Cast and Fans Celebrate the Release of SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO 2199: THE STAR-VOYAGING ARK

Author: Tim Eldred, Cosmo DNA Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: yamato2199.net The all-new anime feature film SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO 2199: THE STAR-VOYAGING ARK (???????2199 ?????, Uchuu Senkan Yamato 2199 Hoshi Meguru Hakobune) opened in Japanese theaters on December 6th. Cosmo DNA`s Tim Eldred looks back at some of the promotional events for the movie, with information and high-res photos courtesy of the distributor, Shochiku Co., Ltd.

Showbiz lookalike?! What happened, Okada? The Captain and Natsuki Kato December 4: Premium Screening An advance premium screening of THE STAR-VOYAGING ARK was held at Shochiku Multiplex Theaters’ Shinjuku Piccadilly Screen 1 on Thursday, December 4. The special on-stage presentation from Keisuke Okada of the comedy duo Masumi Okada in uniform as "Captain Okada" (an original character inspired by YAMATO`s Captain Okita) and cosplayer Natsuki Kato, who looked just like the film`s heroine, Yuki Mori. The event was MC`d by another comedy duo, Ojin Osborne (TOMICA HERO RESCUE FORCE).

"Comedy Wave-Motion Gun fire!!" Okada yelled to cheers from the audience. “Captain Okita is the best in showbiz right now. But wait a minute! Doesn’t anyone think his name resembles someone else’s? Nah... (laughs)" The comedian continued: "I remember watching SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO in first grade, when it was broadcast for the first time. It was from SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO that I first became aware of space. And Leader Dessler, too. When I first saw him, I wondered, `Does he have a hangover?`” Natsuki Kato gave her impressions of the movie, stating, "This was an epic story, a worthy ending to YAMATO 2199. The battle scenes for the men, the love scenes for the women, and whenever Yamato starts to move the theme song flows, and it’s really great!" "Since it’s a work set in space with the theme of peace, I want everyone to watch it, from adults to children regardless of gender. And I think you’ll want to watch it all the way to the end credits without getting up!" Also on display at the screening was a highly detailed 1/500 scale dark chocolate model of the Yamato, courtesy of the Rihga Royal Hotel`s Chocolat Boutique du Royal L`éclat, which had sold limited edition SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO 2199 planet chocolates during the World Event this past August. The chocolate sculpt, which included light-up Wave-Motion Gun and engine, delighted Captain Okada and the others. "It’s amazing!" exclaimed Natsuki Kato, "The bitter taste of the chocolate matches Yamato! [THE STAR-VOYAGING ARK] was worthy as the last chapter of the YAMATO 2199 series, but this is worthy to be in a Christmas cake (laughs)."

Voice actors Aya Uchida (Yuria Misaki), Houko Kuwashima (Yuki Mori) and Eriko Nakamura (Mikage Kiryu) salute with the Yamato Girls, fans and a sake barrel at the Opening Day Stage Greeting. Photo courtesy of Shochiku. © 2014 Space Battleship Yamato 2199 Production Committee

December 6: Opening Day Stage Greeting The Shinjuku Piccadilly Screen 1 was also the site for the SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO 2199: THE STAR-VOYAGING ARK opening day stage greeting on Saturday, December 6. On stage were voice actors Houko Kuwashima (Yuki Mori), Eriko Nakamura (Mikage Kiryu) and Aya Uchida (Yuria Misaki). They held a ceremonial prayer for the success of the movie and performed the traditional New Year’s Kagami-biraki sake barrel ceremony with the Yamato Girls. Houko Kuwashima spoke first. "Finally, I got the offer to do a stage greeting. My voice was heard from Chapter 1 to Chapter 7, so I was relieved to get the call (laughs). Time for the women!"

A limited number of 35mm film strips were offered as gifts to ticket buyers during the early weeks of the film`s theatrical run. Photo courtesy of Shochiku. © 2014 Space Battleship Yamato 2199 Production Committee

“`Succession` is a theme in YAMATO. The crew has grown up since last time, and I thought it was cool to see this from the view point of Yuki Mori and Kodai-kun [Susumu Kodai]. At the time of the TV series, I had two roles... the director took a reckless turn. The role of Yuki Mori alone was already a full job, and it really got serious when he said ‘Yurisha, too’ (laughs). When I think about two people who look alike in the whole wide universe, a magnificent romance opens up, doesn’t it?" "I’m really glad to celebrate the opening day," said Kuwashima. "Doing the voice recording on the TV series had the feeling of being on Yamato’s crew. The pride in the anime techniques gathered up in this work can be boasted to the world, and you can see it from the opening scene. I think the individual Garmillas characters and the new Gatlantis characters are wonderful, and I empathize with each one. I’ll be glad if you can visit the theater many times to taste the grand scale and thrills." "My name is Nakamura, and I play Kiryu," Eriko Nakamura told the fans. "I’m glad to be able to come for this opening day stage greeting. Before the release of the movie, I was also added to the [internet radio program] YRA RADIO YAMATO group, and I learned a lot from doing the radio show. I also got a lot of help from everyone with the voice recording." Addressing Kuwashima and Uchida, she explained, "When I saw you both take on dual roles in the TV series, I also wanted a challenge. This was a great challenge for me as an actor." "It’s been a long two years and eight months since 2199 started, and I’m very grateful to have been a part of it. I’m happy that I was able to bring one ending to everybody, and I think it demonstrates that it’s not impossible to bring some new developments to Yamato in various ways. Please give your support so that new YAMATO adventures can be delivered after this." Asked about her favorite character, Nakamura expressed a preference for Lt. Commander Berger. Aya Uchida next took the microphone. "This is the first time I’ve done a stage greeting for YAMATO 2199, and I’m very happy to be here today. I’ve been in charge of YRA RADIO YAMATO from the very beginning. For a novice like me to talk about YAMATO made me nervous, but I’ve gotten a lot of messages from the younger generation to the original YAMATO fans, and we’ve all studied the YAMATO series together." Asked about her favorite scene in THE STAR-VOYAGING ARK, Uchida replied, "I really like the scene of Captain Okita and Kodai relaxing together and smiling while they talk. The captain says, `I wonder if I could make a request to Misaki-kun for the radio,` and that scene made me really excited." "I personally looked forward to this new feature film very much. I think it’s wonderful that love is depicted throughout the series. The theme of the story is inheritance by the younger generation, and YAMATO 2199 inherited it from the original YAMATO. Furthermore, if it can be handed down to the next generation I think it can become even bigger. I’ll be glad if everyone loves YAMATO."

Producer Mikio Gunji and voice actors Daisuke Ono (Susumu Kodai), Junichi Suwabe (Fomto Berger) and Eriko Nakamura at the Thank-You Stage Greeting. Photo courtesy of Shochiku. © 2014 Space Battleship Yamato 2199 Production Committee

December 14: Thank-You Stage Greeting The weekend after SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO 2199: THE STAR-VOYAGING ARK`s release, voice actors Daisuke Ono (Susumu Kodai), Junichi Suwabe (Fomto Berger) and Eriko Nakamura were joined on stage by Producer Mikio Gunji to deliver a big hit thank-you stage greeting at Shochiku Multiplex Theaters’ Marunouchi Piccadilly Theater in Yurakucho, Tokyo. Nakamura had a sore throat, so she mainly communicated by written notes that were amusingly read by Suwabe. "Being able to board Yamato once more time was very emotional," Daisuke Ono revealed. "I realized when I came up here and saw this audience that I’ve traveled with many companions so far, and Yamato’s journey was extremely difficult. Thank you very much. I think the first impression of [this version of] Kodai might have seemed strange at the beginning because he’s more introspective, and he might not be Kodai to someone who watched the original work. But after the matter of his older brother Mamoru, he grew up thanks to the friends of Yamato."

"There are a lot of influential figures in the voice cast, and the sight of all those energetic young voice actors left me dumbfounded. I’ve been told that the characters in Yamato tend to be foolish, and I think “foolish” is a great keyword." A note from Eriko Nakamura stated that the characters were "Made foolish by love." Ono continued: "Other than Yuki, my favorite female character is Niimi. She’s earnest about Mamoru, and the marriage of her intellectual side with her impulsive side is a good one. It’s a moe [fetish] gap." "I’m self-conscious about speaking on stage, so this makes me nervous, but it’s fun to talk about YAMATO in a stage greeting, which I think is an equal sign of love. I think everyone who watches this from now on will be filled with love, including the older fans. Yamato’s journey is not over. Let’s all continue the journey together! Thanks for today." Junichi Suwabe started by imitating Dessler. “`Gentlemen of Terron...` that’s not my line (laughs)." Regarding the suit he was wearing on stage, he explained, "Today I voted in an election at an elementary school looking like this." This prompted a note from Nakamura that Suwabe looked "Like a serious host." On seeing the finished film, Suwabe said he was "filled with emotion. I think anyone who watched the TV series understands; I thought the character called Berger was completely dead... (laughs) at the time of the last recording session. But after the series was over, Director Izubuchi said, `Berger is not dead.` I wondered if it was a cheat. But I’m glad to have finally appeared in such a form. The cause of the wound on Berger’s cheek is now revealed in this movie. There were various stories behind that in the past, but he was easier to play when I learned he wasn’t merely a bad guy." "I’ve liked the plamodels since I was in kindergarten, and when I went to the neighborhood store with my parents I begged them many times to buy one. `This is the request of a lifetime!` I liked Andromeda back then, and now I think Yamato is cool. I’m sorry I didn’t get that as a kid (laughs)." Asked to name his favorite character, he answered, "Every girl is cute, but it’s Kiryu."

Suwabe was impressed with the film`s combat scenes. "I thought about how a fleet battle would be shown with present-day mecha action, and my heart was pounding... I was really excited! I think the day we get to fight again in the world of Yamato, it should be elaborate. It has become an important work." With her sore throat Eriko Nakamura kept her comments understandably brief. "I’m very happy to see you in person for the second week of release," she told the attendees, and reiterated her interest in Berger. "He looks yummy," she laughed. "I also like Daisuke Shima. Only Shima doesn’t get any romance... I’m worried about him living the single life." "In the movie I played both Melia and Mikage Kiryu. Recently when I asked everyone, `How was it?` I was really glad to get a warm round of applause. I’ll be happy from now on if I can share such times with everyone on the Yamato crew." "I’m Gunji from Production IG," Producer Mikio Gunji introduced himself before delighting the fans with word that they hadn`t seen the last of SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO 2199. "The movie is finished and it’s good... but I really don’t think we need to give it up." In [THE STAR-VOYAGING ARK], the Wave-Motion Gun is sealed up and it features an appealing battle of conventional weapons. When we were in script meetings, we talked about how it’s interesting to fight with conventional weapons using wisdom and courage. In the last battle scene with Yamato and the enemy battleship, we made it a big highlight when they fought a gun battle and drew the enemy in using the rocket anchor. Isn’t the image of two battleships fighting in single combat like a gunman in a western?" "I think you can understand from the end credit roll that the production of a movie is crystallized from the sweat and effort of many people," Gunji concluded. "It’s not an exaggeration to say that YAMATO 2199 is not complete until you’ve seen this movie. If you can come back to the theater many times, I’ll be very happy."

For more information on SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO please see the earlier coverage here on SciFi Japan: