

Phalanx CIWS

The Mirai can be seen equipped with two Phalanx CIWS turrets; one on the bow in front of the main superstructure, and another on the stern over the helicopter hangar.

Phalanx Block 1A CIWS - 20x102mm. The Block 1A has a new electronic system which allow it to integrate with other weapons systems aboard ship, as well as introducing a barrel restraint to increase accuracy.

These appear to be based on Block 1A variants, as indicated by the barrel restraint.

M197 Vulcan

The M197 Vulcan appears as the primary armament on the fictional MVSA-32J Umidori tilt-rotor aircraft carried by the Mirai.

M197 Vulcan 20mm