History Manga / TheSilentService

* SettingUpdate: The [=OVAs=] rectify TheGreatPoliticsMessUp by removing all references to the USSR, cutting ''Yamato'''s fights against the Soviet fleet, and mentioning the end of the Cold War in dialogue. The message changes from anti-Cold War to a criticism of American unilateralism.

* TheGreatPoliticsMessUp: ''The Silent Service'' was originally written when the Soviet military threat, sea lane security to the Persian Gulf, and nuclear weapons were important Japanese security concerns. When the Cold War ended and the Soviet Union imploded, Kaieda's rebellion and motivations of world government was no longer credible.

The manga, created by Kaiji Kawaguchi, who's also known for ''Manga/{{Zipang}}'' and ''A Spirit of the Sun'', was published in the ''Weekly Morning'' (''Shūkan Mōningu'') {{Seinen}} manga anthology magazine in 1988, and concluded in 1996 with 32 volumes published. Three long Original Video Animation adaptations were released in 1996 - 1998. During its serialization the manga had generated considerable attention and controversy in Japan. Its provocative stance questioned Japan's security relations with the United States. Politicians on both sides of the spectrum commented on the manga in newspapers and Diet sessions. Although often seen as a right wing tract, ''The Silent Service'' is actually a combination of rightist (standing up against the U.S.) and leftist (''Yamato'' as a vanguard for nuclear disarmament and world government) nationalisms.

See also the 2012 television series ''Series/LastResort'', which also features a nuclear submarine going rogue.

* DeadlyDodging: This is one Kaieda's techniques against American vessels. During one engagement, he makes a pursuing torpedo hit an American ship by sailing under that ship's keel.

* MeleeATrois: Kaieda wants his sovereignty to be recognized. The Americans want to punish Kaieda for his rebellion. The Japanese government also want to recapture ''Sea Bat'' because they don't want to lose her technology. [[spoiler: Later on, Kaieda proposes a defensive alliance with Japan.]]

A secret joint programme between the United States Navy and [[KaijuDefenseForce Japan's Self-Defense Forces]] leads to the development of Japan's first nuclear submarine ''Sea Bat'', but things go wrong on its maiden voyage when its captain, Kaieda Shirou goes rogue and declares the submarine a sovereign nation, ''Yamato''. HotSubOnSubAction ensues as the rogue crew attempts to evade the U.S. Navy's efforts to recapture or destroy them.

* ImpededMessenger: ''Yamato'' and the U.S. forces in New York Harbor enter into a temporary standoff after a few engagements. [[spoiler: Nagabuchi recommends attacking ''Yamato'' ASAP to take advantage of surprise. He receives a message from the president to cease attacking...moments after he gives the order.]]

* ElectionDayEpisode: The manga has an entire story arc dedicated to a Japanese national election during the midst of the ''Yamato'' crisis.

* NoCelebritiesWereHarmed: U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Hendrick Dole resembles Norman Schwarzkopf. ACN head Cecil [=DeMille=] is based off of CNN founder Ted Turner while reporter Bob [=McCay=] is modeled after Bernard Shaw.

* SonicStunner: ''Yamato'''s first war shot is a "sound torpedo" that's used to stun the sonar operators on the opposing U.S. subs.

* MeleeATrois: Kaieda wants his sovereignty to be recognized. The Americans want to punish Kaieda for his rebellion. The Japanese government also want to recapture ''Sea Bat'' because they don't want to lose its technology. [[spoiler: Later on, Kaieda proposes a defensive alliance with Japan.]]

* ThePoliticalOfficer: The political officer of a Typhoon-class submarine recommends engaging ''Yamato'' after she is detected on sonar. The captain disagrees and both boats pass by without fighting.

* ImprobableWeaponUser: Robukov's ''Red Scorpion'' uses communications wire (normally used to receive radio transmissions while submerged) to [[https://i.imgur.com/A8xckW7.jpg entangle U.S. submarines]]. After dragging them about, he cuts the wire and sends them off careening out of control.

* NoCelebritiesWereHarmed: U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Hendrick Dole resembles Norman Schwarzkopf. ACN head Cecil DeMille is based off of CNN founder Ted Turner while reporter Bob [=McCay=] is modeled after Bernard Shaw.

* NoCelebritiesWereHarmed: U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Hendrick Dole resembles Norman Schwarzkopf. ACN head Cecil DeMille is based off of CNN founder Ted Turner while reporter Bob McCay is modeled after Bernard Shaw.

* NoCelebritiesWereHarmed: U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Hendrick Dole resembles Norman Schwarzkopf.

The manga, created by Kaiji Kawaguchi, who's also known for ''Manga/{{Zipang}}'' and ''A Spirit of the Sun'', was published in the ''Weekly Morning'' (''Shūkan Mōningu'') {{Seinen}} manga anthology magazine in 1988, and concluded in 1996 with 32 volumes published. Three long Original Video Animation adaptations were released in 1996 - 1998. During its serialization the manga had generated considerable attention and controversy in Japan. Its provocative stance questioned Japan's security relations with the United States. Politicians on both sides of the spectrum commented on the manga in newspapers and Diet sessions.

** ''Sea Bat/Yamato'', with her 55 knot speed and advanced Japanese technology.

* MacrossMissileMassacre: A typical American attack against ''Yamato'' involves the liberal launching of many ASROC missiles. The Soviets also do this with their antisubmarine missiles during the Okinawa Sea engagement sequence.

* DirtyCommunists: The Soviet Navy considers ''Yamato'' to be an imperialist threat to the USSR. After a submarine duel and a rebuffed anti-U.S. alliance proposal to Kaieda, the Soviets send out a task force to sink ''Yamato'' near Okinawa.

* FakingTheDead: ''Sea Bat'' is supposed to be a top secret project. In the manga's beginning, Kaieda and his crew participate in a deliberate sinking of their old submarine ''Tatsunami'' to fake their deaths before transferring over. ''Yamanami'''s collision with a Victor II boat before imploding also increases anti-Soviet paranoia and generates support for the Self-Defense Force's sea lane strategy.

A secret joint programme between the United States Navy and [[KaijuDefenseForce Japan's Self-Defense Forces]] leads to the development of Japan's first nuclear submarine ''Sea Bat'', but things go wrong on its maiden voyage when its captain, Kaeda Shirou goes rogue and declares the submarine a sovereign nation, ''Yamato''. HotSubOnSubAction ensues as the rogue crew attempts to evade the U.S. Navy's efforts to recapture or destroy them.

** Kaeda Shirou of ''Sea Bat/Yamato''.

* DeadlyDodging: This is one Kaeda's techniques against American vessels. During one engagement, he makes a pursuing torpedo hit an American ship by sailing under that ship's keel.
* DirtyCommunists: The Soviet Navy considers ''Yamato'' to be an imperialist threat to the USSR. After a submarine duel and a rebuffed anti-U.S. alliance proposal to Kaeda, the Soviets send out a task force to sink ''Yamato'' near Okinawa.

* EmptyQuiver: Upon declaring his rebellion, Kaeda adds that ''Yamato'' contains nuclear warheads for its weapons. This puts the U.S. military leadership into double-down mode to capture the sub.
* ExactlyWhatIAimedAt: Used by Kaeda during the Okinawa Sea engagement. He launches a pair of torpedoes against a Soviet ship, making it collide with a nearby destroyer out of negligent evasion. The torpedoes travel under the first ship's keel and continue on to hit their real target: the destroyer ''Provorny''.
* FakingTheDead: ''Sea Bat'' is supposed to be a top secret project. In the manga's beginning, Kaeda and his crew participate in a deliberate sinking of their old submarine ''Tatsunami'' to fake their deaths before transferring over. ''Yamanami'''s collision with a Victor II boat before imploding also increases anti-Soviet paranoia and generates support for the Self-Defense Force's sea lane strategy.
* TheGreatPoliticsMessUp: ''The Silent Service'' was originally written when the Soviet military threat, sea lane security to the Persian Gulf, and nuclear weapons were important Japanese security concerns. When the Cold War ended and the Soviet Union imploded, Kaeda's rebellion and motivations of world government was no longer credible.
* HoistByHisOwnPetard: Terence Carver--captain of USS ''Vella Gulf''--devises a tactic after detecting ''Yamato'' right under his ship. After firing a salvo of [=ASROCs=], the cruiser would immediately run at flank speed to escape the blast radius. [[spoiler: Kaeda torpedoes ''Vella Gulf'''s screws and foils Carver's plan. The [=ASROCs=] explode on both sides of the cruiser and fatally damage her.]]

* MeleeATrois: Kaeda wants his sovereignty to be recognized. The Americans want to punish Kaeda for his rebellion. The Japanese government also want to recapture ''Sea Bat'' because they don't want to lose its technology. [[spoiler: Later on, Kaeda proposes a defensive alliance with Japan.]]

* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: UN Secretary-General Adams. He is willing to take the Japanese government's and Kaeda's propsals with an open mind, compared to most American politicians in the story.
** Secretary of State Harold Baker is one in the American political establishment. [[spoiler: Seeing the folly of wasting away U.S. naval power to no effect against Kaeda, he is willing to accommodate him in negotiations.]]
* RedOniBlueOni: Fukamachi's impulsive attitude and conventional worldview contrasts to Kaeda's calculating personality and extremist goals. The fact that Fukamachi was the MSDF's second choice to command ''Sea Bat'' drives his motivation to track down Kaeda before the Americans do.

* [[spoiler:TakingTheBullet]]: [[spoiler:Kaeda takes a bullet for Bennett when the U.S. military-industrial complex attempt to sabotage the peace negotiations. Kaeda survives the shot but ends up in a coma.]]

* WellIntentionedExtremist: For Kaeda, his rebellion is not so much sticking the middle finger to U.S. military power as it is to forcibly create a nuclear-armed [[TakeAThirdOption third way]] to the Cold War power struggle. He believes that world peace can happen by having the [[UnitedNationsIsASuperpower UN assume control of all military power on the globe]].

** Secretary of State Harold Baker is one in the American political establishment. [[spoiler: Seeing the folly of wasting away U.S. naval power to no effect against Kaeda, he is willing to accommodate him in negotiations.]]