L to R: Eriko Nakamura (MC), Shun Horie (Isidore), Houko Kuwashima (Yuki),
Megumi Han (Sasha), Noamichi Yamato (director), Harutoshi Fukui (general director)
Published at the official Yamato website. See the post here.
Friday, November 8th, Shinjuku Piccadilly
Speakers: Houko Kuwashima (Yuki Mori), Shun Horie (Isidore), Megumi Han (Sasha), Harutoshi Fukui (General Director), Naomichi Yamato (Director), Eriko Nakamura (Mikage Kiryu/host)
Before the screening, the staff and cast took to the stage to a big round of applause. This was the first time Chapter 2 was shown, and Director Yamato said with a look of relief, “We managed to make it into something that we can show everyone. We pushed forward with all our might, so please look forward to it.”
Eriko Nakamura
Director Fukui also seemed deeply moved, saying, “Until just two or three weeks ago, I had been thinking about apologizing today. I thought I would have to apologize for not finishing it in time, but with the miraculous power of all the staff, we were able to complete it, and I’m relieved.”
In response to the thunderous applause congratulating the staff and cast, MC Eriko Nakamura, who plays Mikage Kiryu, smiled and said, “Thank you for the warm applause. It makes me even more excited for what’s to come.”
Kuwashima, who plays Yuki Mori, said with a laugh, “I wonder why Kodai-kun (Daisuke Ono) isn’t here today. But this time, the story is about us being apart for a long time.”
Horie, who plays Isidore, said, “From Yuki’s point of view, Isidore is one of the enemy Dezarium forces. He is a direct subordinate of Alphon, played by Mr. Furukawa, but he’s a character who isn’t very happy about her (because Alphon is interested in Yuki). The direction I was given was to think of her as a ‘sister-in-law,’ but Ms. Kuwashima is a really kind person. She treats me like a saint, so I felt bad about treating her roughly, even as a character.”
Kuwashima also laughed and said, “I think she’s a wonderful sister-in-law.”
Houko Kuwashima and Megumi Han
When it was announced that new cast member Megumi Han would be playing the role of Sasha, a popular character from the original work, there were gasps of surprise from the audience. Her mother Keiko Han was the original actor for Sasha. Megumi Han appeared on stage and said, “Good evening, everyone. I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time. It’s a great honor and a great responsibility. I feel like it’s fate that I was born to my mother…” and the audience applauded. “I’ve been working in this industry for a long time, and it’s a great honor to be standing here today, even though I’m a little nervous.” She said with a radiant smile.
When asked about the casting, Director Fukui said, “I couldn’t think of anyone else. I really wanted her to do it because she’s in the same field as her mother. If we were to do it, I wanted to cast her mother in some way (she plays the role of Mother Dezarium in this series). I’ve been thinking about casting her since 2205.”
Backstage with Sasha, posted on Twitter by Megumi Han
Han seemed surprised, saying, “This is the first time I’ve heard about it.”
Han also revealed that she and her mother watched the film together. “I watched the preview with my mother, and when I was cast, she told me, ‘You’re going to take on this role now.’ She said that as a mother who played Sasha, and I think she said it with an eye on the destiny that Sasha is carrying.”
When Han said, “There was no dialogue between Sasha and Mother Dezarium (played by her mother) this time,” Fukui made a suggestive comment, “For now…” which made the audience erupt.
As for the highlights of the second chapter, Horie first commented, “From Isidore’s point of view, we are the ones who tore Kodai and Yuki apart, but the drama between the Dezarium side and Yuki is also depicted in detail. I think that’s also a point to watch.”
Kuwashima followed with, “The ending theme, Reach for the Star (sung by Daisuke Ono) is also something to look for. I think this is the biggest fan service from Kodai to everyone. The lyrics were written by Daisuke Ono with Yuki in mind. I listened to it at the preview, thinking that I had to take it in. As expected, (the theme song) lightens the weight of the main story and the painful feelings a little. I think it’s good, so please look forward to hearing it.”
Han added, “What I thought when I saw the preview was that it depicts whether or not to take that person’s hand in various positions and relationships. Also, the launch scene of Yamato, which is in the title, was very moving. I also saw that scene in the original work when I was a child. I think longtime fans will also feel passionate about that scene.”
Director Yamato also talked about the highlights of the film, saying, “(In Chapter 1) the title is Yamato, but Yamato wasn’t moving. This time it is. I think the part where it begins its voyage will reach everyone.”
Shun Horie
Finally, there were messages for the audience. First, Horie said, “The Yamato series was made before I was born, so it may seem intimidating. I want to say to people my age that it’s okay to come to the theater without worrying about it. The story is interesting, and the music is exciting. It’s a lot of fun, so I hope you’ll come to the theater. I’m doing my best as the brother-in-law in the main story, so please enjoy it.”
Kuwashima said, “Sasha is invincibly cute, and Isidore is cute in a different way. I’m happy to be surrounded by these two cute people today. There are so many attractive new characters that you can’t keep up with them all in one go, so I hope you’ll watch it again and again. And because (Kodai and Yuki) are apart, a deep love unfolds. It’s very difficult for me as an actor, but I’m really looking forward to what happens next, so I hope you’ll watch it as many times as you like with many different people.”
Han continued, “I will treasure the thoughts and memories of all of you who have loved and yearned for Yamato, and I’ll do everything I can as Sasha for all of you who are living today and who share Yamato‘s destiny. Yamato is like destiny to me, too. It all started with my mother’s birth, and then meeting Director Fukui. So many connections have brought me here today. What will Yamato‘s future hold? I hope you will continue to watch over Yamato‘s future and the future of my uncle.”
Director Fukui responded, “I’m really touched by that comment. I’ve been with you all since 2202, and we’ve been walking together for about 10 long years. It was another connection that (Director) Yamato joined us. Yamato will become stronger by absorbing the power of connections. I hope to continue borrowing your strength and go even further.”
Following the stage greeting, the life-size Sasha standee was autographed by Megumi Han and took its place next to the 3-meter Yamato model in the theater lobby.
