The TV anime "Murai no Koi" based on the manga by Shima Junta that was serialized in the "Gene LINE" label of the digital comic service "LINE Manga" will be broadcast on TOKYO MX and other stations from October 6th. It is a romantic comedy depicting the love story between Tanaka Ayano, a teacher who is seriously in love with her favorite character in a girls' game, and Murai, a high school boy who falls in love with her teacher and is reckless in his feelings. The appeal of the work is the fast-paced gags, and Takanashi Kengo plays Murai and Hikasa Yoko plays Tanaka. We asked Hikasa about the recording, which she said had a lot of lines.
◇ "It's tough!" she says, getting excited!
Tanaka, played by Hikasa, talks a lot. Her expressions change all the time. It's a very fast-paced anime, so how did she try to play Tanaka?
"In a fast-paced comedy anime, the story moves so quickly that you don't have time to think, so if you hesitate or think even a little, it all falls apart. I always acted with the feeling that it was a first take! There are works that are better done with the first impression when you interact, and works that require careful refinement, and I felt that the first impression was important for 'Murai'. That's why I gave it my all from the test. I felt that we shouldn't overlap, but it was okay to overlap, and I overlapped with Tanaka's feelings."
It seems that some people watch anime and movies at double speed these days, but you can't watch "Murai's Love" at double speed. The pace is just too fast.
"We were speaking at double the speed (laughs). It took me a while to get used to the tempo, and I felt like I was being tested as an actor. I was also playing the character that Tanaka had in his head, and I changed all of my voices. I didn't think it through, but I just stuck to the character that sounded like it was in my head when I first read the script. I went to the set prepared to be told, 'Is this a bit too silly?' or 'That's too much,' but surprisingly that didn't happen. There was some work to polish it up, like 'Make it more warrior-like,' but the basics were OK. It's not like I was slacking off, but I was nervous that I'd be scolded. I felt like I was being tested."
It's probably something that only Hikasa, who has a lot of skills, could do. "I think I opened up all of my current gag drawers. I need to re-introduce myself," she says with a smile.
The recording was hard, and she reveals, "It's exhausting (laughs)."
"There is a test recording and a real performance, and I practice about three times as much before that, but the more lines there are and the faster the tempo, the longer the self-practice time. I practiced every night. When recording, I make sure I'm in a state where I can act, and then I aim to improve under the direction. This time was tough. It was so tough that I started laughing. I think actors are really masochistic. I was laughing and saying, 'It's tough!' and I was fired up."
◇Recording like a fight
The combination with Takanashi, who plays Murai, will also be important.
"It was my first time to act with Takanashi-kun as the main actor. Actually, Murai and Tanaka have a lot of lines together and ad-libs. We didn't discuss much beforehand, but we did a test run and I was able to add ad-libs in an instant, and Takanashi-kun responded to my ad-libs right away... we were actors who watched each other closely, so we naturally worked well together. I was often on the left side and Takanashi-kun was on the right side, but I was very conscious of my right side, and I could tell that Takanashi-kun was focusing on his left side, and it felt like we were stuck together like magnets. I can't imagine Murai playing anyone other than Takanashi-kun."
It seems that the recording was heated, and she also said, "When we were recording the first episode, the producer and the original author greeted me and said, 'Please speak very loudly in this work.' If Murai speaks loudly, Tanaka must not lose to him. In order not to lose to Murai, I have to face him with a louder voice. I approached the recording as if I was fighting (laughs)."
In preparation for the broadcast, Hikasa said, "The first half is a comedy, but there are some serious developments too. It's a work that will pleasantly defy your expectations, but the second half is even more so. In fact, it's dotted with hints, and at the end, you might see what everyone is looking for...maybe! It's a work that won't let your guard down, so prepare yourself for it. I hope it leaves you exhausted from all the good laughs." What on earth awaits us?! We're sure to be blown away by Hikasa and co.'s passionate performances, and the unpredictable developments.
