Sunrise Festival 2019 Special】The final episode of "Monk", the reason for which made me think "I might die" during the production process⁉ A report on the talk stage of "Hoshikai Series" that raises expectations for the still continuing "Hoshikai" world!

Sunrise Festival 2019 Fugetsu, an annual event in which Sunrise, which has produced numerous animation works, will screen its films in movie theaters every day, from September 13, 2019 to September 27, 2019. Among the events, the screening event of the "Seikai Series" such as "Hoshikai no Monjo" and "Seikai no Senkata" was held on September 26, 2019 at Theatre Shinjuku, Tokyo.

The "Seikai Series" is an anime series based on a science fiction novel by Hiroyuki Morioka. Starting with "Emblem of the Star World," which was broadcast on WOWOW in 1999, the series developed until 2005 with the extra chapter "Decisive Chapter of the Star World" and the sequels "Battle Flag of the Star World," "Battle Flag II" and "Battle Flag III.

Set in a future in which humans have expanded their habitat beyond the solar system, the story is about Jinto, the son of the government chief invaded by the "human empire by Irv," and Rafiel, the granddaughter of the Emperor Irv, both of whom find themselves in a war against the "human synthesis. ...... The original novel is a milestone in the highly acclaimed science fiction anime genre, winning the 1997 Nebula Award.

The screening and talk stage was made possible by the release of the "Seikai Complete Blu-ray BOX" on December 25, 2019, which will include the previously released video works as well as drama CDs and drama radio. The original author Hiroyuki Morioka, director Yasushi Nagaoka, and Kari Shimizu, who plays the role of Eclair Wef-Truz Noor, took the stage to commemorate the event.

In addition, to commemorate the Sunrise Festival special feature, five visitors were selected by drawing to receive the "Emblem of the Star World" poster as a visitor's prize!

For more details, please check the article linked below.

The three members went up on stage to warm applause and made their first remarks in a friendly atmosphere.

This stage was realized because of the release of the Blu-ray BOX. In addition, a special program will be broadcast on terrestrial television prior to the release of the Blu-ray BOX (video clips are also available!). Mr. Morioka began his speech by saying, "The screen is very beautiful, and I talked while remembering many things from 20 years ago. The director commented, "It's OK except for the director being creepy. However, I had to say something that sounded like a director, so I gathered up my courage and went out, but I have nothing but regrets," he commented in a self-deprecating manner. Mr. Shimizu laughed and said, "Can't you make a more upbeat comment? Shimizu laughed bitterly.

The stage started in such a backstage mood.

The first thing that surprised the audience was a behind-the-scenes look at the production of the final episode of the "crest" series.

The final episode was extended to over 40 minutes, twice the length of the regular broadcast. The director was given the OK for the production rather easily, but the number of episodes was not increased, and the length of the 13 episodes was extended, resulting in a rather irregular progression of "producing two episodes in the schedule of one episode. As a result, the conditions at the production site were very hard, and the director says that for the first time he thought he "might die.

While the conversation was filled with memories of those days, one of the most exciting topics was the original language "Irv" which is one of the features of this film. In this work, when the people of the "Empire of Humankind by Irv" speak, they do so in "Irv" and Japanese subtitles are displayed at the bottom of the screen, which is a novel direction.

Mr. Morioka, who was also present at the recording sessions, first wrote the pronunciation in katakana, and then lectured the voice actors on the actual pronunciation each time in the studio, which was surprising. At the time, Mr. Shimizu wondered, "What the hell is going on in this person's head? How is he able to create words?

Mr. Shimizu started working on "Battle Flag of the Star World," the second in the series. At the time, he was still in high school and had just made his debut as a voice actor, and he recalls how difficult it was to balance his performing and academic activities.

When she rewatched the work again for the release of the "Seikai Complete Blu-ray BOX," she felt that her performance was different from the voice of Eclair that she had expected, and that it was a voice that only a high school girl could do. She also said, "It was my first year as a voice actor, so I didn't have the basics and I didn't have any knowledge of science fiction, so I was desperate. Eclair is an unassuming character, so I didn't want to be pulled in by the others. I was consciously playing the role of a cool person. But listening to it now, I would say be a little more aware of your surroundings (smiles). That play came out because I played a cool adult when I was 15 or 16 years old," he said nostalgically.

Ms. Shimizu plays the role of Ecrua's mother in the newly-recorded drama CD "'Hoshikai no Kanjou Rikai' - The Day of the Fall of Lakfakar", which is a corporate bonus for the "A-on STORE (Namco Bandai Arts official store)" of "Hoshikai Complete Blu-ray BOX". About her performance, she said, "To be honest, I was relieved that I was not playing the role of Ecrua, and it was very easy for me to play. I could do the same voice, but it's not the same as back then. On the contrary, I felt as if I was entering the world of "Star World" for the first time. I didn't have very long lines for "Ecrua," so I was happy to be able to play a role as cool as the older actors I had seen on the set back then.

In response to Ms. Shimizu's words, Director Nagaoka followed up with, "The first natural acting was also one of my favorite parts of the audition," and "The pictures are the same, and I can't draw the same pictures anymore," while reminiscing that "Hoshikai" has been created with the transition of technology. The first "crest" was shot on film using celluloid pictures, but the film was eventually switched to high-definition broadcasting and produced digitally, and the screen size was changed to Vista size.

In the last part of the talk stage, the director said, "You can enjoy the Blu-ray BOX with the best picture quality of the current series, so if you like it after watching it at the event, you can buy it. If you watch it at the event and like it, I hope you will buy it. I have a feeling that we might be able to continue "Senkata III" if you do so.

The "Seikai" world is not over yet, as a second comic book adaptation is currently under development. Depending on the response to this one, there may even be a new visualization of the work. ......? The event moved on to the screening of the film.

Interview after the event!

───Please give us your impressions of today's event.

Director: I thought I might not have anything to talk about since there have been so many events over the past month or so, but when I tried to talk, it was quite interesting. To be honest, I am glad that you provide us with so many opportunities like this. I was able to get some laughs and do some publicity today, so I think I was able to fulfill my duty as a director (laughs). It was a great opportunity for me to realize that I am able to do my job because of the support of the audience.

Shimizu: As an actor, I am nothing but happy to be able to be featured in a work that is nearly 20 years old. This time, I had the opportunity to watch the "Hoshikai" series again. It is not often that I have the chance to watch all the works I performed in in the past all at once, and there were new things I noticed and found out there. It was a wonderful opportunity for me to see all the films I had appeared in in the past all at once, and I realized how old I had become (laughs). This time, the video is beautifully remastered in HD, so I hope it will be an opportunity for people who have never been exposed to it before to see it. It was truly a wonderful evening.

Morioka I had never heard of Sunfest itself, and I wondered if the audience would show up since the show started at 9:00 p.m., but I was very grateful that so many people showed up. I am very grateful that we were able to confirm this tonight.

─ ─ Do you have any comments for the fans?

Director: I am very happy to have the opportunity to be seen by the public every now and then, including this Blu-ray box set, and to have this chance after 20 years of enjoyment. I would like to thank all the fans and ask for your continued support in the future.

Shimizu: I hope we can use this opportunity to continue the anime again. I can still do the Eclair-esque voice, so I hope it will lead to another such opportunity!

Morioka I also have nothing but gratitude for my fans, and I would like to finish the original story for now, but it will continue. I have no idea how the anime will turn out, but "Battle Banner IV" and "V" will have flashy battle scenes. I secretly think that they may be the most animated of the two, so I hope it will happen. I can't promise anything, but I hope you will stay with us for a long time.

Thank you very much!

■Five winners will be selected by lottery to receivea "Hoshikai no monsetsu" poster asaSunriseFestival visitor'sprize!

For details, please click the link below!