—-The new series that fans have long awaited for is about to begin. Please tell us what the major theme of this series is.
The biggest theme is how the “Chosen Children,” starting with Taichi the main character, mature throughout. During their time as high schoolers, which is an emotionally turbulent period in life, it will portray what they are thinking as they stand at the crossroads of life; what they absorb from the incidents that take place at that time, and how that affects their future. I would like to portray with care the development of them growing into adults, like a single YA drama show.
—-Did you feel pressure about handling the continuation of a very popular series?
Once I started, it was more pressure than I’d thought (lol). But since the time period setting and production staff of this series are different from the previous one, I think I dove into it in a good way once I resolved that “I’m going to make a new Digimon Adventure with this team!” I’d like it if our new team’s colors appear naturally to the viewer for this series.
—-What were you most particular about in terms of production?
I watched the first Adventure series to prepare myself and get a better grip on the characters’ personalities before I began… but a child from sixth grade doesn’t immediately turn into a high schooler in their second year without going through a couple of changes. That’s why I decided to uphold a sort of realism to their growth; to their ways of thinking and their feelings. In other words, they’ll be quite close to the image of a real high school student. For instance, although Taichi and Yamato are best friends since elementary school, once they enter high school, they become interested in different things and they’re in different classes, so that puts a strange feeling of distance between them that makes it hard for them to talk to each other. But once they see each other and do talk, they easily fall back into their old relationship… That sort of thing was what I wanted. I was also particular about fully portraying the adults that surround them, as well as battles between Digimon. I wanted to show on the big screen the impact of a battle scene that’s between two living creatures, not robots.
—-There’s a completely new cast for the “Chosen Children” in this series. How is the ambience of the post-recording studio with so many new members added?
Almost all of the new cast for the “Chosen Children” are from the generation that grew up watching Digimon Adventure. So, at the very first recording session, the new cast listened to the live voices of Digimon that they had heard when they were children and exclaimed “It’s the real thing!” They got highly emotional from listening to their senpais’ acting, and it was a very friendly start. As for their acting, the image that they have of Adventure has taken firm root within them, so they act, for example, by thinking “if that kid back then grew up and hit puberty and became a high schooler”… By matching to their character’s growth, they bring out a very realistic performance. I think that’s one of the charmpoints of this new series.
—-The first of six movies in total will begin to screen in cinemas, starting this November. Tell us how you are feeling right now.
Honestly, I feel that it’s a pretty hard struggle (lol), but I think there’s meaning to creating this now, so I want to do it properly. The new series is made up of six chapters in total, but personally I am making it as if it were twelve. The contents of each chapter are very dense. The more concentration that I put into my work, the more the density rises, so, in the meantime, I’m doing a bunch of excessive things and going out of my way to show you the best thing you’ve ever seen (lol). I’d be happy if you could feel my passion from the workshop through the movie. The adventure that our team is making now isn’t just “an adventure through the Digital World,” but also “an adventure of our growth.” It’s a story about children going on an adventure until they discover “something” in their lives. There are many lines in Chapter 1 that will connect to Chapters 2 and 3, and once you’ve finished watching Chapter 6, you will understand the many different meanings behind the word “tri.” So first, be sure to check out Chapter 1 “Reunion” in theaters this November!
STORY: Taichi works up a sweat at soccer club while worrying about what to do for his future. Yamato gets ready to perform a live concert. Each of them live out their ordinary lives in their individual places, but mysterious events begin to occur throughout town. Then one day, when they look up at the Odaiba sky, they see…
