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■ Date & Time: June 28 (Sun, held after the screening)
■ Venue: Shinjuku Piccadilly theater, Tokyo
■ Guests: Daisuke Ono (Voice of Susumu Kodai), Megumi Han (Voice of Sasha), Makoto Furukawa (Voice of Alphon), Harutoshi Fukui (General Director), Eriko Nakamura (Voice of Mikage Kiryu / Moderator)

L to R: Eriko Nakamura (MC/Mikage Kiryu), Megumi Han (Sasha), Daisuke Ono (Kodai),
Makoto Furukawa (Alphon), Harutoshi Fukui (General Director)

The theater was buzzing with the excitement of a large audience. Standing before them, Daisuke Ono remarked, “So much happens in this installment, it hardly feels like just a ‘Chapter 6.’ Various characters are taking action, each driven by their own convictions in their respective places. While previous chapters depicted conflict and discord, this chapter shifts gears to focus on human connections. I want many people to see it, but I especially hope families will watch it together. In fact, I even sent a text message to my mother this morning telling her, ‘Make sure to watch Chapter 6.'” His words delighted the crowd, and he passionately added, “I believe this is a work that resonates with the current era, allowing us to truly feel the importance of human connection.”

In Chapter 6, Kodai finds himself back in the captain’s seat of Yamato for the first time in a long while, stepping in for Captain Yamanami. When asked about this situation, Ono spoke with a sense of deep emotion, noting that Kodai is calmer than before and has gained the ability to take a broader perspective, watching over the younger generation. “Above all, the young people have so much energy, especially Domon,” he said with a laugh, before reflecting on how he parallels his own career with Kodai’s situation: “I’ve reached a stage where I’m no longer a newcomer but a mid-career actor. I find myself in a position where there are veterans above me and many juniors below me. I approached this role with the mindset of doing what only I can do at this point in my life.”

The relationship between Kodai and his niece, Sasha, serves as a central pillar throughout the series. Ono recalled, “Looking back at Chapter 2, I once pressed Mr. Fukui on why Kodai didn’t give Sasha, his own flesh and blood, a warm welcome or a hug.”

In response, Chief Director Fukui explained Kodai’s poignant state of mind: “I feel that if he had hugged her tightly right then, he wouldn’t have been able to let go. At that moment, Kodai was in a state of mental turmoil, partly because he had lost Yuki. He struggled with the feeling that he couldn’t shoulder the responsibility for Sasha’s life as well. That’s likely why he held back.”

Meanwhile, Megumi Han, who voiced Sasha, reflected on the scene where she confronts Mother Dezarium, a character voiced by her own mother, Keiko Han. “In the scene with Mother Dezarium, there’s a line where I say, ‘Family wouldn’t say something like that!’ I feel I was only able to deliver those words because of the things ‘Uncle’ (Kodai) had said and the feelings he had shared with me. I was able to overcome that moment because of the bond built up with him and with everyone on the Yamato crew. I felt that Kodai and Sasha’s feelings had finally reached the same level, that we had forged a true connection.”

When Ono asked her, “Have you ever said ‘Family wouldn’t say something like that!’ at home?” she replied, “I was only able to say it for the first time through that line,” drawing a burst of laughter and excitement from the audience. “So, that was a bit painful for me, realizing I actually had to say those lines. I never really went through a rebellious phase as a teenager. Dying my hair was about the extent of it, but even then, my mother scolded me, saying, ‘You shouldn’t change your image like that when you’re an actor!’ I mentioned that story to Ono-san earlier, and he told me I should have just snapped back, ‘Families shouldn’t say things like that!’ If the opportunity arises in the future, I’d like to try using that line,” she said with determination, drawing laughter from the audience.

Ono then revisited the scene where Sasha confronts Mother Dezarium, remarking, “That scene was incredible, wasn’t it?” He praised the performance, saying, “There’s a moment during the exchange with Mother where the voices overlap. I could sense a certain allure in the way Megumi-chan delivered the ends of her sentences, a sensuality that actually gave me goosebumps. Just as I was thinking, ‘Wow,’ the voice shifted to Keiko-san’s [as part of the scene’s direction]. That moment gave me chills.” Han looked bashful and humbly replied, “I’m honored.”

Meanwhile, there is Alphon, a character who belongs to Dezarium but harbors special feelings for Yuki and has fought alongside her. Chapter 6 featured a poignant scene where he discovers Yuki’s true feelings. When moderator Nakamura asked him point-blank, “What were you feeling in that moment?” the audience burst into laughter.

Furukawa shot back with his own question, “Let me ask you: what do you think I was feeling?” eliciting even more laughter from the crowd.

Ono innocently chimed in with, “I want to know!” only for Furukawa to feign outrage: “You, Kodai, are the one asking that? Are you telling me to admit defeat?”

Ono, unable to stop laughing at the exchange, remarked with genuine feeling, “Furukawa-kun really loves Yamato, doesn’t he? He’s truly enjoying it as a fan.”

Furukawa reflected on the voice-recording sessions, noting, “Back then, before we recorded, Mr. Fukui clearly explained [Yuki’s feelings] to me. I was trying to wrap my head around it, thinking, ‘Oh, I see…’ and wondering if maybe [Kodai] had the upper hand…”

Ono seemed quite pleased by this, but then spoke enthusiastically to Furukawa: “You know, I was separated from Yuki, so I couldn’t verify where her heart truly lay. But what really moved me was, well, Kodai had always believed that mutual understanding was possible, even with aliens, and Yuki told me, ‘If it were Kodai-kun, this is what he would do. That’s why I’m here by Alphon’s side.’ Hearing that made everything feel worthwhile. I was incredibly happy about that, Furukawa-kun!” The audience erupted with excitement at seeing Ono speak so animatedly.

Listening to their exchange, Han remarked on the complex emotions involved: “It struck me that Alphon and Sasha might actually be able to understand each other. There’s a sense of unrequited love there, knowing the answer deep down, yet wanting to keep believing, or wanting to be allowed to believe. It’s that feeling of wanting to believe, ‘I’m the one by his side right now.'” The entire audience seemed to deeply empathize with this sentiment.

As the event neared its conclusion, Han was asked for final remarks. She poured her feelings into her words, saying, “I feel that Chapter 6 features scenes where everyone makes their own choices, especially for the sake of the people they love and those they must protect. So, if you can heighten that affection, the love shared by the family and comrades we’ve followed all this time, as we head toward the climax, I’m certain that Chapter 7 will return something even greater to you.”

Furukawa followed up, adding, “To echo her sentiments, I believe every character holds something precious to them. Whether it’s risking their lives to fight for that precious thing, watching the situation unfold, or simply going with the flow, Chapter 6 vividly depicts the various ways people engage with what matters most to them and how they choose to live. Amidst this, Alphon is grappling with the question: ‘What exactly is the thing that matters most?’ He can no longer believe in what he once trusted. I imagine Chapter 7 will explore what he decides to live for from here on out. The upcoming Chapter 7 delivers a massive shock, so please be prepared for it.”

Then, Daisuke Ono commented, “Whenever I stand on a theater stage, it feels just like the bridge of Yamato. While I’m sure the ‘Yamato Uncles’ make up the majority of the audience, I can see from here that there are plenty of people from my own generation, as well as young ‘Yamato Girls’ and ‘Yamato Boys.’ Realizing all over again that these people are all part of the Yamato crew brings me such joy.”

He concluded with a powerful message: “Chapter 6 places the bonds between family and individuals front and center. As we move toward Chapter 7, I believe the story is structured so that, precisely because of Chapter 6, we can unite and advance toward the future. It is a future filled with hope. Please spread the word about this work and let your love for it grow. I hope you will join us for Chapter 7, the final chapter.”

Additional coverage from TV Asahi

Voice actor Mitsuo Iwata also appears in this film, playing the role of Yoshiro Kosaka, an elementary school teacher. Ono, who voices Susumu Kodai, shared an anecdote about exchanging text messages with Iwata that morning: “When I told him, ‘I’m off to the stage greeting today,’ he replied, ‘Oh, really? Thanks for doing this during such a busy time. I put my heart and soul into playing that scumbag character!’

So I sent back, ‘Your performance as a scumbag was the best!’ and he was incredibly grateful, saying ‘Thank you!’

It made me think, ‘What a truly good person Iwata-san is!'” He also described Iwata as a “Yamato guy, he’s right in the sweet spot of the Yamato generation,” and shared a heartwarming anecdote about Iwata’s eagerness to appear in the series: “He kept saying, ‘I want in! I really want to be in it! Isn’t there a role for me?’ I had to talk him down every time, saying, ‘Iwata-san, telling me won’t make it happen!'”

Backstage at the Shinjuku Piccadilly, photos posted on Twitter by the Yamato Production Committee and Megumi Han

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