Please receive the message from Yamato
as you proceed to the future
Daisuke Ono
Voice of Susumu Kodai
Profile
Born May 4 in Kochi Prefecture. He has appeared in Black Butler (Sebastian Michaelis), Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure ~ Stardust Crusaders (Jotaro Kujo), Barakamon (Seishu Handa), and Kuroko’s Basketball (Shintaro Midorima). His 7th single Mission D is now on sale.
See a much longer credit list at Anime News Network here.
With the first Yamato series as its base, a new work of Yamato 2199 is now in theaters, produced by a spirited staff.
Interviewer: How did you feel when you heard there would be a completely new feature film?
Ono: I wondered where the story would take place. We came a long way to Iscandar, which is just the middle of the journey, and I thought we’d meet with difficulty on the way home, but it would be lonely if it was after Captain Okita passed away. Speaking as a fan rather than a performer, it was truly exciting.
Interviewer: As a matter of fact, the story is set just after leaving Iscandar, isn’t it?
Ono: I read the script, and it was full of surprises. When I think about the trip, it was a long outward journey to Iscandar and it felt like we returned in a blink, so I was glad we could show that carefully. However, the enemy is not only Garmillas. But as I followed the story, it was a convincing drama. I think it comes from the meaning of what Kodai understood on the outward trip, “We can all understand each other, even the aliens.” Those were originally the words of his brother Mamoru, but Kodai received it, and now it connects to the young people who will advance with the ship. It has a strong feeling for the future.
Interviewer: How did you capture the growth of Susumu Kodai in the outward trip?
Ono: In the old days, he had the image of “Yamato‘s Susumu Kodai = hot-blooded man.” In 2199, Kodai follows the death of his older brother in battle, and there was a place where he closed himself up in a shell. At first he hesitated, “why should I fight?” and when it came to “the people waiting on Earth, and the people who are important to me,” that’s when there was the most growth. Personally, the part that made me happiest was when Sanada, first mate and friend of his older brother, stands behind Kodai and watches him. That’s where you really see his growth, and it made me smile. You can rely on me in a crisis, and when the time comes I could be an ideal leader.
Interviewer: On the other hand, what would you say is a place where Kodai does not change?
Ono: He meets an alien on the brink of extinction and says, “How could you say that!?” He offers positive words. Being just foolish enough to be positive is what I love about Kodai. I feel good when I play that, and I think people who watch anime should live that kind of a life.
A recommendation for those who have never seen Yamato
Interviewer: What’s your impression of the voice recording?
Ono: It took several days to record it, but when we got to the parts with Berger and the Yamato crew, it heated up! I felt that at the time of the TV series in the same studio, but because the respective seats were all decided, it was like being on the bridge. With an atmosphere flowing that seems like running a ship, I felt like “I have returned to Yamato.”
Interviewer: I think young ladies who don’t know a lot about SF could enjoy 2199. What about the feature film?
Ono: After all, Yamato is a masterpiece. It can be felt by anyone at any age. Because it depicts a universal story of love, friendship, and “compassion,” I’d like people who haven’t seen Yamato to watch it by all means. I was a Yamato beginner myself, at first. But now I’m all about “Yamato love,” and I take pride in not coming in second to the “freaks.” (Laughs)
[Translator’s note: by “freaks,” Ono is affectionately referring to “super-fans.”]Interviewer: Is there further progress in the romance between Kodai and Yuki Mori…?
Ono: What about it!? I’m as dull as ever, like a junior high student in love. (Laughs) There is a place where they seem to be a couple. Personally, I like the relationship between the Garmillas remnants, Berger and Neredia. I felt about them just like I would about Earthlings.
Interviewer: It’s impressive when the captain says, “I’ll return to my hometown.” What’s the “hometown” for you?
Ono: I don’t think only of the land where I was born as my hometown. Doesn’t a person come alive when they look for an important place?
Interviewer: What’s the highlight of the movie?
Ono: It is a returning story, but not the end of the trip. It’s symbolic of, “The trip continues from here.” Let’s board Yamato together by all means. Please receive its positive message and proceed ahead toward the future!