Guest cast for 10th movie records in public

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"It's really like a dream," says Shōko Nakagawa
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  • Thursday, June 7, 2007

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The special guest cast for the tenth movie in the Pokémon series, Dialga vs. Palkia vs. Darkrai, recorded a few scenes in a public event on June 5, 2007. Present were Kōji Ishizaka (Darkrai), Kōji Yamamoto (Tonio), Rosa Katō (Alice), Shōko Nakagawa (Maki), Hiroshi Yamamoto (Katsumi), Ryūji Akiyama (Dai), Hiroyuki Baba (Dodaitose) and director Kunihiko Yuyama.

The following is a translation of the Toho press release:

Comments from the cast

Kōji Ishizaka

I was surprised [to be casted in this movie]. I have been acting for about 50 years, but I have never even dreamed of playing this sort of role (Darkrai).

Speaking about Pokémon, I have been to the cinemas to see it a few times, but I never thought I would myself be in one. I was surprised, but I was also very interested in it, so I quickly agreed to the role. However, as I inquired, I realised, "What a difficult role this is!"

Kōji Yamamoto

To be honest, I am not extremely familiar with Pokémon, and since I have no children, I don't have much contact with it, however, when I went to New York, I found out how incredibly popular it is and thought, "Japanese anime is really popular worldwide!" It is quite something to be able to participate in such a production.

Rosa Katō

This year is the tenth anniversary of Pokémon movies, and exactly ten years ago, I was a sixth-grader in primary school. It was the era of Pokémon and I played the games, watched the anime, collected the cards - I was quite taken in. So, I am very happy to be able to enter that world myself.

However, I was a little nervous, since my character was not only important but also had a lot of lines.

Shōko Nakagawa

I also started liking Pokémon as a student in primary school. I had gone to the cinema to see the first movie, Mewtwo Strikes Back, so I thought, "To be able to be in a movie myself ten years later... it's really like a dream!"

Hiroshi Yamamoto, Ryūji Akiyama and Hiroyuki Baba (Robert)

Akiyama
All of us are 28 now, so ten years ago, when we were twelfth-graders in high school, it was the era of Pokémon-
Yamamoto, Baba
Don't lie! (audience laughter)
Akiyama
I'm thankful to be able to do this kind of work. It's gratifying.
Last year, we were able to participate in the Korean-language dub of a Pokémon movie, but since we were completely unable to understand the reactions, we're happy that there is a reaction this time. We are very thankful to be able to participate in the Japanese-language version.

Regarding the recording

Kōji Ishizaka
It took some effort to get the tone and mannerisms right to play a non-human character, but seeing as Pokémon have not been seen in reality, I didn't feel that pressured. (laughter)
What surprised me most was the big mêlée between the Pokémon. It was one fierce fight after another. There were very many scenes of Darkrai shooting beams and such, like in the scene we recorded today. Of course I couldn't just record such scenes quietly sitting in a chair. It took several hours, and when I woke up the next day, for some reason my body ached everywhere... (laughter)
Yamamoto
It was quite an effort!
Ishizaka
Yes! Today I did it quietly, but I was jumping about like in the animation.
Yamamoto
So you jumped about in synchronisation with Darkrai?
Ishizaka
Yes, I did.
Yamamoto
But Darkrai floats in mid-air!
Ishizaka
Ah, but I was also floating.
Yamamoto
Lies! (audience laughter)
Interviewer
Mr. Yuyama, how was Mr. Ishizaka's recording?
Kunihiko Yuyama
Mr. Ishizaki's role is a mysterious Pokémon, and the sense of mystery is conveyed well.
Interviewer
Mr. Kōji Yamamoto, how was it, playing a key character?
Kōji Yamamoto
Sometimes, my character is just reading from the diary and explaining things, but I was somewhat happy to have been the first human character to speak in the movie. (laughter) But, of course, the actor and the character the actor voices are different, so I tried several things, such as speaking in a deeper voice. It was enjoyable.
Interviewer
Mr. Yuyama, how was Mr. Yamamoto?
He performed a cooler Tonio than I expected. There were some clumsy moments, but by the latter half he becomes a very cool character.
Interviewer
Ms. Katō, I hear this is your first time recording for anime?
Rosa Katō
This is the first time I have been a voice actress, and it was more difficult than I imagined. I spent a lot of time - it was really difficult.
Even though my character is outwardly a normal girl, studying music in Álamos Town, it was very difficult.
Yuyama
If you watch the movie, you will realise she is a very charming character. She conveys the character very well, and I think the audience will like her.
Interviewer
Ms. Nakagawa, how was it, to participate in Pokémon?
Shōko Nakagawa
It really was a dream come true. Because my character does not appear much, I practised very hard to stand out. I have recorded for anime before, but this time I acted as if it was the purpose of my life! (laughter)
Even for a line like "Goukazaru, Mach Punch!", it seems my practice was for nothing. The director said things like, "For the line 'Goukazaru, don't sleep!', please say it with sadness, surprise and anger," so it was quite difficult. (laughter)
Hiroshi Yamamoto
It's an extraordinary request, isn't it!
Nakagawa
Yes, indeed. But even though it was difficult, I thought, "Everyone's putting in their body and soul into this production," and I felt delighted to be able to participate.
Interviewer
Mr. Yuyama, how was Ms. Nakagawa's acting?
Yuyama
Ms. Nakagawa is acting like a princess now, but her character is comparatively boyish. I feel she has conveyed the strength of the character.
Nakagawa
Thank you.
Interviewer
How was your first time recording for the Japanese-language version?
Ryūji Akiyama
Well, already the splendour of the Japanese language- (audience laughter)
Hiroshi Yamamoto
Yes indeed, the last time we were completely unable to understand our own lines.
Hiroyuki Baba
But, while thinking, "At last, the Japanese-language version!", when I opened the script, it turns out my role is a Pokémon! Despite being a Dodaitose, in the end it was like the Korean-language version, with nothing but "Doda!" or "Dai!" for lines.
The director thought it was pitiable, so he said, "I will give you a line from one of the townspeople." It's a hidden character, so please look forward to finding out who it is. It's quite a long line.
Interviewer
Mr. Yuyama, how were Robert?
Yuyama
Their first try did not go well as they were nervous, but in the end it turned out well.