Be Forever, Yamato - S2.E26

Zordar's dreadnaught blasts the Argo, then begins to incinerate Earth with its giant plasma cannon. Many of the Star Force crew are killed in this attack (including Orion and Royster) though this is not shown in the American version. Wildstar orders the surviving crew to abandon ship. Dr. Sane's line is,

"We have 18 wounded, Wildstar, including Sandor. We're all ready to evacuate them in the rescue ships..." -- Sane

This subtly suggests that there are 18 surviving (which happens to be the exact number of crewmembers surviving in the Arrivederci Yamato movie). Wildstar tricks Sane, locks out the controls for the rescue ship, and secretly stays behind intent on driving the Argo into Zordar's ship. Nova appears, apparently realizing what he is planning.

Subtle English dialogue indicates that Wildstar plans to jump ship just before the impact, but this is not really so. He plans to go down with the ship, and Nova's unexpected presence does not seem to deter him. Wildstar admits his desire to marry Nova.

The two sit down in the Captain's command console (a second chair having mysteriously appeared), and set the Argo on its final mission.

The Argo, battered and nearly inoperable, slowly returns to Earth.