Space Battleship Yamato 2199 is a remake of an now almost 30 year old show that got a quite the unusual release. Multiple episodes a-piece were first shown in the cinema with physical releases and a TV broadcast later on. In addition to that they also marketed to the english market themselves which they hardly ever do (and releasing awkward videos like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uR71MSl3vIs).
The show itself is a straight space opera. Almost all episodes are self-contained and play out on their travels to a remote galaxy where they hope to save planet earth with the help of an alien race. Except for three episodes I enjoyed them all quite a bit and there are some great space battles to be seen. It might all have been a touch too romantic for my taste but it's oldschool in that regard.
The presentation itself is good throughout and the show carries retro sound-design and music (with the intro recreated by Hideaki Anno).
The original aired in the US under the title Star Blazers which gives it that now quite "uncool" name but if you havn't seen it then you now have the chance to do so with the updated version.

Thanks @ManiacB for the rec. I would never have looked into it otherwise.