The ninth episode of the drama series "Galaxy Vote" (Kansai TV/Fuji TV, Mondays at 10 PM), starring actress Haru Kuroki, aired on June 15th. The "meddling" of voice actress Hikaru Shiratori (Noriko Hidaka) towards Akari (Kayo Noro) caused a stir on social media.
◇The following contains spoilers.
The night before the official announcement, Akari practiced her speech repeatedly, but she was so nervous that she couldn't speak properly. Meanwhile, Mitsuru, who had been assigned to do the announcements on the campaign vehicle (as a campaign announcer) as a member of "Team Akari," was concerned about how Akari was speaking.
"Is it okay if I meddle?"
When Hikaru spoke to Akari, he explained, "When you try to convey your feelings, you tend to tense up, don't you? A voice that reaches the heart is a voice that is connected to the heart." When Akari put her hand to her chest and asked, "The heart?", Hikaru pointed out, "That's not it. What's there is self-consciousness."
When Akari pointed to her head and asked, "So, here?", Hikaru explained, "What's here are thoughts. Things like, 'I have to do it this way, it has to be this way, I should be like this.'" "Self-awareness and thoughts are important, of course. But your heart is here," he said, placing both hands on his stomach. Then, slowly moving his left hand down to his throat, he gently said, "Connect this (stomach) with your voice."
Furthermore, Hikaru placed his hand on Akari's hand, gently pressed on her stomach, and asked, "What is here?" With tears welling up, Akari confessed her anxieties, "Am I good enough?" Acknowledging Akari's feelings, Hikaru had her repeat the opening words of his speech, and then encouraged her, "It's okay. Just stay that way. All you need now is energy and courage."
Akari took a deep breath and resumed practicing her speech, saying, "Why are we so anxious? We're not asking for anything special..." Her heartfelt delivery captivated the office staff, who listened intently and applauded.
On social media, comments included: "The best kind of helpful advice," "It's even more touching because it's Hidaka's voice," "So persuasive," "It felt like I was receiving direct advice from Hidaka, a voice professional, beyond just acting," "It's an amazing drama to cast voice actors in roles that only voice actors can play," and "The scene where he gives advice, coming from someone who has been seriously dedicated to their voice for many years, was breathtaking."
The drama is an "election entertainment" story in which Mari Hoshino recruits Akari Tsukioka, a bar owner with no political experience, to run for governor of Tokyo, and takes on the gubernatorial election as her campaign strategist.
