Ami Wakita

Ami Wakita (ワキタ・アミ, Wakita Ami) is a supporting character in Ultraman: Rising. She is a journalist and sports reporter.

Conception

Etymology

Ami 's surname is derived from Makiko Wakita, a member of the production team for the film.^[3] In the character nameplate, her name is written as "脇田有実" in Japanese kanji.^[4]

Design

Ami's design was inspired by Leiji Matsumoto, particularly in terms of character proportions. This design was provided by character designer Keiko Murayama.

Regarding her character background, Ami was inspired by female sports journalists. During the production of the film, the crew learned that there were very few female sports reporters in Japan. In a conversation with one female reporter, she mentioned that when a female reporter interviews male athletes, it is often assumed that there is a personal relationship between them. This situation was incorporated into the film to highlight the challenges Ami faces in her chosen field.^[5]

Director Shannon Tindle emphasized that he wanted to depict a purely platonic friendship between Ken and Ami, without any romantic connection. Although Tindle acknowledged that there may be an emotional connection between them, he insisted that the relationship should remain a friendship.

History

Ultraman: Rising

Ami Wakita is a journalist and sports reporter active in Japan. In her work, she is extremely sharp, persistent, and resourceful in tracking athletes and competitions. On the other hand, as a single mother, she also needs to balance taking care of her daughter Chiho. Additionally, she lives with her mother.

At the beginning of the film, Ken Sato holds his first press conference since arriving in Japan, with Ami as the main questioner. She questions whether Ken's sudden decision to return to Japan and join the Yomiuri Giants has a deeper purpose, possibly related to the trauma of his mother's disappearance. However, Ken does not answer her questions and, citing a fan meeting, refuses to respond and leaves the venue.

That evening, Ken went to a soba restaurant for a scheduled "interview report" with Ami. Despite this being their first conversation, Ken still exhibited an arrogant attitude. Ami mentioned Ken's outstanding athletic abilities and his impressive performance in his baseball career but directly pointed out that Ken had never won a championship in any game. She believed that Ken's upbringing and his parents' experiences had led him to avoid many interviews and distance himself from people. She hoped to find the real answers from Ken. However, their conversation was interrupted by Ami's daughter, Chiho, and had to be cut short.

When Ken participated as a star player in the Yomiuri Giants' season opener against the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, Ami and other journalists watched the game from the observation seats at the new Tokyo Dome. Midway through the game, Gigantron suddenly stormed into the stadium, causing the game to be suspended. Ami, while evacuating, could only watch as the stadium was engulfed in flames.

As the season reached its midpoint, Ami had not contacted Ken, who was performing poorly. One night, she received a call from Ken. Expecting Ken to comment on her sports column, she was surprised when Ken just wanted to "chat." Ken recalled Ami's relationship with Chiho and asked her how she managed to balance work and taking care of her family.

Ami proposed trading a five-minute "chat" for an exclusive interview and agreed to Ken's request. She told Ken that taking care of a child is like taking care of a little kaiju—it can be both surprising and challenging because children have their own thoughts and emotions and the right to explore themselves. As imperfect parents, all they can do is support their children, even while they are still figuring out their own paths in life. She continued to tell Ken that the beauty lies in the journey of seeking answers, especially in learning and gaining from each other with her daughter. Her words inspired Ken, and they agreed to meet at the restaurant "Tonkatsu Tonki" in Meguro the next evening.

At the restaurant, Ami directly asked Ken if he had been out of touch with his father for many years. Ken asked Ami why she was so persistent about him. Ami replied that Ken was "different," hiding a secret, and she wanted to find the real answers. Through her observations, she discovered that the rift between Ken and his father was because Ken wanted his father to be there for him throughout his growth. He cared more about companionship than money or fame. Just as Ami was making her point, Ken abruptly interrupted the interview, citing "family matters," and left Ami in the restaurant.

Later that evening, Ami met with her daughter and mother. However, the next moment, they encountered a giant pink "baby kaiju." This forced them and the citizens to take shelter to escape the baby monster's pursuit.

Not long after, with Ken's addition to the team, the Giants started winning frequently and re-entered the championship race. Ami reported in detail, saying, "Under the leadership of a more mature Ken, the Giants have truly rallied."

One evening, Ami, her daughter Chiho, and her mother were stuck in traffic on the highway near Tokyo Bay. At that moment, they once again encountered the baby kaiju and Ultraman and witnessed the final showdown between Ultraman and the Destroyer.

Shortly after this incident, Ami interviewed Ken again. She told Ken that thanks to his efforts, the Giants had finally won a long-awaited championship by the end of the season, earning praise from all sides. Ami remarked, "A lot has changed since you returned to Japan." She then asked Ken what prompted this transformation.

Ken smiled and replied, "I wouldn't be who I am today without my family." Then, he played a voicemail left by his mother for Ami.

Gallery

Ultraman: Rising

Concept Art

Miscellaneous

Trivia

Her Japanese voice actress, Akari Hayami, played Yumi Funaberi in Shin Ultraman.
In Shannon Tindle's responses to questions during the AMA, it was revealed that Ami is unaware of Ken's identity as Ultraman.^[12]

In the early stages of the film's development, the Wakita family was originally set to have a Yorkshire Terrier. However, this detail was removed in the final version.
According to the joint interview with Shannon Tindle and John Aoshima, the characters' body language in the film shows clear subtle differences, with a particular emphasis on specificity in their performances. To contrast with the Japanese-American Ken, Ami's behavior was established by referencing certain shows and Japanese actresses, reflecting her more reserved mannerisms. This is also evident in the details of how she handles items on the table differently from Ken.^[14]
According to Mayumi Nose, in the scene where Ami and Ken first meet, the production team aimed to convey a specific feeling through her character. They ensured that her clothing subtly incorporated the symbol of a tiger to highlight her identity as a Hanshin Tigers fan, rather than a fan of the Yomiuri Giants. As a result, her shirt featured an embossed tiger design. Since costume design in animation is a costly investment, Tindle fought for the budget to make changes to the costume in order to preserve Ami's character image.
- In the scene where Ken and Ami share a meal, Nose mentioned, "We wanted her to give off the feeling that she's truly challenging him." However, as the film progresses, viewers see Ami evolve more into the role of a single mother, with the challenges of raising a child influencing both her clothing design and overall character atmosphere.

References

[1] ttps://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/ultraman-rising-release-date-photos

[2] ttps://m-78.jp/news/post-7079

[3] ttps://www.instagram.com/p/C8Qn-S5pE3e/

[4] The Art and Making of Ultraman: Rising, pg 75

[5] The Art and Making of Ultraman: Rising, pg 74-79

[6] ttps://www.sunmininn.com/j2j19boo1m072podbcb8dimzky40oi

[7] ttps://www.instagram.com/p/C8PzElLPw1m/

[8] ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYwsMv3DJAE&t=73s

[9] ttps://www.facebook.com/share/p/q8qMxZjedKHcFkxB/

[10] ttps://www.instagram.com/p/C8P1mgGqcwK/

[11] ttps://www.instagram.com/p/C8P9rR_KPn-/

[12] ttps://x.com/ShannonTindle_1/status/1803972297394659584

[13] ttps://www.instagram.com/p/C8snvtEyPaN/

[14] ttps://www.creativebloq.com/entertainment/vfx/it-feels-exactly-like-we-wanted-it-to-the-making-of-ultraman-rising

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