Official report on the first day of “Ghost in the Shell SAC_2045: The Last Human”, conducted on 23 November 2023

The theatrical release of “Ghost in the Shell SAC_2045: The Last Human”, the final part of “Ghost in the Shell SAC_2045” series, which began distribution in April 2020, has begun.

On the opening day of the film, 23 November, a stage greeting was held, with a splendid voice cast including Atsuko Tanaka (Motoko Kusanagi), Akio Otsuka (Batou), Koichi Yamadera (Togusa) and Megumi Han (Esaki Purin). They spoke about their thoughts on the series, which is now complete.

 

■Outline of the opening day greetings for “Ghost in the Shell SAC_2045: The Last Human”
Date: 23 November 18:00-18:30 *After-screening event.
Speakers (titles omitted): Atsuko Tanaka (Motoko Kusanagi), Akio Otsuka (Batou), Koichi Yamadera (Togusa), Megumi Han (Esaki Purin)
Venue: Shinjuku Piccadilly Theatre 1 (3-15-15 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku)

 

 

The series “Ghost in the Shell SAC_2045” has been completed after three and a half years. The cast members were welcomed with applause by the packed audience.

Tanaka says  “Season 1 started when Corona began to be distributed, and I thought three and a half years had passed since then. It feels like it’s been a long time, but it feels like it’s happened so fast. I’m happy to have reached my second film like this.” Otsuka added “Three years have passed since then. I thought three and a half years had passed since then… Isn’t the time just flying by? Time! I was surprised at how quickly the time passed.” He was surprised at how quickly the time passed.

 

Yamadera says, “I felt like I knew a lot about the future from ‘Ghost in the Shell’, such as the word sustainable, which is used as a matter of course now. I felt that reality was catching up with that. And there are still wars today, so I think there are links to real life.” He also drew attention once again to the visionary nature of the work.

Han says “Three and a half years seems like a very short time, like we have spent a long time together, like we have travelled through time. I’m sad to see it come to an end, but I’m happy to have been able to bring it to you all.” She was pleased with the first day of the film’s release.

 

New scenes from the series were added to the film version, including a new scene in Batou and Togusa’s car in the epilogue part, as well as dialogue between Takashi Shimamura, Purin and Kusanagi, and the final scene between Kusanagi and Batou. Commenting on the new cuts, Tanaka says “Director Kenji Kamiyama and Director Michito Fujii had a long discussion about how they wanted to give everyone a different ending in the film version. It was meaningful that we were able to listen to them and record the new version with a renewed spirit.” She looked satisfied with the results.

 

Yamadera commented on Togusa’s role in the film, including reminiscences of his rookie days, which were not depicted in the S.A.C. series: “I was happy that it started like a story about Togusa, but the series begins with his divorce, so I thought, ‘Is this ironic? What does the director mean? I thought (laughs). And it seems like they’re getting back together a bit. …… I’m not back, I’ve found a new happiness!” He received a round of congratulatory applause, but then he wowed the audience with an episode of self-deprecation, saying, “But what if my current happiness is a fiction that’s being ‘shown’ to me…”.

 

Each of the cast members also expressed their passionate feelings towards the characters they played. Han commented on Purin Esaki  “Throughout the series, ‘Ghost in the Shell’ has always been about nostalgia, so I felt a sense of nostalgia from Purin. I felt nostalgia from Purin as well.

Yamadera said of Togusa “I’ve always said that the character closest to me is ‘Hippo’ from ‘Anpanman’, but I think it’s Togusa. I think Togusa is the role I play most naturally. It’s a character I can play without any pressure, and it’s a very important character for me.”

He also spoke of his feelings for the character, while mixing in humour. Otsuka said of Batou “We’ve known each other for so long that I don’t think of him as a stranger. The world of Ghost in the Shell is a fiction, but Batou really exists and I feel sympathy for him.” Tanaka also talks about Motoko Kusanagi, the protagonist of the film “Motoko chose me at an audition for ‘Ghost in the Shell’ in 1995, and it’s been 28 years since then. In the beginning, she was an unreachable and isolated figure, but as time went by, we were able to lean on each other. Now we are like partners. She’s been an irreplaceable part of my voice acting career, and she’s such an important buddy that I don’t know if I’d be here now if it wasn’t for her.” She said that she was an important part of her life.

 

As Tanaka’s birthday was on Tuesday 14 November and Otsuka’s on Friday 24 November, Yamadera and Han presented them with a set of the film’s theatre goods. Tanaka said, “I’ve never had the opportunity to have so many people celebrate my birthday before. I’m really happy and overwhelmed with emotion.” Tanaka was thrilled. Otsuka said “I’m sorry for celebrating my birthday even though it hasn’t come yet! Just the warm applause from everyone gives me the courage to start living again tomorrow!” He seemed to be filled with emotion.

 

 

As the speakers then gave closing remarks on stage, Tanaka said, “I am truly happy just to be standing here like this. ‘Ghost in the Shell’ may have come to an end with ‘The Last Human.’ But please don’t forget. When you access the internet, when you access ‘Ghost in the Shell,’ we, I will always be with you. Please don’t forget me!” He quoted Motoko Kusanagi’s line from the series film ‘Innocence’ and thanked the fans for supporting the work, shedding hot tears, to which the theatre was filled with applause.