The TV anime " Honey Lemon Soda ," based on the popular manga by Mayu Murata , which was also made into a live-action film, has been airing on Fuji TV's late-night anime slot "+Ultra" since January 8th. The original is a manga that has been serialized in "Ribon" (Shueisha) since December 2015. The story follows Uka Ishimori, who goes to a high school with a liberal school culture in order to change herself, as she meets Kai Miura Kai, a popular boy in her class with lemon-colored hair, and grows as a person. We spoke to Kana Ichinose, who plays Uka, and Shogo Yano, who plays Kai, about their thoughts on the series and what went on behind the scenes during recording.
◇Exploring the secrets of acting
-What is your impression of the work?
As the title suggests, there are bittersweet moments, but also serious moments. Uka-chan has a heavy past, and the human drama is well-drawn, with a perfect balance between romance and human drama. Uka-chan's efforts touch the heart, and make you want to cheer her on.
Yano-san, you can really feel Uka-chan's energy. Since I'm playing Kai, when I read the original work from Kai's perspective, I see Uka-chan courageously breaking down walls one step at a time and getting stronger and stronger, and just like Kai, I find myself falling in love with Uka-chan. Even though Kai couldn't leave her alone and was supposed to be the one leading the way, at some point I felt like I was being moved and being pulled along by her. Uka-chan is strong-minded and has such straightforward energy that I think it's what makes this work so appealing. The way Uka-chan is portrayed is truly wonderful.
At first glance, Ichinose-san's Uka-chan may seem fragile, as if she could fall over if even the slightest breeze blew, but she has a strong core that never breaks. So I was conscious of that in my acting. It's difficult. In the monologue, I felt like, "This is the climax of this episode! I want to wrap it up properly here," but she's not good at communicating, and I was also given the direction, "If we decide too much here, Uka-chan will become a grown-up girl," so I explored and acted in the perfect place.
--Hana also undergoes changes.
Ichinose-san's sense of distance in communication with Kai-kun and her classmates also changes little by little, and as the story progresses, her strength to move forward increases. In response to Kai-kun's words, her perspective changes little by little, and she gains strength and confidence. I acted while thinking that the relationship between the two is wonderful.
Yano: I also tried to take care of the atmosphere between the two of us. The director and sound director were very particular about it on set, and while we were discussing it, I thought about what each word meant, and created the direction and atmosphere, and I tried many times. I have the image of it being created on set.
--Is it made in a delicate way?
That's right, Yano-san ! Even when I hear Ichinose-san's performance and think, "That's perfect!", I still think, "A little bit more," and work on the details.
When Ichinose-san was feeling down, I acted in a tone that matched her feelings even in the monologue, but she gave me the direction to "look at this part from a bird's-eye view." It was difficult to switch between expressing emotion and looking at the monologue from a bird's-eye view.
Yano-san and Uka-chan definitely have a lot of lines. Ichinose-san's back was reliable. Ichinose-san is amazing, so I was under a lot of pressure. Even when there are no lines, I have to get into the right mood, otherwise I can't express it in one word, so that was difficult.
--Kai can be quiet and aloof at times, but he is actually very kind.
Yano-san is serious and kind. For example, when he calls out to Uka-chan, he was given the direction to "speak so close that it's hard to tell who you're talking to." He speaks in a low voice that makes Uka-chan respond, "Did you just call out to me?" Kai appears mature because he has decided to live independently. He knows Uka-chan, but he never lets her into his private space. He tries not to get too close to Uka-chan, but he also has the kindness to call out to her. I searched for that fine line.
--He's also a cool character.
Mr. Yano: That's right! It's difficult to make that statement convincing.
◇ Kana Ichinose is reliable!
-Have you ever performed together before?
This is my first time working with Yano-san. Before I was cast, I saw him receive the Best Voice Actor award at the Seiyuu Awards, so I was excited to work with him! I've learned a lot from Ichinose-san. He 's very reliable.
I had heard about Yano-san from a mutual acquaintance of Ichinose-san's , so I thought he was a kind person, but when I actually met him, he was really kind. When I read the original work, I couldn't really picture Kai's voice. I went to the set without being able to imagine it, and when I listened to his acting, I felt that he was cool but kind, which was also due to Yano-san's personality.
-Finally, please look back on 2024 and tell us your aspirations for this year.
Yano: Sometimes I can't recover from fatigue, so in 2025 I want to focus on my health. I want to do muscle training and manage my diet well, and take care of my body as part of my job. I want to keep drinking and take care of my body.
Ichinose-san, health is the most important thing, isn't it? I know it sounds like I'm bragging, but I think this year I felt like I grew, especially on the inside. Even in the way I see things, I was only able to see them from my own perspective, but now I've become more calm. Next year, I want to grow even more and work hard to find a balance between being a voice actor and as a person, so that I can continue to grow.
