" Be Forever Yamato: Rebel 3199 " is the latest installment in the remake series of the popular anime " Space Battleship Yamato ." The remake series, which began with " Space Battleship Yamato 2199," is captivated by the passionate performances of voice actors such as Daisuke Ono, who took over the role of Susumu Kodai from the late Kei Toyama, and the veteran voice actors who support him also exude presence. We spoke to Masashi Ehara, who plays Yamato's fourth captain, Osamu Yamanami, and Naoya Uchida, who plays Sculdart, the "Holy Leader" who rules the Desarium, about their thoughts on "Space Battleship Yamato" and the remake series.
◇Memories of Kei Toyama
-What was your involvement with "Space Battleship Yamato" before appearing in the remake series?
I have almost no connection with Uchida . When I was 21 or 22, Nakao Ryusei took me to see Kamiya Akira's play for the first time. His co-star was Han Keiko. Han Keiko was my classmate and we went to university together. At the time, she mentioned that she was currently working on an anime called "Space Battleship Yamato." I also went to see Hirokawa Taichiro's radio show, so I heard about it, but honestly, I wasn't watching the anime at the time. I had a different dream at the time, and I was focused on that. I also knew Isao Sasaki through our connection with Columbia, where we released records.
Ehara: I'm probably similar to Naoya. I have a stronger impression of the actual battleship Yamato. In our generation, the Yamato and Zero fighters were popular, and I used to build a plastic model of the Yamato when I was in elementary school. I also read the memoirs of a Yamato crew member, which left a strong impression on me. I also watched the movie Battleship Yamato, and the Yamato has a similar overall flow and form to a Jaguar E-Type car. It's beautiful. Well, I don't own an E-Type, though (laughs). I started doing voice work by dubbing foreign films. I did Disney animations, but I wasn't often called to do Japanese animations. Gradually, I was given more opportunities to work in animation, but at the time, I found it difficult to get used to so-called anime acting. You're the same generation as Nao-chan, so I guess we have a similar feel, don't you?
It was difficult for Uchida-san .
Ehara-san's anime voice is beautiful and uses voiced sounds. At first, it was difficult to get used to it, and I worked hard while feeling like I was out of place.
--What are your memories of Toyama Kei, who played Kodai Susumu?
I have had the opportunity to work with Uchida-san a few times. He has a really great voice.
Ehara-san and I worked closely together. In "Bugs Bunny," Kei played Bugs Bunny and I played Daffy Duck, and we were together until he passed away in his later years. Kei-san wasn't feeling well, and at the time I was crazy about Calorie Mate, so I recommended it to him.
Uchida-san (Ehara-san) used to eat Calbee Calorie Mate a lot!
Ehara-san: That's right (laughs). Kei-san is serious, but he never puts pressure on us. We were able to rely on him a lot. Even when we ad-libbed, he would say things like, "Ahahaha, you say that?"
Uchida-san, your old scripts had plenty of room for ad-libs.
◇Scaldart's speech is like a stage play
-What is your impression of the character you play?
Uchida: I also appear in "Mobile Suit Gundam UC (Unicorn)," but when I first heard about the character I'd play in "Yamato," Scaldart, Mr. Fukui (Harutoshi) explained to me that he was the complete opposite of the character in UC and that he was an ugly creature. He had to give a loud and deceptive speech. It was like a play on stage, so it didn't have to match the image. I had to draw the whole thing in, as if I was appealing to the audience from the stage. That was the explanation I received. I concentrated and delivered my speech, and I got the OK in one take. It was easy to do.
Ehara-san, I wasn't told to "do whatever you want," but I was given a detailed explanation of my relationship with Kodai. At first, I wasn't sure where I stood. In 2199, he was cynical and nihilistic, but with each series, he gradually became more human. Perhaps it's like looking at my younger self in relation to Kodai. I created the story with that in mind. I want to know more about the relationship between Yamanami and Director Todo. Personally, I'd like to do a scene like that. I'd love to see a spin-off!
--What is your impression of the story of "3199"?
Ehara: Lately, I've been listening to music made by AI. The pitch is spot on and the beat is clear. It's pleasant to the ear and doesn't tire you out. But are we being swallowed up by AI? I wonder if we will be replaced by AI. I feel like AI songs these days have heart. AI is pretending to be human. That may be the case with Desirium. I think it's a drama that is unique to our modern age.
Uchida's first work was also ahead of its time. Like (Osamu) Tezuka, it was ahead of its time. We can think about the times together with "Space Battleship Yamato."
Mr. Ehara: It's the same with the Wave Motion Engine. Turning it into a weapon called a Wave Motion Gun. It's a story I've heard somewhere before.
◇The amazing world of voice acting
-What are your impressions of each other as actors?
I've been working with Uchida for over 30 years, and when I first met him, I was incredibly intrigued. He's very assertive. His acting is so powerful. It was so much fun to watch, I even thought, "He's even better than Tom Hanks," and it really brought home to me the joy of foreign film dubbing. The reason I was drawn to foreign film dubbing was because of him, Otsuka Yoshitada, and Horiuchi Kenyuu. Horiuchi Kenyuu also really asserts his lines. It really touched my heart. Otsuka Yoshitada always finishes his lines with precision. He's like a machine (laughs). And then there's Koichi Yamadera. That fun factor doesn't change even when we're recording anime. I thought they were incredible people... I've done a lot of theater and experienced a lot, but in the end, I ended up as a voice actor. This world is amazing, and they made me realize how fascinating it is.
Ehara- san and Naoya-chan are stylish, aren't they? They're glamorous and gentlemen. They're cool because they never miss the mark. This is jealousy, but it's so cool. I wanted to see them be even more nasty, but I feel like they've become more relaxed over the past few years. They really bring out a nice flavor. I think it's better when they're not so tense.
-Finally, please give a message to those who are looking forward to the screening.
Uchida: I'm sure each of you has a character that you remember fondly, and I hope you enjoy the differences in the remake.
Ehara: Of course, I want young fans to enjoy it as well, but I also hope that it will be a work that makes them feel glad that they have continued watching it for so long.
"Yamato 3199" is a re-imagining of the original works "Be Forever Yamato" and "Space Battleship Yamato III," with new interpretations added. There are seven chapters in total, with the fifth chapter, "The Incandescent Galactic War," being released on February 20th. We hope you will also feel the weight of the acting accumulated by veteran voice actors such as Ehara and Uchida. (Anima Mitsuru/MANTANWEB)
