I almost cried at the family bonding. ...... Interview with Yuya Hirata, Ryosuke Koike, Arisa Kihara and Tatsuomi Hamada on the occasion of the release of "Ultraman R/B (Rube) the Movie Select! Interview with Yuya Hirata, Ryosuke Koike, Arisa Kihara, and Tatsuomi Hamada in commemoration of the release of "Kizuna no Krystal

On Friday, March 8, 2019, "Ultraman R/B (Rube) the Movie Select! Crystal of Bonds" will be released in theaters nationwide.

Ultraman R/B (Rube) the Movie: Select! The Crystal of Bonds" is a theatrical version of the tokusatsu TV drama "Ultraman R/B" that aired in 2018. In the final episode of the TV series, Ultraman Rosso = Minato Katsumi and Ultraman Bull = Minato Isami, the "brother Ultraman" who saved the universe from a crisis, face a powerful enemy they have never encountered before. In addition, the eldest daughter of the Minato family, Asahi, the younger sister of Katsumi and Isami, will appear in the film as "Ultraman Woman Grigio," and she is also a member of the "Ultraman Rosso" team. The three Minato siblings also join forces to fight.

For this issue, Yuya Hirata, who plays Katsumi Minato, Ryosuke Koike, who plays Isami Minato, Arisa Kihara, who plays Asahi Minato, and Tatsuomi Hamada, who plays Riku Asakura, gathered to discuss the highlights of the movie, their passion for "Ultraman," and their appreciation for children who love Ultraman.

Don't miss the scene where Ultraman Grigio makes his first appearance!

--The movie "Ultraman R/B Select the Movie: Crystal of Bonds" is about to be released! Kizuna no Krystal". What are your impressions of the movie?

Hirata: First of all, I thought the special effects scenes were very powerful! The first thing I thought was that the special effects scenes were very powerful! The action of the "Ultraman Groove," which appears for the first time in the film, is simply amazing. I have a strong impression that this film is really suitable for seeing on a big screen in a theater. The story is very intense, with the appearance of the most powerful enemy, but the "family ties" of the Minato family are also incorporated in the story, and it is a very impressive film.

Koike: I felt that this film is a perfect culmination of the "R/B" series. All the characteristics of "R/B" that have been built up in the TV series are packed into this film. In addition to the serious development, there are comical battle scenes that are typical of "R/B" (laughs). The story also marks a "turning point" for the brothers, Katsumi and Isami, and the last scene made me feel as if I were looking at an album of memories.

Kihara: I thought it was a very full film. In that amount of time, there were so many storylines and everyone's feelings were packed into it. I felt really nostalgic when I watched the look back video at the end roll.

Hamada: A little over a year has passed since "Ultraman JeeDo," and I have finally become a senior Ultraman. The "Jee-do" TV series depicted the story of how Jee-do Riku became a hero, and "Ultraman Jee-do the Movie: Tsunaguze, Wish! depicted Riku's growth after becoming a hero. In this film, Riku appears before Rosso and Bull as a more experienced hero. He is still young in age, but I hoped that he would have a sense of "experienced warriors" in his own way.

--What was your impression of the mysterious Ultraman "Toregia" that the Minato siblings and Riku fight this time?

Kihara He is an enemy, but he is cool.

Koike And he is very strong!

Hirata It was very intimidating. It was a different feeling from dealing with monsters. ...... He is smart and cool, and I feel a strong attraction to him even though he is an enemy.

Hamada: I'm very curious to see what kind of Ultraman Tregea is, since his true identity has not been revealed yet. The only evil Ultraman we've seen before was Ultraman Belial. ...... I've seen something like a restraint on Tregear's chest and traces of a color timer on his chest. You can sense something of a spectacular past from there.

--In the movie, Asahi transforms into "Ultra Woman Grigio" and joins forces with Rosso and Bull, which was also a major topic. What is your impression of Grigio from your point of view?

Kihara I thought she was very cute and nice. The person in charge of the suit action really grasped Asahi's characteristics and matched her poses and gestures. The images of Grigio and Asahi match perfectly, so I hope you will pay attention to that as well!

Hirata The scene where Grigio appears is a bit of a surprise.

Hamada: He makes an unexpected appearance, so I think that's a must-see!

--Hirata: What is your impression of Grigio from your point of view?

Koike: As Asahi just said, I thought Grigio's movements were just like Asahi. I felt that this is also a characteristic of "R/B," since both Rosso and Bull are the same as Ultraman, a human being turned into an Ultraman.

Hirata: With Grillo's arrival, we were able to compete with Toregia. I was glad that Asahi transformed himself.

Hamada: When I read the script, I thought "Asahi transforms into Grigio?　I thought, "Wow!　I thought.

Kihara The way you reacted is just like an Ultraman fan (laughs).

Hamada Arisa is one year younger than me. So I was deeply moved to see an Ultraman younger than me at ....... Until now, I was the youngest (Ultraman), but now I've caught up with you so quickly (laughs).

Koike Grigio is very cute, just like high school Asahi, but I even think about the future. When the Ultraman series continues into the future, there may be another opportunity for Grigio to appear as an adult. I wonder what will happen to Grigio's character then.

Qiwara Indeed!

Koike I'm worried that if Grigio continues to be as capacious as he is now, the gap between him and his pre-transformation self will be too big (laughs).

Hirata After about 10 years, Asahi will say, "Here, candy! and handing out candy to them will look good (laughs).

Hamada I think that as Grigio gets older, he will probably change into a more mature woman. For my part, I hope she will become like Camilla in "Ultraman Tiga: The Final Odyssey" (2000) (laughs).

Hamada: "I almost cried at the line Riku shouts to Asahi."

--What was the most memorable scene in the film?

Koike I like the scene where Isami and Riku transform together to stop the monster while Katumi is missing.

Hamada: That scene was a lot of fun!

Koike I was surprised at how well the two of them matched each other's movements right from the testing stage.

Hamada It was hard to believe that it was our first time working together.

Koike It should have been difficult, but it was. With the usual Minato brothers, their timing is a little off when they transform (laughs).

Hirata Yes, that's right. They don't match perfectly.

Koike But I think the fact that they don't perfectly match is also what makes them brothers.

--Mr. Hamada, in last year's movie, you transformed into Ultraman Orb Kurenai Gai (played by Hideo Ishiguro) at the same time, so it must have been easy for you to transform with Isami at the same time.

Hamada: Gai doesn't have to "call out" when he transforms, so it was easy for me to coordinate my transforming actions with Riku's. Riku is always "just sitting there," and Gai is always "just sitting there. Riku would say, "I'm not going to do anything if you just sit there! Isami said, "Dye it in my color!　Rube! What happens when they transform at the same time? I'm sure fans are wondering what happens when they transform at the same time. I hope you are looking forward to seeing how they transform at the same time (laughs).

--I'm sure that in parallel with the broadcast of the TV series, you all appeared at many Ultraman events around the country, giving you many opportunities to interact with the children. What were some of the most memorable moments in your interactions with children?

Hamada: I have fond memories of the "Ultra Heroes Expo" held during the year-end and New Year's holidays. It was quite a demanding schedule, with five live shows a day for 11 days, but I was really encouraged by the cheers of the children when I was performing. When Riku was hit by the monster and collapsed, I would hear "Hang in there! from all over the place. There is a stage in the middle and the audience surrounds it, so the desperate shouts reach us from all directions. That makes me think, "I have to do my best in response to this cheering! I feel like, "I have to do my best in response to these cheers! The children gave me the strength to get up on my feet, and I was really moved by that.

Koike We felt the same way when we performed at the "Ultra Heroes Expo.

Hirata Yes, yes. When we were in a pinch, they would cheer us on, almost to the point of tears.

其原 On the way home from the EXPO, I saw two boys playing with toy weapons, pretending to be Jiid and Orb. It was the first time I had actually seen children playing Ultraman, so I thought it was very cute (laughs).

Koike: I am always impressed by the honest expressions on the faces of children who admire Ultraman. When I am in private, they ask me, "Hey, where's my brother Katsu? I try to convince them by telling them that "Katsu is staying at the store right now.

Hirata: When I see the children's straight eyes and their desperate cheering voices at the live shows, I feel that we cannot be outdone. I hope that they will never forget the passion they felt when they cheered for Ultraman as children, and that they will cherish it even as adults.

--Lastly, what are the highlights of the movie?

Koike: I recommend the "lube touch," which shows the bond between Katsumi and Isami. I especially like the part in the second half when Isami silently clenches her fist right after rescuing Katsumi, as it shows Isami's growth. We have overcome many difficulties so far with our sibling bond. We will fight together again this time! It is a scene that sums up everything about Isami.

Qiwara: I like the scene where they eat "Sukiyaki" together!　In the TV series, "Sukiyaki" was mentioned many times, but there was no scene where we were really eating it (laughs). I think it's great that the entire Minato family, plus Riku and Pega, are depicted as a glamorous family gathering.

Hamada: Riku, who had no choice but to put his hands on his father (Belial), is carefully portrayed as to how he feels when he sees the Minato family overflowing with love. As shown in the trailer, Riku shouts to Asahi (Grillo), "Never give up on your bonds, that's what family is all about! I thought that line was very deep. I almost cried when I said it myself.

Koike: When Katsuumi and Isami are arguing over a pot, Riku smiles gently. That scene was also very good.

Hamada: Riku has friends who are like family, but he has no real family.

Hirata In the movie, everyone in the Minato family is moving toward their own dreams and goals, but only Katsumi is struggling because she does not know what she should do. A friend of Katsumi's named Toi, who has given up on his dream and is feeling blocked out, comes out and is confused by Tregear's words. In order to help Toi, Katsumi tells him about the importance of "dreams," but at the same time she is trying to convey this message to him, she is also telling it to herself. I hope you will pay attention to the drama of whether or not Katsumi will be able to save Toi's heart and find his own way forward!

Ultraman R/B the Movie (Rube) Select! Kizuna no Krystal" will be released in theaters nationwide on March 8, 2019.

(Reporting and writing by Hideo Akita)

In commemoration of the release of "Ultraman R/B Select the Movie: Crystal of Bonds! Crystal of Bonds" commemorating the release of the film, Yuya Hirata, Ryosuke Koike, Arisa Kihara, and Tatsuomi Hamada autographed color paper giveaway!

To commemorate the release of "Ultraman R/B the Movie: Select! Crystal of Kizuna", we are giving away a color paper autographed by Yuya Hirata, Ryosuke Koike, Arisa Kihara, and Tatsuomi Hamada, who appear in this film. Please read the detailed application guidelines before applying.

<Prize
A colorful paper signed by Yuya Hirata, Ryosuke Koike, Arisa Kihara, and Tatsuomi Hamada

<Entry requirements
Application period: March 8, 2019 (Fri.) - March 15, 2019 (Fri.) 23:59
Number of winners: 2 persons
Announcement of winners: Prizes will be sent to the winners.
Prize shipping: Prizes will be shipped by the end of May 2019.
How to apply: Please fill out the application form below.

<Precautions
Registration (free of charge) is required to enter the giveaway.
Only one entry per person is allowed.
We will not be able to respond to any inquiries regarding the results of the drawing or shipping status.
Transfer or resale of the prize or rights to the prize winner to a third party is prohibited.
Kakaku.com Group employees and related parties are not eligible to participate.
Prizes must be shipped within Japan.
We will take the utmost care in packaging the prizes, but please note that we cannot accept returns or exchanges in the event that the prizes are damaged due to an accident during transportation.
Please note that the prize will be invalidated in the following cases
　Multiple winners at the same address or in the same household
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　If a prize cannot be delivered due to the winner's address, change of address, long-term absence, etc.
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(C) Ultraman R/B the Movie Production Committee