"the ai bubble is really big amd scary and could have-" [hears the word Bubble and thibks about blowing bubbles and smiles so wide and gets really happy] do you want to play in the grass with me?
Uchusen Vol.189 (Summer 2025)
Ultraman Omega
ft. Kondo Shori & Yoshida Haruto Interviews
(other pages and translations below)
Publication: July 1, 2025 (before broadcast start)
Kondo Shori (Okida Sorato)
"We understand that it was a casting rather than an audition."
Kondo: I was in the middle of taking a break from filming a drama at the end of 2023. My manager said to me, "There's an audition for Ultraman coming up in abit." For the time being, I thought it'd be done in the format of an audition. The first thing I was told was, "You're just going to go and show off your face, so please do some research on Ultraman over the New Year's holiday." Instead of being happy, I had the feeling of, "Ah, really?" I was 29 at the time, and I was shocked as I thought, "How is it possible for a 29 year old to play the leading role in Ultraman?" So, I went to the audition in January of 2024 and was officially chosen during that month. I felt relieved and happy, but I also thought, "I'm going to be a hero……," and my mind went blank for awhile. I was very happy, but on the other hand, it was also a huge shock, so instead of doing a fist pump to celebrate, I felt dumbfounded.
"Do you have any memories or emotional attachment to the Ultraman series?"
Kondo: I was an only child raised by a single parent, so I often played alone at home when I was little. The toys given to me by my parent were sofubis of Ultraman and Kaiju. I'd play with them by making them fight. I personally consider myself as being part of the "Ultraman Tiga" and "Ultraman Dyna" generation, but there were multiple sofubis in the single box sets, and that included Ultraman that I didn't know of. I remember seeing a black Ultraman among them and thinking, "So cool!"
"Considering the era, it might've been the Ultraman Shadow included in the Immortal Ultra Warriors Set 3."
Kondo: I'm not quite sure about his name, but I really loved him.
"What was the response like after information was officially released?"
Kondo: As expected, there was alot. I received an incredible amount of messages from longtime fans, people who only just found out about me, and even foreigners just on SNS alone. Since alot of the content I've worked on has been aimed at foreign audiences, it wasn't unusual for me to receive messages from overseas, but now I'm receiving messages from different demographics. I've always thought about how I'd like to "work worldwide," so this has made me happy.
"What was your thought process for taking on the role of Sorato?"
Kondo: Since he's an alien who's lost his memory, I thought that I shouldn't deliver my lines with a fluent rhythm during the very beginning of the show, just as I'm doing now. When he's asked something, I'll ask it again in my head and then say the words. That's why his response ends up being a beat behind. I try to act as if I can't immediately understand what the other person is saying. And, I don't display alot of facial expressions. He'll gradually become better off in the future, but in the beginning, he'll stare blankly, and it's hard to tell what he's thinking. In any case, I put importance on that feeling of "being out of place." I'm prepared for people who didn't know about the alien setting to think, "This guy can't act, huh?," and that's okay.
"Comparing yourself to Sorato, are there any aspects that you can relate with?"
Kondo: Sorato is curious about all kinds of things. Especially in the first episode, since he has no idea about anything, he tries to touch a variety of objects and is stopped by Kosei. He's full of curiosity. I feel like that might be similar to myself. What's more, we both like to eat. I think that kind of innocent feeling just oozes out of me. I think it's because of me that Sorato's become the way he is. I feel that Sorato is a role that would never come out the same no matter who's playing him, as it's a role that can be interpreted very differently depending on how the person performing perceives him.
"What are your impressions of Kosei's Yoshida Haruto-san and Ayumu's Kudo Ayano-san?"
Kondo: Kosei's a hard worker. I get the feeling that he's always on his guard. I also have the impression that he's having a harder time than me. My energy levels are low, or rather, I'm more relaxed. It's also due to my role, since my character doesn't require needing to be full of energy (laughs). Still, that guy's role is one where he gets pushed around in a variety of ways, and always seems to be yelling. He's doing his best playing a role like this. I think he might've been "shifting gears" within himself. Objectively, that's how I see it. Ayumu is the most sane role. She's a woman with common sense and who works hard at the things she does. I'm sure Kudo-san was naturally worried in the beginning too. However, she's a very down to earth person. At first, Kosei and I were creating the set together until Ayumu arrived starting from episode 2, but her arrival didn't feel out of place at all. We all became friends quickly without having to be mindful, and I think that's a testament to her humanity. The vibes on set are also good. Things are harmonious, which I think is suitable for a set creating tokusatsu productions. Our jobs are to give children dreams, so I don't want us being awkward with each other. There was a feeling within me that didn't want filming to be difficult, so I wanted to shape us into a fun group. I believe that if we keep that in mind, we can naturally make the show an enjoyable one.
"Have you had an opportunity to talk with Iwata Hideyoshi-san, who plays the role of Omega after your transformation?"
Kondo: I've talked alot with Hideyoshi-san. I think for Hideyoshi-san, Omega is the production in which he's communicated with an actor the most as of recent. The schedule is set up in a way where they start filming the tokusatsu parts after the main drama scenes are finished, so Hideyoshi-san creates Omega's performance after watching my entire performance as Sorato. He's playing my role very respectfully. Especially this time, since the one transforming is Ultraman himself, Hideyoshi-san told me he wanted to communicate with me and has given me the opportunity to do so. I also visited the tokusatsu set quite abit in order to talk with him.
"The transformation scene is one of the highlights of each episode, but is it difficult for you?"
Kondo: I don't find the transformation pose difficult at all. The Slugger flies, circles me, and then I grab it, so it's all a matter of imagination. I used to perform in stage plays, so I've had many opportunities to act by looking at things I couldn't see, which is why I don't feel any discomfort or difficulty doing this. The only thing that was difficult was the scene where I transformed while running, which will show up inevitability. I had to run, stop at a specific spot, and strike my pose with precision. It was also decided beforehand that the camera would be set at a certain angle, so even if I was just alittle bit off, it would be no good. This was difficult. Our goal was a close up, which is why being even a few centimeters off would've caused me to be out of frame. Even after they said, "Alright, please stop at this spot," stopping there was still difficult because there were no clear marks. To memorize it I would imagine, "If I can stop so that this edge is aligned with this line on the camera, I might be able to get it," and repeatedly did countless takes while running to it. That was difficult.
"What's been some of the most memorable words from Director Takesue Masayoshi's direction?"
Kondo: Director Takesue is allowing me to work rather freely. He gives me detailed directions, but in general, what I want to do and what the Director wants to do match up, so there's been no major disagreements between us. Still, when it comes to the "fluffy" Sorato that I'm playing, he doesn't have the same amount of excitement one would normally feel when transforming, but he clearly told me, "This is Ultraman, so I need you to switch it up" and "I want you to instantly enter hero mode." He was also like, "I want a cool Sorato!" This was especially the case for the first episode.
"You also provide the post transformation action voices yourself, right?"
Kondo: I'm doing it. At the postrecording studio, I record while looking at a monitor with Ultraman on it, but when Ultraman moves within the monitor, I also do the same movements in front of the microphone while speaking out loud. After watching the entire thing through once and memorizing the number of punches and kicks, I'll say, "Okay, let's start recording," and I'll record each episode while punching and kicking alongside Ultraman.
"What impressed you most when you saw the finished footage?"
Kondo: That would naturally be the transformation! In the first episode, I was really moved by the scene where I transform into Ultraman, but I was especially moved by the scene in the grassy field, where the particles of light gather as the giant Ultraman transforms back into me. Transforming has been a dream of mine since I was little, so to see it become a reality really touched me.
"Please give a message to our readers while they wait for the broadcast to start."
Kondo: I think this is a new Ultraman that's never been seen before. Its appearance is innovative. The main character is an alien who doesn't really know Earth's language. I'm sure it's difficult for many of you to imagine what the story will be about. The show may initially feel awkward, or maybe it's the main character that's awkward, but I believe that gradually, the show and characters will become loved. While depicting Ultraman in a way that's never been done before, it'll ultimately turn into a show that makes you think, "As expected, Ultraman is cool." That's why I want people to continue to love the Ultraman series, and for that reason, I think we have to work hard on Ultraman Omega. And, it's because of the power of you readers and the people who love Ultraman that also makes Ultraman work hard. We'll be able to take on the task of protecting Earth, so I'd be happy if you gave us tons of support.
_
Yoshida Haruto (Hoshimi Kosei)
"Please tell us how the role was decided on."
Yoshida: It was an audition. After the audition, I was told by my agency that I was still a candidate, but I had been frustrated in the past because I was always one step short after it was narrowed down between the last two or three candidates, so I was constantly worrying. When the decision was made, the president of my current agency called me to come to the office with, "There's some materials for a different production," and as I was reading this script at the office, the last page had "you've been cast to play Hoshimi Kosei" written on it. I was like, "……Eh?," and to be honest, it didn't really sink in right away, but gradually, I felt a rush of happiness. I started bawling my eyes out since it felt like all of the hard work I'd put in up to that point had finally paid off. At the same time, I felt pressured since I was "going to be carrying the banner of Ultraman's historic series," so I was on edge.
"What was the response like after your role was announced?"
Yoshida: Ever since the official release of information, I've received so many voices of support. I was able to once again feel the passion that Ultraman's content has, as well as the kindness of the fans. Among the people who've come to know me through this, there are alot who've even come to stage greetings for other productions I've appeared in. They were like, "We're here since we were curious." I'm grateful for that.
"Do you have any memories or emotional attachment to the Ultraman series?"
Yoshida: "Ultraman Zero," "Ultraman Ginga," and "Ultraman X" just to name a few, and they were apart of my life during my school days. I feel very honored to have my name added to a page in Ultraman's history and to be involved in this production. What's more, I never dreamed that I'd be controlling Kaiju to fight alongside Ultraman just like in Ginga and X, so I'm incredibly happy.
"When you were a child actor, didn't you appear in Ultra Zone's Kaiju Transfer Student episodes?"
Yoshida: Yes. I was among those students. We were in a classroom with the Kaiju and took lessons together, so it made me think, "What is this?" (laughs), but even though it had a different "taste" from the Ultraman I was used to seeing, the film shoot itself was alot of fun. The role of the teacher was also pretty outrageous, so it left a strong impression on me.
"How did you plan on playing the role of Kosei?"
Yoshida: Hoshimi Kosei is a character who's interested in a variety of things, and makes an effort to work on them, but none of them ever lasts long. He's exploring what he wants to do, so I think he's the kind of person you could find anywhere. Then one day, this young man meets and becomes buddies with an alien named Sorato, and they fight the Kaiju that appeared at the same time. I think that the way he grows through the memories and interactions he has with his friends who fight alongside him, his own sense of justice, and the emotional conflicts he faces are the things that viewers can most easily sympathize and empathize with. I think that Kosei's character is closest to the viewer's point of view, so I tried to create a role that would allow them to immerse themselves in the world of Ultraman Omega through Kosei as a medium.
"Comparing yourself to Kosei, are there any aspects that you can relate with?"
Yoshida: I'm also somewhat of a coward, so maybe we are closer than I thought. I'm also abit unreliable (laughs). Kosei's way of thinking and environment change drastically after he encounters Sorato. Thanks to the people he gets involved with, he'll find out what he really wants to do. I feel like that's something that overlaps with myself. My environment has changed ever since I joined my current agency, and the number of people I've gotten involved with through work has grown, which has given me so many opportunities to reflect on myself and my approach to my work as an actor. And then, I myself used to do track and field as part of club activities, so we also have that in common. There's also a scene within the show where Kosei's running track, but since I hadn't done it for such a long time, I was worried about performing as is, so I got one on one lessons from a former track and field athlete.
"Kosei is depicted multiple times making food for Sorato, but how about you Yoshida-san?"
Yoshida: To begin with, over the course of the various roles I've performed, I often find that the hobbies of those characters turn into my own hobbies. When I played the role of a cook in another production, I got abit too into it, and started cooking for myself in my private time. Kosei also has many scenes where he cooks, such as when he served the yakisoba that Sorato took and when he made curry, so I myself also practiced. I've been able to make use of past experiences, so I thought I'd pursue the depth of yakisoba even further through this production (laughs).
Kosei will also participate in battle as the operator of the MeteoKaiju, right?
Yoshida: When I first saw Rekiness, I thought it was "surprisingly cool." Despite its ominous appearance, it's very friendly. Trigaron has abit of a violent temper, and it tosses its enemies around using its agile movements. Each Kaiju has a different personality, so I also act differently for each of them, like when I give them different instructions, or in the exhaustion that comes with controlling them. The heated battle scenes where the MeteoKaiju and Ultraman Omega fight together is a major point to look out for. When I'm actually holding the MeteoKaiju, I feel more aware that I'm protecting the peace on Earth together with Ultraman. It actually makes me feel like I'm now in the world of Ultraman that I used to watch on TV when I was little. That's what those items mean to me.
"What are your impressions of Sorato's Kondo Shori-san and Ayumu's Kudo Ayano-san?"
Yoshida: As the leader of this production, Shori-kun is a "Kansai guy" who pulls us along while keeping the set organized. He's got a unique sense of humor and is a very cheerful person, so he's like a big brother who I can talk with about various things. We also share a hobby of playing card games, and we'll play against each other during breaks on set or during our private time, and we also go to card shops together. That was the spark that immediately brought us closer together. Ayano-chan is a goddess. On days when she's not on set, she's such a healing presence that some staff members will shout out, "Ayano-chan isn't here today?!" Ayano-chan's actual character is cute, and she's very level headed and easy to talk to. I'm also the same, and we'll talk about subjects such as our private lives and views on love. The three of us also go out for meals together when we're off set. Because of this relationship, we're able to have discussions on set like, "I want this part to be done more like this" or, "Let's do this like that," and I think these kinds of vibes are reflected in the footage.
"What's been some memorable moments from Director Takesue Masayoshi's direction?"
Yoshida: Director Takesue is an expert who's been working on this series for a long time, so his vision for Ultraman Omega was also very clear. To be honest, there were some directions to "change the nuance" or "increase the tension" in regards to our performance, but I think he respected what we brought to the test shoot before the real take. If I had to say, I got the impression that he spent alot of time carefully filming the transformation scenes and my reactions during the Kaiju battles, and that he really demands that the scenes are easy to understand and cool looking enough for the children watching.
"What's been the most difficult part about filming?"
Yoshida: The Summer heat. To begin with, filming took place during the Summer, and last year was especially hot, with record breaking heat, and not only were we outside alot, but my costume is a jumpsuit. It was incredibly challenging since I was sweating alot. I remember carrying a handheld electric fan with me at all times. If you really want to know, there are scenes where I'm running and frantically trying to control the MeteoKaiju, and they used the sweat on me during filming to their advantage. You'll be able to see my natural sweat during the broadcast (laughs).
"As it's standard in tokusatsu productions, did you have any difficulties with filming that required compositing?"
Yoshida: When we film scenes where we fight Kaiju, we're basically in an imaginary world. In reality, there's a stick like object that's standing in my sight, and I act by using it to estimate the height of the Kaiju's eye level and the distance between us. We're of course shown visuals of the Kaiju and other objects before we start filming, but during the shoot we can only look forward to seeing how it'll turn out. When I saw the finished footage, it looked as if the Kaiju was actually there, so I was like, "So cool!," and it brought back the excitement of my youthful days.
"Did you also see the tokusatsu team on set?"
Yoshida: I went to observe them! I think it was the first time I'd seen explosions, Kaiju fighting each other, and Kaiju fighting Ultraman right in front of my eyes since I was a child watching the live hero shows. I was insanely excited as I thought, "This is what's going on!" As mentioned earlier, to see the connection between my imagination on the film set and the sight I was witnessing right in front of me made me extremely excited.
"Please give a message to our readers."
Yoshida: My character Hoshimi Kosei encounters Sorato and "hits a wall," but is able to get through it. The highlight of the series is the "buddy drama" between these two. And, if you watch all the way until the end, you'll see that it's a story that connects to the core of the series while also exploring the grand theme of, "Why does Ultraman protect Earth?" This production can be enjoyed by children and adults all over the world. I hope that it reaches as many people as possible, so I look forward to your support after this!
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