Yu Hatanaka, Toshiki Masuda, Ryota Osaka, Ichiro Okochi, and Tetsuro Araki on stage for the completion announcement of "Kabaneri of Kouketsu Castle: Kaimon Kessen" stage greeting event report

On Tuesday, April 23, a completion announcement stage greeting was held for the completely new mid-length theatrical animation "Kabaneri Kabaneri: Kaimon Kessen," which will be screened in theaters for two weeks starting May 10, 2019.

Kabaneri of Kouketsu Castle: Kaimon Kessen" is a medium-length theatrical animation directed by Tetsuro Araki, the director of "Shinkoku no Kyojin" and based on the TV animation "Kabaneri of Kouketsu Castle" broadcast in spring 2016, a new story is depicted in this work. It is composed by Ichiro Okochi of "Planetes" and "Code Geass" series, with original character design by Haruhiko Mikimoto of "Macross" series and music by Hiroyuki Sawano of "Guilty Crown". Animation production will be handled by WIT STUDIO of "Shinkage no Kyojin" fame. The mid-length animated film "Kabaneri of Kouketsu Castle: Kaimon Kessen," which is a completely new work, will be screened in theaters for two weeks from May 10, 2019 (Friday).
⇒ Animation Film Screening Schedule

To commemorate the completion of the film, a completion announcement stage greeting was held at Shinjuku Piccadilly on Tuesday, April 23, featuring a splendid lineup: Yu Hatanaka as Ikoma, Toshiki Masuda as Kurusu, Ryota Osaka as Sukari, Ichirou Okochi as the film's composer, and Tetsuro Araki as director and screenwriter. Official comments from the audience have arrived.

In addition, a large postcard with an illustration (back side) newly drawn by Haruhiko Mikimoto, the character's original designer, will be distributed as a theater admission bonus.
The card also comes with a serial code for Kaimon's special costume that can be used in the popular PC/iOS/Android game "Kabaneri the Iron Castle -Ran-" (front side), so be sure to check it out.
(*The distribution of admission privileges will end as soon as they are gone.

The compilation movie "Kabaneri of Kouketsu Castle" will be broadcast on terrestrial television for the first time. Kabaneri in the Iron Castle Part 1: Shuukou Hikari" will be broadcast on April 30 (Tue) from 26:25 (tentative) and "Kabaneri in the Iron Castle Part 2: Burning Life" on May 7 (Tue) from 26:15 (tentative) on Fuji TV, so be sure to check it out.

Official comments

───Reviews after the completion of the film

Mr. Osaka: I am very happy that the time has finally come for you to see this work. In the social game, I recorded alone, so I was happy to be able to get together for the first time in 2 to 3 years for the film adaptation. Everyone seems to have changed, but they haven't. I felt again that it was a very nice place to work and a good work. I think you will discover new things by seeing the film again and again, so I would be very happy if you could come to the theater again.

Masuda: I am very much looking forward to seeing how this work, which is the fruit of the blood and sweat of the staff and cast, will be conveyed to the audience. I hope many people will watch it. A compilation of the TV series has also been announced, and I highly recommend it to those who have never seen the TV series!

─ What did you keep in mind when creating a "completely new work"?

Mr. Okochi: Kabaneri has continued from the TV series, and I wanted to include all the interesting parts of the work and the parts that I thought it wouldn't be Kabaneri without. On top of that, I wanted to make this film even happier. I wanted to depict the railroads and the endings of the characters, and I also wanted to see Ikoma's adversity and her ability to overcome it. I think we were able to realize everything we wanted to do.

Director Araki: After the TV series was over, I still wanted to do more, and I wanted to make the characters active again. This time, after working out the structure with Mr. Okochi, I wrote the script and then had Mr. Okochi correct it. Until now, when I received the script and storyboarded it with my own ideas, there were few chances for Mr. Okochi to turn it around further. This time, however, we were able to catch up a lot at the script stage. In addition, this time we also did a tentative recording. We brushed up the work by feeding back the tentative recording to the storyboards, and then did the main recording. It was a luxurious use of time. And I think it is a happy life that we could make an ideal film and have everyone watch it (laughs).

─ ─ The "promise" made by Ikoma and Mumyo in the TV series is a key point of the story. What "promise" will you never forget?

Hatanaka: About two years ago, there was a dinner party with all the staff members. I and Mr. Senbongi, who played Mumyo, were invited. The director, who was preparing for the Battle of the Sea Gate at that time, asked us what Ikoma and Mumei would do in such a situation. The director, who was preparing for the Battle of the Sea Gate at that time, asked us what Ikoma and Mumyo would do in such a situation. I was impressed by Mr. Senbongi's Mumyo's questionnaire. I thought that Mumyo was thinking about Ikoma so much. In response, the director said he would make a good film based on it. I will never forget this promise, and that is exactly what this film is about.

─ ─ Final greetings

Hatanaka: Thank you very much for coming today. Anyway, I would like as many people as possible to know about this work called Kabaneri. It's really interesting! (laugh) I myself love this work, so I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do.

Director Araki: First of all, thank you very much for watching the film today. Many people were involved in making this ideal film. I hope that something wonderful will be left in your hearts after watching this film. Thank you very much for your cooperation.

Admission bonus information
Kabaneri of the Iron Castle: Kaimon Kessen" Admission Prizes

A large postcard with an original illustration (back side) by Haruhiko Mikimoto, the character's original designer, will be distributed as an admission bonus at the theater.
In addition, a serial code for Kaimon's special costume that can be used in the popular PC/iOS/Android game "Kabaneri the Iron Castle -Ran-" will be included (on the front)!
The admission bonus will be distributed only when it is gone.

Week 1: May 10 (Fri.)~May 16 (Thu.)
Surface (unnamed)

Week 2: Friday, May 17 - Thursday, May 23
Surface (Ikoma)

Broadcast information】
■The compilation movie "Kabaneri of the Iron Castle" will be broadcast on Fuji Television for the first time on terrestrial wave!

Kabaneri of Kouketsu-jo no Kabaneri: The First Part, Shuukou Hikari" on Tuesday, April 30, from 26:25 on (tentative) Fuji Television Network, Inc.
Kabaneri in the Iron Castle Part 2: Burning Life" on Tuesday, May 7, from 26:15 on (tentative) Fuji Television Network.

Please check the official website for details.