Continuation of interview (1). The TV anime "Hana wa Saku, Shura no Gotoku ." The original work is by Ayano Takeda , who is known for the novel series " Sound! Euphonium, " and the manga is by Mushu. The story follows Haruyama Kana, who lives on Tonakijima, a small island with a population of 600, 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. We spoke to Miyuri Shimabukuro, Kiyono Yasuno, who plays Ryoko Seii, and Taito Ban, who plays Setarou Hakoyama, who play second-year students in the broadcasting club, about their thoughts on the work and what goes on behind the scenes at the recording studios. In interview (2), we asked questions entrusted to us by the cast members who play first-year students.
◇ Acting without being too pushy
--We've got some questions from the first-year cast. First, Fuka Izumi, who plays Anzu Natsue, asks, "The sound director gave us direction not to make it too dramatic, but how did you express it?"
Mr. Saka: So it's about not pushing too hard.
I play the role as if I'm casually placing my hand on someone 's back. In the case of the second-year students, I interpret it as a stance where the seniors look down on them a little and don't push them too hard.
At first, I read up to the latest volume, thought about the character's background, and wondered if it would turn out like this. But I tried not to worry too much and just value the feelings of the moment. I also feel that my way of speaking has become softer from the beginning to the end. The co-stars are wonderful and comfortable, so it's natural that it happened that way. I'm happy.
Shimabukuro: I have two keywords: "Don't make too much eye contact" and "Mother lion". Trust the other person and push them away just enough. When I look them in the eye, I end up sounding too determined or a little too cool.
Yasuno: That's true... If you look someone in the eye and say "I'm sure you can do it," it might put pressure on them, but it also conveys the feeling that "No matter what the outcome, I'll believe in you and keep watching you walk forward."
Seiichiro Yamashita, who plays Akiyama Matsuyuki, was asked, "Who is your favorite character among the first-year students?"
As I mentioned earlier (Interview (1)), for me it is Anne-chan.
Anno-san's Touga is also good. I live my life believing that I can only fight with what I really love, and I'm sure I can continue to face it for the rest of my life, so I chose to act and am here. That's why I like Touga's way of breaking through.
I guess it would be Shimabukuro and Natsue. I'm the type of person who is afraid of losing, so I run away. An-chan says everything out loud, doesn't she? It's also an act of cutting off her own escape route, and she always puts in effort to get results. There was a scene where she scrutinized the announcement script, but she doesn't slack off. She works hard and thoroughly. I can't do that at all, so I admire Natsue.
Anno-san and Anne-chan are strict on others, but they are also strict on themselves.
◇What do you think of my Fuyuga?
-- Fujidera Minori Fujidera Kana, asked, "What do you empathize with about the character?" I already asked this in interview (1), but I'd like to dig deeper.
We have a lot of complexes in common. I'm not good at communicating either, and I have a low voice. There were times when I cried while reading the original work. I understood it too well, and it was painful.
Mr. Yasuno, this is something we say to each other as actors, but everyone really fits their roles perfectly. I really like reading essays, personal experiences, and books that are based on everyday life. Yoshiko likes to read classics that describe the lives of people in the past, and I feel that we share a similar vector of what we like.
I also agree with Shimabukuro-san that he likes old movies. Mizuki can't lie. He has a tendency to blurt out a lot of things, but I think that's similar. We're also similar in that we find anything interesting. For example, there are people who are always late. I think that's kind of funny too.
Shoya Chiba, asked, "What do you think of my Fuyuga?"
Mr. Saka's questions really bring out each person's personality (laughs).
This is the perfect role for Yasuno .
I can only describe Saka-san and Chiba-san because we are so similar when we talk.
Mr. Yasuno and Mr. Chiba are people who really enjoy conversation. They initiate verbal wrestling, rallies, and have fun together. I feel a positive energy from them.
I'm also happy that Shimabukuro-san listens to everyone's acting and gives clear reactions. When Kana-chan's reading is too cute, he mutters, "Cute...". He honestly says, "Good things are good!"
Anno-san has a loud voice inside, but she doesn't hurt anyone. She's really amazing. She has quick reflexes too.
◇The atmosphere between the three of us was instantly created.
--What episode has left the biggest impression on you so far?
This is the scene in episode 4 of Saka-san where Kana comes to the broadcasting room during lunch break.
Shimabukuro-san, I'm there too!
There's a sense of the atmosphere that Saka-san has developed as a second-year student.
The three Annos added some ad-libs.
This scene really shows the relationship between Saka-san and the second-year students. We can see that Setarou has opened up to the second-year students. The scene where he is munching on something was actually done while eating Calorie Mate.
The atmosphere between the three Anno members was created in just a moment's conversation, and I realized, "This is rock solid!"
Shimabukuro: The ferry scene in episode 6 was also memorable. There was ad-lib, Yoshiko had a wry smile, Mizuki made a remark... and there was an atmosphere where it was possible to ad-lib. It was possible in part thanks to Hakoyama, and I've come to think that ad-lib is fun!
Saka-san does a lot of ad-lib, but it comes out so smoothly.
