To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Toei Tokusatsu Fan Club (TTFC) app service, a completely original new tokusatsu series, "Forticus: Streaming! The One Who Inherits the Favorite," began streaming on June 7th. Directed by Koichi Sakamoto, with a script by Junichiro Ashiki and character designs by Tsuyoshi Nonaka, the series depicts the exploits of a new hero, Forticus. We spoke with the three main actors, Fuku Suzuki, Tatsuomi Hamada, and Rena Takeda, as well as director Sakamoto.
◇ "The 'destiny' I felt when we co-starred in a special effects film for the first time"
--Please tell us how you felt when you were cast in this film.
Hamada: When I was offered the role, I had heard Fuku-kun's name, so my first reaction was surprise, thinking, "I'm going to be acting with Fuku-kun, and playing a tokusatsu otaku at that!" It was my first time working with Fuku-kun, and with director Sakamoto and scriptwriter Ashiki (Junichiro) involved, I felt like this was a fated encounter, so I readily accepted, saying, "Absolutely!" I went to the set with excitement, and I'm glad I was able to work in such a wonderful environment.
Suzuki: I was happiest to be given the lead role in a project celebrating TTFC's 10th anniversary. With Ryushin-kun, Director Sakamoto, and Takeda-san there, it was truly a lineup of tokusatsu (special effects) stars (laughs). I thought, "This is great. I'm looking forward to it."
Takeda: To be honest, I was surprised when I got an offer to do a tokusatsu (special effects) project, and I felt like, "Are you sure I'm the right person for this?" (laughs). I never expected to be involved in tokusatsu again, so it was a big surprise. I had never worked with either of them (Suzuki and Hamada) before, so I was happy to be able to work with them, and I went into filming with that in mind.
◇Director Sakamoto's "ambition" comes to fruition: Fuku Suzuki and Hamada Tatsuomi co-starring is "my dream"; the deciding factor in casting Rena Takeda was
--This triple-lead cast is sure to impress tokusatsu fans. Could you tell us about the circumstances and reasons for casting these three actors?
Director Sakamoto: I actually came up with this project myself. I had talked to Fuku-kun about wanting to make a spin-off of Kamen Rider Geats Geets with him in the lead role, and I had also been thinking about inviting Ryushin to Toei someday, but he was called up by another director first, which was frustrating for me (laughs). So when this 10th anniversary project came up, I had a plan to have these two co-star in it and fulfill my dream all at once (laughs).
--So, why did you cast Ms. Takeda as the heroine?
Director Sakamoto: Choosing the heroine was very important. As this is a TTFC production, I wanted the cast to be familiar to the members, yet still be a fresh combination of actors, and of course, three people who could not only act well but also be likeable and relatable to everyone. With such high hurdles to overcome, Ms. Takeda's name came up, and I offered her the role first, and she readily accepted. It was a huge achievement that I was able to put together the three lead actors I wanted.
◇ "Four times more live action than expected" Sakamoto Group: "A sense of security like being at home"
--Sakamoto-gumi's construction sites are known for their high energy levels. Mr. Suzuki and Mr. Hamada, who have experience working with them, what are your impressions of experiencing it again?
Hamada: I had the opportunity to work on another project with Sakamoto's team a month before filming began on this project, so things like costume fittings felt like déjà vu (laughs). Working with Sakamoto's team gives me a sense of security, like being at home.
Suzuki: It had been a while since I last participated, but the amount of action they added on set was about four times what I expected, and it made me realize once again, "As expected, there's a lot of action!" (laughs). When I read the script, keeping in mind the length of "Fortix," I didn't expect there to be so many action cuts...that's what happened (laughs). I got to do some real action, which is typical of Sakamoto's productions.
--Mr. Takeda, this was your first time participating. What did you think?
Takeda: The team was already well-established, and things were progressing smoothly, so I felt like I just had to go along with it.
◇A work dedicated to all fans: "We want you to feel glad that you love tokusatsu (special effects)."
--From your perspective as director Sakamoto, what did you find appealing about the three actors?
Director Sakamoto: It was fun. It was the first time the three of them had worked together, but they got along incredibly well, and the filming itself was so enjoyable that I was watching them from a father's perspective the whole time (laughs).
--What message did you intend to convey with these three actors taking on the lead roles?
Director Sakamoto: While tokusatsu has various genres such as Kamen Rider, Super Sentai, and Ultraman, we made this film with the intention of transcending those boundaries and dedicating it to all tokusatsu fans. I myself have had my life changed by tokusatsu works, and Fuku-kun and Tatsuomi, who loved tokusatsu, are now working hard as leading actors. People who grew up watching tokusatsu are now making tokusatsu themselves. That's why we wanted to make this film a work that fans who watch it will feel glad that they loved tokusatsu.
--It was a triple lead role; what was the balance and chemistry like on set?
Suzuki: Ryushin-kun was very steady and composed.
Director Sakamoto: The two of them (Suzuki and Hamada) are young, but they have incredible experience. There was a scene in the film where they were playing with a dog, and I was amazed to see them taking the lead. I was impressed by their experience.
Hamada: I don't think anyone was particularly conscious of anything in particular.
Suzuki: We had a lot of scenes with just the three of us, and we were together all the time, and we didn't have many scenes with other people, so I don't think there was really a sense of one person taking the lead or anything like that.
Hamada: Also, on the first day of filming, there were people with loud voices like Mizuno Nao (laughs). I thought, "Wow, he's really loud," but thanks to that, a sense of unity was created.
◇The romance and excitement unique to special effects
--What were some of the points you particularly focused on as a director?
Director Sakamoto: Since I was involved from the planning stage, I wanted to bring something new to the whole thing, but at the same time, I wanted to create a sense of familiarity. Rather than focusing on how the audience would react when we presented something new, I wanted them to be able to watch something they were already familiar with, yet still feel a sense of freshness. I thought that being able to empathize with it would be the best, so I kept that in mind.
--Could you tell us about the process leading up to the final design of the Fortics?
Director Sakamoto: I consulted with designer Nonaka (Tsuyoshi) and we aimed for a design that wouldn't overlap with any existing Kamen Rider, Sentai, or Metal Hero series. Of course, that was difficult (laughs). This time, the hero is a new character with a personality separate from the person who transforms into him, and I wanted to evoke a sense of nostalgia within that. So, contrary to the designs of recent heroes, I asked for a simple design. A new hero with a slightly nostalgic feel is the key point we focused on.
--What aspects of tokusatsu (special effects) productions do you feel are particularly appealing to the main cast?
Suzuki: It's romantic. It's like the quintessential fiction. I've been involved in creating a lot of fiction, but I think tokusatsu (special effects) is the best at directly doing things that make you think, "Wouldn't it be amazing if something like this happened?" It's something that can only be done with tokusatsu, and as someone who has dreamt and drawn a lot of courage from it, I still think it's wonderful.
Takeda: I think it has a unique sense of excitement that you can't find anywhere else. The excitement you feel when you watch it, the things that well up inside you, it's something you can't get in other genres, it's one of a kind. I think it's a genre that energizes you and gives you courage.
Hamada: I think it's not just romance, but a strong sense of longing. I think it's a genre where there are many people on the production side who admire and love it. They want to make it better, they want to make it cooler, and I think this cycle of people who are obsessed with special effects being obsessed with special effects has been going on for decades now (laughs).
When I was little, I dreamed of becoming one of those things, and Fuku-kun, who is four years younger than me, has achieved that dream. Of course, there are also actors of Fuku-kun's generation and younger who aspired to be heroes and became heroes themselves, inspired by tokusatsu (special effects) shows. Naturally, the number of younger staff members is also increasing, so it's a cycle. At its core are aspirations and love, and that's properly conveyed to the fans. I think it's because the fans watch with aspirations and love that it becomes so interesting.
◇The transformation pose is a tribute to Kamen Rider, Super Sentai, and giant heroes.
--What was it like working on a completely new tokusatsu (special effects) project again?
Director Sakamoto: While there are many existing works, and I've had the opportunity to work on various projects, opportunities to work on a completely new project are rare. This time, I was given a special opportunity, and since it was a project I came up with myself, the pressure was immense, but the enjoyment far outweighed it. Every day was fresh, and I think the excitement of wanting to challenge myself with something new won out.
--What challenges did you take on in this project?
Director Sakamoto: This time, it's not exactly about giving back to tokusatsu, but I feel that tokusatsu has a special power, as there are many people, including myself, whose lives have been changed by tokusatsu. Recently, it has spread not only in Japan but also overseas, and I have felt that firsthand, so I wanted to give something back.
--Could you share any anecdotes regarding the filming of the transformation scene?
Takeda: This was my first time getting a makeover, and it was also my first time doing these poses. The two of them were already professionals, so I did my best to imitate them, and I hope you'll take a look.
--Why are the three of you holding the devices at different heights?
Director Sakamoto: I asked them to do it in a Kamen Rider style, a Super Sentai style, and so on. Takeda-san had a suggestion from the action department, but (Suzuki-san and Hamada-san) came up with their own ideas independently. I asked each of the three characters to strike a pose that pays homage to their favorite solo hero, group hero, or giant hero, and then shout "Streaming!"
-- Mr. Suzuki and Mr. Hamada, did your own strong convictions begin to well up inside you?
Hamada: I suggested that it would be fun to include this kind of movement and this homage, and they let me do it.
Suzuki: Since there are three of us at the same time, getting the timing right involves how we connect the parts in between, and how even slight changes in angle can make a big difference, something I've seen and done in previous works.
Hamada: Because I'm a professional (laughs).
--Finally, do you have a message for your fans?
Suzuki: I'm so happy that we can celebrate the 10th anniversary of TTFC, which I and everyone else have supported for so long, together with all of you, and that we can create a new special effects film. I'm sure that if you all continue to support us, we'll be able to create more Forticis and other works, and I'm just happy that we can celebrate this, so I hope you'll all watch it many times.
Hamada: I was given the opportunity to play Forticus, a character I love from the superhero series, and it was a role that I often found myself relating to. Since it will be streamed on TTFC, I think many people who like tokusatsu and watch various works will watch it, so it's like returning to your childhood. I think that's how it is when watching tokusatsu, including myself, but I hope that people will enjoy Forticus purely as a hero, while also enjoying the dramatic aspects.
Takeda: I think everyone who watches this is a fan of tokusatsu (special effects), and our characters in this show are also tokusatsu geeks. I hope viewers can project themselves onto the characters and enjoy imagining a new world for TTFC.
Director Sakamoto: I made this film hoping that viewers would get excited, empathize with the characters, and feel thrilled. TTFC members have a high level of appreciation for special effects, so I aimed to create a film that even they could enjoy. I hope they'll watch it multiple times and pick up on all the references scattered throughout. If you're not yet a TTFC member, please take this opportunity to join and check it out. I'd be happy if a wide range of people could watch it. (Interview, text, and photography by Masaki Endo)
