Published by Animage Plus November 26. See the original post here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n REBEL 3199<\/em> is the latest in the remake series that began with Yamato 2199<\/em>. The second chapter, Red Sun Sortie<\/em>, has been acclaimed in theaters nationwide since Friday, November 22nd. Yamato<\/em> finally launches to uncover the mystery of Dezarium, which has taken control of the Earth. What will become of Yuki, who is separated from Kodai in the battle?! <\/p>\n In this interview, Makoto Furukawa, who plays Alphon, the Dezarium intelligence officer who saves the injured Yuki, and Harutoshi Fukui, the newly-appointed general director, talk about the highlights of the film and the appeal of Alphon.<\/p>\n Interviewer:<\/em><\/span> What is the story of Chapter 2?<\/p>\n Fukui:<\/em><\/span> As fans know, the original Be Forever Yamato<\/em> has a big twist in the second half, and the shocking device is a major key to the story. In REBEL 3199<\/em>, we deliberately brought that revelation forward to Chapter 2. After all, there’s no point in making a story that leads you to an obvious trap. (Laughs) Because of that, we changed the situation completely after Chapter 1, which felt like it just followed the story of the original. Chapter 2 can be described as a branching point to a different route from the Be Forever Yamato<\/em> we know. I hope everyone will enjoy the surprising developments, full of tricks from the creators, who say, “Let’s go on a journey together from here into the unknown wilderness.”<\/p>\n Furukawa:<\/em><\/span> That’s right. As I watched, I was surprised to find that the story was different from the original. (Laughs) I think the core points will probably be the same, but the path to get there has the atmosphere of being an incredible maze. I was impressed by the story development, which I felt was a strong will to “not just follow the previous Yamato<\/em> series.” In addition, I was also interested in how the story strongly reflects the difficult issues facing modern society, such as ethnic conflicts, clashes between different cultures, and information manipulation by those in power. I think that is also a characteristic of the Yamato<\/em> series.<\/p>\n Fukui:<\/em><\/span> I have the impression that the first Yamato<\/em> series was very much in tune with its times. There was an oil crisis, pollution problems, and dystopian science-fiction works like Japan Sinks<\/em> were being made and becoming hits at a rapid pace, so I think that the “bright red Earth” struck a strong chord with many people who watched it in real time. This remake series was made with the desire to inherit the spirituality and sociality that the first Yamato<\/em> possessed and maintain it throughout the series. As shown in the teaser poster for Chapter 1, the “age of endless disaster” that the Earth is facing has a lot in common with Japan today, where once-in-a-thousand-year disasters occur every year. I hope that the protagonist Susumu Kodai, who overcomes these repeated misfortunes and fights with faith in the future, will be seen as a mirror image of modern Japanese people.<\/p>\n Interviewer:<\/em><\/span> What impression do you have of Alphon, Mr. Furukawa?<\/p>\n Furukawa:<\/em><\/span> If Kodai is the central character on Earth in the story of 3199<\/em>, Alphon is depicted as the central character on the Dezarium side, his counterpart. As the story progresses, the relationship between the two will change over a woman named Yuki Mori, and I think it will be interesting to see how Kodai responds to Alphon’s choice.<\/p>\n Fukui:<\/em><\/span> In the original Be Forever<\/em>, Alphon and Kodai never met each other, which I thought was a great shame. Kodai has only ever fought against powerful foes such as Dessler and Zordar, who were at the level of national leaders, but Alphon is his first enemy and rival. Furthermore, Alphon gradually changes as he interacts with Yuki, and the deceptive nature of Dezarium gradually emerges through his appearance. I hope you’ll look forward to seeing how he’ll confront Kodai as a legitimate rival character.<\/p>\n Interviewer:<\/em><\/span> What do you think about the relationship between Alphon and Yuki?<\/p>\n Furukawa:<\/em><\/span> Daisuke Ono, who plays Kodai, also called him a “lover,” but Alphon is not yet a lover in Chapter 2. (Laughs) Fukui also said, “If you’re living under the same roof, then surely you’re a lover?” It’s not there yet, but I can’t deny that there seems to be a slight atmosphere of him taking advantage of any opportunity. (Laughs)<\/p>\n Fukui:<\/em><\/span> (Laughs)<\/p>\n Furukawa:<\/em><\/span> Just as the relationship between Dezarium and Earth in 3199<\/em> is different from the original, the relationship between Alphon and Yuki has also changed subtly. So I would like you to look at him with a clean slate.<\/p>\n Interviewer:<\/em><\/span> What were your thoughts on the dialogue with Kuwashima-san, who plays Yuki?<\/p>\n Furukawa:<\/em><\/span> I’ve been participating in the Yamato<\/em> series since this second chapter, and every time I record, I think, “This remake series is so interesting!” However, the dialogue with Kuwashima-san (who plays Mori Yuki) has a very bleak atmosphere. (Laughs)<\/p>\n Fukui:<\/em><\/span> (laughs)<\/p>\n Furukawa:<\/em><\/span> It’s a conversation with Yuki about wanting to return to Kodai as soon as possible, so it’s only natural that it would turn out that way. But for Alphon, contact with Yuki is an encounter with the unknown. I have the impression that Alphon learns emotions through conversations with Yuki. The dialogue itself is brutal, but I think Alphon himself finds it very rewarding. As their relationship deepens, I think the key to watch will be how Alphon acts when he realizes the feelings he has been developing.<\/p>\n Interviewer:<\/em><\/span> In the original Be Forever<\/em>, Nachi Nozawa played Alphon. Did you feel any pressure when you took over the role?<\/p>\n Furukawa:<\/em><\/span> Yes, I did. (Laughs)<\/p>\n Fukui:<\/em><\/span> (Laughs)<\/p>\n Furukawa:<\/em><\/span> I watched Be Forever<\/em> before recording, since I thought that Nozawa’s acting would be helpful. But in a good way, it wasn’t. I was just impressed and thought, “What a great voice,” and “What a great performance.” (Laughs) I did want to use the depth and dignity of his acting, and his calm way of speaking, as references. I also didn’t want to disappoint the fans who love Nozawa’s Alphon. However, from my perspective, Alphon in the original and Alphon in 3199<\/em> are completely different characters. I thought it would be no good to just copy him, so after much thought, I decided to play him with my own interpretation.<\/p>\n Fukui:<\/em><\/span> Nozawa and Furukawa’s voices are similar in that they are tinged with melancholy, but I think there’s a crucial difference. For example, when I imagine Alphon standing in the pouring rain, the Alphon played by Nozawa in my mind has his eyes open and is looking at the other person. He then dares to speak to the other person, picks up the other person’s expression in response to his words, and responds calmly. That’s the image I have of him. <\/p>\n But I imagine Alphon played by Furukawa with his eyes closed. He is hit by the cold rain and spins what is inside of him purely as words. He doesn’t have the time to understand how the other person will take it until he hears the other person’s voice back, and the moment he hears it, he opens his eyes in a panic, hangs his head even deeper, and shows his true expression. I think this is exactly the difference between Alphon in the original and 3199<\/em>. I think that the presence of Furukawa’s voice was necessary for Alphon in 3199<\/em>.<\/p>\n Furukawa:<\/em><\/span> That makes a lot of sense to me. Thank you.<\/p>\n Interviewer:<\/em><\/span> Finally, please tell us your favorite scene from Chapter 2.<\/p>\n Furukawa:<\/em><\/span> My favorite is definitely the “Launch!” scene.<\/p>\n Fukui:<\/em><\/span> (Laughs)<\/p>\n Furukawa:<\/em><\/span> The mecha, including Yamato<\/em>, are just so cool. I thought, “This is a man’s romance after all,” and the battle scene from the start is exciting with a series of surprises. I recommend it! Chapter 2 is a story that can be enjoyed by both long-time fans of the original and new fans of the remake, so I hope many people will come to the theater to see it.<\/p>\n Fukui:<\/em><\/span> The “Launch!” scene in 3199<\/em> was created with great care by director Naomichi Yamato as a highlight. How Yamato<\/em> launches is always a highlight, so this scene was one that we put a lot of effort into. In addition to the plot twist I mentioned earlier, Chapter 2 is packed with surprising scenes that will make anyone who has seen Be Forever<\/em> think, “Huh? Is this how it is in 3199<\/em>?” There are still more shocking developments to come, right up to Chapter 7, so please look forward to them.<\/p>\n See Makoto Furukawa’s credits at Anime News Network here<\/a><\/p>\n <\/br><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/dec24\/makotofukui112401.JPG\")
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<\/p>\nInteraction with Yuki (Houko Kuwashima)<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nThe scene that Furukawa highly praises is the “Launch!” scene?!<\/h3>\n
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