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REBEL 3199 Chapter 4 Pale Blue Maiden (Sasha)
2nd Day Stage Greeting Report
Published at the official website. See the original post here.
Watch video highlights from the event here (closed captions and autotranslate ON)
Date & Time: October 11 (Sat) 6pm (after screening)
Location: Shinjuku Piccadilly
Participants: Daisuke Ono (Susumu Kodai), Kosuke Toriumi (Seiya Kitano), Yuto Uemura (Takeshi Ageha), Harutoshi Fukui (Chief Director), Eriko Nakamura (MC / voice of Mikage Kiryu)
MC Eriko Nakamura
With Chapter 4 finally hitting theaters, Daisuke Ono remarked, “We’ve reached the halfway point. Above all, I’m grateful that everyone watching has been sailing this ship alongside us. It’s been one hardship after another, a constant struggle, but I feel like we’ve climbed over a major peak with Chapter 4. And it’s deeply moving that what was needed to fire the Wave-Motion Gun was ‘family bonds.’ It really hits home that it’s been the bonds with the Yamato cast and staff over these 12 years that have carried us this far. I realized that firing the Wave-Motion Gun is ultimately about trust.“
Chief Director Fukui then explained the future direction: ”While we’re technically at the halfway point in terms of episodes, in terms of production content, we’re only just under one-third done. Things are only going to get tougher from here on out.“ Ono, looking surprised, exclaimed, ”But the next chapter is 5. The math doesn’t add up!” yet seemed genuinely intrigued by what lies ahead.
Meanwhile, Toriumi, appearing on stage for the Yamato series for the first time, surveyed the audience and commented, “I’m 52 years old, but looking around, it seems I’m surrounded by seniors in life. It’s humbling to stand before people who have followed this historic work and still support it today.”
Yuto Uemura (Ageha)
Uemura added, “In Chapter 3, Ageha clashed with Domon, but they reconciled, allowing us to move into Chapter 4. I hope you’ll enjoy the ensemble drama aspect of Chapter 4 with its many characters.“
However, when voice actress Nakamura Eriko, who plays Mikage Kiryu and was hosting the event, pointed out that this installment featured over 90 characters, Uemura lamented, ”So that’s why I had fewer lines this time,” drawing a big laugh from the audience.
Director Fukui then reassured Uemura, “The new crew members still have another big challenge ahead.” Hearing this, Uemura visibly relaxed, saying, “That’s good.”
Regarding the character Ageha, voiced by Uemura, Director Fukui had once mentioned that Ageha shares traits with Uemura himself. Hearing this, Ono couldn’t help but quip, “Is Uemura-kun really that kind of cocky character?”, causing the audience to burst into laughter. Ono then grumbled, “From Kodai’s perspective, Ageha really is cocky. And it’s not even to his face, it’s more like he’s talking behind his back.”
Toriumi hit the nail on the head with his comment, “Isn’t it because Kodai’s always moping?” This sparked laughter and even spontaneous applause from the audience.
General Director Harutoshi Fukui
Ono retorted to Toriumi’s words, “Hey, senior! That’s harsh!” but then added, “In that sense, Kitano’s presence overlaps with Toriumi-san for me. He’s a slightly older senior, and we fool around together on set too. But in those unexpected moments, he’s the kind of person who gives you advice on little things. Yamato really has become like his own life. Among the people involved, there are cocky juniors too…“ he teased Uemura, who hastily retorted, ”I’m not cocky!“ Ono laughed at that and added, ”Uemura-kun himself is a good guy though.”
Toriumi, who describes Kodai as a “character you can’t help but be drawn to,” gave his stamp of approval: “What’s refreshing about the Yamato series is that Daisuke Ono is delivering this perfectly cool, straight-up performance. He’s been playing more intense, gritty roles lately. I think this is a work where you can fully savor Daisuke Ono at his very best. In that sense too, I can’t take my eyes off Kodai.”
In this work, Kodai occupies a position akin to Sasha’s father. Ono commented, “Why does Sasha call Kodai ‘Uncle’? We met an adult Sasha this time, yet he still couldn’t accept her. Personally, I feel being called ‘Uncle’ creates a bit of distance. I think she could call me ‘Dad’ if she wanted to.”
Daisuke Ono (Kodai)
“Above all, that’s how it was in the original work,” says Chief Director Fukui.
Ono also reflected deeply, “But ultimately, their hearts connected. I felt that transcended blood ties. They were comrades, and it really hit me.”
In Chapter 4, there is a scene where Domon fires the Wave-Motion Gun. Ono said, “Actually, at that time, I was in the recording studio with Tasuku Hatenaka, who plays Domon. The way he said ‘Fire!’ felt a bit short. I know it’s presumptuous, but I’ve been firing it for 12 years. With the Wave-Motion Gun, the catharsis is in that final ‘Fire!’ part. I felt that way, and while I usually don’t say things like that, after the test recording, I told him, ‘Tasuku, you should really let it out at the end.’ Then, during the actual recording, his delivery was similar to mine. I’m glad we could do the recording together back then, and seeing it again, I noticed he used the same phrasing. It made me happy,“ he commented with deep emotion.
Hearing that story, Toriumi joked, ”Every guy wants to say ‘Fire!’ at least once. If I ever get that chance, I’d want Mr. Ono to give me a push,” making the audience cheer.
Kosuke Toriumi (Seiya Kitano)
As the event neared its end, Uemura was asked for final comments, stating: “I truly feel that it’s thanks to everyone’s support that we’ve made it to Chapter 4. Recording is already finished [for all 7 chapters], but within that, another major challenge appears — or rather, a huge wall that the new crew members, including Ageha, must overcome. I poured my heart into portraying those moments. I hope you’ll enjoy Yamato from various angles.”
Toriumi added, “Given it’s Yamato, I think it’s best enjoyed on a big screen with full concentration. There are many characters, and you probably won’t grasp everything after just one viewing. Please watch it multiple times and carry that experience into Chapter 5.”
Ono added, “Every time I stand here for a stage greeting, my heart swells with the thought of how far we’ve come. But this is just the beginning. With Yamato, just when you think you’ve been saved, even greater hardships lie ahead. As Mr. Fukui said, major trials are in store, but I truly feel that with these companions, we can continue our journey. Uemura-kun is my junior, and Toriumi-san is my senior, but we often work together on other projects too. Just like in the story, my sense of how reliable they are keeps growing. Having cast members who feel this way join 3199 makes me incredibly happy.”
“It’s such good casting, isn’t it?” he continued. “I receive so much from all my fellow cast members. My entire acting career is concentrated in Yamato. I’m prepared to dedicate my life to Yamato. This isn’t just my personal resolve. I believe it’s the resolve of every cast and crew member involved. With this ship’s crew, we will absolutely reach a hopeful future. The rest depends on you, the crew. I’d be thrilled if you’d join us on this journey to our shared future.” His appeal drew loud applause from the audience.
Finally, Chief Director Fukui concluded the event by appealing, “Chapter 4 is woven with various foreshadowing elements for what lies ahead. You can take it home with you on Blu-ray. Please be sure to purchase it.”
Daisuke Ono is Prepared to Dedicate His Life to Yamato
Published at Natalie, Oct 11, 2025. See the original post here
What was needed to fire the Wave-Motion Gun was a bond
Director Fukui, who greeted the audience with “Sorry I’m the only one in such a flashy outfit,” appeared wearing a happi coat with a large print of Sasha on the back. He had the audience smiling from the event’s start.
When asked about his feelings as the screening approached, Ono stated, “It’s because everyone watching has helped steer this ship forward that we’ve made it this far,” directing his gaze toward the audience. He also touched on the Wave-Motion Gun being fired in Chapter 4, saying, “What was needed to fire it was the bond of family,” drawing a parallel between that bond and the relationships forged over 12 years with the cast and staff.
The REBEL 3199 series unfolds across seven chapters. Director Fukui noted that Chapter 4 marks the numerical halfway point, but regarding the story’s progress, he surprised the cast when he revealed, “Considering the impact of what’s yet to come and the sheer difficulty of what we still need to create, we’re only about a third of the way there.”
Toriumi made his first appearance at a REBEL 3199 event. Scanning the audience, he joked nervously, “I see many people here who are not only seniors in life but also seniors in Yamato,” assuming fans from the TV series were present, drawing laughter from the crowd.
Every guy wants to say “Fire!” at least once
Uemura described Chapter 4’s appeal as an ensemble drama woven by numerous characters. When told Chapter 4 features over 90 characters, he looked genuinely surprised.
Director Fukui apparently sees parallels between Uemura and the character he voices, Ageha. Hearing this, Ono teased, “Does that mean he’s kinda rude? Seriously, from Kodai’s perspective, that guy is so cocky!”, leaving Uemura flustered. Toriumi then countered, “Isn’t it because (Kodai) just keeps moping around?” causing the venue to erupt in laughter. Regarding Ono’s performance as Kodai, he praised, “I think this work lets you fully enjoy Daisuke Ono right in the sweet spot. I watch it thinking, ‘He’s so cool.’“
Regarding Sasha calling Kodai ”Uncle,“ Ono mentioned feeling a sense of distance. However, touching on Chapter 4’s development where he felt their hearts connect, he passionately stated, ”I think they’re comrades beyond blood ties. That really moved me.”
He also shared an anecdote from the recording session for the scene where Ryusuke Domon fires the Wave-Motion Gun. Facing a desperate situation, Tasuku Hatenaka, who voices Domon, reportedly delivered the “Fire!” line very briefly during the test recording. Ono, making everyone laugh, remarked, “This might be presumptuous, but I’ve been firing that gun for 12 years now,” explaining that the “Fire!” line holds cathartic weight for him.
He recalled advising Hatenaka, “You should just let it out,” and seeing Hatenaka’s performance become similar to his own, smiling as he thought, “I guess I gave him a little push.” Meanwhile, Toriumi seemed curious if he’d get to say “Fire!” himself. “As a man, I really want to say ‘Fire!’ at least once in my life,” Toriumi declared, and the cast members empathized.
Daisuke Ono: “I’m prepared to dedicate my life to Yamato.”
As the event drew to a close, Uemura mentioned upcoming scenes: “The young crew members will face huge walls they must overcome, so I’m pouring my heart into portraying those moments.”
Toriumi followed, conveying the unique thrill of watching REBEL 3199 in theaters, emphasizing, “This environment is the most fitting place to experience it.”
Finally, Ono expressed his trust, stating that the series features the reliable cast he’s worked with on various projects before, saying, “I feel like my entire acting career is concentrated into Yamato.” He then declared, “I am now prepared to dedicate my life to Yamato.” He stated this resolve is shared by the staff and cast, passionately saying, “With this crew, this ship can reach a hopeful future.” Looking out at the audience, he sent a message to the fans: “And what’s also important is you, our crew.”
Daisuke Ono: “Space Battleship Yamato is like my own life.”
Kosuke Toriumi: “You can fully enjoy Daisuke Ono right in the sweet spot.”
Published at Mantan Web, Oct 11, 2025. See the original post here
This marked Toriumi’s first appearance at a Yamato 3199 stage greeting. He cited Susumu Kodai as a character he finds intriguing, stating, “Daisuke Ono is right in the center of the performance. It feels fresh lately. I get to fully enjoy Daisuke Ono right in the sweet spot, and I think it’s cool. I can’t take my eyes off Kodai-san.“
Ono smiled and said, ”I’m so happy,“ adding, ”Mr. Kitano’s presence overlaps with Toriumi-san. He’s a slightly older senior who pushes me forward. Yamato has become like my own life.”
When the scene firing the Wave-Motion Gun became a topic, Ono explained, “When Tasuke first fired it, it was a scene where he was in a pinch and his heart was in turmoil, so the ‘Fire!’ was short. The Wave-Motion Gun has catharsis in that ‘Fire!’ command. I’ve been firing it for 12 years now. I gave Yu a little push, saying, ‘You should really let it loose at the end.’ Then it ended up sounding similar to mine. I’m glad we could do the recording together.“
