#fanreport

Q: We understand acting is not easy. What are the challenges you faced as an actor?

Hiroki: It actually varies on the characters you get as an actor like you could be required to know sword fighting. And there, we actually have to study those skills.

Kousuke: For me... Well, as I’ve been into different 2.5D production, with every single character that differs, you have to keep studying the (original) work and so every day there’s a challenge you face. But right now! It’s (the character) Jollibee.

Right after he mentioned Jollibee, everybody just lost it. I did too because that’s too extra of him to say tbh.

Hiroki: Do you want to try (acting it)?

Kousuke: Jollibee?

HIS FACE WHEN HIROKI SUGGESTED THAT. Seriously, Hiroki is so good with this adlib thing, Kousuke looked like he wasn’t prepared for it. But anyway, Kousuke went in front to try doing Jollibee. What he did is he’s like doing this holding a tray thing and serving it in a cute way. XD

MC: Is that Jollibee?

Fans were screaming, “Noooo!” and were disagreeing.

Hiroki: Where’s Jollibee? XD

Kousuke turned to Hiroki while laughing bc he got so shy and embarrassed. Suddenly, the fans were asking for Hiroki’s turn to show his Jollibee. Fan went, “Hiroki! Hiroki!” along with Kousuke. So when Hiroki went in front, he just did this cute pose and went, “This is! Jollibee Spaghetti!” And the whole audience went wild and cheering for him!

Hiroki: Is this Jollibee? (The fans said yes!)

Hiroki, looking/pointing at Kousuke: I’m Jollibee, you’re not. XD

Kousuke looked so dejected though. Both of them are so cute in that segment.

Q: Which character you portrayed is your favorite?

Hiroki: I know you want to, you want, ehh... (He gets flustered here bc of his pause and the fans were just cheering him on XD) Okay, okay! What you want to is... Koushi Sugawara? (Fans: Yesssss!) I know, I know. But the question is difficult for me because it’s like, “Hey, who’s your favorite, your mother or father?” So yeah, it’s hard because I can’t choose.

(My friend and I were like, “Awww that’s so sweet” lol)

MC: Everyone is your favorite.

Hiroki: Yeah! Hmm yeah!

(This is just me, but it’s weird for the MC to ask the audience if we accept that... Of course, we do lol what are you saying)

Kousuke: Uhm, well... it’s Haikyuu’s Oikawa Tooru.

The fans just went screaming (seriously though, Oikawa’s a fan favorite, and a lot of PH fans became his fans bc of Oikawa). The MC asked if we can hear his “Yaho!”

Kousuke went to the front and went, “Yaho, Tobio-chan!” The screams were louder than usual, and then some started chanting, “Iwa-chan!” Kousuke didn’t understand it at first, until Hiroki told him (without the mic) to say Iwa-chan too. And so he did that too!

Q: What was your happiest moment as an actor?

Hiroki: It makes me the happiest when I get to see everyone laughing or crying because of stage plays. (Hiroki does these crying motions too, and he was just so adorable).

Kousuke: Well, I feel just the same as Hiroki, but also from getting into Haisute, I get to be in different amazing stage plays. And the fact that I am here in the Philippines. How do you say this... I’m very grateful for everything.

Q: What advice do you have for people aiming to be an actor?

Hiroki: So... Actors cannot be alone. You’re here, and we’re here.

Tbh, I got what he meant by this. He said this in English and I went, “Awwww. Holy crap, I want to cry.” Hiroki said it in Japanese to his interpreter which she basically said the same thing, “If not for you, they won’t be here.” With an addition of “Never forget that feeling of gratitude towards your fans.”

Kousuke: For me... Well, I know everyone’s aiming for it, but we won’t know when we would be debuting exactly. Until then, I think it’s important that we keep studying and improving ourselves so we can be much more prepared for it. That’s what I want to share.

From here, questions are asked from the audience.

Q: What future roles would you want to be in?

Hiroki: I wanna be a prime minister! President! Or Spider-Man!

Kousuke: I’ve said this earlier, but it’s Jollibee! A 2.5D version of Jollibee!

Good heavens, you don’t know how much we laughed at this part bc it ended up as Hiroki and Kosuke arguing about Jollibee. XD

Hiroki: Hey, you said Jollibee is me?!

Kousuke: I’m gonna steal it from you!

Q: For Asuma-san, have you every adlibed on stage? If so, how did you execute it?

Kousuke: Adlib... a little. I’m bad at it.

The audience went silent, and Kousuke got so confused with the reaction, so he went, “Eh? Eh??” Hiroki saved him by saying, “They’re saying ‘ooooh’”

Kousuke: Well, so not to forget my character’s lines, I always make sure to really study them very well so I can tell them properly.

Q: For Ino-san, out of all the characters you have portrayed, whom do you relate the most, and why?

Hiroki: Uhm, Koushi Sugawara. He’s the most normal human out of all the characters I’ve played, which is like me who’s pretty much normal and doesn’t want the kouhais to steal the position from me. I think that’s how much I relate to him.

Q: What is your reaction when you were invited for an overseas event for the first time?

Hiroki: Yesterday, I was really nervous because this is my first time to be with you. But now! I am so excited to see you! Thanks to you!

Kousuke: Uhm... I was really worried that there wouldn’t be a lot of people who would come, but now, if we could make each and every one of you even a little bit happier, then... Until the end, let’s have fun with what we have today!

Second half is more of the fun stuff! The first challenge is making them speak Tagalog. Sentences were flashed on the screen and they basically have to pronounce them.

The first one is “Ako si __. Ako ay ipinaganak sa __. (I am __. I was born in __.)”

MC: Can you do it, Hiroki-san?

Hiroki: Of course!

Hiroki was actually good in pronouncing words so he was able to speak the sentences well.

Hiroki: Ako ay si... Hiroki! Ako ay ipinanganak sa... Japan! (Fans were cheering him on!) Masarap... Jolly Spaghetti!

He also asked if it was good, so the fans were satisfied and gave him an okay sign. Kousuke went up next.

Kousuke: Ako ey si... Kousuke Asuma. Ako ey pen? pen?... (Fans were teaching him by this time, shouting “ipinanganak/pinanganak) pinanganak! Sa... Japanese!

Kousuke was so cute, but because of that little mistake, fans were giving him an NG sign and telling him to try it again. He also cannot pronounce ‘ipinanganak’ well so he fumbles his words too. He did it again and he said that he was born in ‘Japanese’ until Hiroki taught him the proper word and said that Japanese is a person, Japan is the place. When Kousuke did it again, he said, “Ako ay si Kosuuke Asuma. Ako ay pinanganak sa... in Gifu!”

Second sentence is “Ang paborito kong pagkain Pinoy ay __ (My favorite Filipino food is __).” A lot of fans are actually chanting Jollibee here, but I kinda shouted adobo lol

Hiroki: Alright. Paborito kong... pagkaing Pinoy ay... adobo!... Perfect?

When it was Kousuke’s turn, I had to cheer him with ganbare!

Kousuke: Paborito kong... pegkein? Pagkain? Pinoy? Pinyoy? ay... Philippine meat! Philippine meat... Chicken, chicken.

The fans were not so convinced so he went, “I like lapu-lapu!” Which is a kind of fish in the Philippines.

The last sentence is, “Mahal ko kayo” and omg the fans were losing it lol.

Hiroki went to start, and he turned his back to us. He started this countdown, 3, 2, 1, then he went to turn to us and say, “Mahal ko kayo” in quite a sexy voice lol

Kousuke also did the same, and his countdown is in Japanese, san, ni, ichi. AND GAHD KOUSUKE WAS SO SOFT but his voice is deeper. It was so good! Both of them were so good! Thank you for the food lol

The next challenge is an improvisation game/acting challenge. They have to pick a noun they have to portray and an adjective to describe their character. Now, this is also a contest so there would be voting at the end of the challenge. The loser would have to dance. I told my friend that I hope Hiroki loses so he would have to dance.

For the first round, Hiroki picked up a cheerful gay person (it’s actually okama, but it doesn’t have a good connatation imo) while Kousuke picked up a dog that is surprised easily. Hiroki actually laughed when he first picked his paper. Funny thing is when Kousuke picked up ‘dog’, he went back to the bowl to try to change it, but he was stopped. 

They have to act together too, and all I can say is... Hiroki went too all out XD Kousuke was on all-fours because he was a dog, while Hiroki started as “Oh no. It’s so hot!” And he suddenly screamed and ran after dog!Kousuke! Hiroki went, “Come on, dog!! Come on!” There was a part that he was grabbing dog!Kousuke by the pants lmao just to call him towards him. 

Kousuke looked so scared of how gay!Hiroki was acting obviously. He was doing this gesture with his hands in front of him to make gay!Hiroki calm down too (he’s being too friendly with this dog lmao). 

Gay!Hiroki kept trying to get dog!Kousuke’s attention and asked for his name, to which Kousuke answered, “Jollibee” lmao. Dog!Kousuke kept walking around the stage (in all-four), but Hiroki kept grabbing him (by his leg/feet). And then Hiroki called him while bringing a bottled water, “Do you want this?” Kousuke is just looking at him even though he’s scared.

Hiroki: Do you want this from my mouth?

istg I think the venue went a bit hotter during this segment. Kousuke couldn’t understand him tbh, so Hiroki told him in Japanese, and KOUSUKE’S SHOCKED FACE LMAO. So they continued with the segment, with Kousuke saying he’ll drink it. HAHA Even Hiroki didn’t expect that hah.

They were actually sitting on the floor, the bottled water placed in between them, and Hiroki suddenly went, “Do it yourself! Do it yourself!” and shoved it to Kousuke XD And then Kousuke walked away looking sad HAHAHA PLEASE STOP THIS.

Hiroki: Oh, sorry, sorry, my puppy! Puppy!

Kousuke went back to him, and then Hiroki asked him to stand up (tbh whyyyy). Kousuke did, and they were just looking at each other’s eyes, and suddenly Kousuke fell to his knees, and GOOD HEAVENS THE POSITION THEY WERE IN. Kousuke looked up to Hiroki and just akslgalkgjalkg. And then Hiroki put his hand on Kousuke’s shoulder and went, “Finished!”

Note that there were two screens on the side of the stage so we can see their faces close up. And istg it was that good, just from seeing Kousuke’s face lmao. From our seat, we can vividly see their faces, but thanks to the screen, we can see their expressions bigger lmao

Voting was done and the screams were just so loud for both of them. It was decided that they would do one more. They will have to pick another character, but there will be a change.

Hiroki: I picked a dog! Well it’s okay because I like dogs.

Kousuke: I got a drunk! (and he acted this for a bit lmao)

The setting would be in a school.

Kousuke: Going drunk in school is bad though!

Which is true lmao, but they have to act in this setting. Hiroki was also in all-four but he’s towards the back of the stage, while Kousuke was in front. And then Kousuke went moving around the stage, he even went down towards the left side almost near the audience, looking for “San Miguel”

When he went back to the stage, he saw dog!Hiroki and asked for San Miguel. “San Miguel please? San Miguel!”

Hiroki: What!? San Miguel?

Kousuke: San Miguel. Uh.. San Miguel, San Miguel! (does a drinking motion lmao)

Hiroki: What you saying?!... Hey, don’t touch the puppy! What are you talking about? DON’T TOUCH ME! Don’t touch the puppy! You don’t touch the puppy! Holy shit!

Kousuke was actually touching Hiroki the entire time on his back lmao. So when Hiroki said not to touch him, he was trying to walk away (in all-fours) but he was so cute being grumpy like that lmao 

Kousuke: I... I don’t speak in English a little. Okay? Koko (here)

Hiroki: Annyeong.

Kousuke: Japanese.

Hiroki: Ni hao.

Kousuke: Japanese. I speak Japanese.

Hiroki: You speak Japanese... Ohhh. Annyeong.

Kousuke seemed to give up because Hiroki won’t speak to him in Japanese, so he kept looking for San Miguel. They have a table full of bottled water and Kousuke acted as if he found beer (San Miguel), and then he brought one to Hiroki. 

Hiroki was so cute because he was just sitting there and just being such a diva puppy tbh. XD And then he put the bottled water on the floor, and then he just drank from the straw. 

Hiroki: I’m a dog.

Kousuke: Dog?

Hiroki: No, a puppy. That is so cutie puppy!

Kousuke: Want to drink? Want to drink?

Hiroki: I want to drink.

And then Kousuke took the bottle and he drank from it. Of course everyone exclaimed and just lost it (bc indirect kiss lol)

Kousuke: Oh this is water! Water! No San Miguel, water!

Hiroki: IT’S MINE! PUPPY’S! THIS IS PUPPY’S!

Kousuke: Puppy’s?

Hiroki: Yeah!

Kousuke: Oh, sorry. Sorry... I didn’t know. My house? You want to come my house?

Hiroki: Your house is big?

Kousuke couldn’t understand it, so Hiroki repeated if his bag is big XD

Kousuke: Oh! Big! Yes, big!

Hiroki: Ooooh okay, I go your house!

And that’s when they end the skit. LOL. Of course, there’s also the voting. Voting started with Hiroki, and he was like “More!!” When voting started for Kousuke, Hiroki went, “booo!” In the end, Hiroki won, and Kousuke like, “No, no!!”

The punishment is dancing to MOMOLAND’S Boom Boom because it’s trending here in the Philippines. They showed the video on the screen and Kousuke was trying to follow it. He was so cute as he tried to do it. Hiroki was actually dancing along with it. Kousuke was so unprepared because they only showed the video once, and he had to dance to it already.

In the end, Hiroki also danced to it together with Kousuke. We even danced with them too. It was so nice! So it ended up as the audience are their teachers while dancing haha. Also there was this part that Hiroki is doing the Gangnam Style dance steps instead haha.

After that, we took a photo together! After the official photographer, Hiroki asked to take one from his phone too (he actually brought it with him on stage haha).

And then onto the last messages:

Hiroki: Thank you for coming today. It’s my very first time to come here so... How do you say it. I was really nervous. Just like what Kousuke said earlier, I worried if people would come. For the sake of people who came and those who have fun, I will keep doing my best as an actor. I love you all.

Kousuke: Thank you to everyone who came here today. When I get home, we’ll start with Haikyuu, so I’ll be doing my best for that. Also, with everyone’s continuous support, maybe we can return to the Philippines.... I will come back Philippines!

Hiroki: Which you like... Me and Jolly Pasta? I mean Jolly Spaghetti?

At this part, he has acctually looking at our side, and because I was motioning that I like him more than Jollibee, he saw me and went, “Me?”

I thought his question was like that, until Kousuke reacted with, “No! Me Jollibee!” And both of them were just a laughing mess.

Before they actually went off the stage, they actually went down towards the audience so we were able to see them closer! Hiroki touched some fans from the other side haha. But aah, they were really handsome and funny! Such nice people too!

I was able to meet and talk to Kousuke too because of the high touch event!  He was so fun to talk to, and he got excited when I told him I will see him again for Haisute~ He also remembered me talking to him on his very first even in 2016. My request of telling him to go to the Philippines because he has a lot of fans here has come true. That time, he told he that he wants to. ;A; (Yep, I lined up more than once for the high touch event, thanks to some people! You know who you are! <3 No regrets lining up for 3 hours for the goods and getting so hungry just before the talk panel.)

I hope you enjoy this fan report! I tried to be as detailed as possible, so please direct people here instead of lifting/reposting them. 

Winry at a train station with her sun hat and sundress (like outta 03) and brunette hair. She's met with the brothers.

The three of them on a train sitting together in one booth.

Nina, Ed and Al and Alexander meeting

Winry and Nina playing with a blindfolded Al who's chasing them around Tucker's home.

Tucker walking out of his home with a shit ton of messy books (did he drop em, i can't remember)

Ed and Al depressed, sitting on the steps of some place (Tucker’s home maybe??)

Hughes at the train station coming to meet the resembool trio/the bros (can’t remember if Winry was actually there)

Hughes at his office researching the philosopher's stone and he turns around to find Lust there with her nails freakily extending.

Ed and Al literally fist fighting, mainly Ed punching Al with his flesh hand and getting bloody knuckles (why???)

Gluttony being his gross self over a body (Cornello's body?)

Envy Lust?? getting literally roasted and thrown at a fence

Envy transforming into someone (Cornello?)

Lust attacking doctor Marcoh, he shoots her and her wounds heal

Winry and Al playing cards and being silly on the train while Ed sits on the next seat over and watches them endearingly. (THIS WAS MY FAVORITE SCENE HONESTLY SO PURE)

ED PULLS HIS AUTOMAIL ARM OFF SUPER FUCKING DRAMATICALLY AND THROWS IT AT THE GROUND

Hakuro just there

MC: Yeah. And since the first anime in Japan was produced in January 1917, that's just like 100 years ago.

 Mikey: Wow, the 100th birthday of anime! Wow.

 MC: Yeah, in japan.

 Mikey: I think that deserves an applause, right guys? 100 years. So i think, you know, so i think it's only appropriate that on the hundredth birthday of anime Fullmetal Alchemist gets a live action adaptation, right? Yeah?

 *audience cheeeers*

 MC: Ok so they [FA movie team] got a lot of offers from around the world and so the FA team has come to anime expo!

 *audience cheers*

 MC: Ok that's about it haha for the history.

 Mikey: Alright.

 MC: Alright, so what do you say, do we want to welcome up or - oh no, first we're gonna do the footage, right? Ok so let's take a look at the trailer first of all!

 *audience cheers*

 {the latest trailer released on april 6th is shown to the audience}

 MC: And now let's welcome our special guests!

 *audience goes wild*

 MC: Let's give a round of applause. from the live action cast Ryosuke Yamada

 *fangirls lose their shit as he walks on stage*

 MC: And director Fumihiko Sori!

 *Director Sori comes on stage as the screaming continues*

 MC: A big round of applause for our guests please!

 *audience calms down*

 MC: [to Yamada] Alright so first of all, would you like to say hello to the crowd?

 Yamada: *testing the mic* hah, hah. [He introduced himself in English] Hello everyone, I'm Ryosuke Yamada playing Edo! thank you for coming today. Please enjoy!

 *cheers*

 MC: thank you. and Mr. Sori.

 Sori: [in English] My name is Fumihiko Sori and this movie's director and please enjoy.

 MC: Alright! So, welcome to anime expo

 Sori: hai, thank you

 MC: please be seated. So we're gonna ask you a few questions, first of all welcome to LA and how's it been so far?

 Yamada: *tries to talk into the mic but it doesn't work and makes derp faces*

 *audience chuckles as MC gives his own mic to Yamada*

 Yamada: [Mikey's Translation = MT] Well, it is really warm and everyone's really nice to me so I'm really enjoying my time here.

 Sori: [MT] I love LA! I've been--I lived here about 20 years ago i wanna say.

 MC: So is it any different from 20 years ago?

 Sori: [MT] I don't think it changed that much in 20 years

 MC: Ok, so still the same good ol LA?

 Sori: [in English] It's great, yeah. I love LA!

 MC: So, looking at this huge crowd for you, how do you feel right now? 'Cause for Anime Expo it's the first time to actually have a live cast come on stage, I guess

 Yamada: [MT] I mean, I'm really happy and proud to be Japanese right now, to see the crowd you know. this room is full of fans who love and share japanese anime and content so I'm really happy

 MC: ok. and Mr. Sori can you tell us what led you to create this live action version of this manga that has so many fans?

 Sori: [MT] So as you guys know, a lot of american comics have been adapted in live action formats, and you know and it's really really cool as i see it, watching from where i am. and you know, we have a lot of good content, a lot of good properties and stories in Japan, but we haven't really had the chance to do a live action adaptation at the level and quality i really wanted to, but i feel like finally we're at a point where it's ready.

MC: [to Yamada] So how did you actually feel when you got offered this role?

 Yamada: [MT] So you know, i'm not really tall per se and when i got this offer i was like, 'maybe it is kinda cool being chibi sometimes'

 MC: Ok, during [playing] Ed there must have been so many challenges

 Yamada: so i mean, of course the performance itself is one thing, acting as Ed, but i think the hardest part was Alphonse, you know he's done in full CG so all my acting i have to do kind of not looking at anything really so all the acting really came down to my relationship with Alphonse there.

 MC: Ok so, we would like to just... go on to the footage maybe?

 Mikey: You guys wanna see some footage?

 MC: Ok, and as mentioned before, no cameras please. No phones or otherwise we have to stop, ok. Let's ask Mr. Yamada to cue [the footage].

 Yamada: nihongo de shitsurei shimasu. Kore dewa goran kudasai, dozo. [translation: I'm sorry for the Japanese. Now, here you go, please watch.]

 MC: Let's take a look at the footage!

 *footage rolls. it's like 6 solid minutes and the audience goes through a rollercoaster ride of emotions*

 MC: Alright! [to Yamada, translation:] What did you think of that reaction?

 Yamada: I was really happy to hear you guys' reactions throughout that. We were listening back there.

 MC: so first of all, i understand that filming started in Italy in June 2016 so why did you choose Italy actually.

 Sori: So of course the first work was set in a sort of European city and there wasn't really a specific country but after going through Europe we found that Italy had a lot of really good backgrounds and scenery that we liked for the movie.

 MC: Ok, so Mr. Yamada, what was it like, you're actually acting a role which is not quite Japanese...

 Yamada: [MT] So the original work of course is written by a Japanese mangaka so i really didn't have too much resistance trying to interpret and understand what kind of character we were doing but there was of course fear in the back of my mind as I was acting so i mean, i hope you guys all saw that footage and didn't really feel anything weird, did you?

 *audience cheers, many yell out 'Nooo, you're perfect!!'*

 Yamada: [in english] Thank you!

 MC: And I have a question for Mr. Sori, what was it like actually, for you, working with Mr. Yamada?

 Sori: [MT] Well he is a professional through and through and it made my job really easy to be honest, i didn't have to give him too much direction, he just got what i wanted how i wanted the character to be portrayed and a lot of the action he did himself -- all of the action he did himself, so that made us really really--

 Sori: [in English] No stunt, no stunt!! (Director Sori said this while Mikey was interpreting)

 Sori: [MT] No stuntman here!

 MC: that's amazing!

 Yamada: arigatou gozaimasu

 MC: you got a big one in the face [during the footage, while Ed's running away from the transmuting walls that attack him like giant pillars, he ends up running into one face first]

 Yamada: [MT] That was harder than it looked because i had to react to basically nothing right there

 MC: so how does it feel like, what do you think about it [the footage]? Actually when you looked at it, that footage.

 Yamada: [MT] So when i was acting and portraying the character, i had an idea of what it was going to look like, but seeing it kind of put together with all the edits --it blew my mind and it was way beyond my expectations, i really have to thank the director and all of his awesome skills so thank you very much director.

 MC: And throughout the film.. actually when you were filming the film, your brother isn't actually here but did you feel him here or what was that like?

 Yamada: So while I didn't actually get to see Alphonse in front of me the actor portraying him was next to me acting on his behalf, so as we progressed through production, more and more i started to see him as Alphonse

 *audience awws*

 MC: And Mr. Sori, you've been using a lot of digital technology in this film. Could you tell us about that please?

 Sori: [MT] So I mentioned that I lived in Los Angeles about 20 years ago, i think you guys remember that right? So i was working at a company called Digital Domain and i was actually an animator, a VFX animator there, and i worked on a little movie called Titanic which you might have heard of. And I learned a lot about VFX there so i took a lot of that skill, so my specialty actually lies in the VFX field so i came back to Japan and slowly kind of grew into the role of director and i always thought 'man i wanna take a Japanese IP or Japanese content and turn it into a very VFX heavy production and i think finally i had the chance, and now here we are back in LA 20 years later showing you guys this clip so i'm really really happy and proud to be here.

 Mikey: And one more thing! (Director Sori wanted to add to his previous statement)

 Sori: [MT] but that does not mean this is a VFX only movie and i think you guys, the fans, know that more than anyone, that this is a very story driven, emotional journey. [Sori in English] Yeah, everybody knows, yeah.

 MC: One more question, so when you first met for this film, Mr. Yamada and Mr. Sori, what was the first thing you kind of agreed to focus on in creating this film?

 Yamada: [MT] So I was always a huge fan of Fullmetal Alchemist and when I was offered this role i mean, of course i was really really happy and pleased, and at the same time when we went to Italy and production started, when we were on set and we kind of talked and met each other, i think there wasn't really any doubt in the direction we were gonna take the character and the production. i think it was really a very seamless transition from when we first took it from pre-production to production.

 MC: [translation:] And Director, what about you?

 Sori: [MT] I think it was the best combination ever, even looking back now, looking at all the actors and the talent in the world, i don't think anyone could have portrayed Ed as well as he has so i'm really really glad.

 MC: Ok and now actually, we have a surprise for everyone. We have... the creator of Fullmetal Alchemist...

 *audience starts going wild*

 MC: ...We have a message from her and I'd like to read out the original actually, in Japanese so [to Mikey] can you help me out?

 Mikey: We have a message from the creator and we're going to read it out to you guys right now.

 MC: Ok. [he reads Arakawa-Sensei's message in Japanese]

 Mikey: [Arakawa-sensei’s message interpreted:] So the manga I feel like is my child, I created it, and all these spinoffs and other iterations of it, the anime, the games, everything else that you take, it really feels kinda like my grandchildren, and here they are flying, leaving the nest, exploring, you know i'm really really proud to see them leave the nest like this. And I got to take a look at the footage as well. And it really felt like all these characters i created are there, present in our world. Ryosuke, the way you played Ed was so kakkoi. Everyone out there throughout the world, i hope you take really good care of my grandchild when he goes to see you!

MC: That was a message from Hiromu Arakawa. Ok and now we'd like to give it up to you guys and go into the q&a maybe. You guys have any questions? So if you have a question please raise your hand, okay. You look really ready (some guy in the first few rows was standing with his hand raised)

 Mikey: Are we doing the mic? Are we having them line up or are we gonna run it? Ok, we're gonna line up so please if you have a question line up over here...

 *a ton of people scramble to get to the mic, myself included*

 Mikey: Ok, I don't know if we have that much time guys. Moderators help us out.

 MC: Oh and about the cameras... We were worried about the footage, so yeah you can take photos if you guys want to

 *audience goes crazy*

 Mikey: Let's get started without further ado

 Fan 1: [i know a lot of people here] ...have mixed feelings about this, but maybe 8-10 years down the line, what do you guys think [about an American movie remake]?

 |I missed the complete answer to this one, but the Director was for it|

 Fan 2: How did you come to the conclusion of like where in the manga or anime to finish the movie?

 Sori: [MT] So in my mind I kind of consider this a part one and we have a really good book end to kind of bring closure to the movie as a movie so it can stand alone. But at the same time, if you guys like it and continue to support it, i don't see why there can't be a part two and hopefully beyond.

 Mikey: Thank you very much.

 Fan 3: Ok i have a question to Ed. Will there be a lot of like in the anime, like a lot of when you're fighting with Alphonse, there's a lot of jumping around. Do you think you can do that? Or is it not possible?

 Yamada: [MT] All I can tell you right now is please look forward to the action, there will be a lot of action, not only when i fight against Al, but with him alongside me so I can only tell you to stay tuned and look forward to it.

 Fan 3: Alright, that's cool man! Thank you.

 MC: Thank you.

 Yamada: [in English] Thank you.

 Fan 4: Hi Yamada, hi director. I have a question. So my question is what was the weirdest thing or thing that stood out to you while filming in Italy or during your time here, in LA?

 Yamada: [MT] So this is my first time appearing overseas in front of fans of the movie or of the anime so really your reaction as you saw the footage was kind of a really big pleasant surprise for me. It really made me feel like it was worthwhile playing the part, you know, it was just a pleasure to hear you guys. A lot of times in Japan, people are most embarrassed and shy so they don't openly express that kind of emotion and you know it's just really awesome hearing you guys see that first.

 MC: We're kind of running out of time so we’re gonna have maybe two more questions. We’re very sorry.

Mikey: I'm very sorry guys, two more questions. Yes we're running out of time, unfortunately.

 Fan 4: Ok, so one) I made it. Yes, I'll ask my question real quick. Two) Thank you for the trailer, it was great. Saw a lot of characters that we all know and love, but there was two people I did not see in the trailer. I was wondering if Scar and Armstrong are gonna be in the movie, 'cause I didn't see them.

 Sori: [MT] So I say look forward to seeing them in the movie, but also look forward to part 2.

 MC: So this will be the last question, I'm sorry.

 Fan 5: Hi, Yamada-kun, hi director. I want to ask a question to Yamada-kun. Before the shooting, did you prepare or practice anything for shaping the character of Edo?

 [For the answer to this question, Yamada ran like Ed to show how Ed's running is different from his own and the audience cheered]

 Yamada: [MT] So i think you guys remember the scene where I was running in the beginning, right? So a lot of times when Ed runs, he has a very unique way of running (Mikey not translating anymore:) I'm not gonna do it for you guys (back to translating) It's leaning back and running. And normally when I run, I would run leaning forward like a normal person so I think having the manga on the set and at the production was a large part, and we would always use it as kind of our guidance so we had all the scenes, you know, and obviously getting into costume having it there really really helps. So we wanted to stay true to the manga and that was I guess my technique to building the character.

 Fan 5: arigatou gozaimasu

 | Closing remarks |

 Yamada: [MT] I'm very very happy and honored to be able to have a project like Fullmetal Alchemist that is so loved around the world being produced into a live action adaptation in Japan. So i hope that everyone around the world will be able to see this so thank you very much and yoroshiku.

Sori: [in English] I'm so happy now so please enjoy this movie!

His bus tour had two dates, February 11 and February 19. I attended the 19th one as it was a probably last-minute additional date. They must have received a lot of applications for the tour that they decided to put in another date (or maybe Ryoutarou requested? ;A;).

The bus tour started by departing from Tokyo Station at 9:30 am. There were two buses with almost 80 participants. I was on the second bus, seated on the third row. We didn’t have Ryoutarou in our bus until after we had a toilet break at a rest stop. Istg my heart fell and was dying inside when Ryoutarou boarded our bus. I was right in his view when he looked at everyone from his seat.

Way to Mother Farm

Ryoutarou went through what we would do on the tour: a BBQ lunch, keyholder making, a special event, and strawberry picking. After that, we had to introduce ourselves. Ryoutarou had to do a janken with the fan at the back to know where to start. If he wins, fans at the back will start the intro, and vice versa. He lost.

The introduction went as where you are from, your name, and a thing/s you love about Ryoutarou. He did his intro first as “From Saitama prefecture, I’m Kosaka Ryoutarou. The thing I like the most is... liking Suga Kenta.” Everybody laughed at that.

After the introduction, there was still time until we reach the farm and so Ryoutarou talked a bit about himself:

He is an only child.

He had a pet when he was in first year middle school: a cat, チンチラゴールデン/chinchira golden (Google to know what it looks like; it’s adorable!)

He either likes dogs or cats as pets. He likes toy poodle for a breed of dog, and chinchira golden for cats (he said it looks like a tiger).

Right now he has a pet bird (オカメインコ) called Pii-chan, which he got by himself at a pet shop for around 3000yen. He just casually told his father that he got a pet bird lol.

He is not sure if they are a family of tall people but his great grandfather and grandfather from his mom’s side are tall.

BBQ Lunch

We were assigned tables for each activity in Mothers Farm. The lunch was amazing; we literally have a basket full of vegetables and a tray full of meat. There was also a carton of milk produced from the farm itself. Before the lunch started, Ryoutarou distributed bottled teas by himself.

Anyway, Ryoutarou was seated with his manager for lunch. Mid of lunch, he went from table to table to serve us. On our table, the fans I was with decided to clear the grilling plate so Ryoutarou would be the one to start cooking for us. When he got to us, he was surprised that he asked if we were done eating. We were laughing so hard. He ended up directly grilling some meat but they got cooked so fast that we had to help him flip them over. He gave us portions of the meat while he served rice on some of us.

Keyholder Making

Before we started this one, the guide introduced Ryoutarou as Kosaka-sensei. He would be the one to give instructions. He said to listen very well so that he would not be angry. Aw Kosaka-sensei.

We did our own keyholder. When Ryoutarou was done with his, he again went from table to table. On our table, the fans were asking him for suggestions. I regret not doing so because I was already done with mine and I was really shy. So we ended up just having eye to eye contacts. I think he was expecting me to say something because everyone on my table talked to him.

When everyone was done, Ryoutarou showed his creations: “Kagayaku Mirai (Sparkling Future)” and “Kosaka Ryoutarou” which was for Kenta. The fans said that they couldn’t see his keyholder and so we showed it by going around as well. This time, we had an interaction: he pointed on the small white flowers and said they are “hope” in English. I have him two thumbs up and he gave one back. XD

Special Event

The MC started by asking how was the event so far and Ryoutarou said that he is having so much fun because he likes seeing everyone smile. A group of girls giggled and he went “Just like that!” He also made a special mention about me, being the only foreigner in the bus tour, and told me “I want to go to (the) Philippines.” Literally. In English. I couldn’t suppress my emotions and shouted “Go! Please go!”

The special event is where Ryoutarou gave presents like a signed poster of his bus tour and Juvenile, as well as some personal items from his childhood and goods from his birthday event. These are all via raffle.There was only one item that I wished I got and that was his jersey t-shirt from his first movie, Watashi no Playball. When he took it out, I literally wanted to squeal and say I wanted it. XD;;

Two-shot Photo

After the special event, we were instructed for the two-shot photo. We would go and line up per table. As we waited for our turn, the fans who were first in line were almost dying when they returned. Someone showed us what her photo looked like and Ryoutarou was back hugging her. Everyone was freaking out.

When we were called, I still couldn’t decide for a pose. On my turn:

(Convo in Japanese)

Me: *hands present* Ah, I’m so happy. *internally shaking* Ryoutarou: What pose? :) M: Then... a hug? R: Okay! *then gets ready to hug me* M: Eh? Is this okay? R: Yes! *then hugs me*

I was literally trying not to scream. After that, we shook hands. It was very long. I told him to visit the Philippines with Kenta and Keita. And he kept on thanking me. He handed then our polaroid photo together. His manager handed a flyer for Haisute. As I was about to go, he was still looking at me with a smile and I just had to bow and waved at him. He is so adorable. TT_TT

I wanted to ask him if he remembered me from Shibuya but I felt like that would eat up his time so I let it pass. I should have done so.

Strawberry Picking

We had a group photo first outside Mother Farm before going to the strawberry farm. Ryoutarou also picked via lottery to ride on Bus 1. I also forgot to mention this but they were playing the footage of Ryoutarou’s birthday event on DVD inside the bus.

We had a short trip going to the farm, around 30 minutes. When we arrived at the farm, the owner explained how to properly picked a strawberry and to keep the amount balanced on each plot. After that, Ryoutarou explained which strawberries are delicious, sweet, and his favorites. There were also white strawberries and he said that those with red seeds are ripe to eat. He explained it seriously that I had to applaud. Then we lined up as he distributed containers with condensed milk.

The strawberries were really delicious. You can eat them directly as you picked them. Ryoutarou was also starting to pick strawberries and fans were following him. My group had our own leisure time of eating strawberries. But we also had an interaction with him when he suddenly walked to the part of the farm where we were because fans called him up.

He picked strawberries for me and my friend. I had to joke him even. (Convo in Japanese)

R: *hands me a strawberry he just picked* M: Thank you!... Are you the owner? (I pronounced owner in English.) R: Hm? M: Uhm. Owner?... オーナー！ R: *laughs* Yes, I’m the owner!

There was not much time on the farm so we were told to start cleaning up and throw the containers. We passed by Ryoutarou this time and as we returned to our bus, I talked to him again.

M: Thank you, owner! R: You’re welcome!(lol) 

He said that in English. I gave him a thumbs up again and he literally just smiled at me.

Return to Tokyo

The return had a bit of a traffic but it was okay. I was watching the birthday event the whole time that I didn’t notice it. We had another toilet break and Ryoutarou rode with us on the remaining of the trip.

Before the start of the tour, we were given papers for questions to Ryoutarou. And during the return, he answered those questions. The questions were like what are his favorites, the Haisute cast members especially Kenta, his work, and being/about Tsukki. He did some impersonation, and he also rapped and sang!

My question was “Which country/countries do you want to go to?” And because my question was literally in Hiragana and probably with a grammar mistake, Ryoutarou had a hard time reading it lol. But he understood it! 

R: アメリカ! I want to go to America, Philippines, and Spain.

He answered it in English! And I felt like he was looking at me as he said that lol (I was already seated at the back for our new arrangement). I was really surprised to hear that.

The guide even asked him about his English skills and Ryoutarou said he learned it for high school and university entrance exams. But he did mention that he wasn’t good at speaking it. But you guys have to hear him speak English. It was amazing and cute!

When we reached Tokyo Station, Ryoutarou mentioned that because it’s Valentine’s Day, he would be giving us chocolates. He distributed them to each of us. As it was my last time to talk to him, I told him good luck for Haisute and BRAVE10.

Conclusion

This trip is amazing. We really had a lot of time interacting with Ryoutarou. He is also such a sweet and humble kid. He is also playful like he totally rode with my farm owner jokes. He also talked a lot to everyone.

This made me love him even more. I wasn’t expecting to get his attention too. He was really hyperaware that there was a foreigner in the group. There were a lot of times that we just stared at each other. ;A; So thank you so much, Ryoutarou-kun!

Note: Not gonna put in a watermark on the photo but please do not repost anywhere, with or without permission. Thank you! :)