"Space Battleship Yamato" producer and co-creator Yoshinobu Nishizaki can be seen in a crowd of people who chant for Yamato to come and save them.
Commander Baruze's name is pronounced "Balsey". This connects Beruze with Admiral William "Bull" Halsey, a commander of the US Navy's 3rd Fleet and a vicious opponent of the Japanese during World War II. Baruze's battle with the Space Yamato in the area of Saturn shows a parallel with the Battle of Leyte Gulf, which involved both Bull Halsey and the original Yamato.
General Goenitz was based on the Grand Admiral Karl Doenitz, who commandeered the German navy in World War II.
General Zordar and Sabella were named after the English words "sword" and "saber."
Space Battleship Yamato' creators Leiji Matsumoto and Yoshinobu Nishizaki clashed over the ultimate fate of the Yamato crew. Nishizaki felt they should uphold their honour and sacrifice themselves, while Matsumoto was attached to his characters and wanted them to live on.
The whole film was storyboarded by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko, who had worked on half the episodes of Uchû senkan Yamato.
This film was adapted into the second season of Star Blazers, with appropriate changes made to adjust for the TV and for audiences.