The TV anime "The Shosetsuka ni Naro Cheat-Enchanting Magician Enjoys a Carefree Second Life. ~I can grant 'enhancement points' not just to weapons, but to anything, and I can cancel the effects whenever I want, but are the people left behind okay?~ (Cheat Enchantment)," based on a popular work that originated on the novel submission site "Shosetsuka ni Narou," will begin airing on TV Tokyo and its affiliates from October 6th.
On June 10th, when the cast for "Chi-Tate" was announced, social media was abuzz. Among the impressive lineup of voice actors, including Daiki Yamashita Yamashita as the protagonist Rain Garland and Lynn as the adventurer Lily Flambell, was actress Rie Shibata. Shibata will be playing the Assassin's Mother. The Assassin's Mother is a character that appears in the comic adaptation; she looks like an old woman, but she is a famous assassin who has been working in the assassination business for generations. Because she has such a strong personality in the comic adaptation, when the anime adaptation was announced, fans were wondering who would play her. Many people seemed shocked by the unexpected casting of a big-name actress. How exactly did Shibata play the role? We asked Yamashita, Lynn, and Shibata about what happened behind the scenes of the recording.
◇What was the reaction to her role as the mother in "Assassination"?
--When it was announced that Ms. Shibata would be appearing, there was a huge reaction.
Ms. Shibata, my manager showed me X and said, "Look what's happening," and I was like, "I'm grateful, but why?" I didn't really understand the passionate feelings of the fans. I don't usually watch anime, you know.
Yamashita-san , I was feeling pretty smug about it (laughs). When I saw Shibata-san during the voice recording, she was so amazing that I really wanted everyone to see it as soon as possible. She's a fantastic mother of assassins, and she lives up to the hype. She's truly the best.
I was happy that Lynn became a topic of conversation. But I was also thinking, "This is perfect!" because I knew it would get even more exciting once people watched the anime (laughs).
--When the cast was announced, Yamashita-san commented, "Don't think, just feel." Is "feeling" an important aspect of this work?
Yamashita-san: I think "feeling" is the most important thing, and if you think about it, you'll lose (laughs).
Ms. Shibata , I was really thinking about it. I got stuck wondering, "What are 'guilds' and 'granting'?" It's something our generation just doesn't understand. Why is this girl (Rain) so strong? Is it something like this? No, that's not it... But as I kept reading, it gradually became more and more interesting. I don't think there were many characters in the anime from when we were kids who carried the kind of sadness that Lily does. But in modern times, it's okay to have people like that. The world is getting more complex and evolving, so when you start to feel that it reflects today's society, it becomes more and more interesting.
--Do you consciously focus on "feeling" when you're acting?
When I'm playing Rain , I'm not thinking about anything (laughs).
Shibata-san is the very embodiment of Rain!
Thank you so much, Yamashita-san . I feel like if I overthink things, it won't work out, but Rain is such a pure child, so her joy is 120%, and she's 120% moved by new experiences. Because everyone around her is so supportive, Rain's character really stands out, and I'm so grateful for everyone's support.
--Lynn, when you act, do you use both "feeling" and "thinking"?
Lynn's character, Lily, carries a heavy trauma, but she also has many comical expressions, such as suddenly getting angry or making sarcastic remarks regardless of the flow of the story. If we tried to maintain a serious tone throughout, it would have been impossible. So, I decided to accept that it was "just a role with a twist!" and acted accordingly. I'm not very good at switching between roles, so I was anxious and desperate. But when we did the test together, I was able to let go of my inhibitions. It's a work that we're all creating together.
◇With the feelings of the assassin's mother in her heart
--When the cast was announced, Ms. Shibata commented, "This mother is so endearing."
As I read through Shibata's original work, I realized that this mother has been running the family business for generations. She has followed her mother's and grandmother's instructions and is now passing the family business on to her daughter. It's like an old Japanese society. She works hard to protect her family, not to enrich herself, and has always lived in a house that looks like something out of the Showa era. I felt a certain endearment for her sincerity and hard work, and I grew to like her. You can't play even the worst character unless you find something to like about them, right? I grew to like her fairly quickly. For young people, it might be a lot of a nuisance, or it might seem like selfish parental love, but it's important for survival. There were some scenes where she seemed cold, but adults can't survive without being able to calculate the risks, so I didn't think she was cold at all.
Yamashita's character has such a strong presence, which makes him incredibly appealing. After hearing what you just said, it all made perfect sense to me. I was always wondering what he was thinking when he acted the way he did, but now it all makes perfect sense.
Lynn and Shibata's performances are simply amazing! There are some outrageous lines and actions, but their voices exude maternal warmth and kindness, and there are scenes that bring you to tears. I was so happy to be able to record with them.
Ms. Shibata and everyone else are truly amazing. When we rehearsed together, I was astonished at how incredible they all are! Even for reactions where the script only says "...", I was amazed at how they could produce such sounds! I was constantly surprised to see young people playing older roles.
◇Perform with an intensity that goes beyond the limits
--What kind of direction did you receive from the director and sound director?
Before the first episode started, Yamashita-san was asked to go all out in situations where, in other productions, he would have been told, "That's a bit much, please tone it down." So he thought, "Okay, then it's fine?" and acted with the intention of going beyond what he would normally adjust or tone down.
Shibata-san and Yamashita-san's performance of "Rain" was perfect.
While I have a calm side to me, I was also in a mysteriously high state while acting. I trusted that the set would accept that. I had colleagues who followed my lead, so I was able to avoid going off on my own.
Lynn, I relied on Yamashita-kun so much that I was anxious when we recorded separately just once. I was like, "Rain, who's my guide, isn't here, what should I do?!" (laughs). It was possible because we had already done several episodes of dialogue together, but it might have been impossible if it had been at the beginning.
--The interactions, including those with Margaret Else, played by Yoshino Aoyama, are also a major draw.
Lynn's portrayal of Margaret really stirs things up, and Aoyama's acting is truly hilarious.
Yamashita-san, this piece has a unique groove to it.
Ms. Shibata's work truly has many different elements. Depending on your perspective, you'll see different things, and if you think about it deeply, you'll find some points that resonate with today's society. I would definitely like people of my generation to see it.
"Cheat Granting" tells the story of an enchanter with zero combat experience who is expelled from his guild and can turn anything into cheat equipment, allowing him to live a carefree new life as an adventurer. Its charm lies in its chaotic humor and profound human drama, and it has generated much discussion among core fans. A manga adaptation is serialized on the website "Tsuki Maga Kichi" (Kodansha), and the novel's author, Asa Rokushima, has stated that "※Please note that the novel and manga versions are about 99% different in content," highlighting the significant differences between the two versions. The anime is being produced by PAWORKS, known for works such as "true tears" and "SHIROBAKO." (Manami Anima/MANTANWEB)
