The TV anime " Tamon's B-Side ", based on the manga by Yuki Shiwasu currently serialized in " Hana to Yume to Yume" (Hakusensha), will be broadcast on TOKYO MX and other stations from 1:00 AM on January 3rd. One day, the protagonist, high school student Utage Kinoshita, heads to the home of Fukuhara Tamon Fukuhara, a member of the hugely popular idol group "F/ACE" that she supports, for a part-time job. Tamon's true nature is the complete opposite of his sexy and wild idol appearance, and he has low self-esteem, so she ends up supporting him with all her might... This is the story. We spoke to Saori Hayami, who plays Utaage, and Kakeru Hatano, who plays Tamon, about what went on behind the scenes of the recording and their "oshi."
◇ Dubbing is a physical challenge
-What is your impression of the work?
Hatano: For me, it was very refreshing to have a heroine who is a fan of a male idol. The story is packed with text, and when Tamon gets negative, all sorts of words pop up, words that you don't normally think about that much... I was like, "Wow, those words pop up often!" There are heart-fluttering scenes typical of a shoujo manga, and the coolness of "F/ACE" is also depicted... it has a lot of appeal.
Hayami-san, what an interesting piece of work this is! I couldn't stop reading. I was really interested in not only the relationship between Tamon and Utage-chan, but also the relationships between the other characters, and I was really drawn into it.
--Utage talks a lot.
Hatano-san , really!
Hayami- san has been talking the whole time. When Utage-chan talks about her favorite idol, she switches on, and her facial expressions change every minute and every second, with a variety of excitement and expressions, expressing her love for "F/ACE" with her whole body. There were parts of the dubbing where she threw herself into it. She recorded with all her stamina, willpower, and hot energy. I also like the fundamental side of Utage-chan, and although she can be violent towards her favorite idol, she works hard to fulfill her role as a housekeeper and is conscious of drawing the line when it comes to her favorite idol. Having a favorite idol brings a dazzling sparkle to a flat world and changes your life. I tried to express that sparkle even just a little with my voice.
--He has a unique sense of words and comes up with killer words one after another.
Hayami-san , really. I think it's the combination of the original author Shiwasu-sensei's word choice and his sense of style, and the facial expression he makes when he says the lines, which is really interesting and fun.
--Tamon's charm lies in the gap between his personality and reality.
Hatano-san tries hard to be bright and shining, but deep down she's negative, and while I like both, I feel that her negative side expresses her true feelings and words. Even as a reader, that negativity is interesting. It's funny, but I'm not making fun of her; I'm conscious of trying to express what Hatano-san is actually thinking and how her emotions are spilling out. I also have a negative way of thinking, so I act with the feeling that I understand. When I say cheesy lines as an idol, I think about how to make the fans squirm. It doesn't end with a heart-flutter, it has to make them squirm. Otherwise, Utage-chan's love wouldn't explode.
People all over the world, young and old, men and women alike, are crazy about Hayami.
◇The overly serious Kakeru Hatano
--There are a lot of lines, so it seems like recording would be difficult...
Hatano's original work is filled with text, and the script is also filled with text, so at first I wondered whether it would fit into the time limit, but it was also my first time playing a main character in an anime, so I was worried about the length and timing while acting. Utaage-chan and I have the most exchanges, and Hayami-san was there to support me, which helped me out. I like how Utaage-chan goes out of control and Tamon-kun watches from a distance, and I also like how Utaage-chan encourages Tamon-kun who has negative thoughts. I forgot what it felt like to be acting, and I think it felt so real that it felt like Hayami-san and I were having a conversation.
Hayami: Utage-chan has about three different expressions for each line, and her expressions change constantly. I tried my best to make sure I didn't get left behind. I myself want to approach the role with the utmost care for Tamon-kun and "F/ACE." When I heard Tamon-kun's wonderful voice, I felt like I wanted to bow in my heart and immerse myself in the voice of Utage-chan, saying "Thank you!" in my heart. The wonderful charm of the original work and anime makes me feel that way. Before recording, I wanted to learn more about "F/ACE," so I was given the song data, and I naturally memorized it. We also had fun playing around, completely unrelated to recording, like, "Should we add a cheer here?"
--With so many lines, it seems like your body temperature would rise.
Hayami-san is in high spirits. After it's over, I feel like I've worked up a bit of a sweat! (laughs) I'm in max gear, so on the day of recording, I try to get up early if I can.
Hatano: About an hour before recording, I also go to a cafe near the studio and drink something specific to get myself in the groove.
Hayami-san is serious!
--You said that Hatano's normal personality is similar to the negative Tamon...
Hatano: That's overwhelmingly true. I have a negative way of thinking, and I tend to always think about what's behind what other people say. Even if someone gives me a genuine compliment, I end up thinking that they're just flattering me.
When Hayami comes home after a test or retake, she's sitting next to me and muttering, "Maybe it was just something..." as she looks at herself and the script.
Hatano: I couldn't quite accept it.
Hayami-san is so accomplished! How so? I have high standards for myself and am always aiming for higher goals.
Hatano: Recently, my senior has been giving me advice to "be frivolous sometimes."
-What was your impression of working with Hayami-san?
I feel that Hatano-san understands Utage-chan better than anyone and has more passion than anyone. This is reflected in his acting, and while he is sincere and takes on the role seriously, he also has some very unusual hobbies, which creates a contrast. I was surprised when I heard at the event that he would be "talking with ChatGPT for an hour" (laughs).
Hayami-san asks the AI anything and everything, even things that you wouldn't even need to ask a human.
◇Supporting your favorite idol is truly wonderful
--The music on "F/ACE" is also appealing.
All of Hatano's songs are attractive, but I really like the opening theme, "Sweet Magic."
Hayami-san, I understand!
The key is higher than Hatano's "Eyes On You" and "F/ACE OFF," and you can see a different side of Hatano from her sexy and wild side.
Hayami: Your visuals are also amazing. They have a story and the visuals and sound are perfectly matched.
Hatano-san is great. The ending is one of the few ballads in "F/ACE," and the lyrics are great, and the visuals are fantastic. I hope you'll look forward to it.
Hayami-san, listening to this song after watching the anime makes it even more emotional.
There are also videos and voice dramas in which Hatano and the other members talk about the songs, so you can enjoy them even after listening to the songs.
--You also performed live at the event last June.
I was nervous when I sang Hatano's "Eyes On You," but there was also a sense of teamwork and unity. There were solo parts, so we were able to show off each of our individual personalities, and I was happy that everyone welcomed us so warmly.
-What would you like to challenge in the future as "F/ACE"?
I'd love to go on location with Hatano- san. I'd love to do a barbecue or bowling tournament.
I want to see Hayami-san's full live performance! Please! There was only one song at the event, and it was great, but it still wasn't enough. "F/ACE OFF" is sure to be awesome, and I want to hear her other songs too!
Hatano-san, you have to start honing your skills from now on... If you want to dance, you'll have to devote yourself to dance training and practice intensively from now on...
--This is a work that also makes you feel the wonderfulness of supporting your favorite idol.
Hatano: I also had a favorite idol when I was a student, and when I was feeling down studying for exams, I would listen to their songs, see their live performances, and see them on TV shows, which cheered me up. I really love J SOUL BROTHERS III, and they gave me courage. I think supporting your idol is truly wonderful.
Hayami: I've also been into a lot of different things since I was a child, and I've lived my life supporting a lot of different things, so I can really relate to Utage-chan. When Utage-chan discovered "F/ACE," it struck her right in the heart, and she suddenly became more active, her expressions became more expressive, and she got excited about it with her friends... her life changed. She has a strong way of letting her energy out...
Hatano: I also started to love singing because I had a favorite artist, and if I didn't have a favorite artist, I might not be here.
Anima Mitsuru/MANTANWEB
