Continuation of interview (1). 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 follows Haruyama Kana, who lives on Tonakijima, a small island with a population of 600 people, as she joins the broadcasting club at Sumomogaoka High School and deepens her love of reading aloud with the other 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, has also become a hot topic. We asked Fujidera, who plays Kana, Izumi Fuka, who plays Natsue Anzu, Shoya Chiba, who plays Fuyuga Hagidai, and Yamashita Seiichiro, who plays Akiyama Matsuyuki, about their thoughts on the work and what went on behind the scenes of the recording.
◇ Friendly atmosphere on site
-What was the recording like?
Fujidera-san: When I was expressing the long tone in episode 4, I was practicing during the break. Yasuno-san (Yasuno Kiyono, who plays Kiyono Yasuno) taught me, and after that, various people practiced with me. They are very kind and always save me. The microphone is adjusted to my height, and everyone does microphone work to match that, and even when my reading retakes overlap, everyone watches over me.... I feel a great sense of security when everyone is on set. During the first episode, I was intimidated and afraid of failure, but everyone created a kind atmosphere, and it was like a club activity, and it was an atmosphere of "Let's all do our best!", and I'm really happy to have been able to work with everyone. I'm really sad that the dubbing is over.
Chiba-san (in response to Fujidera-san's words) Honestly, I feel like crying. For example, practicing together might put a little pressure on them, but because the atmosphere is friendly, they can see it as a positive thing rather than pressure. They're able to do something that seems obvious, but is difficult. I think it's amazing.
Yamashita-san, it's a really warm environment.
Izumi: I think it's Mitoku-chan who creates this warm atmosphere. Mitoku-chan is at the center, and the seniors see her working hard on the characters and the work. There's no way she wouldn't be influenced by that!
◇ The charm of Anzu, who has evolved and is different from Kana
--What episode has left the biggest impression on you so far?
Chiba-san, all of your so-called on-duty episodes are memorable.
Yamashita-san: From around episode 9, characters from other schools start appearing, and there's a kind of sports-spirited development. It's exciting to see the field move up a level when there's someone better than you.
Izumi: The tension on set has increased a little.
Yamashita-san's drama is getting more and more exciting, and I think, "My Hana is not going to lose either!" (laughs). For Akiyama, the story with his sister is also very memorable. I've learned a lot from Hikasa-san's approach.
Izumi-san and Hikasa-san's reading scenes are always very impressive. You can tell that everyone is listening intently.
Fujidera-san's reading scene of "Scream" in episode 8 was so delicate that Kana-chan was impressed by Shura's acting, saying "There's an approach like this!" I was also inspired by Hikasa-san's reading. It's like she's reading from her own breathing, and I admire her.
Izumi: Everyone's readings are wonderful from the very first reading, but I'm really looking forward to hearing how the direction changes. It's a shame that the first reading doesn't go out. I almost cried when Yoshiko-senpai said in episode 10, "I don't think my reading is inferior to hers," and "I'll love my reading, my manuscript." I imagined Yoshiko-senpai's thoughts leading up to that point, and I think these words will resonate with anyone who has ever lost something.
There are a lot of words that resonate with me, Mr. Yamashita . I understand that even if you give up your obsessions, there are things you can't give up. Otherwise, you can't maintain yourself, and I think that's the meaning of your existence. I completely understand what Fuyuga is saying. I love how Hakoyama supports each other from different approaches. I like how they support each other with the same goal.
Chiba: Saka-kun's (Taito Ban, who plays Hakoyama Setarou) "Can I trust you and wait for you?" in episode 8 was also really good. I was really happy too. It was fun to do. It's all thanks to Saka-kun. I also really like the drama scenes. It's the only scene in this work that is related to work, and it really comes across, and when he shouts "Cut!", I was able to shout it from the bottom of my heart. As for An-chan, episode 9 was memorable. She opens up to Hana-chan, has her own preferences, and is irritated with Misaki. From the very first shot, the warmth was so startling that it was amazing.
I feel that Fujidera-san and An-chan are gradually becoming kinder to Kana-chan, but when Misaki-chan appears, because they are childhood friends, An-chan's attitude and kindness towards Misaki-chan changes again. I thought it was really wonderful even when I was acting.
Izumi-san was great. The set is very stimulating and I'm always having fun! I'm acting while thinking that. By the way, who's your favorite character? Mine is Matsuyuki-san.
Yamashita-san: I'm An-chan. I think of her as another main character. She evolves in a different way from Kana-chan.
Fujidera-san: I like Fuyuga-kun because he speaks so directly. If we were friends, I think he would inspire me in many ways.
Chiba-san's idol is Kana-chan, but maybe An-chan. She's responsible for both the cruelty and the romance of this work. I also like how she points out things that we don't like being told. I know I don't want to be told that. I can't take my eyes off her. Kana-chan makes me think, "I want to be like that!" She's definitely someone I admire.
Izumi-san: When I was reading the original work, I was jealous of Kana-chan (laughs).
