The TV anime "Hana wa Saku, Shura no Gotoku " is currently airing on Nippon Television, BS Nippon Television and other networks. The original work is by Ayano Takeda , known for the novel " Sound! Euphonium " series, and Mushu is in charge of the manga. The story depicts Haruyama Kana, who lives on Tonakijima, a small island with a population of 600 people, joining the Sumomogaoka High School broadcasting club and deepening her love of reading aloud with the members of the broadcasting club. The reading scene of Kana, played by 18-year-old Fujidera Mitsunori, who made her voice acting debut in the anime "Watchapuri Magi!" in 2021, is also a hot topic. Fujidera, who plays Kana, Izumi Fuka, who plays Natsue An, Chiba Shoya, who plays Fuyuga Shoya Chiba, and Yamashita Seiichiro, who plays Akiyama Matsuyuki, who play first-year members of the broadcasting club, shared their thoughts on the work and the behind-the-scenes of the recording.
◇Is there no “correct answer” in acting?
-What are your impressions of the work and the character you play?
This work teaches me about a world I didn't know before, such as the activities of the Fujidera Broadcasting Club and the National Competition. I didn't have much knowledge about recitation, but I've learned a lot from it as I work as a voice actor. Watching Kana-chan meet various people and grow makes me want to cheer her on. Hakoyama-senpai calls Kana-chan "pure white," and that's really true. Because she's pure white, she can be dyed any color she wants. She's very honest, and at first glance she seems shy and quiet, but there are also moments when you can see that there's one thing she won't compromise on. As I read on, my impression of her changed and I began to feel that she's a positive character.
Izumi-san and Kana-chan are pure and sparkling, and at first I thought it was a story about the glorious life of the broadcasting club, but the realistic aspects of aiming for something are also well-drawn. There was a time when I was working hard to become a voice actress, and I still compete every time at auditions, so I really sympathized with it. Maybe readers will feel differently. You might admire the sparkling parts, or you might feel that there are realistic parts, but you still want to work hard! It's a work that can be interpreted in various ways. An-chan has a strong sense of self and can analyze herself, so she is aware of her weak points. That's why she has such strong feelings. There is also a precariousness that is unique to high school girls, which is cute.
Chiba-san's way of depicting talent is really good. There is definitely a correct reading for a reading. Even though there is a correct answer, there are also expressions that are even more moving and expand the world. Romance and reality coexist, and this is a work that depicts that. There are cruel depictions, such as people who are overwhelmed by their talent, but there is a good balance of romance. People sometimes say that there is no correct answer in acting, but I also think that there is a correct answer. I think that if you cannot be moved by something with your own sensibility, it cannot be said to be the correct answer for that person. You have to take responsibility for what you do. You can't be complacent about the fact that there is no correct answer. Fuyuga says that he "doesn't do" and "isn't interested" in reading aloud, but he has the sensibility to be moved by Kana-chan's reading aloud. Every word is properly meaningful and spoken, so there are parts where the unnecessary is cut out, and I feel that it is a point of arrival without waste.
Yamashita-san: No matter how you read it, it's a work that will get you excited. In the professional world, there is a certain level of high-level base, and each person has their own values and preferences, so it's important to add flavor and color to it. There is something interesting about touching on that. I think it will definitely resonate with students and people who work in jobs that are unrelated to voice. I felt like I was being asked, "What about you?" when I work in a job that uses voice like ours. Earlier, we talked about "there is a right answer," but I'm also a little lost on that. I think it's important for the listeners to enjoy it. When I performed in a reading play, I didn't know 100% how it was felt, but there were times when I felt like I got the answer, "So this is how it will reach you..."
◇The Terrifying Virtue of Fujidera
--As a newcomer, do you relate to Hana in any way?
Fujidera : Yes. I can relate to you so much. I've always loved acting and expressing myself, which is why I entered this industry, so in that respect I'm similar to Kana-chan. I also sympathize with Kana-chan's attitude of wanting to learn all sorts of things. We're both high school students, and I often feel like I understand each and every wall we face.
When I saw Fujidera- san during the recording, I immediately thought, "Oh, it's Kana!" We share the same straightforwardness, and her attitude towards acting is just as straightforward as Kana-chan's. It's amazing! It's Kana-chan.
When I read Chiba's original work, I thought it was a story about people who can't leave Hana-chan alone, and they all work hard together, led by Hana-chan, but after listening to Fujidera-san's acting during the recording, I felt that it was a story about Hana-chan leading the way. I imagined Hana-chan to be a darker character, but in reality it's not like that at all. Fujidera-san's passion and positive feelings are in the play, and I realized that I had been limiting Hana-chan with my own imagination. The recording showed me the right answer. The reading scene was really impressive. It expresses the reading that people say is "amazing!" It's not like it's real. It's not an imitation of something. It's fun to listen to. You can acquire skills, but some people have a sense, and some people don't. I can feel that sense.
Yamashita-san, it can be a bit delicate to use these words, but the basic premise is that he's really good at it. His skill isn't textbook-like. Furthermore, he has some similarities with Kana-chan. To be honest, it's monstrous that he's come this far at such a young age. I myself wasn't even able to get started when I was Fujidera-san's age. He's polite, and always polite on set. I think he's the person in the world who can understand Kana-chan better than anyone else. It's scary to think of what the future holds. If I were the same gender, I might be so jealous that my emotions would become a mess. I think I'd be heartbroken.
Chiba-san is selfless. Sometimes a mysterious desire arises, like, "I'm going to do it this way!", but that's not the case here.
Yamashita: I'm curious to know how Fujidera will feel when he looks back at this work in 10 years' time.
Izumi-san, you're full of all the charm of Mitsuru right now.
--In the work, it is described as "powerful reading."
Chiba-san, it's difficult.
Yamashita-san: That's right. Hikasa-san (Yoko Hikasa, who plays Shura Saionji) said the same thing.
The scene where Chiba-san reads to the children is really good. He reads with pure feelings.
Izumi-san said, "Cute!"
Chiba-san is so kind and adorable, the way he seriously faces children.
Izumi-san: I am inspired by working with you as a fellow voice actor.
Fujidera-san , the hurdles you ask of me are high... First, I think about what I would do if I were to recite the song, and then I think about what Kana-chan is thinking when she recites it. That's a lot of fun. When I'm on set, something different comes out from when I practice at home, and it makes me want to recite more!
To be continued in interview (2).
