What does it mean to be an adult?" Commemorating the 20th anniversary of the series, "Digimon Adventure LAST EVOLUTION: Kizuna", the final chapter of the series! Interview with Natsuki Hanae (Taichi Yagami) and Chinatsu Sakamoto (Agumon)

The "Digimon Adventure" anime series started in 1999. The final chapter of the series, the movie "Digimon Adventure LAST EVOLUTION: Kizuna" will be released on February 21, 2020 on a nationwide roadshow.

The first film version of the "Digimon Adventure" anime was released on March 6, 1999, and the TV series began broadcasting the following day on March 7. It was followed by "Digimon Adventure 02," and in recent years, the OVA series "Digimon Adventure tri." was released between 2015 and 2018.

The upcoming "Digimon Adventure LAST EVOLUTION: Kizuna" will be the 20th anniversary film of the "Digimon Adventure" series and the last story in the series that has continued since 1999.

Natsuki Hanae, who has played the role of the main character Taichi Yagami since "tri. We asked Chinatsu Sakamoto, who has played the role of Agumon throughout the "Digimon Adventure" series, to talk about the charms of this work!

In addition, we are giving away autographs of Hanae and Sakamoto to one lucky winner!
Don't miss the link to the application form at the end of the article!

--First of all, could you tell us about the characteristics and appeal of the characters you both played?

Hanae: Taichi has grown up a lot since the previous series, "tri.", as he became less hesitant about fighting and overcame his conflicts, but in this work, we see a more mature and attractive side of him as a college student. He drinks, has a part-time job, and hides slightly naughty things in his room. ...... But his fundamental personality hasn't changed, and he still shows the same passionate heart that he did when he was the first Digimon!

Sakamoto: Agumon is a straight-forward guy with a big heart. He loves Taichi more than anything else. He is simply a "Han" (laughs). (Laughs) Like Taichi, I don't think his character has changed!

--How do you feel about Taichi's growth?

SAKAMOTO: For about 20 years since the first Digimon, I have watched Taichi's growth as if I were his mother. I thought, "That's Taichi! Taichi has always been the type of person who follows through with his decisions, and I think Agumon has always loved that about Taichi.

--What is the highlight of the film?

Hanae: I think the highlight of the film is seeing Taichi and his friends grow up. There are many scenes that those who watched the first "Digimon" will recognize, and they make you say, "Oh, wow! Also, the final evolution scene is really cool. So there are a lot of highlights (laughs).

Sakamoto: It makes you think about what it means to be an adult. It makes you think, "What does it mean to be an adult? For young people who are wondering, "I don't want to be an adult, but I have to become one," I feel that this work gives them a chance to take a step back and rethink themselves. As someone who has witnessed the growth and evolution of Taichi and his friends over the years, I would like people to pay attention to that.

--Hanae: I would like to ask you about the climax scene.

Hanae: I would have to say the climax scene. It is the scene where Taichi and Agumon are having a casual conversation as usual, but it was really sad and left a strong impression on me.

Sakamoto: I want you to pay attention to the final scene between Yamato and Taichi. They look cool and fresh, not sad. I also like the scene when Agumon visits Taichi's room. I think that scene makes everyone laugh!

--This is the "last story" of Taichi and his friends.

Hanae: Because it is a movie, the story develops quickly, and there are many battle scenes, but there is also a touching element of "goodbye" in it. I felt the "finality" in that part of the story, and it is the culmination of the Digimon series up to now, so when I received the script, I thought, "I have to be prepared to play this role: ......! When I received the script, I thought, "I have to be prepared for this!

Sakamoto: Since this was the last part of the series, I was conscious of acting with a sense of normalcy. Rather than deliberately saying, "A sad story is about to begin," I thought I could emphasize the unexpected parting and loneliness by showing the unchanged daily life as usual.

--What was the atmosphere like at the recording studio?

Hanae: The "02" members seemed to be having a lot of fun! There are many scenes in the movie where the "02" members get together and have fun, and I felt that there was a lot of teamwork at the recording studio as well. I would say that the acting came naturally to them and they seemed to blend in with the work.

Sakamoto: Indeed! They did not have a lot of scenes, so I felt as if I could have recorded more. I wish we could have recorded more!" They seemed to have an aura of not having enough (laughs). I think he was bursting with love for the work!

--Did you form a bond with the other performers?

Hanae: Yes. We had drinks together, held a rally, ...... and played games together during breaks in the event. Takahiro Sakurai, who plays Tentomon, joined us and we had a lot of fun!

Sakamoto: Kinoko Yamada, who plays Palmon, is very dexterous and often makes Digimon character goods using embroidery, and she gave me a cute accessory case for Colomon! She also made Mimi-chan's hat and various other items, all of which are very cute and tasteful. I am sure that the other cast members have some hidden talents, too, and I hope to find out more about them and get to know them better.

--Did you experience any major changes after working on the Digimon series?

Hanae: My mentality has become very strong. I was under a lot of pressure because I love Digimon, and I was wondering how I could play such an important character as Taichi. I was worried about how I should play such an important character as Taichi, but I was able to play the Taichi I wanted to play, and I was able to grow mentally. I also had friends of my generation say to me, "It's amazing that you can play the main role of a Digimon! I was also told by friends of my generation, "It's amazing that you can play the leading role in a Digimon movie! Once again, I realized that "Digimon" is well recognized by everyone and has a big impact on them.

SAKAMOTO: There was a period of time when I took a break, but I continued to play Agumon for so long that I began to feel as if Agumon was my own person. Also, in my case, I didn't really understand how "Digimon" was perceived by the public in the beginning. But when I went to a karaoke bar, everyone around me was singing "Butter-Fly" by Koji Wada, and I remember being surprised at how popular "Digimon" was. I remember being surprised at how popular "Digimon" was (laughs). (Laughs). People around me told me how popular "Digimon" was.

--What do you think is the reason why the "Digimon" series has been loved for so long?

Hanae: I think the "Digimon" series, especially the first generation works, were made for children, but when you look at them again as an adult, I think they have a different appeal. Lines that I didn't feel anything about when I was a child may resonate with me when I hear them as an adult. I think it is because the series is made by adults who are serious about it that it has been loved throughout the ages.

SAKAMOTO: I think it's the fact that we don't rely too much on the character of Taichi, the main character. Of course the chosen children, but their partner Digimon also have their own personalities, and I think that's a big part of the reason viewers can really get emotionally involved in the series. I think it is because all the characters are well-developed and appealing that we are able to enjoy the friendship episodes that appear in the show.

--Lastly, do you have a message for our readers?

Hanae: The director himself is of the generation that grew up watching Digimon, so he was very enthusiastic about this work. I also had a chance to watch the post-recorded footage, and there are some overlaps with the first "Digimon" movie version. I put my all into playing the role of Taichi, so I hope everyone will come to the theater!

SAKAMOTO: I hope that all those who have been watching "Digimon" since childhood and have grown up, as well as those who are watching "Digimon" for the first time, will join me in witnessing the final story of Taichi and his friends!

(Interview, text, and photos by Kariyasu☆)

Movie Information
Digimon Adventure LAST EVOLUTION Kizuna

Release date: February 21, 2020 (Friday)
Distributor: Toei

Digimon Adventure LAST EVOLUTION Kizuna" movie will be presented to one lucky winner with autographs signed by Natsuki Hanae, who plays Taichi Yagami, and Chinatsu Sakamoto, who plays Agumon!

To commemorate the interview, we are giving away autographs signed by Natsuki Hanae, who plays Taichi Yagami, and Chinatsu Sakamoto, who plays Agumon, to one lucky winner!

<Prize
Autograph card
Correction on February 25
We mistakenly stated that the prize was a set of cheki (Japanese checkers), but it was only a set of autographs. Our apologies.

<Entry requirements
Application period: February 20, 2020 (Thursday) - February 27, 2020 (Thursday) 23:59
Number of winners: 1
Prize delivery: Scheduled to be sent by the end of April 2020.
How to apply: Use the dedicated application form below.

<Caution> ・Please register as a member (free of charge) to enter the contest.
Registration (free of charge) is required to enter the contest.
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 winning prize or rights 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
　If you have entered the contest using an unauthorized account (e.g., multiple accounts by the same person)
　If a prize cannot be delivered due to the winner's address, change of address, long-term absence, etc.
　Prizes cannot be delivered due to incomplete contact or delivery address information.
　Prize winners are not notified by the deadline for prize delivery address notification.
　If there is any fraudulent activity related to the application.