The final movie of the “Star Wars” series, “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker”, will be released with MovieNEX and 4K UHD MovieNEX, and a limited number of 4K UHD MovieNEX steelbooks and DVDs on Apr. 29, 2020.
To preface this, an interview with Namikawa Daisuke has been released with he talks about when he played Anakin Skywalker in this “Star Wars” movie to celebrate his birthday on Apr. 2.
Anakin Skywalker is the protagonist of the prequel trilogy of “Star Wars” movies, starting from “Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace”, and the chosen one found by Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi, who has the potential to bring the balance to the force and will be the strongest Jedi ever.
Namikawa, as the voice actor on the Japanese adaption to the movie, has brilliantly expressed the complex emotions when young Jedi Anakin struggles between good and evil before turning into Darth Vader.

Since the “Star Wars” series, he has has played Frodo Baggins in the “Lord of the Rings” series, Michael “Mikey” Walsh in “The Goonies”, and Ishikawa Goemon in the “Lupine III” series. Namikawa also has played characters such as Hisoka Morow in the “HUNTER x HUNTER” series, Yamato “Matt” Ishida in “Digimon Adventure: The Stone”, Feng Ming Wu in the upcoming 3rd season of “Kingdom”.

In the interview just released, he shares his impressions from watching “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker”, as well as behind-the-scene stories at the recording, as well as unique answers coming from the fact he is a voice actor.
“Star Wars” seems to have a greaton the voice actors like Namikawa, as well as the fans who has spent time together with “Star Wars”.

“Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” will be released onApr. 29, 2020, with MovieNEX (4,200 JPY + tax) and 4K UHDMovieNEX (8,000 JPY + tax), a limited 4KUHDMovieNEX steel book (9,000 JPY + tax), and a DVD (2,800 JPY + tax).
“Star Wars: Skywalker Saga 4K UHD Complete BOX (Limited quantity)” (50,000 yen + tax) will be released simultaneously.

Prior to release of the package, digital advance streaming will start on Apr. 8th. On the same day, the movie will be available to rent for a limited period of time on Disney's official video streaming service, Disney+, to commemorate the first anniversary of streaming.

<Interview below>
【Namikawa Daisuke】

-Please tell us your thoughts on the Skywalker Saga's final episode, “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker”.
Great! Thank you as a fan for completing this epic story. The features like impressive motions has revived by changing its shape, and I was once charmed, have a new finding, and I was once again my felling hidden in the bottom of my heart. Whenever I realize, I am brought to back to when I was young, looking for Force.

-Please tell us your impressions of participating in the masterpiece called “Star Wars'', a series with a 42 years of history, the behind-the scene stories of the recording sessions, and the episodes with other voice actors and actresses.
At the time of recording, I was just desperate, but it was the other cast members who supported me, including Sakamoto Maaya, who played Padme. After the release, I gradually felt a lot of pressure and fear. The first recording is more than 20 years ago, but it is still vivid. This was a great starting point for me.

-In the new trilogy, Kylo Ren is trying to learn the dark side with Darth Vader as a teacher, which depicts a struggle between good and evil. Please tell us about Kylo Ren's feelings and how you think they relate to Anakin's fall to the dark side, and what made you feel different from Anakin.
I felt that Kylo Ren and Anakin are very similar. They cannot control their emotions when their emotional switch is on. Although their starting points are different, but they are similar in a way that they both bear sadness and being not able to control themselves. And, it is terrifying if such people gained a great power.

-Anakin sends a message to the new Jedi, Rey, saying “Regain balance”. What would you say if you were to send a message to those who are currently working to become voice actors?
Do not be sulky at any time. Be healthy.

-The scene where the former Jedis sent a message became a hot topic, but who would you choose as one Jedi master that Mr. Namikawa would like to study with? ? In addition, please tell us a person whom Namikawa-san would call “master”.
Ootsuka Yoshitada, Horiuchi Kenyu, Yamadera Kouichi, Iwashita Shima, Ikeda Narushi…there are more whom I respect. I was taught by many seniors from various industries.

-What is “Star Wars” to you?
To paraphrase, “Force”.

（C）2020 &TM Lucasfilm Ltd.