Continuation of interview (1). The animated feature film "Ganbatte Ikimasshoi" (directed by Sakuragi Yuhei), based on the coming-of-age novel by Shikimura Ryoko, which has also been made into a live-action film and a TV drama, will be released on October 25th. Set in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, the masterpiece depicts the growth and emotional turmoil of a high school girl who devotes her youth to the rowing club. The anime is also attracting attention for featuring a star-studded cast of voice actors, including Amamiya Sora as the main character Murakami Etsuko and Ito Miku as Etsuko's childhood friend Saeki Hime. We asked Amamiya and Ito about their thoughts on the series and what went on behind the scenes during recording.
◇Acting like threading a pin
--At first, Etsu-nee is resigned to her lack of energy, which is impressive. She is also a character that changes. What did you keep in mind while acting?
Amemiya: I tried to cut down on the so-called anime-like approach a little, and instead of conveying emotions clearly, I tried to pursue realistic acting. It's hard to explain, but if I'd relied too much on sound to make it easy to understand, I feel like it would have deviated from the image I have of this work. There are a lot of lines that say "yes," but I changed them with dashi and spices, and I even asked to retake "yes."
--Was that a different approach from usual?
Amemiya: Yes. I did prepare, but I didn't prepare too much. I wanted to cherish what came out of the recording, so I didn't solidify my direction or acting plan too much before going into the recording. It was very rewarding. It wasn't that the recording was difficult, and there weren't a lot of lines to shout, but I was so focused that I was trying to thread a tiny pinhole, so when I finished I was exhausted and felt incredibly tired.
--What about Ito?
Ito: I tried to keep it natural and the tempo and atmosphere of the film a little closer to live action. Hime has a catchphrase "ahaha" and there are various "ahahas". Sometimes she says it cutely, sometimes she says it naturally and cutely in her communication, and sometimes she's a little hesitant. Hime is the coxswain, so we worked hard on the calls. The rowing club members weren't doing it properly at first, but in the second half they practiced a lot and got it, and we tried to make the first and second half completely different. There were additional lines for the coxswain's calls, so I hope you'll pay attention to the calls.
◇Matsuyama cheers him on and says, "We have to do our best!"
--What did you think of the video?
Ito: The movements that are unique to 3D make the characters feel like they're really alive, and the background is realistic and beautiful, so I felt like I was in Matsuyama, and I thought the immersive feeling was amazing. It's a feeling I want everyone to experience. The sound was amazing too! The sound of the fireworks was amazing, and I definitely want you to hear it in the theater. The movement of the eyes is also amazing. The sparkle in everyone's eyes is so beautiful, like they have an ocean in them, and it makes you feel like everyone is here! You can even feel their emotions through their eyebrows, and it's a work that feels almost live-action.
Amemiya-san: I was overwhelmed by how beautiful it is. It's completely different when you see it on a big screen. It's a work that makes you feel like you're experiencing it. I thought it was a very realistic work.
--Amemiya-san, I heard you actually went to Matsuyama.
Amemiya-san: The weather was unfortunate for the two days I went there, but the anime really depicts Matsuyama as it is. The coffee shops that appear in the movie are also the same, and when you actually go there, I think you'll be impressed by the scenery you saw! It was my first time going to Matsuyama, and when I watched the anime I thought it would be full of nature, but it was a city with a good balance of nature and urban areas. Personally, I love mandarin oranges, so I enjoyed comparing the different mandarin orange juices. There were lots of different kinds, and I even found my favorite mandarin orange, so I had a great time. I'd like to go again.
Ito: I've never been, so I'd like to take this opportunity to go. I love mandarins.
--It's a work that's loved locally too.
Amemiya: There were posters up in various places, and the whole town was supporting it, so it made me think, "I have to do my best!"
Ito: I'd like to see it! I'd like to interact with the people of Matsuyama, try some of the local specialties, and there's a lot I want to do.
