The Legend of Galactic Heroes (episode 53 & 54)

The Legend of Galactic Heroes (Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu) is a series of science fiction novels written by Yoshiki Tanaka, and adapted to a classic anime series produced by Kitty Films and animated for the most part by Artland and Magic Bus, running from 1988 to 2000.

In humanity’s distant future, two interstellar states – the monarchic Galactic Empire and the democratic Free Planets Alliance – are embroiled in a never-ending war. The story focuses on the exploits of rivals Reinhard von Müsel and Yang Wen Li as they rise to power and fame in the Galactic Empire and the Free Planets Alliance. None of this content has been officially released in the English language. However, fan translations of the anime to English are available. A new anime is in production right now too.

“The life of the Alliance is at an end. It’s politicians who toy with power. It’s opportunistic soldiers like in Amlitzer. No, it’s citizens who have turned over rulership to politicians instead of participating in it. The people have democratic principles on their lips but can’t spare the effort to safeguard it. The collapse of the government is the sin of its rulers and leaders. The collapse of democracy is the sin of every citizen.” 

 

Another quote from the next episode of a meeting of two great characters in this series whose names will be ommitted to not spoil anything:

“I only offer a counterpoint to your ideology. I believe that an ideology, seen from another side, must give rise to a counter-ideology. I merely point out that such a counterpoint must exist.”
“So no ideology is supreme and no ideology stands alone? Is that your conviction?”
“No, that’s just what I was thinking, I wouldn’t call it a conviction.”