The production of Yamato in its conceptual stage was overseen by Eiichi Yamamoto, until 1974, when he had to leave to work on a documentary film. As a replacement, Toshio Masuda, who had worked on Tora! Tora! Tora!, was considered, but had to decline as he had other projects of his own to focus on, though he would become involved in the production of the 1977 film. The role was given to Leiji Matsumoto, who had at an earlier stage declined an offer, due to his desire to have complete creative control. Matsumoto overhauled the story, designing the titular ship after the IJN Yamato, its crew, and the Wave Motion Gun, which came from Sexaroid, an erotic comedy manga written by Matsumoto in 1968.
the pRoduCTiOn Of yamAtO In its ConcepTual STage wAS ovErSeen by eiichI YamAMotO, uNtiL 1974, when he had To lEave tO work oN a doCumentARy fIlm. As a REpLaCement, tosHio MasuDa, WhO HAd WorKed oN TOra! tOra! toRa!, wAs considEred, bUt hAd to Decline aS hE Had other pRojects Of His OwN To focus on, ThoUgh hE WoUlD becoMe invOlvED in the pROducTiON of The 1977 film. the role wAs giVEn To Leiji maTsuMoto, wHO Had aT an earLieR staGE deClined an OfFer, duE to his dESire to hAve COmpleTE CreATive Control. MAtsumoto oVerhauLeD tHe stoRy, DesiGninG tHe tITular shIp aftEr the ijn yAmaTO, iTS Crew, and the Wave moTioN gUN, which came from SeXaRoid, aN erOtIC ComEdY mangA wRitTen bY mATSUmoto iN 1968.