On November 8, voice actors Yoshimasa Hosoya (Shotaro Hidari), Koki Uchiyama (Philip), and Ayumu Murase (young Shotaro) took the stage at the Tokyo premiere of Fuuto PI: The Portrait of Kamen Rider Skull. Hosted by comedian Justaway Shiihashi, the event included discussions, behind-the-scenes insights, and a special photo session with Kamen Rider Skull.

Returning to the World of Kamen Rider W

Fuuto PI follows Kamen Rider W, the 2009–2010 series that inspired a popular manga sequel and its 2022 anime adaptation. This new theatrical film centers on “Begins Night,” the pivotal backstory for Shotaro and Philip’s bond as Kamen Rider W, exploring the legacy of Shotaro’s mentor, Soichiro Narumi, voiced by Kenjiro Tsuda.

Creating the Characters: Insights from the Cast

Hosoya, who voices Shotaro, described his approach to balancing the character’s natural maturity with youthful energy, ensuring the portrayal felt seamless. Murase, playing young Shotaro, highlighted his focus on capturing the essence of the character’s energetic spirit. Uchiyama shared how he mentally “reset” to re-enter Philip’s mindset, describing him as a “character with a complex past” and needing to carefully realign with the timeline in this film.

Skull’s On-Screen Design and the Technical Details Behind It

Director Yosuke Kabashima revealed the intricate work behind Kamen Rider Skull’s design, particularly praising the shadowing and gradient effects used on Skull’s mask to achieve a lifelike 3D look. Kabashima noted the challenge of animating Skull’s signature details, a result of close collaboration with the visual effects team.

A Surprise Appearance by Kamen Rider Skull

Midway through the event, the audience erupted as Kamen Rider Skull himself appeared on stage. Murase enthusiastically shook hands with the iconic character, later sharing how the moment reawakened his childhood admiration for the hero. Hosoya, in a lighthearted moment, forgot his character’s mentor’s full name, known as “Oyassan” in the series, and jokingly looked to Skull for help, drawing laughter from the crowd.

Behind the Scenes: Making Fuuto PI for the Big Screen

Producer Hideaki Tsukada explained how the success of the Fuuto PI anime series and fan enthusiasm paved the way for the film. The idea to focus on Kamen Rider Skull’s story originated from Kamen Rider W screenwriter Riku Sanjo. Kabashima credited the project’s nine-month production period and extensive pre-existing animation techniques for its visual success.

Looking Forward: Hints at Fuuto PI Continuations

In closing remarks, Hosoya encouraged fans to share their thoughts on the film, hinting that positive feedback might influence a series continuation. Tsukada echoed the sentiment, rallying fans with “Let’s all work together to make this happen!” The event concluded with the cast and crew receiving applause as they exited the stage, with Skull returning for a fan photo session, wrapping up the lively premiere on a high note.

Official Movie Site (JP)

Source : ORICON NEWS