Continuation of interview (1). The TV anime "Rascal Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus of Rascal Does Not Dream, " based on the "College Student Edition" of the popular light novel series "Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai" (Dengeki Bunko), will be broadcast on TOKYO MX and other stations from July 5th. The TV anime " Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai" was broadcast from October to December 2018, and the movie versions "Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girl," "Rascal Does Not Dream of a Sister Venturing Out," and "Rascal Does Not Dream of a Knapsack Kid" have also been screened, but the "College Student Edition" will be the first TV anime series in about seven years. The main character, Azusagawa Sakuta, who was a high school student, has become a university student and will have to face new problems while making new connections. We asked Kaito Ishikawa, who plays Azusagawa Sakuta, Asami Seto, who plays Sakurajima Mai, Sora Amamiya Sora, who plays Hirokawa Uzuki, and Reina Ueda, who plays the new character Miniskirt Santa, about the appeal of the character of Sakuta and Ishikawa, who plays the role of Sakuta.
◇ I was moved by the subtlety of Sora Amamiya's acting.
-Which character are you interested in?
Ishikawa-san is Fukuyama. He has a different approach to Sakuta, but he is a kind person. Sakuta is in a relationship with a celebrity and is someone who is always being considerate, but he talks to me and we often do things together, and that is his kindness. He is considerate. Sakuta has the ambition to "become a kind person," and when he comes into contact with someone like Fukuyama, he feels that he is a wonderful person.
I'm interested in each of Seto's characters, but I could sympathize with Akagi's problems. When I see her, I have had those thoughts in the past, and it makes me feel frustrated. I felt that Akagi in particular tickled that part. Aya Yamane Ayaka's acting was also very delicate, and she expressed her pain very carefully, so Akagi's acting on set was very impressive. I felt that her voice was full of experience.
Amamiya: I think Futaba is really great. Even after becoming a university student, she somehow remains close to Sakuta, and even though their environment has changed, they remain friends that can be relied upon, and that's what makes the distance between them so great. It was great when they were in high school, but it's even better now that they're university students. Sakuta is in a position to support and save the girl, but in the university version, Sakuta relies on Futaba. Also, Futaba says some really great things. She overturns rigid ideas with opinions from a new perspective, and she says things that hit the nail on the head and make even a viewer's heart skip a beat. I find that really satisfying, and I like it.
Ueda: I was able to empathize with Zukki's (Uzuki) episodes and really grew to like her. I could empathize with Zukki's worries and I understand the people who watch her. As a result of her worries, her behavior changes a little, but the way she's the same character yet is a little different is really satisfying. Amemiya's acting is spot on! I was moved and I liked the character even more.
Amamiya-san, wow! I'll remember (what Ueda-san said) before I go to sleep!
◇The atmosphere created by Kaito Ishikawa
--What do you think is cool about Sakuta, and what makes you smile?
Ishikawa: What I think is great about Sakuta is that he tells Mai "I love you" every chance he gets. It hasn't changed since they were in high school, but even after dating for several years and now being a university student, it's wonderful that he still says those words with the understanding that they have a great meaning. The fact that they have meaning is also expressed in "Dreaming," and it's one of the three words he loves that Shoko gave him. The person who is told the words is happy, and because they are happy, they tell the other person the same thing, which makes me think he's a really great guy.
There's something cool about how Seto-san communicates with words. His lines blend into everyday life, too. He doesn't seem to think about what he says to Hanakaede, but sometimes he does, and sometimes he treats her roughly. Since they've lived together, it's only natural that he supports her. I also like how he makes breakfast for Hanakaede on the day of her exam.
There was a scene where Amamiya- san and Uzuki were talking and I thought, "The atmosphere between them is really good." Even though there are many girls with their own problems, Sakuta can talk to anyone at a close emotional distance. I think he's good at creating a space for the two of them. I really like that exchange.
I have the impression that Ueda-san is the person who gives me the words I want most right now, and I think he's really amazing. In the heartwarming scene with Mai-san, she was so cute. I couldn't help but grin, thinking that only Sakuta-kun could make that smile.
-What is your impression of Ishikawa, who plays Sakuta?
Hey Ishikawa- san! Let's stop doing that (laughs).
--Sakuta's charm is largely due to Ishikawa-san, so please!
Seto-san: Sakuta has the most lines, and he faces each character, so I think he often feels worn out, but Ishikawa-kun doesn't hold it in, he's the type to say "This is difficult" on the spot, and he can talk naturally like "That's not it" or "This is not like that". I feel that the leader creates a good atmosphere because he doesn't hold it in too much.
I always feel that Amamiya-san values the atmosphere of the moment. During the test of the scene where the two of us are talking, my emotions are gradually coming into play, and even if the flow changes slightly from what was planned, he responds as Sakuta according to the atmosphere and tempo of the moment. Even in the exchange between Mai and Sakuta, it seems like they are speaking at the same pace and atmosphere of the conversation that came up at the time, so I think he values the conversation.
Ishikawa: That's right (laughs).
Seto-san is happy!
Mr. Ueda is very smart and logical.
Mr. Ishikawa: Yes, that's logical (laughs).
Ueda-san is logical, but when we talk, he values instantaneous feelings and a sense of groove, and he is someone who has both. That impression hasn't changed since I met him when I first debuted. I'm not good at being logical, verbalizing, or understanding things objectively, so when I'm in trouble, I want to ask, "What did you think, Ishikawa-san?" He answers me well and helps me out a lot. That hasn't changed since our debut, and I've always had the impression that he's a "caring older brother."
Seto: Actually, we were all classmates. We debuted around the same time.
I'm so happy to hear such a story from a classmate of Ishikawa-san ... my ears are all red (laughs).
◇ Keeping grey things grey
--What are the highlights unique to the college student version?
Ishikawa: The principles of adolescent syndrome haven't changed, but the story depicts identity crises that can occur when we take a step towards adulthood, socialization, setbacks, ideals, and other aspects of life, and are unable to reach the goals we're trying to achieve. The desire for recognition that is unique to adolescence and the worries about communication in a small society have expanded, and although the solutions are not always dramatic, they are more adult solutions. I think there is a strong sense of acceptance that it's okay to leave things gray as they are, rather than just making things black and white.
Seto: Rather than worrying about worries, I get the impression that there are a lot of worries about the branching points of people who become stubborn and people who give up, because they are aware of the worries and understand that they are worries but can't do anything about them. It's touching, but I also feel like it's a quieter story. I was reminded that this is the appeal of "Aobuta."
Amemiya-san is in a perfect period, one step away from becoming an adult, after finishing the "adolescent" period of junior high and high school. Because he has accumulated a certain amount of experience in life, it seems like he has more worries that make him feel the accumulation. His problems have become more complex and profound.
Ueda: Junior high and high school students had set classes and uniforms, but there were more things to think about, so I think it was hard. It's a time when there are a lot of heavy decisions to make, so Ishikawa said, "If it's gray, it's gray," but it's okay to be ambiguous, and you can choose according to your own will. It's a very difficult time.
--Finally, please give a message to those who are looking forward to the anime broadcast.
Ishikawa-san has always been like that, but I think this is a work that will sympathize with everyone's worries and give them hints. After acting, I realized that this work does not deny worries, self-denial, or negative thoughts, nor does it simply affirm them; it is a work that affirms your thoughts and the very act of being alive, that you are fine as you are. I think this is a work that can deliver thoughts to people of all generations, making them look back on the times they felt, or try to think about their worries in a different way. I hope you enjoy it. Thank you.
To all Seto-san's fans, sorry to have kept you waiting! Please enjoy it thoroughly as an anime series. I'll enjoy it with you too! There are so many TV anime and movies, some of you may think you can't get in from here, but don't worry! This is also a chance for fans to spread the word, so I hope you will spread the word about the appeal of the work. It has the power to keep even first-time viewers hooked. I hope you will fall in love with "Aobuta."
Amamiya- san and Uzuki are the main characters in the beginning, and the main characters change, but it's always interesting, so I hope you'll look forward to it. The characters that have appeared so far will remain the same, but new characters will appear, the ending will change, and there will be many new parts. I hope you enjoy what remains the same and what has changed.
Ueda-san, I got to know "Aobuta" well, and I felt that it was a work that had so many different elements and really touched my heart, and I really liked it. I'm confident that I can deliver this work to everyone, so I hope you enjoy watching it. You might be wondering what love is, but I watched it thinking that it is love. Miniskirt Santa identifies herself as Kirishima Touko, and perhaps we'll find out more about the mystery surrounding Kirishima Touko. Please keep an eye out for that as well.
