Commemorating the completion of "Masked Rider 555 20th Paradise Regained! Interview with Kento Handa, Yuria Haga, Kohei Murakami and Rei Fujita! A signed checkee will be given as a present!

To commemorate its 20th anniversary, "Masked Rider 555 20th Paradise Reigns" will be released as a V-Cinext film, and a limited-time screening will begin on February 2 (Fri.) prior to the May package release.

The four main cast members of the film, Kento Handa (Takumi Inui), Yuria Haga (Mari Sonoda), Kohei Murakami (Masato Souka), and Rei Fujita (Kitazaki), talked about their feelings on the 20th anniversary and the highlights of the new film.

The 20th anniversary of 5, 5, 5 coincides with the 20th anniversary of "Masked Rider 555

--First of all, how did you feel when you heard that a new "Masked Rider 555" film would be produced?

Handa: As early as 2022, I had heard that "next year is the 20th anniversary, so we want to do something," so I was prepared for it. At that point, I didn't know what form it would take, but I was very happy that it came to fruition in the form of a theatrical screening.

Murakami Before we decided on this film, I, Mr. Handa, Mr. Haga, and I talked about "wanting to do something for the 20th anniversary," and we conveyed this feeling to Toei through the staff. Handa also told Mr. Shirakura (Shinichiro Shirakura) through his office, so I felt that we were able to do what we could do.

Handa I thought, "All we have to do now is wait and see.

Murakami I felt that if we had waited, we would have received a "reward" (laughs).

Haga The "555" day on May 5, 2023 miraculously falls on our 20th anniversary, so I had thought, "It would be nice to have some kind of event on that day. I was happy because I never thought I would be able to make a new work.

Fujita I work in the same office as you, but when I heard about the decision to make a new film, I just thought, "Wow, you're going to make a new "555" film.

Murakami It was like it was someone else's business (laughs).

Fujita Kitazaki died in the TV series, so I didn't think I would be able to appear in it. Then I was surprised when I was informed that I was going to be in the film. I kept asking myself, "And I'm going to appear as Kitazaki? I asked him several times (laughs).

Kento Handa

--Soka also met a spectacular end in the TV series.

Murakami: I was turned to ashes after my neck was broken (laughs). (laughs) But I had every intention of appearing. Because it wouldn't be "555" without me (laughs).

(laughs) .

Murakami When I heard about it beforehand, I thought it would be a parallel work like "Kamen Rider 555 Paradise Lost the Movie," which is not connected to the TV series. But when I heard that it was going to be a sequel to the TV series, I thought to myself, "How can it be a sequel?" I thought to myself, "How is it going to appear?

Handa Some fans might think, "That's strange, since he died at that time. But I don't think so. But I don't think that way. If I were to pursue it, Takumi would have died in the spin-off film ("Masked Rider No. 4"), so I try to separate the question of whether he is alive or not.

--What was your impression when you read the script?

Handa I had a rough idea of the story from the plot I received beforehand, so I read the script based on that. There were some good parts, but there were also parts that made me wonder, "How would this work as a new "555" film? I suggested to the director and producer, "I think it would be better if you change this part.

Haga: When I read the script, I was not able to digest everything about Mari, and there were parts of the play that I was unsure about on set. It had been 20 years since I had played the role of Mari, except in "Masked Rider Outsiders." In my mind, the story of the girl Mari Sonoda had ended with the last episode of the main series, so I was both looking forward to seeing her life start up again after 20 years had passed, but I was also anxious.

Murakami It is true that I felt anxious. I had also said for some time that I wanted to do a sequel to "555," but when I received the script, I was afraid to read it, thinking, "What if it's not what I thought it was going to be? (Laughs.) After all, I had 20 years of thoughts and feelings. But when I finally got up the courage to read it, I understood why Soka was allowed to appear in the film, and the last scene was so shocking that I thought, "I want to see the rest of the film right now! I thought, "I want to see the rest of the story now!

Haga That last scene gave me hope for a sequel, didn't it?

Handa: I think Soka would especially feel that way about that last scene.

Fujita When I read the script, my first thought was, "Is this really possible? (laughs).

Murakami I was the calmest because I could look at it objectively (laughs).

Fujita I was on the lucky clover side (laughs). (laughs) But I really enjoyed reading it, because it inherited the worldview of "555" and also had Toshiki Inoue's style. The only thing I regret is that I could not become Dragon Orphenoch.

Murakami If you see my work, you will understand why I could not become Dragon Orphenoch (laughs).

Kohei Murakami

Changes over the past 20 years

--What were you conscious of in playing the role after a long time?

Handa It may sound strange, but I was conscious of "not being particularly conscious.

Haga I think everyone is like that.

Handa Strangely enough, we were all very enthusiastic before we started filming, but when we arrived on set on the first day, the director was Mr. Tasaki (Ryuta Tasaki), and if you look at the cast, you can see that Haga and the others are all there. So, unlike when I appeared as a guest in other Kamen Rider films, I was able to relax and continue where I left off 20 years ago without having to prepare for the role. I was so relaxed that I caught a cold during the filming (laughs).

Murakami Every year I hold an event called "913 (Kaisa) Festival," and I was proud to say that my voice is always Masato Soka. However, when I was asked to add my voice to a game once, I was told by a fan that my voice did not sound like Soka's. So I decided to take a fresh look at Soka and see what I could do. So I thought, "Let's take a fresh look at Soka," and created the "Soka Guidelines. This time, I acted in accordance with them.

--I was wondering if you do any pretending in front of a mirror or something like that?

Murakami: I don't pretend (laughs). I can do it anytime without practicing.

Haga I have never been one to think too much about TV, so I was not conscious of the fact that 20 years had passed. As Handa-kun said, everyone from that time was on site, so I was relaxed to the point that I felt "Has it really been 20 years? I felt so relaxed. The only thing I didn't like was that the distance between Masato and me had changed from the TV series (laughs).

(laughs) .

Handa I think I was able to hide those feelings with my acting.

Murakami Twenty years ago, Mr. Haga was like, "Masato Soka = Kohei Murakami = creepy," and he looked at me with the image of Soka (laughs). That's why he didn't want to shoot the scene where Soka approaches Mari from the morning (laughs).

Haga I didn't mean it that way (laughs).

Handa It looked that way to me too (laughs).

Murakami But this time he was a grown-up and treated me normally.

Fujita You must have been a little lonely.

Murakami Yes, the Masato Souka in me was lonely, saying, "This is not the truth I know" (laughs).

(laughter) .

Handa It's just like this, the same groove as 20 years ago (laughs).

Fujita: When I was young and didn't know what I was doing when I was shooting the TV series, I just did as I was told. But this time, I still tried to retain the eeriness that is typical of Kitazaki. I discussed this with Director Tazaki on set.

Yuria Haga

--In the TV series, Kitazaki was a "cruel child", wasn't he?

Fujita: But he is no longer a child, so I can no longer portray that character. So I created the role by thinking about what I could do to coexist with the "cruelty" that would replace the "child.

Murakami What would Kitazaki do if a paper airplane flew over him now?

Handa In the TV series, you were in the middle of a battle, but you saw a paper airplane and chased after it (episode 39).

Fujita At the time, I was acting normally without any doubts. I am surprised at myself (laughs). Now, I might have gone to destroy it instead of chasing after it (laughs).

Handa: Like Mr. Fujita, I had no career because "555" was my debut film, so I acted without questioning, "Normally I wouldn't do something like this.

Haga I was young.

Fujita I think I was able to perform because I was young and didn't know anything. If I were now, I might overthink things and put in strange little plays.

Handa It was Mr. Mitsuru Karahashi who was like that even back then (laughs). His little play this time was also interesting (laughs).

Fujita But the director doesn't make cuts either.

Handa He does his own ad-lib rehearsals and stuff (laughs).

Murakami Speaking of 20 years, a child who was one year old at the time is now 20 years old. And yet everyone hasn't changed (laughs).

Rei Fujita

--Lastly, could each of you tell us about the highlights of the film?

Fujita: The highlight of the film is that it is a proper "555. There are various mysteries in the film, but if you watch it all the way through, you will be refreshed because the mysteries will be solved. Please look forward to it.

Haga: There will be the biggest change in Mari's career. I am looking forward to seeing how fans will perceive it. The new parts are new, but the "555" style is still there, so I think fans from back then will definitely enjoy it. Please come to the theater and see it!

Murakami: In the past Kamen Rider films in which I have guest-starred, there have been transformation release scenes but no transformation scenes. But this time, for the first time in 20 years, there is a transformation scene. Also, please look forward to the shocking final scene.

Handa: I think most of the viewers this time are people who watched the TV series 20 years ago. Although this is a new film, I made it while thinking about how I would have felt 20 years ago. I think the same is true for everyone who watched the TV series. I hope that you will watch this film and see what I have gained over the past 20 years.

(Reporting and writing by Yutaka Takayanagi [TARKUS]; Photography by Shohei Kanazawa )

Profile

Kento Handa

Born on June 4, 1984 in Hyogo Prefecture. Belongs to Azabu Plaza Co. He entered the entertainment industry after becoming a finalist in the Junon Super Boy Contest, and made his drama debut in 2002 with a guest appearance in "Gokusen." He played his first leading role in "Masked Rider 555" in 2003.

Yuria Haga

Born on November 27, 1987 in Tokyo. Belongs to Kirin Productions. After appearing in dramas such as "Oha Girl" on "Ohasuta" and "Sequel to Heisei Married Couple Tea Bowl," she appeared in "Masked Rider 555" as Mari Sonoda. She also played the role of Fukao Suzuki in "Masked Rider Kiva" and Yuki in "Masked Rider Decade.

Kohei Murakami

Born on June 1, 1976 in Tokyo. Belongs to Dorchester Corporation. He won the Special Jury Prize at the 7th Junon Super Boy Contest and played the role of Masato Soka in "Masked Rider 555" after appearing in "Thursday's Ghost Story. He also appeared in "Zoological Sentai Juyouger" and "Goutarou Sentai Don Brothers.

Rei Fujita

Born on September 6, 1988 in Tokyo. Made her film debut as an actor at the age of 14, playing the role of Kitazaki in "Masked Rider 555. She played the lead role of Ryou Yuu Zero in the "GARO" series. Currently, he has appeared in numerous stage productions and musicals. He has also starred in several films. He is also active as vocalist Ray of the rock band DUSTZ.

Present Campaign Outline

In commemoration of the completion of "Masked Rider 555 20th Paradise Reigns! Get a checkerboard autographed by Kento Handa, Yuria Haga, Kohei Murakami, and Rei Fujita!

To celebrate the completion of "Masked Rider 555 20th Paradise Reign", we are giving away a checkerboard autographed by Kento Handa, Yuria Haga, Kohei Murakami, and Rei Fujita to one lucky winner!

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