{"id":24640,"date":"2017-02-06T00:05:53","date_gmt":"2017-02-06T08:05:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault\/?p=24640"},"modified":"2019-05-28T14:32:37","modified_gmt":"2019-05-28T21:32:37","slug":"297a","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault\/297a\/","title":{"rendered":"<em>Yamato 2202<\/em> Report 18, Part 3"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p><a href='https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault\/296a'>Back up to Part 2<\/a><\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a37.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><br \/>\n<em>Left to right: Eriko Nakamura (MC), Koichi Yamadera (Dessler), Kenichi Suzumura (Shima), Daisuke Ono (Kodai),<br \/>\nHiroki Touchi (Saito), Nobuyoshi Habara (Director), Harutoshi Fukui (Writer)<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>January 27: Chapter 4 premiere<\/h2>\n<p><em>Destiny Chapter<\/em> opened in 28 theaters across Japan, the largest number since the <em>2199\/2202<\/em> experiment began. And it has paid off handsomely; the film took the number 9 spot in the top ten openings for the weekend with a box office take of close to half a million USD.<\/p>\n<p>For the first time, a \u201clive viewing\u201d of the Shinjuku Piccadilly\u2019s first stage greeting was streamed online and to all the theaters on opening day. Two stage greetings were held there: one after the first screening and another prior to an afternoon show. Hardcore fans packed into the Piccadilly screenings, since it was the only place to see voice actor Koichi Yamadera (Dessler). Afterward, the other guests moved on to Toho Cinema in Ueno and Keisei Rosa in Chiba.<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a38.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><br \/>\n<em>Backstage before the main event. Photo posted on Twitter by the <a href='https:\/\/twitter.com\/new_yamato_2199'><em>Yamato 2202<\/em> Production Committee<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p>Media coverage of the Piccadilly stage greeting went thusly\u2026<\/p>\n<p><em>From <a href='https:\/\/natalie.mu\/eiga\/news\/267038'>Natalie<\/a>:<\/em><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"textBlue\">Daisuke Ono puts his whole body into &#8220;Fire!&#8221; and Kenichi Suzumura says &#8220;Warp!\u201d<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span class=\"image-left\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a39.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><br \/>\n<em>Koichi Yamadera<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>On January 27, a stage greeting was carried out at the Shinjuku Piccadilly Theater for the premiere of <em>Yamato 2202<\/em> Chapter 4, <em>Destiny Chapter<\/em>. The guests who appeared on stage were Koichi Yamadera (Dessler), Daisuke Ono (Kodai), Kenichi Suzumura (Shima), Hiroki Touchi (Saito), Eriko Nakamura (Kiryu), Harutoshi Fukui (writer) and Nobuyoshi Habara (director).<\/p>\n<p>The audience got very excited when Yamadera said in Dessler&#8217;s voice, &#8220;It&#8217;s been a long time, <em>Yamato<\/em> fans in Shinjuku and across the nation.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Ono said, &#8220;I want to say fire, but it&#8217;s nothing to do with the economy. <em>Yamato<\/em>, main guns, fire!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Suzumura shouted, <em>\u201cYamato<\/em>, toward the future\u2026warp!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Touchi declared, \u201cGive it a push!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;This chapter is hot,&#8221; Ono said in an appeal for this work. &#8220;Chapter 3 talked about internal emotional conflicts and delusions and depicted great pain, but this time it&#8217;s a big-scale action chapter! We fling ourselves into a hot fleet war, and it concentrates on the dynamic side of <em>Yamato<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;This one is the most <em>Yamato<\/em>-like so far,&#8221; Suzumura said. &#8220;<em>Yamato<\/em> is basically always in a pinch, and this is clearly shown. Get out of this pinch! Now get out of this pinch again! Another pinch! This is the <em>Yamato<\/em> of <em>Yamatos<\/em>!\u201d (Laughs)<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Let&#8217;s continue this trip together with this ship,&#8221; Ono concluded. &#8220;Let&#8217;s get everyone to like <em>Yamato<\/em> and continue the love from now on. Let the love explode. Fire!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The whole story is amazing,&#8221; Yamadera said, talking of future developments. &#8220;There&#8217;s a part with Dessler that&#8217;s never been done before\u2026it&#8217;s really amazing! That&#8217;s all I can say. Because they&#8217;ve told me absolutely nothing.&#8221; (Laughs)<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a40.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p><em>From <a href='https:\/\/mantan-web.jp\/article\/20180127dog00m200004000c.html'>Mantan Web<\/a>:<\/em><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"textBlue\"><em>Yamato 2202<\/em> Chapter 5: &#8220;The first half is Dessler, the second half is Earth,&#8221; says Harutoshi Fukui. &#8220;It&#8217;s amazing!\u201d<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span class=\"image-right\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a41.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><br \/>\n<em>Daisuke Ono<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>Yamato 2202<\/em> writer Harutoshi Fukui appeared in a stage greeting at the Shinjuku Piccadilly Theater on opening day of Chapter 4, <em>Destiny Chapter<\/em>. Talking about Chapter 5, <em>Purgatory Chapter<\/em>, which will premiere May 25, he revealed, &#8220;It is split into an A side and a B side. The first half is Dessler, the second half is Earth. The decisive battle at last\u2026it&#8217;s going to be amazing.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Susumu Kodai&#8217;s voice actor, Daisuke Ono, described Chapter 4. &#8220;Anyway, it&#8217;s hot! Chapter 3 depicted a mental battle with internal conflict, but it&#8217;s all action this time. The boy in me is excited, because it concentrates on the dynamic part of <em>Yamato<\/em>. I was thrilled.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Daisuke Shima&#8217;s voice actor, Kenichi Suzumura, said, &#8220;Shima is the warp man and calls for the warp. Warping is usually an escape move, but this time we have an attack warp.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Koichi Yamadera, the voice of Dessler, added, &#8220;I was worried about what would happen, but it was good to appear again. I was really happy. But I was nervous. There are a lot of popular people at the [voice recording] site from various generations, and it&#8217;s a lot of fun.&#8221; He joked about how the dialogue recording session went, saying \u201cWith Ono-kun and (Hiroshi) Kamiya-kun there, I was wondering is this was <a href='https:\/\/www.animenewsnetwork.com\/encyclopedia\/anime.php?id=18401'><em>The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.<\/em><\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>From <a href='https:\/\/www.animatetimes.com\/news\/details.php?id=1517016540'>Animate Times<\/a>:<\/em><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"textBlue\">Premiere report: Daisuke Ono, Kenichi Suzumura and Hiroki Touchi appear in a stage greeting for Space Battleship <em>Yamato 2202<\/em> Chapter 4, <em>Destiny Chapter<\/em>!<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span class=\"image-left\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a44.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><br \/>\n<em>Hiroki Touchi<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>An opening day stage greeting for <em>Yamato 2202<\/em> Chapter 4 was held at the Shinjuku Piccadilly Theater on January 27. On stage for this event was a lavish lineup of cast and staff: Daisuke Ono (Kodai), Koichi Yamadera (Dessler), Hiroki Touchi (Saito), Kenichi Suzumura (Shima), Eriko Nakamura (Kiryu). Nobuyoshi Habara (director), and Harutoshi Fukui (writer). Highlights of this work and stories of the voice recording were discussed passionately. Here we deliver an entire rundown of the event!<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"textBlue\">The venue was full of excitement from the fan service of a voice acting team that cut no corners<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>MC Eriko Nakamura invited everyone on stage, and when the music changed Koichi Yamera (who plays the role of Dessler) entered to a room filled with grand applause. He greeted everyone with his Dessler voice, thanking the visitors who came on this cold day.<\/p>\n<p>Ms. Nakamura said, \u201cI never thought I\u2019d see a friendly Leader Dessler!\u201d (Laughs)<\/p>\n<p>Inspired by Yamadera, Mr. Ono thanked everyone in the voice of Susumu Kodai, and the guests were excited when he tossed off a raw line: \u201c<em>Yamato<\/em> main guns, fire!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Mr. Suzumura cried out \u201cWarp!\u201d in Shima\u2019s voice and Touchi spoke out as Saito: \u201cGive it a push!\u201d It was a thrilling moment for fans to hear all these voice actors play their characters.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"textBlue\"><em>Yamato 2202<\/em> Chapter 4 is more like <em>Yamato<\/em> than before?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Speaking about Chapter 4, Daisuke Ono gave his impression: \u201cAnyway, it\u2019s hot!\u201d Keywords burst out of him as he said the third chapter depicted inner conflict, but this time it\u2019s a fleet battle. He was excited that that they got a lot of action, such as flinging themselves at the enemy.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s more <em>Yamato<\/em>-like than ever,\u201d Mr. Suzumura said, explaining that \u201c<em>Yamato<\/em> is always in a pinch\u201d and the real highlight is how they break through such situations.<\/p>\n<p>Ms. Nakamura said, \u201cI hope you can get through the pinch with that warp you\u2019re so good at.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Suzumura responded, \u201cBasically, warping is like running away.\u201d And the venue was filled with laughter over his quick reply.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, Mr. Yamadera said, \u201cIt was good for Dessler to appear.\u201d He had been nervous about appearing in Chapter 4, but in the end his worries were imaginary.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"image-right\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a43.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"textBlue\">The inside story of the recording site with actors of various generations<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Mr. Ono said that he was happy to finally have a dialogue with Mr. Yamadera at the recording site. He said that he was very nervous, and when Yamadera heard this he answered, \u201csame here.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Asking if he was familiar with that sort of tension, Mr. Touchi let us in on how once the recording session was over, Mr. Yamadera yelled, \u201cI was so nervous!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Yamadera makes an effort to talk casually in order to relax the other voice actors before a session, and he was praised for the speed with which he can transform into Dessler when he gets in front of the mic. The form of his slightly smiling face is also impressive.<\/p>\n<p>Suzumura said it is interesting to have actors from various generations in one place, noting that the veterans have conversations like, \u201cThis part of my body hurts; exercise it this way,\u201d which gives him an advantage for the future.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"image-left\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a42.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><br \/>\n<em>Kenichi Suzumura<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u201cSomebody said they were having some pain in the dressing room today,\u201d Nakamura interjected, and Suzumura answered, \u201cThat makes me a little sad\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<p>A moment of quiet, and then laughter broke out in the audience.<\/p>\n<p>The event concluded with comments from Ono, Yamadera, and the director Mr. Habara.<\/p>\n<p>Daisuke Ono: \u201cEvery time a story appears, I feel like I\u2019m going on a trip with everyone. Let\u2019s continue this trip together on this ship by all means! Let the love explode!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Koichi Yamadera: \u201cThe original <em>Space Battleship Yamato<\/em> began when I was in the first year of junior high. I\u2019m very happy to have been involved in my favorite work since then. And now I feel like it\u2019s a work that is making history. I can\u2019t say what\u2019s coming up in the future, but it may become clear when a part comes up with Dessler that has never been seen before! Really! It\u2019s amazing! Look forward to it by all means!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Director Nobuyoshi Habara: \u201cThank you very much to everyone who came to see it today! I am blessed with a wonderful cast, and I\u2019m full of gratitude for being able to make this work. I\u2019m working hard to bring these wonderful performances to you. Thank you very much for your continuing support! Thank you very much for today!\u201d<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a45.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Subsequent stage greetings at the Toho Cinema in Ueno (left) and Keisei Rosa in Chiba (right). Koichi Yamadera did not participate in these later presentations.<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a83.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>January 27: Chapter 4 theater-exclusive Blu-ray<\/h3>\n<p>Once again, fans who bought a ticket to the film qualified to also buy the new Blu-ray in theaters while supplies lasted. It contained all four of the new episodes plus bonus features. The slipcase art (above) was created by Assistant Director Makoto Kobayashi<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a84.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"image-right\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a86.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p>The Blu-ray sleeve itself featured art by Character Designer Nobuteru Yuuki. The bonus features on the disc included trailers and commercials, clean opening and ending titles, and audio commentaries on two episodes. The interior booklet (at right) will also be included with the home video version, scheduled to be released February 23.<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a85.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The theater-exclusive items that motivated fans to get it right away were a storyboard and script booklet, both for Episode 14. As usual, the art for the storyboard booklet cover was by Nobuteru Yuuki. These items will NOT be included with the standard home video version.<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a52.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>January 27: Theater goods<\/h3>\n<p>The new waves of merchandise in theater gift shops always add another lively dimension to the <em>Yamato<\/em> experience. See a gallery of the Chapter 4 swag <a href='https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault\/chap4goods'>here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a53.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>January 27: Theater cards, week 1<\/h3>\n<p>The traditional package of replica animation art was handed out to every ticket holder while supplies lasted. This set consisted of Sanada, Yuki, and a nice clean view of the <em>Nue Deusuler<\/em> flagship.<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a54.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>January 27: Chapter 5 promotion<\/h3>\n<p>No premiere is complete without the first word about what\u2019s next. <em>Yamato 2202<\/em> Chapter 5 (episodes 15-18) is scheduled to open on May 25. Mainstream video sales begin on June 22. The subtitle is <em>Purgatory Chapter<\/em> and the synopsis from the official website reads as follows (contains spoilers):<\/p>\n<p>The story of those who make up the \u201cgreat sum\u201d [<em>Yamato\u2019s<\/em> crew] and the \u201cedge\u201d is about to enter a new phase. It was not only the goddess Teresa who was waiting for <em>Yamato<\/em> to reach the legendary planet Telezart. Before Kodai, the opponent with the \u201cedge\u201d appears: the former enemy Dessler. <em>Yamato<\/em> battles with the Dessler fleet, where the old regimes of Garmillas gather. In the midst of that, Keyman rushes to Kodai\u2019s cause and takes amazing action.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, a new Sabera is awakened in Gatlantis, and the full-scale invasion of Earth begins at last. Gatlantis clashes with the Wave-Motion Gun fleet centered around the flagship <em>Andromeda<\/em>, intending to annihilate all life and civilization. What is the true figure of the city empire that sleeps within the huge white comet? And a new devil\u2019s choice is issued by Zordar.<\/p>\n<p>You will witness a shock at the ending, and the last five minutes are filled with tears.<\/p>\n<p>See a collection of stills from Chapter 5 <a href='https:\/\/natalie.mu\/eiga\/news\/266907'>here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a82.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>January 27: Cosmo Fleet Special <em>Andromeda<\/em> miniature<\/h3>\n<p>Following <em>Yamato<\/em> with asteroid ring, a reissue of the Megaluda, and the hi-spec Cosmo Zero, this is the fourth <em>2202<\/em> CFSP miniature from Bandai\u2019s Megahouse division. <\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a55.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p><em>Andromeda<\/em> is in scale with <em>Yamato<\/em> at a lengthy 7.5\u201d. It has metallic painting inside the Wave-Motion Guns and moveable main turrets. A mini Cosmo Tiger 1 is included as a bonus item. Package photos posted on Twitter by <a href='https:\/\/twitter.com\/sousui_'>Sousui<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a56.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>January 27: Premium Bandai campaign announced<\/h3>\n<p>As an incentive for fans to purchase <em>Yamato 2202<\/em> blu-rays from Bandai Visual, Premium Bandai opened a prize lottery from January 29 through April 16 and again on June 24. Those who purchase blu-rays of chapters 1-5 from Bandai\u2019s website during those times can register for a prize campaign to win posters autographed by voice actors, original illustrations by Michi Murakawa, or limited-edition replica animation layouts. All prizes to be awarded in late June.<\/p>\n<p>See Bandai Visual\u2019s campaign page <a href='https:\/\/bvc.bandaivisual.co.jp\/feature\/256\/'>here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a46.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>January 28: Day 2 stage greetings<\/h3>\n<p>MC Osamu Kobayashi, Director Nobuyoshi Habara and Writer Harutoshi Fukui traveled farther afield to greet fans on the second day, visiting theaters in three wards: United Cinema in Saitama, MOVIX in Gunma, and Aeon Cinema in Niigata. (Photos from the <em>2202<\/em> Production Committee\u2019s Twitter page.)<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a47.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Whenever Habara and Fukui visit theaters, it is customary for the staff to create a welcome display. This was the message board that awaited them at United Cinema.<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a48.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The visitors left these thank you notes in return. Habara\u2019s at left, Fukui\u2019s at right.<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a49.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Backstage at the MOVIX theater in Gunma.<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a50.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Welcome board and thank-you note at the Aeon Cinema in Niigata.<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a51.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Here, the travelers were joined by manga artist Michio Murakawa in a rare public appearance.<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a58.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>January 29: <em>Hero\u2019s Record<\/em> mobile game launched<\/h3>\n<p>After many months of lag time, the first <em>Yamato 2202<\/em> mobile game finally made its debut on Japanese iOS and Android service providers. The concept is well-worn by now; you receive and manage a fleet of ships in battle against an in-game enemy. Victories reward you with points for acquiring characters and resources to improve your next performance.<\/p>\n<p>As usual with these games, the language barrier renders them obtuse to non-Japanese speakers, but the art is always easy on the eyes.<\/p>\n<p>See a gallery of screenshots <a href='https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault\/herorecordJan18'>here<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Visit the game&#8217;s official website <a href='http:\/\/www.yamato2202heros-record.com'>here<\/a>, Twitter page <a href='https:\/\/twitter.com\/YAMATO2202Game'>here<\/a>, and Facebook page <a href='https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/YAMATO2202Game\/'>here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a68.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p>On a related note, artist\/animator Kia Asamiya posted these photos on Twitter earlier in the month, on January 16.<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a69.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p>He explained that they were prizes for an upcoming <em>2202<\/em> game, to be won by players who pre-registered. Visit his Twitter page <a href='https:\/\/twitter.com\/kia_asamiya'>here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a57.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>January 30: <em>2022<\/em> Coaster recall<\/h3>\n<p>This was definitely another first in <em>Yamato<\/em> history. It was brought to everyone&#8217;s attention that one of the new products sold in theaters had a rather significant typo. The number on this rubber coaster was mistakenly rendered as <em>2022<\/em> and stock was immediately withdrawn.<\/p>\n<p>Above left: prerelease artwork. Above right: photo of the finished product, posted on Twitter by <a href='https:\/\/twitter.com\/h_hatsuseno'>H Hatsuseno<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Management at the <a href='https:\/\/yamatocrew.jp\/crew\/'>Yamato Crew website<\/a> issued an apology and offered to let fans return the coaster for a replacement once the mistake was corrected. This is how collector&#8217;s items are born.<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a79.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>January 30: <em>Apollo Norm<\/em> sighting<\/h3>\n<p>Bandai model kits are often displayed in prototype form at hobby shows, but occasionally they turn up elsewhere. In this case, a 1\/1000 <em>Apollo Norm<\/em> model was discovered in the lobby of the Namba Parks Cinema in Osaka<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a80.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p>These photos were posted on Twitter by <a href='https:\/\/twitter.com\/hayatama1975'>Hayatama 1975<\/a>. The actual model is scheduled for release from Bandai on March 31.<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a59.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>January 31: Tomonori Kogawa interview<\/h3>\n<p>On this day, the <a href='https:\/\/www.animatetimes.com\/news\/details.php?id=1516171699'><em>Animate Times<\/em><\/a> website did history a favor when they published a rare interview with anime giant Tomonori Kogawa, whose career in storyboarding, designing and directing just hit its 50-year mark. He is well-known to the <em>Yamato<\/em> community, having directed character animation for <em>Farewell to Yamato<\/em> and <em>Yamato Resurrection<\/em>. He currently draws layouts for Gatlantis scenes in <em>2202<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Read this amazing interview <a href='https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault\/302a'>here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a61.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>January 31: Products at Yamato Crew<\/h3>\n<p>There can never be too much <em>Yamato<\/em> swag, can there? On this day, Yamato Crew opened preorders for a handful of forthcoming personal items from Bandai: a Cosmo Tiger 1 towel (about 14&#8243; x 35&#8243;), a diecut captain\u2019s emblem mini-towel (about 8&#8243; square), a leather card case, Yuki-style leather wallet, and a newly-designed crew cap. All were scheduled to ship at the end of February.<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a88.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>January 31: Chapter 4 program book<\/h3>\n<p>The busy month ended with another first in <em>Yamato<\/em> history: the program book for a new chapter was NOT available in theaters on opening day. Specific reasons were not given and the Yamato Crew website merely cited &#8220;various circumstances&#8221; as an explanation, but a major contributing factor was most likely a record snowfall that interfered with shipping. Nevertheless, online orders opened January 31 with the book shipping out February 2. It was available in theaters from February 3, kicking off Chapter 4&#8217;s second week in theaters. <\/p>\n<p>This 44-page full color beauty followed the well-established format with lavish attention paid to stills, designs, artwork, and much more. See it from cover to cover <a href='https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault\/chap4prog'>here<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Read an interview with Composer Akira Miyagawa <a href='https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault\/314'>here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<div class='clear'>\n<h3>Also spotted in January<\/h3>\n<p align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a62.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p><em>Makoto Kobayashi on Twitter<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Kobayashi took time out from his duties co-directing <em>Yamato 2202<\/em> to share the latest output from his modeling bench, which included photos of 3D-printed fightercraft and what could be another Bandai prototype model.<\/p>\n<p>See a gallery of art and models <a href='https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault\/MKtwitterJan18'>here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a63.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p><em>Fan art<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The outpouring of fan (and pro) art on Twitter was enormous in January. See a character gallery <a href='https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault\/charJan18'>here<\/a> and a mecha gallery <a href='https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault\/mechaJan18'>here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a64.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p><em>Fan models<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Several modelers shared their work on Twitter, which covered both organic and mechanical subjects. See a gallery <a href='https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault\/modelsJan18'>here<\/a><\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a65.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p><em>Roadside Yamato, still there<\/em><\/p>\n<p>This oddly-situated <em>Yamato<\/em> model first appeared in 2015 out in the Hiroshima countryside, and has been occasionally photo-documented since then.<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a66.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s a bit on the weathered side, but it&#8217;s still standing in these photos posted to Twitter by <a href='https:\/\/twitter.com\/kougakoringo'>Kougakoringo<\/a>. See a 2014 video encounter with the model on Youtube <a href='https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=9hiC5VOiIA8'>here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a67.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p><em>Captain on the bridge<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Twitter user <a href='https:\/\/twitter.com\/PKparalysis'>PKparalysis<\/a> shared these TV stills featuring a cosplayer as Captain Okita explaining that no, it is NOT embarrassing to go to Comiket as an adult. Tell \u2018em what\u2019s what, captain!<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a70.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p><em>Keyman, then and now<\/em><\/p>\n<p>As longtime fans know, Klaus Keyman got his name as a hand-me-down from <em>Be Forever Yamato<\/em>, since it was the original name for Lieutenant Alphon of the Dark Nebula Empire. That name was changed shortly before the film opened, and thus trickled out in some early merchandising. The image above left was published in the <em>Be Forever<\/em> Roadshow magazine special with the handwritten name &#8220;Keyman&#8221; and includes the word &#8220;southpaw.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>On January 11, longtime fan <a href='https:\/\/twitter.com\/masachika_ume'>Masashi Umebayashi<\/a> shared this observation on Twitter: &#8220;Now I know that <em>Be Forever<\/em>\u2019s Lieutenant Alphon is a southpaw. And <em>2202<\/em>\u2019s Lieutenant Keyman eats emergency rations on Planet 11 with his left hand! <em>2202<\/em> is full of love!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a73.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p><em>Hakata Yaki Yamato Restaurant in operation<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Having opened its new location in Shibuya, Tokyo at the end of December (covered our last report), this restaurant was visited by many fans during its first full month.<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a74.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p>These photos from inside were posted on Twitter by the <a href='https:\/\/twitter.com\/new_yamato_2199'><em>2202<\/em> Production Committee<\/a>, <a href='https:\/\/twitter.com\/s_meijin'>S Meijin<\/a>, <a href='https:\/\/twitter.com\/warp2220'>Warp Dimension<\/a>, and <a href='https:\/\/twitter.com\/piyopenta'>Piyopenta<\/a>. Many more will surely follow.<\/p>\n<p><\/br><\/p>\n<p><a href='https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault\/300a'>Continue to Report 19<\/a><\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a77.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/feb18\/251a78.JPG\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24640","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24640","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24640"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24640\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":26865,"href":"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24640\/revisions\/26865"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24640"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24640"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24640"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}