Voice actors Kengo Kawanishi and Yoshimasa Hosoya, along with director Tatsuyuki Nagai, appeared at a stage event in Tokyo on the twenty second for the special edited version Mobile Suit Gundam Iron-Blooded Orphans Urzu Hunt: The Path of a Small Challenger and the newly produced tenth anniversary short film Interlude Wedge (JP: 幕間の楔, Makuai no Kusabi).

The guests included Kawanishi, who plays Mikazuki Augus, Hosoya, who plays Orga Itsuka, and series director Nagai. The tenth anniversary short film Interlude Wedge is set between the first and second seasons. Asked about its concept, Nagai explained: “Since it was the tenth anniversary, last year I was approached with the idea of creating a short film. The staff gathered to discuss what we wanted to do. Mari Okada wanted to tell a story about suits, and I wanted to tell a story about the sword. We decided to combine both ideas into one piece. We also wanted to tell a story that we could not include in the original series.”

The cast then shared their impressions. Kawanishi said: “When I first received the script, I did not know why this point in the story was chosen. Hearing that today makes everything clearer. In the pamphlet, they also talk about various aspects. For Mikazuki, the story revolves around the sword. At the end of season one, he finally says, ‘I understand how to use this thing.’ Swords are incredibly strong. As Mikazuki also says, when a battle turns into a group fight, real swords quickly become unusable once they are covered in blood. That makes them unreliable for advancing toward the place Orga aims for. The sword breaking midway and leading to the switch to the season two Sword Mace made perfect sense. Having that process depicted filled in the gaps for me.”

Hosoya continued: “Although it was a story about suits, the moment that struck me most was the scene where Orga hands Ride a shemagh. Seeing how happy he was really moved me. Knowing the entire story makes the moment hit even harder. During recording, Mari Okada and Director Nagai were creating this world together. Iron-Blooded Orphans has always had a genuinely serious atmosphere. Nothing was handled lightly. They protected the worldview throughout the series, and now, ten years later, it feels like the work itself has matured a little, allowing for some softness. Back in season one or season two, if Orga’s pants tore, that would have been a huge issue. But now that ten years have passed, that softness feels acceptable. Seeing the characters look a little uncool and relaxed felt like showing a warm, friendly atmosphere to long-time fans, almost like saying ‘thank you’ to everyone who has supported the series.”

Hosoya added at the end: “Some people became emotional during the conversation. Being part of a work that inspires such feelings makes me feel incredibly fortunate.” Kawanishi said: “We are grateful to everyone who ran alongside us over these ten years. Because of your support, we were able to bring this work into the world. I feel nothing but gratitude. Let’s meet again in a feature-length production.” Director Nagai concluded: “Being able to have an event like this for the tenth anniversary is thanks to the love everyone has shown the series. I am truly grateful. I want to continue putting my all into the twentieth and thirtieth anniversaries. The MG 1/100 Gundam Barbatos Lupus is now on sale. I believe these small steps accumulate into something larger. Please continue supporting us.”

Source : ORICON NEWS