The TV anime "Ame to Kimi With You and the Rain), based on the popular manga by Yuki Nikaido currently being serialized in "Young Magazine" (Kodansha), will be broadcast on TV Asahi's late-night anime slot "NUMAnimation" from July 5th. The story depicts the heartwarming and precious daily life of Fuji, a female novelist who meets a "pet" on a rainy night, and Fuji is played by popular voice actress Saori Hayami. We spoke to Hayami about the recording, which she described as an "intense time."
◇A unique atmosphere that can only be experienced here
Fuji, played by Hayami, is laid-back and doesn't say much, but is very sensitive. One rainy day during the rainy season, she meets "You" in a cardboard box and they end up living together. "You" understands human language and can write words on flip charts to communicate. Fuji thinks "You" is a talented mixed-breed dog. When Hayami's appearance in the film was announced, she commented, "I was deeply moved by the beauty of the story and the delicacy of the illustrations."
"It has a lot of charms. I first encountered this work when I was recording the original promotional video. At the time I had no idea it was going to be made into an anime. It was a short video with few lines, but every single word left a strong impression on me. One of the elements I like is how the changing of the seasons is depicted with great care and attention. Fuji, who has spent the four seasons alone, begins to see things more clearly, notices things, and changes her perception of the seasons as she spends time with "you". I think that's really beautiful and wonderful. If it were to be made into an anime, I'd love to be invited to audition."
It was like love at first sight. Hayami was completely captivated by the world of "With You and the Rain."
"When I heard about the audition for the anime and received the materials, I was nervous (laughs). I was nervous, but I was fired up. When I heard that I'd been chosen for the role of Fuji, I was overjoyed. Looking back, that was the start of a very intense time."
In the anime, the characters' emotions are depicted in detail, so delicate acting is expected to be required. The recording was "intense."
"It's difficult to put into words the atmosphere that flows through this work, but I tried to express this unique atmosphere that can only be experienced here through images and sounds, and it was very delicate. It was a set where you could feel it on your skin. Fuji doesn't have a wide range of emotions to express. In that sense, he needs to be able to express his emotions delicately. He changes little by little as he meets "you". I wanted to portray that carefully, so we kept refining each recording."
Hayami continues, "Fuji has a quiet voice."
"Speaking in a low voice is her personality, so I tried to find a way to express her emotions within that. The sound director, Yoshida (Kohei), is a true professional, so I had complete confidence in him and consulted with him. I was given the opportunity to listen to the lines I had recorded in the sound booth. Since the recording was temporarily stopped, I don't often have the opportunity to check my acting right after I've performed, but as we all worked together to create the piece, our thoughts overlapped and that moment was born."
◇Is it better if it's not a conversation?
When I read the original work of "With You and the Rain," I feel kind and warm. Hayami-san was conscious of "kindness" even during the recording, but it seems that it wasn't that easy...
"It makes you feel kind. Because it's a gentle and beautiful piece, it naturally makes you feel warm and fuzzy. At the beginning of the recording, I was given the direction that she was "too kind to you." The teacher also told me that it wasn't a story about a kind older sister and cute animals, but rather a clumsy and slightly prickly woman who is neutralized by cute animals. It's true that Fuji does say some harsh things, but the way she softens in the presence of "you" is what makes this piece interesting."
The characters other than Fuji are also unique.
"The other characters all have very strong personalities, and the director said, 'It's a world where everyone is facing in different directions, but they don't have to change direction and can live in that world.' I think what's great about this work is that it's a world where diversity is accepted. The sound director also said, 'It's better if it doesn't become a conversation.' Rather than everyone getting excited in the same direction, each person is free, but they still land on something. There was a retake because it was 'too much of a conversation.'"
Anna Mugiho will play "You." Sometimes referred to as an "animal voice actor," how will she play "You?"
"Her portrayal of animals is also wonderful. I previously had the opportunity to work with her in 'Izetta: The Last Witch,' where she played a dog named Dorothee, and I was very surprised. There was a buzz on set, with people asking, 'Is there really a dog?' Ms. Mugiho is a professional who can portray all kinds of animals with her voice! She's like an animal researcher. She is able to perfectly balance the realistic aspects of 'you' and the actions that are unlike those of an animal, which is really wonderful. Most of the animals that appear in the film are played by Ms. Mugiho."
◇Healing that can only be obtained from animals
When asked about her memories of animals, her eyes light up and she says, "I love them!"
"I've always kept rabbits, and I think there is a healing that can only be obtained from animals. Like Fuji, I lived at my own pace, but by spending time with animals, the rhythm of my life changed, and I think people will empathize with that. Animals bring out expressions in you that you didn't know existed. In this work, there are depictions of leaving home and returning home, and the 'you' at those times is really good. That's another key point."
Besides rabbits, he also had experience raising medaka fish when he was a child.
"I was given a fry at primary school and raised it in a big aquarium. Beckhams were popular at the time, so I named it Mecham."
Living with animals not only heals but also gives you new realizations. How will Fuji change as she lives with "you"? "You can watch it late at night to heal yourself, and I think the way you see it changes depending on the time of day, season, and weather. It's also nice to watch it outside when it's raining," says Hayami. "With You and the Rain" seems to be an anime that gives you healing and new realizations.
