Chapter 6 Delivers Another Shock; Kodai’s Coolness Gives Me Chills; Is Miyako in Trouble?!
By Mitsuru Anima
Published at Mantan Web, June 21, 2026. See the original post here
Be Forever Yamato, REBEL 3199 Chapter 6, the latest entry in the Space Battleship Yamato remake series, hits theaters on June 26. Chapter 5 became a hot topic for its shocking finale: Yamato crossed a space-time node and arrived not in the future, but in Tokyo in the year 2026.
The trailer for Chapter 6 shows the crew acting strangely. Ryusuke Domon seems driven by the same temptation behind the “history alteration” the Dezarium are attempting, believing that “if Yamato heads to the planet Garmillas in this era, we can change the future.”
We spoke with Tasuku Hatanaka (voice of Domon) and Tomo Muranaka (voice of Miyako Kyozuka, a fellow 38th-class cadet at the Space Defense Academy) to look back on Chapter 5 and discuss what’s in store for Chapter 6.
The Shocking Finale of Chapter 5: “Wait, What?!”
Interviewer: The seven-part Yamato 3199 series is approaching its climax.
Hatanaka: Considering how Chapter 5 ended, you might be wondering how they’re going to wrap up such a massive, unexpected turn of events. All I can say is that it’s incredibly exciting, and you can’t predict where the story goes from here. Reading the script was just one surprise after another.
Muranaka: In Yamato 3199, we’ve fought together and journeyed for a long time, not just in space or aboard the ship, but on Earth as well, so I want to express my gratitude to everyone involved. Miyako’s role is tending to the wounded, so she isn’t on the front lines fighting, but…
Hatanaka: Miyako plays a huge role in Chapter 6, doesn’t she?
Muranaka: Even when it’s not explicitly shown in the main story, I find myself thinking about how everyone is doing their best in their respective places, and I’m eagerly awaiting the conclusion.
Interviewer: What were your thoughts when you saw the shocking ending of Chapter 5?
Hatanaka: My first thought was, “What are they going to do now?!” (Laughs) The visuals were incredible. After all, it’s the Tokyo we live in today. Once you have Yamato appear there, all sorts of issues are bound to arise, right? Like, “What’s happening with Japan’s defense?” or “How will they interact with modern-day people?” It really is a “close encounter with the unknown.” You can imagine all kinds of developments. It’s depicted realistically in places, so I hope everyone looks forward to it.
Muranaka: I always had a strong impression of Space Battleship Yamato as a story set in space, so seeing Yamato appear in modern-day Shinjuku was a huge surprise. It made me excited to realize it’s actually connected to our own reality.
Hatanaka: True. It really makes you sit up and take notice.
Interviewer: Did you find out about that shocking ending in Chapter 5 from the script?
Both: That’s right.
Hatanaka: We hadn’t been told anything beforehand. We didn’t have any lines for that part, so we just read the stage directions and went, “Huh?! What’s happening?”
Muranaka: Regarding Chapter 6, I had been told, “Miyako is going to go through a lot.” Very vaguely, though. (Laughs) I didn’t really know what that meant at the time.
Hatanaka: As for Domon, it was more like, “What happens right in front of you is everything”. (Laughs) I think Sasha (Megumi Han) had received a proper explanation, though. Toriumi-san (Kosuke Toriumi, who plays Seiya Kitano) was called in for a talk, too.
Muranaka: Toriumi-san must have known something.
Hatanaka: With Chapter 6, I was left wondering, “What on Earth is going to happen?” It made me want to read the next script right away.
Muranaka: I had heard it would be “something huge,” so I had some idea, but the nature of the crisis was different from what I expected. Miyako doesn’t usually vent her feelings to others or participate much in combat strategy meetings, but I felt that she really observes those around her and thinks deeply about things.
The return of “Kodai” (Daisuke Ono) that inspires us
Interviewer: How do you view Domon’s growth?
Hatanaka: Domon has really learned to open up, hasn’t he? (Laughs) He used to clash intensely with Ageha, but the 38th Class has really come together. I have very reliable peers in my class, though sometimes that strong unity can actually work against us. In Chapter 5, there were many battle scenes featuring Sakamoto and Raiden. They took the lead in the fighting, and it was reassuring. Not that I’m in any position to judge! (Laughs)
Muranaka: Spoken like a true peer. (Laughs)
Hatanaka: Exactly. My peers are incredibly strong, I think we’re a powerful team.
Interviewer: The relationship between Kodai and Domon is another highlight.
Hatanaka: In Chapter 6, I really felt like, “Our Captain Kodai is back!” Even during the recording session, it really moved me personally. It felt like he was accepting everything with his whole being. I almost teared up. He’s truly cool. It gave me chills, there was a scene that made me think, “I want to be an adult like that, too.”
Muranaka: In Chapter 1, he was even practicing his proposal; he has a certain denseness when it comes to women, which makes him quite endearing. (Laughs) I think Kodai is someone who has grown through repeated failures, but I also really felt the sense of a legacy being passed down.
Interviewer: What is it like working alongside Daisuke Ono, who plays Kodai?
Hatanaka: Since Yamato 3199 began, we’ve had more opportunities to record together. He’s taught me things, like how to handle firing the Wave-Motion Gun, and he really leads by example. I can feel that sense of passing the torch. For Chapter 6, too, I wanted to prioritize the sense of realism in our back-and-forth dialogue, so we recorded together rather than separately. We’d often turn to face each other while acting out the scenes; it felt very organic and was a lot of fun.
Muranaka: I didn’t want to ruin the atmosphere between the two of them, so I tried to stay as quiet and unobtrusive as possible. (Laughs) Miyako has lines later on, so I was watching intently, preparing myself for the moment when the two of them would clash.
Tasuku Hatanaka: Straightforward, Just Like Domon
Interviewer: It seems recording has wrapped up through Chapter 7. How do you feel now that this long voyage has come to an end?
Hatanaka: I still have the urge to keep traveling. The story developments are incredible, they really make you want to see what happens next. Personally, I’m convinced there’s still more Yamato recording to be done. Working on Yamato 3199 gave me the chance to interact with the senior cast members. They really took me under their wing and taught me so much.
Muranaka: Actually, I don’t know how it ends. The director hasn’t told me, so I’ll be finding out right along with everyone else. I’m really looking forward to it.
Interviewer: What were your impressions while working together?
Muranaka: I didn’t have many chances to chat with Hatanaka-san, but while he gives off an air of being “clumsy” or awkward, he actually isn’t…or is he? There are many ways he overlaps with Domon. He feels very down-to-earth, yet I could sense a passionate heart in his acting, a real immersion in the role. So, maybe “clumsy” isn’t the right word. I respect him.
Hatanaka: Oh, stop it…
Muranaka: He’s very straightforward, too. It also left an impression on me when Ono-san talked about acting with you and said, “So that’s how you think about it? That really is an important point.” I could see that your acting was truly resonating with the senior cast members.
Hatanaka: Thank you. Are you shy, Muranaka-san?
Muranaka: Am I shy?
Hatanaka: In the scene where Miyako sheds tears, I sense this feeling of “I refuse to cry in front of others!” and there’s love beneath her anger, too.
Muranaka: Ah, that scene. (Laughs) Domon has this great quality where he doesn’t neatly fit into a mold, in a good way.
Hatanaka: Huh?!
Muranaka: Why are you so flustered? (Laughs) Domon is like a wild horse, but he has the power to take action, and I think that’s what draws Miyako to him.
Hatanaka: Domon does tend to take things to extremes. I suppose having Miyako there helps keep things balanced.
It seems plenty of trials await in Chapter 6. Expectations are high for the exploits of Domon and his fellow recruits.