Continuation of interview (1). The TV anime "Night of the Living Cat", based on the cat manga by Hawkman and Mekaroots, currently being serialized in "Monthly Comic Garden" and the manga site "MagComi" (both Mag Garden), will be broadcast on TV Tokyo, BS TV Tokyo, Animax and others from July 7th, and will be pre-streamed on ABEMA from July 1st. The story is set in a world in the year 20XX, where a virus that turns humans who touch cats into cats suddenly appears, causing a "Nyandemic", and the human race resists the temptation to touch cats and tries to survive in a world full of cats. Reina Ueda plays Kaoru, a high school student who loves cats and works as a waiter at Megokoro Nekome, a cat cafe run by her brother, and Yu Serizawa plays Tsutsumi, who attends the same high school as Kaoru and loves cats but is allergic to them, and both of them love cats and own cats. We asked Ueda and Serizawa about their thoughts on the show and cats.
◇The cats are realistic!
--There's a photo of the cat you two keep on your official website, but is it real?
Ueda-san is the real deal.
--As a cat lover, what did you think of the depiction of cats in the anime?
Ueda's original work is also realistic, but the movements in the anime are very realistic. There are a lot of cats, so I wondered what it would be like if they all moved in the anime, but when I saw the finished video, each one had a different movement, and I was able to see each cat's mood and personality. Even in the scene where they rush over to eat, you can tell that the ones that rush over must love food, and some of them come slowly, so I was impressed by how each cat's personality could be seen.
Serizawa: The meows are amazing. Different cats have different voices. They recorded real cats' voices, and they said they wanted to use the voices of the cats they keep. They're particular about the sound.
Cat lovers will understand that Ueda-san's cat has such an expressive voice! Even those who don't have much experience with cats will find this song cute.
Serizawa-san, aren't cats tsundere? Those who have never had one may think so, but each cat has its own personality. Some cats will rub up against you, while others won't play at all, and it all depends on their mood that day. In this anime, it's interesting to see that each cat has its own story.
Mr. Ueda: The love of cats of the humans is also fascinating in this work. Even the screams are very detailed, and Director Miike (Takashi) gave direction that made you feel the love of cats in every line. The actions and choice of words to protect the cats are also excellent, and make you laugh unintentionally.
Serizawa-san's C part is also very informative. I think I'll be pretty knowledgeable about cats after watching all the episodes. I'll learn a lot about cats, so it's a great learning experience.
Ueda: The scene that left the biggest impression on me was when the cat came out of the hole. I liked it in the original, but the movements in the anime are so realistic. I have two cats, and my older one is chubby, so when he comes out from under the sofa, he often looks like he's in pain. The way he tries so hard to come out is just like that. It reminds me of my own cat, and it's so memorable. I also liked the scene in the original where Tanith rolls around, and that was the part that made me cry. His movements and lines are all so cute.
There is a scene where Mr. Serizawa destroys his car to protect his cat, but he is desperate for his cat, but what is the cat doing? I understand that very well. I also left the house and ran home worried about whether I had prepared for my cat, but my cat had a look on his face like, "Did something happen? Why are you in a hurry?"
◇What made you start keeping a cat?
--How long have you had a cat?
Ueda: About 7 years. I had never lived with anyone other than humans, so it was my first experience. I've always liked both dogs and cats, but I was more of a dog person. But when I met my pet and started living with him, the concept of cats or dogs disappeared. I felt like, "My pet is cute! All animals are cute!"
Serizawa: It's been about five years since I got a cat. I had wanted to have one even before then, but I thought it was not good to have one if I couldn't take care of it. I was always at home because of COVID and I felt lonely, so I started keeping one now because I thought I could be with my cat from when it was young.
It must be nice to be able to be with you since you were little , Ueda-san .
Serizawa: Exactly. My older brother, who I've been with since we were little, is the more selfish one. He's become very spoiled and egocentric.
Ueda-san, that's right! I also find my older child to be more selfish and spoiled. He's like an egocentric young master. My younger child is the type who thinks, "I have my own world," and is like a princess. She's considerate of people and leaves me alone when I'm feeling down. But my older child comes to me saying, "Pay attention to me!"
Serizawa: In my case, my younger sister is like a strong-willed little sister. Even when she fights with her older brother, she never loses. Her older brother is bigger, but my younger sister is super strong-willed. She may be stronger than her older brother.
Ueda's sister is just as strong-willed as her brother, who is twice her size, and she bravely challenges him and never gives in.
As they both "love cats," Ueda and Serizawa spoke passionately about their love for cats. The anime is sure to be full of love for cats.
