The protagonist, Tobise Yuuma, a researcher at the Monster Disaster Prevention Science Research Center “SKIP”, becomes one with an emissary of light that descended on Earth from a distant galaxy and transforms into Ultraman Ark! Together with his precious companions, he throws himself into the battle to protect the future of humans and the Earth from the impending crisis.
To celebrate the long-awaited start of the series, Animate Times interviewed Yuki Totsuka, who plays Yuuma Tobise, and Noboru Kaneda, who plays Shu Ishido! We asked them about a variety of topics, including the appeal of the series and stories from the filming site.
–This work depicts the monster disaster from the familiar perspective of a scientific research institute, rather than a typical defense force.
Yuki Totsuka, voice of Tobise Yuuma (hereinafter, Totsuka): SKIP is the core of “Ultraman Arc” and one of its charms. It’s a completely different production from “Ultraman Blazer.” I think SKaRD was characterized by its elaborate setting and profound worldview, but this time I want you to pay attention to its “flexibility” as an organization. I think we’ll be able to show you various aspects of SKIP when we encounter various situations.
— Tobise Yuuma, played by Tozuka, is a rookie investigator who has just joined SKIP.
Tozuka: Yuuma experienced a tragic event in the past, and ever since then he has always had the desire to “help many people.” I personally feel that Yuuma is who he is because he continues to have “one thought.” He has faced the pain and suffering he experienced without running away from it, and I think that his strength of character, sense of justice, and straightforwardness are what make him so appealing.
–He’s an investigator, so I think he’s a unique character in that he’s not a “fighter” in the first place.
Tozuka: That was a difficult part to play. On top of that, how do you make sense of Yuuma’s actions as he confronts the monsters? As for Yuki Tozuka, I don’t have many things in common with Yuuma’s personality or way of thinking. However, I think the reason he chose me at the audition was because he thought that my mannerisms, posture, and other output were similar to Yuuma’s.
–On the other hand, Ishido Shu, played by Kaneda, is a character who is seconded to SKIP from the Earth Defense Force.
Noboru Kaneda (hereinafter Kaneda), who plays Ishido Shu: SKIP and the Earth Defense Force have different policies regarding monster disasters. Shu also has doubts about it at first. I think the mystery of “why he came to SKIP” will gradually be revealed, and I think the reaction of the SKIP members to Shu will overlap with the viewers’ perspective.
–Shu’s way of thinking changes little by little as he interacts with the members of SKIP.
Kaneda: By coming into contact with different opinions, everything I’ve built up is destroyed. I gradually come to accept that “there are other opinions like this too.” I have disagreements with Yuuma, I clash with the SKIP members… As I deepen my bonds with everyone, Shu’s own state of mind also changes little by little.
–The first episode is set three months after the appearance of Ultraman Ark and depicts how Yuuma and Shuu met.
Tozuka: The film focuses on Yuuma and Shuu, depicting their meeting. Director Tsujimoto Takanori (the kanji character for “tsuji” is a single dot on the syllable “shinnyo”) said, “This film is about a buddy relationship,” so I think the film will depict the process of them becoming good friends.
Kaneda: How will the relationship between Yuuma and Shu change? I’m sure it will take many twists and turns, so I hope you’ll look forward to it.
–Personally, I liked the scene where we got to see Shu’s “unexpected side” when they talked about coffee.
Kaneda: (laughs). His cool and stiff image is gone, and he becomes instantly more approachable. He seems like an elite and perfect person, but I think it’s interesting that he has both of those sides to him. I was unsure how to play the calm and collected Shu, but that sense of tension is close to me, so it was easy to act. The director told me to “break down as much as you can,” so I had fun acting.
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