A vast science fiction epic, Legend of the Galactic Heroes is very different from most anime in many ways. While most anime is based on manga, Legend of the Galactic Heroes is based on a series of science fiction novels. In addition, there are no giant robots, hard suits, or alien monsters. It is simply about people, their drives, their pain and their conflict. The characters range from the Galactic Emperor all the way down to gunners, fighter pilots and ordinary townspeople.
Further setting it apart from the anime genre is the fact that Galactic Heroes does not have a techno, rock or pop soundtrack. Except for the opening and ending themes, the background music is almost all classical works by masters such as Wagner, Liszt, Dvorak, Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart. For example, in the first movie a 20-minute space battle is set to "Bolero". The usage of these classic works adds to the epic feel of the series.
(For more background information on the story itself please take a look at the backstory and timeline.)