In the future, humanity has achieved a vast starfaring civilization, but is slowly and steadily succumbing to ennui or despair, often due to defeat and subjugation by a foreign invader. Rising against the general apathy, Herlock denies defeat and leads an outlaw crew aboard his starship Arcadia to undertake daring raids against Earth's oppressors. Their primary oppressors are the Mazone, a race of organic plant-based alien women who explored Earth in the mythic past and are now back to reclaim it.

Uchuu Kaizoku Captain Herlock was published in Spanish by Glénat from October 2002 to June 2003, and later re-released by Norma Editorial in 2016. The series has been published in English as Captain Harlock by Seven Seas Entertainment as omnibus volumes from June 12, 2018 to February 26, 2019.