Portions of these interviews repeated conversation found in the Mantan Web interview from July 14.
Overlapping content has been deleted.
Daisuke Ono (L) and Makoto Furukawa (R)
Be Forever Yamato: a Look into a Notable Rivalry! Daisuke Ono X Makoto Furukawa
REBEL 3199 Chapter 1, the latest installment in the modern remake of the classic Space Battleship Yamato series, will be released in theaters from Friday, July 19th.
This work reinterprets the 1980 film Be Forever and unfolds a grand storyline across seven chapters (26 episodes). The protagonist, Susumu Kodai, faces off against the threat of the Dezarium army that has occupied Earth, while also coming face to face with Dezarium officer Alphon, and becoming separated from his beloved girlfriend, Yuki Mori…
Ahead of the start of this epic story, Daisuke Ono, who plays Susumu Kodai, and Makoto Furukawa, who is making his first appearance in Yamato as Alphon, spoke passionately about their new rivalry.
Published by Animage Plus, July 17. Click here for the original post
Susumu Kodai’s struggles as an adult
Interviewer: Susumu Kodai has shown various growths and changes in the series so far, from his youthful and passionate appearance in Yamato 2199 to his conflicted and self-aware responsibility in Yamato 2202 to his slightly more mature appearance watching over the young generation in Yamato 2205. How do you feel about Kodai in this latest work?
Ono: My impression so far is that this time Kodai doesn’t show what he’s thinking. I feel like up until now, he was able to express his feelings and thoughts in a more direct way. Now that he’s grown up and become an adult, he doesn’t show them, and there are many parts where he deliberately holds back and doesn’t say things. But this time, I feel like that’s becoming a hindrance. People around him don’t know what he’s thinking.
Interviewer: Because he pretends to be calm, his conflicts aren’t understood.
Ono: There are many scenes where he doesn’t say a word, just tucks his chin, looks down, or looks away. When recording those scenes, I ask, “Should I ad-lib or not?” But sometimes he doesn’t.
Interviewer: It’s really silent.
Ono: Right. That’s a bit tough for an actor. I myself think I understand all of Kodai’s feelings, but that’s why it’s tough. There are scenes where I feel like I’ve become an adult. That’s right, in the first voice recording, Fukui-san also told me, “I want you to fall into the depths of despair.” I thought, “Even more than any of our previous journeys!?” (Laughs)
Interviewer: You’ve been through some pretty tough times up until now.
Ono: But he said he wants me to fall even lower than those adversities and hardships. When I heard that, I had a hunch that this time Kodai would be very troubled and go to a dark place. But that’s okay. That’s all part of Susumu Kodai, and I want to play that kind of Kodai.
Kodai’s “weight” as felt by Alphon
Interviewer: What is your impression of Susumu Kodai in this work, Furukawa-san?
Furukawa: Ono-san just said that he has “grown up,” but I still have the image of Susumu Kodai as a fierce, passionate, dynamic presence. So this time, during the recording of a certain episode, I saw Kodai in a certain scene and felt a very heavy “thought.” It could be a sign of something Kodai himself is worried about, or it could be the atmosphere that comes from his history of growth. I don’t know what it is, but that weight somehow makes me think of future developments. I think it must be the weight of “Daisuke Ono’s Susumu Kodai,” who has lived for 12 years since Yamato 2199. Sorry, it’s vague because I can’t say much yet.
Ono: No, it’s a very interesting story.
Furukawa: People who read this may feel confused. But I do feel there is a meaning to the fact that Kodai and Alphon are side by side.
Ono: Yeah, it’s okay to feel confused. Of course it’s confusing, because I feel the same way, and Kodai feels confused too. (Laughs) I think what Furukawa-kun just said is spot on because this time (Kodai) is in a very heavy situation.
Furukawa: Yeah…
Ono: That’s because he’s harboring other heavy conflicts that he can’t talk about yet. Of course he’s been worrying and building them up inside himself. In fact, I’m acting with those feelings, and in a way there are some parts that are a little uncomfortable. I think that’s what Fukui-san meant when he said, “I’m going to make him fall to the depths of despair.” If Furukawa-kun, as Alphon, senses the “weight” of my acting, then Kodai is in that situation right now. So I thought that was a very accurate observation.
Furukawa: That’s good. (Laughs) Thank you.
Ono: Ah… I hope this feeling of unease clears up soon. (Laughs)
Daisuke Ono and Makoto Furukawa have something in common
What we see in Be Forever Yamato REBEL 3199
Daisuke Ono has played Susumu Kodai for 12 years in the Space Battleship Yamato remake series. He said of Makoto Furukawa, who will be appearing in the series for the first time in REBEL 3199, “I feel like we’re similar in terms of passion.” On the other hand, Furukawa spoke frankly, saying, “Actually…”
The two of them spoke about their passion for this film. In addition, a surprising side of the two of them was revealed when they talked about the “swamp” they’ve been hooked on recently.
Written by Toru Tabei, Photography by Sasai Takamasa
Published by Numan, July 19. Click here for the original post
Ono: “I feel like Furukawa-kun will move people’s hearts.”
Interviewer: Mr. Furukawa, Mr. Ono said that he felt that you and he were “similar.” What do you think about that?
Furukawa: I’m honestly happy. As someone who watched Ono-san’s works as an anime viewer in my student days, I’m happy that we’re now acting together, and I’m very honored to be told that I’m “similar” to him.
Ono: I’m honored too.
Furukawa: When I watched his works, I was like, “That’s a great performance.” And, “That’s cool.” I want to express myself like that. I think there are things that I’ve naturally learned from him. I like him, so of course we’re similar. (Laughs)
Interviewer: You’ve been watching him for so long that you’ve naturally absorbed it. Mr. Ono also said that you have similar passion, so I guess you must have felt something in the sensual part of the expression.
Ono: That’s right. We’ve only worked together once on this production, but when we work together on other productions and talk during breaks, I feel that you really listen to what people say, Furukawa-kun.
Furukawa: Is that so?
Ono: You listen, you really take it in and give it back properly. I feel like the fact that you have to give something back moves my heart. The ability to respond when someone says something to you. Another way of saying that is that you have a good ear. Like you’re really listening. (Laughs)
Interviewer: Like the ability to receive and respond.
Ono: I think I’ve probably expanded my horizons. It’s completely different from when we did One Punch Man. At that time, you were just a freshman, right?
Furukawa: That’s right.
Ono: That’s why it was so different. I liked the fact that it was so fresh. I was happy to be able to subtract from the situation, because I didn’t have anything to put into it yet. But I think it’s completely different now than it was then.
It was good then, but now I have many layers of acting skills, so that’s good. I think there’s a mix of all kinds of passion. I’ve been getting a little bit of inspiration from other people, so I think we’re similar in that way too.
Interviewer: Let’s talk a little bit about your personal stories. I’d like to hear about your respective “swamps.” What are you hooked on these days?
Furukawa: A spin bike. I bought one about a year ago, but I’m still trying to figure out the best way to train. If you keep rowing at a high heart rate, you don’t just train your muscles, you also use your muscles as a source of calories from exercise, so it doesn’t build up your stamina.
If you aim for a heart rate of 60 or 70, you can burn fat more efficiently and not lose muscle. It also has a positive effect on your cardiopulmonary function, but this is quite difficult. (Laughs) I’m still trying to figure out how to do it, but I’m learning through trial and error.
Ono: That’s a swamp. (Laughs) For me, it’s golf. I’ve been playing for over half a year and I think I’m starting to get the hang of it recently.
Furukawa: Do you go to driving ranges?
Ono: Yes, I do. When I play golf, I think it’s a bit like acting. First of all, form is important, and reproducibility. In the work of a voice actor, reproducibility is always required, but if you only aim for that, the ball won’t hit cleanly and it won’t fly. In the end, you can’t move forward unless you apply your own power.
Furukawa: Your own unique form?
Ono: Exactly. You have to do it in a way that suits you. If you just watch a video, it doesn’t work at all. They’re kind of similar.
Furukawa: That’s deep.
Ono: It really is a swamp. I think it’s fun to think about various things while playing golf.
We want to connect the “universal love” depicted in the series to the next generation
Interview with Daisuke Ono, who plays Susumu Kodai, and Makoto Furukawa, who plays Alphon, in Be Forever Yamato REBEL 3199
Animate Times interviewed Daisuke Ono and Makoto Furukawa ahead of the premiere. We delved into the characters they play and the key heroine of this work, Yuki Mori. Also, be sure to read the scene where they talk about their thoughts on the next generation that are embedded in the remake series. Please read it before watching the movie.
Interview and photography by Shinzo Inoue
Published by Animate Times, July 22. Click here for the original post
The remake will connect Yamato to the next generation
Interviewer: The screening of Be Forever Yamato REBEL 3199 is finally starting. Could you tell us about the appeal of Yamato?
Furukawa: During the time I was growing up, I don’t think there were many SF works that featured battleships and portrayed them in such a cool way. The crew of such a cool battleship operates in perfect harmony. The mechanics work is also amazing. In addition, the human drama that depicts various schemes and secret activities is also very interesting.
With that in mind, I decided to play Alphon, but if I had watched too many previous works, I’m sure I would have empathized with the Yamato crew. I was worried that this would become a problem when I played Alphon. So I’m sorry for my lack of knowledge, but I think it was good that I was able to feel them directly and meet them for the first time in this work.
Ono: We haven’t recorded together yet, but I’d like to. But even that seems like a scheme by Fukui and the rest of the Yamato staff.
Interviewer: I heard that you created the character of Alphon while talking with Mr. Fukui. Please tell me more about that.
Furukawa: At the beginning, there was an explanation about what kind of person Alphon is, but I can’t say anything yet because it would be a spoiler. I studied Be Forever Yamato before the voice recording, and of course tricks and schemes will come up again this time. They tell us what kind of intentions he has towards certain characters, how he feels toward Yamato and the human race on Earth, and what purpose and emotions are at the core of his being.
As various information is revealed in the story going forward, it seems like Fukui-san is setting up some foreshadowing. When I ask about such things, he answers me in detail, but I’m sure there’s information about Alphon that I haven’t noticed yet. I don’t know if that will be revealed or if such a story will be written in the script, so I’ll probably think about it every time I get a new script and take my questions to the set, and then I’ll gather new information. I think recording will be a repetition of that process, and that’s the best part.
Yuki is like a guidepost for Kodai
Interviewer: What do you think about the appeal of Yuki Mori, who is the key character?
Ono: Well…this is going to be a long one. (Laughs)
Furukawa: Is the grand boasting about to begin!?
Ono: There’s a part of me that links to Yuki as an actor, and as Susumu Kodai I think Yuki is indispensable to me. The two of them are one. They’ve always shared that feeling, and their love is mutual, but somehow Kodai can’t take the first step, and Yuki just waits.
Even if they’re separated, they believe they’ll reunite, and that won’t change no matter how far apart they are. I believe there is a universal love there. On the other hand, if things keep going this way, they might break up. In this series, I feel once again that Yuki is essential for Kodai to be Kodai. If one of them disappeared, the other couldn’t go on. I’m attracted to this form of ultimate love and her strength.
Yuki is strong. She’s mentally strong and active, while Kodai is the one who looks down and often stops moving forward. At those times, Yuki pushes him forward, or calls to him, “Come here!” It’s Yuki who always helps Kodai move forward. She may be like a guidepost.
Furukawa: I have Alphon’s point of view to a great extent. Alphon is the other man, if you like.
Ono: You better say it here, or I’ll look like one half of a hopeless couple… (Laughs)
Furukawa: It’s been going on for 12 years, so there must have been a lot of feelings building up. In a promotional video, Ono-san sent a message to Fukui-san saying, “How about a story where I’m constantly flirting with Yuki?” I’d like to see that too. I want them to take a solid 30 minutes and talk about what they like about each other and why they love each other, and conversely, how they dislike some things but still love each other!. (Laughs)
Ono: It’ll probably just be a lot of, “We’re cute, aren’t we?” (Laughs)
Furukawa: They’re both still in their twenties, so they’re young. (Laughs)
Ono: But I might not be able to watch it. (Laughs) Please tell me what you think is attractive about Yuki from Alphon’s point of view!
Furukawa: Alphon’s position is that of a lover. Yuki is an incredibly devoted person, isn’t she? I think that’s what makes her attractive from Alphon’s point of view, and I think that’s a big reason why so many fans think she’s a wonderful woman. That, combined with her beauty and voice, her active side, and her mental strength, makes her a pretty ideal image of a woman. She also has a tendency to complain and has a cute human side, so I think that’s what Alphon notices.
Interviewer: I am overwhelmed by your precise analysis.
Ono: I was just bragging, but…
Furukawa: I guess that’s what happens to anyone in the haze of love. I was looking at it from a step or two back.
Ono: But I’m looking forward to it. The fact that you’re willing to talk about it so much means there must be romance in it.
Furukawa: I think it’s a central element of the story, so there’s plenty of room to think about it.
Interviewer: Could you please tell us who you’re paying attention to in REBEL 3199?
Ono: For me, it’s Seiya Kitano. His presence gives me a sense of security, but at the same time I feel an indescribable mysteriousness to him. I think there’s definitely something about him. Kosuke Toriumi plays such characters, so I think he’s definitely the key character this time.
Furukawa: For me it’s Isidore, one of Alphon’s subordinates. We don’t know what’s going to happen to him. In that sense, I think he may be carrying a bomb, so please look forward to the story going forward.
Interviewer: In conjunction with REBEL 3199, the TV broadcast of the previous work, Yamato 2205, has also started. Is there a scene you’d like to see again?
Ono: It’s the last scene, of course. At the end, the title REBEL 3199 appeared in large letters, so I thought we would move on to the next film right away. That was actually the first time we’d ever ended it like that. 2202 ended particularly well with Shiro Sanada’s big speech. I think 3199 had already begun with 2205. The existence of Dezarium was so mysterious, they were truly frightening. I remember feeling anxious even though I thought I’d finished 2205, but on the other hand, my expectations for the next film grew.
Interviewer: Kodai’s position has changed a little bit.
Ono: He was a middle manager. He should have been at the top, but he isn’t. He holds himself back, and although he’s strong-minded, he also has a strong introspective side, so he can’t move forward. I think that’s also part of Susumu Kodai.
Another big factor is Ryusuke Domon’s presence. I think he made Kodai an adult. I was really moved by the scene in the first chapter of 3199 where Domon says, “From now on, we’ll all shoulder this burden together.” I was moved by the fact that it was Domon who said that, not Kodai. Before watching 3199, I’d like you to look back on 2205.
Interviewer: Speaking of Kodai and Domon in 2205, the scene where Kodai says, “I’m the one with the experience” seems to be memorable to many people.
Ono: At first I thought it was cool, but then I thought, “But Domon is making him act like an adult.” He would say, “Why didn’t you tell me?” or “Why didn’t you ask me for advice?” But I thought to myself, “You held back, too, Kodai.” In that sense, Domon was impressive.