Voice actor Houchu Otsuka talks about the appeal of Shiro Sanada
What are his thoughts on the speech scene at the end of 2202?
Age of Yamato is a high quality documentary!
(See the original article here)
Yamato 2199 is a remake of the immortal masterpiece Space Battleship Yamato, which has been a part of Japanese anime history, and depicts the 168,000 light-year voyage to save Earth from the invasion of Garmillas. The sequel, Yamato 2202, depicts the battle against the imperial star Gatlantis.
The voyages of Yamato depicted in both works are shown in the film Age of Yamato, to be released on June 11. It will feature the narration of Shiro Sanada, one of the characters in the film. Here, we share with you an interview with voice actor Houchu Otsuka that took place during the recording.
In addition to Mr. Otsuka’s thoughts on the highlights of the film, we also asked him about the recording of Sanada’s speech scene, which is one of the most famous scenes in the last half of 2202. If you’re a fan, you can’t help but be curious about these topics.
A high quality documentary by Sanada, who knows everything about Yamato‘s voyage
Interviewer: I heard that this is a compilation film with your narration in the role of Sanada. What are the highlights of the film, and how did you approach the recording?
Otsuka: This work is a high quality documentary that condenses everything. It can also be enjoyed as standalone entertainment. If you don’t know anything about Yamato, you can understand it. I believe that people who have been watching Yamato for a long time will be able to make new discoveries.
In the old series, Takeshi Aono played the role of Sanada. He bought me drinks and took me to various places. Mr. Aono was a mentor who I really loved. When I started playing that role in 2199, it made me grieve for Mr. Aono. I realized once again the greatness of my mentors.
As for this movie, when I read the script, I knew that it was going to be a monologue by Sanada, and I felt that I had been given a serious task. The story is told in the form of Sanada’s answers to interviews. I was worried about how to create a reality where a man who knows everything about Yamato‘s voyage talks about his journey.
The recording was done while talking with the director. I wondered, “Would Sanada talk like this? Would Sanada make a point here?” I think I was able to get into the right frame of mind. I had played the role for a long time since 2199, so I had a good grasp of his feelings and the overall mood. I felt that I was able to speak as Shiro Sanada, the person.
Interviewer: The original Yamato, in which Mr. Aono played Sanada, was made in 1974. I think you were 20 years old at that time. How did you view it back then?
Otsuka: I had just moved to Tokyo from the countryside, and I had no job. I was at a loss. I knew that Space Battleship Yamato was getting a lot of attention, but I was living in a tiny apartment with no TV, struggling to make ends meet.
I rarely watched TV, so I didn’t see Space Battleship Yamato. It was a time when I couldn’t afford to enjoy it. In hindsight, I wish I had started watching it properly back then. It wasn’t until I was cast in 2199 that I really got to know it. I thought Kenji Sawada’s single From Yamato With Love was a great song from that time. I later learned that it was from Farewell to Yamato. I knew I had to see it someday, but 40 years have passed since then.
I was just starting to think about becoming a voice actor back then, and I had the impression that actors who were in a show were on top of the world. I thought to myself, “How is it possible that a world that I had longed to be a part of is now a boom?” I was curious about that.
Interviewer: What do you think of Sanada’s character from 2199?
Otsuka: I knew Aono-san, but I didn’t know each of his characters at first. It was only later that I understood that Sanada is a serious and strong deputy and a soldier. I’ve played a lot of unusual roles, so I thought that Sanada would require that kind of performance at first. So when I spoke in a slightly eccentric way in the first audition, I was told, “No, that’s not it.” (Laughs)
Sanada was portrayed as a cool, cold-hearted soldier. In the beginning, there were not many scenes that showed his human side. I thought the eccentric side would gradually emerge, but it was not the case. Although he is a strong man, he is also humorous, and he shows his own kindness. I enjoyed playing him when I could see that part of him in the story.
He is a type of person that I could never be, a man who has everything, including quick judgment and decisiveness as a soldier. But he has also lost many important people, so I don’t think that is the only essential part of him. I thought it would be nice if I could let that part of him drift through the lines. I was worried about how to directly convey the emotions behind a line to the audience. I wondered if it was okay for someone like me to be involved in a work like Yamato. Even so, I had no choice but to speak.
I played the role with the feeling that I wanted people to understand Sanada. I wanted everyone to understand the happiness of being able to speak as Sanada. I really like him. So this job has given me a joyful time.