Interview by Hiroyuki Kawai<\/em> Interviewer:<\/em><\/span> What kind of character is Yuki Mori, as depicted in Space Battleship Yamato 2202<\/em>, for you both?<\/p>\n Fukui:<\/em><\/span> First of all, there is a concept that 2202<\/em> depicts the story of a man named Susumu Kodai. In the previous work, 2199<\/em>, the direction was designed to thoroughly show the world, but this time the camera sticks to Susumu Kodai. In the pursuit of that concept, the presence of Yuki Mori is inseparable. Yuki is one and the same as Kodai, a yin to his yang, a bright light shining on him. You could even say Yuki is not even aware that she dominates the story.<\/p>\n Kuwashima:<\/em><\/span> Well, no pressure there. (Laughs) Three years have passed since the previous work, Ark of the Stars<\/em>, and it was a peaceful time to deepen the relationship between Kodai and Yuki. However, in the midst of the Gatlantis threat, being confronted with the choice of \u201cWill you get on board Yamato<\/em> or not\u201d becomes a big turning point for Yuki. But she\u2019s not flustered at all. She has consistent strength because she truly loves Kodai. Rather than her own growth, I feel this is a continuation of 2199<\/em>.<\/p>\n Fukui:<\/em><\/span> They have a kind of codependent relationship. Kodai has lost his relatives and is all alone in the world, and on the other hand Yuki only has a memory of the last four years. That\u2019s why they have a strong bond. But after the long journey to Iscandar and the return to Earth they\u2019ve arrived at the prospect of \u201cWe can live if we have each other,\u201d and then the Gatlantis invasion begins. Kodai shows his selfishness by saying \u201cI mustn\u2019t live by relying on Yuki\u201d and refuses to let her on board Yamato<\/em>.<\/p>\n Interviewer:<\/em><\/span> There is a part that lets you feel the weakness of Kodai as a human being.<\/p>\n Fukui:<\/em><\/span> He is a little weak, and I think \u201cThat\u2019s what people are like.\u201d In the world of \u201cTV manga\u201d [early anime], only heroes and superhuman characters existed prior to Space Battleship Yamato<\/em> and Mobile Suit Gundam<\/em>. These works demonstrated that \u201cThere are people, too.\u201d When I took over this title, it would have been meaningless if we didn\u2019t depict them as human beings, so that\u2019s why the relationship between these two is shown so sharply in Chapter 3.<\/p>\n Interviewer:<\/em><\/span> There\u2019s also a strong impression from the subtitle, Pure Love Chapter<\/em>. The relationship between Kodai and Yuki is depicted as a very deep place.<\/p>\n Kuwashima:<\/em><\/span> When I finally appeared, I was suddenly thrust into a very serious scene (Laughs). It\u2019s been boiling from the moment I stepped on Yamato<\/em>, and the feeling was that I\u2019d be sure to like it. When it comes to this work, I enjoy these surprising developments.<\/p>\n Fukui:<\/em><\/span> Although the title is Pure Love Chapter<\/em>, the stance is that \u201cpure love\u201d is not all positive. A certain choice is thrust upon Kodai in the story\u2026no, maybe it\u2019s better to call it a reflection. Kodai may take action that lets you feel beauty, but actually there is also a fear in the pit of your stomach that it could all go cold from one misstep. The implication is that \u201cpure love\u201d is not a simple, beautiful thing.<\/p>\n Interviewer:<\/em><\/span> In the third chapter, Kodai confronts the responsibility of being captain, especially where his love of Yuki is concerned, and he\u2019s very troubled.<\/p>\n Fukui:<\/em><\/span> Well, even so, they\u2019re still young people in their early twenties. Maybe the situation he\u2019s standing up against is something not even Captain Okita experienced. It\u2019s natural for him to be worried and to fail and not make decisions easily.<\/p>\n Interviewer:<\/em><\/span> The relationship between Kodai and Yuki feels stronger than the last time we saw them.<\/p>\n Fukui:<\/em><\/span> For our generation, the relationship of Kodai and Yuki was definitely a strong image from the original work. Don\u2019t they give the impression of \u201ctwo idealistic people tied together by a very strong bond\u201d? That image persists even in 2202<\/em>, and I think you can feel the trusting relationship of a couple who have been together for many years. In the story it feels like codependence, but from the history of the title we\u2019ve known about their relationship for over 40 years. That time is a factor that helps you feel their mature relationship of mutual trust.<\/p>\n Interviewer:<\/em><\/span> That\u2019s why you can go to the depths of \u201cpure love\u201d even in the third chapter, which is at the early stage.<\/p>\n Fukui:<\/em><\/span> Since it\u2019s a work that has a long history, there is an aspect of the generation that fans have married and married couples have built a relationship. If you want to depict a relationship between a man and a woman that resonates with these fans, I have to show it on a level where I\u2019m asking \u201cDo you mind if I step in?\u201d That\u2019s another reason I wanted to call it Soldiers of Love<\/em>.<\/p>\n Kuwashima:<\/em><\/span> It\u2019s wonderful to see such a sense of understanding in it. It\u2019s not so easy to find something like that. Personally, the surrounding support for Kodai and Yuki\u2019s relationship touched my heart. I get the impression that Shima, Dr. Sado, and the Yamato<\/em> girls are being very careful with it. From the start of that scene to the finish, I feel \u201cthose two are supported by Yamato<\/em>\u2019s crew.\u201d<\/p>\n Interviewer:<\/em><\/span> Based on the impression Kodai and Yuki\u2019s behavior had on Zordar, it seems that it will have an affect on the future.<\/p>\n Fukui:<\/em><\/span> I think Zordar has probably destroyed many civilizations before now. Zordar says the innocent love Kodai and Yuki demonstrated in this chapter was \u201cvery vain,\u201d but he can\u2019t hide the surprise in his heart. It makes him think, \u201cThese guys may be slightly different.\u201d How will that feeling affect Zordar\u2019s actions in the future? Actually, the game with Zordar has already begun in Chapter 3. This is finally the start of the full-scale battle with Gatlantis.<\/p>\n Interviewer:<\/em><\/span> Chapter 3 will be released soon.<\/p>\n Kuwashima:<\/em><\/span> It feels like the story content has really begun to move. I\u2019m interested in the impressions of the fans who have seen Chapter 1 and Chapter 2. I think the game is on now with 2202<\/em>, so please share your impressions.<\/p>\n Fukui:<\/em><\/span> A novelization of 2202<\/em> is also out, so I\u2019d definitely like you to also read it for the main part of the story. Because of the scale, there are parts that couldn\u2019t easily be shown that expand certain scenes. There will certainly be new discoveries.<\/p>\n These two discuss Chapter 3, Pure Love Chapter:<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThe ones to worry about in Chapter 3 are Hijikata and Zordar. Hijikata is Yuki\u2019s benefactor, and I\u2019m very worried about his physical condition. I hope he doesn\u2019t overdo it. Zordar is interesting, and he\u2019s certainly different from humans. I think these are the highlights of Chapter 3.\u201d \u2013 Houko Kuwashima<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cTo young people, Space Battleship Yamato<\/em> may feel like a title that doesn\u2019t have much to do with them, but it\u2019s at the cutting edge of anime. You can easily see Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 via net distribution, and when you get to chapter 7 I definitely want you to feel the kind of catharthis you seldom experience.\u201d \u2013 Harutoshi Fukui<\/em><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/dec17\/280a01.JPG\")
<\/span><\/p>\n
\nFrom Newtype<\/em> magazine, October 10, 2017<\/p>\nThe fear of \u201cpure love,\u201d which is not just about beauty<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/dec17\/280a02.JPG\")
<\/span><\/p>\nSidebar text<\/h3>\n