Voyage Into Space Ending Explained: What Happened and Why?

What Happens at the End of Voyage Into Space?

Earth is invaded by an interstellar terrorist group, Big Fire (the Gargoyle Gang in the American version), led by Emperor Guillotine who spends most of his time in a multicolored space ship hidden at the bottom of Earth's ocean, from which he issues his orders. Big Fire is capturing scientists to create an army of monsters to conquer Earth. A boy named Daisaku Kusama (Johnny Sokko in the American version) and a young Unicorn agent named Jūrō Minami (Jerry Mano in the American version) are shipwrecked on an island after being attacked by a sea monster and subsequently captured by Big Fire. They flee to where a Pharaoh-like giant robot is being built by captive scientist Lucius Guardian, who gives Daisaku and Jūrō its control device. Guardian helps them escape before he is shot to death; before he dies, he triggers an atomic bomb which destroys the base. The radiation activates the robot, which now obeys only Daisaku.

Minoru Yamada's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Mitsunobu Kaneko (Johnny Sokko)'s journey. Big Fire is capturing scientists to create an army of monsters to conquer Earth.

How Does Mitsunobu Kaneko (Johnny Sokko)'s Story End?

• Mitsunobu Kaneko: Mitsunobu Kaneko's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
• Akio Ito (Jerry Mano): Akio Ito's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
• Shōzaburō Date: Shōzaburō Date's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.

What Does the Ending of Voyage Into Space Mean?

Voyage Into Space's ending attempts to resolve the major plot threads, though some narrative elements involving Mitsunobu Kaneko may feel rushed. Minoru Yamada's final act has been both praised for its ambition and criticized for its execution.