Photo posted on Twitter by GANP2011
Published by the official website. See the original article here
■ Date and time: Saturday, April 12th (after the screening)
■ Location: Marunouchi Piccadilly
■ Speakers:
Megumi Han (Sasha)
Aya Hisakawa (Kaoru Niimi)
Tasuku Hatanaka (Ryusuke Domon)
Yuto Uemura (Takeshi Ageha)
Harutoshi Fukui (general director)
Hisanori Yoshida (MC/Nippon Broadcasting System announcer)
L to R: Aya Hisakawa, Megumi Han, Tasuku Hatanaka, Yuto Uemura, Harutoshi Fukui
A large number of fans gathered at the venue, and some were seen wearing the theater merchandise happi coats with an illustration of Sasha printed on the back [Sasha support version]. Director Fukui was also wearing the same happi coat when he appeared on stage, and Megumi Han said with a smile, “There are people in the audience and on the stage wearing light blue maiden happi coats.” [Light Blue Maiden is part of the title for Chapter 4.]
Hisakawa, who has played the role of Yamato crew member Kaoru Niimi since Yamato 2199, made her first appearance on stage at a Yamato-related event. However, she did not actually have any scenes in Chapter 3, so she lamented, “What should I do? Am I allowed to be here even though I’m not in Chapter 3?” To which Han replied, “If that’s the case, I’ll only have one thing to say. Let’s do our best together!” and the venue was filled with a peaceful atmosphere.
(See a video clip of this moment here)
Hisakawa, however, has a particularly strong attachment to Space Battleship Yamato. “When I was watching Yamato as a child, I saw the name ‘Aoni Pro’ in the end credits. I thought maybe I could get in there, so I joined Aoni Juku [school]. So without Yamato, I definitely wouldn’t be who I am today.”
She continued, “I’m surprised to be participating as a crew member of Yamato. I’m overwhelmed with emotion to be on stage for Yamato, which I watched as a child, let alone enjoying the film. I want to tell my younger self. At that time, I was practicing the lines of Sasha, played by Keiko Han, so I was working hard to learn them. Keiko Han was also fond of me and looked after me in other productions. And now Sasha is played by Megumi. It’s really amazing that Niimi is taking care of Sasha.” She seemed to feel a mysterious connection.
Meanwhile, a moment between Domon, played by Hatanaka, and Ageha, played by Uemura, is a major highlight of this film. Regarding Chapter 3, Director Fukui said, “Looking back now, the first thing that comes to mind is instant noodles,” so instant noodles are a major key item in this film. “At the recording studio, we didn’t perform the instant noodle scene in the same room,” Hatanaka said, “but when the scene came on the monitor (during recording), I naturally started to cry.” Uemura nodded deeply, saying, “We were recording in separate locations, so I performed with the hope that my feelings would reach Tasuku.”
(See a video clip of this moment here)
Director Fukui, who saw the two of them like that, also said, “I think the fact that we recorded separately worked in our favor.”
Hatanaka laughed and said, “In this epic story, we (Domon and Ageha) are just arguing,” and commented, “But we weren’t aware of it, and we were really angry and shouting, and the sound director said to us, ‘You are young, aren’t you?’ I thought that this is what it means to be young.”
Uemura also said, “Maybe youth is about being honest and expressing our feelings to each other,” to which Hatanaka pointed out, “Ageha is shy. I wish he’d said a bit more.” Uemura also reflected, “They’re both awkward.”
Regarding the clash between the two, Director Fukui explained, “I think that on social media, it’s common for people to be colored by some kind of opinion. If there’s a misunderstanding, things like the movement to expel Garmillas can happen. On the other hand, one of the themes of the original Yamato is that we should ask ourselves where the truth lies, and since we’re all human, we believe in what we think. I feel like we did that.”
Meanwhile, MC Hisanori Yoshida (above left) pointed out, “Niimi dotes on Sasha, but if you think about it, Sasha is her ex-boyfriend’s child. It’s complicated.” which drew laughter from the audience. She added, “On 2199, I recorded with Kikuko Inoue, who played Starsha, and normally I would call out to her, ‘Big sis, over here!’ but at that time I didn’t want to be friendly with her. We stayed apart because I didn’t think my character wanted to get along with her. Mamoru Kodai chose Starsha, and Sasha is the daughter of the woman he married. Niimi is in a complicated position; she has negative feelings about it, but it’s also her duty. So I think there’s an element of her protecting Sasha as a woman. But she’s more of a businesswoman than a homemaker, so when she carries Sasha on her back or holds her in her arms, I think she’s trying her best. I thought that was true love.”
(See a video clip of this moment here)
Hatanaka then confessed, “I’m sure there are some people who wanted to see Niimi in a motherly role. To be honest, I really like Niimi!” to which the audience erupted in applause. They had never recorded together before, and Hatanaka said, “That’s why I’m excited. Niimi-san is my type. But I can’t let Miyako Kyozuka hear this…” which elicited excitement in the audience.
Meanwhile, Han added, “From Sasha’s perspective, Niimi-san was the one who showed the most love among the Yamato crew. I thought she was a good person, taking care of her ex-boyfriend’s daughter, and I felt that love in every moment.”
The event was coming to an end. When asked for a final message, Hisakawa said, “It feels like a dream to be standing here, and I’m happy to be able to work with Megumi, who plays Sasha. I hope you’ll look forward to what the future holds for the two of us.”
Han responded, “To me, Hisakawa was the warrior who ruled Mercury (in Sailor Moon), so I’m honored to be able to work with her. I guess that’s how connections like this happen. In Chapter 3, there’s a line that says, ‘Beautiful things are worth seeing over and over again.’ That line made an impression on me. By trying to see what’s invisible and focusing on it, we can share something. I think people like Domon and Ageha will be the ones to connect us to Yamato in the future. Please come and see it as many times as you can. I hope that many things will remain as a result of gazing at it. See you again.”
Hatanaka commented, “I remembered backstage that I felt hopeless after the end of Chapter 2. Chapter 2 was a depressing development. In Chapter 3, the relationships between the characters finally become clear. In fact, the lines from this point onward have already been recorded. There’s a lot going on in Chapter 3, but the amount of information ahead is so overwhelming that I don’t know what to do. From Chapter 3 onward, we will delve into specific feelings and issues that are relevant to the present day. I think depicting human drama is what makes Yamato great. I will continue to do my best to face it, so please support me.”
Uemura said, “The theme of Chapter 3 is how to approach each other, hold hands, and coexist. In the midst of this, Ageha and Domon finally begin to walk the same path. I hope this is a kind of starting line. What we’ll face from now on is quite big, beyond imagination. When I read the script, I thought, ‘This is how it’s going to unfold? I have to be prepared for this.’ I approached the voice recording with that strong determination. I hope you’ll look forward to Chapter 4 as well.”
Finally, Director Fukui said, “Everyone has said what they wanted to say,” and gave a message to the audience, saying, “This is my view of Niimi and Sasha: Sanada was entrusted with taking care of Sasha, and while he was concentrating on various things and thinking about them, there may have been times when he forgot to put on both of her socks. I thought Niimi would see this and begin to show affection for Sasha as she took care of her. I hope you’ll all look forward to the fourth chapter.”
Additional coverage from Mantan Web:
When the topic turned to Sasha’s rapid growth, Fukui hinted, “SF fans might understand.”
Hisakawa said that Yamato was the work that inspired her to become a voice actor. “I wouldn’t have become a voice actor without Yamato. I even told Takeshi Aono (who played the original Sanada), ‘That line from that time made me want to become a voice actor!'”
When asked about her joy at being cast in the remake series, she said, “I was shocked. I was overwhelmed with emotion. I wanted to tell my elementary school self about it.”
Also appearing on stage to greet the audience was Megumi Han, who plays Sasha. Megumi Han is the daughter of Keiko Han, who played the popular character in the third animated film, Be Forever Yamato, released in 1980, and has been much talked about for taking over the role from her mother. Megumi Han has also worked with Keiko Han in Sailor Moon, among other works.
Hisakawa said, “When I was a child, I practiced Keiko Han’s lines as Sasha in Be Forever. I was really helped by Keiko Han, and now Megu-chan is playing Sasha! It’s amazing!” She added with a smile, “It’s like a dream to be standing here. I’m really happy to be involved with Megu-chan and Sasha.”
Backstage photos posted on Twitter by Yuto Uemura and Megumi Han