Continuation of interview (1). The TV anime "Silent Witch: The Secret of the Silent Witch" is based on a light novel by Matsuri Iku, who is popular on the novel posting site "Shosetsuka ni Naro". Set in a world where humans have eliminated the use of chanting and are unable to use magic, the story follows Monica Everett, a young genius magician who created the first chantless magic in history, and one of the Seven Sages, the pinnacle of magicians in the Kingdom of Ridil. This thrilling fantasy depicts a reclusive genius witch who hides her true identity and secretly punishes the evil that threatens the prince. The cast is also a hot topic, with a star-studded cast of voice actors, including Saya Aizawa as Monica Everett, Shogo Sakata as Felix Arc Ridil, the second prince of the Kingdom of Ridil and president of the Serendia Academy student council, and Yoshiki Nakajima as Cyril Ashley, vice president of the Serendia Academy student council. We asked Aizawa, Sakata, and Nakajima about their thoughts on the project and what went on behind the scenes during recording.
◇ Monica's performance is on the edge
--What did you keep in mind when you were interacting with each other?
Aizawa Monica is not used to talking to anyone, and she can't speak, so she tries not to listen too much to what the other person is saying. She can only do her best to speak. Her catchphrase is "I'm sorry," and she communicated with a feeling of apology for making people talk like her. It's hard to speak, but if she can't hear, it's no good, and if she can hear too much, it will seem like she's used to people, so I was aiming for the edge.
-What about your conversation with Nero?
On set, Hitomi Nabatame , who plays Nero, always sat next to Aizawa-san. Even when Nero wasn't in the cast, she stayed behind and was always by his side.
--What about Felix and Cyril?
Sakata-san, I play the role while keeping a certain distance, not too close, not too far away. I try to predict the intentions and personalities of each character as much as possible, and say the lines as the best answer. I think I am interested in Monica, so I am a little conscious of that. When I got too emotional, I was directed to "hold it back a bit." When I looked too scary, I was told to "be a little gentler."
Nakajima: Cyril is not a secretive person, and there is nothing he is hiding at the moment, so he is playing the role honestly. It is a fun work to watch from the background when other characters are talking to each other, so I often watch it. Nero and Monica have a family-like and manzai-like feeling, but when they become human, they don't listen to people at all. It's interesting to see how the impression of the same character changes. As the story progresses, Cyril becomes kinder to Monica, so she sometimes tells him to "go back a little."
-What did you feel while working with Sakata and Nakajima?
Nakajima-san, Felix is difficult. I think it's amazing that he can do that. As an actor, you can't help but want to give him words, but he's so devoted to his character that he's very skillful. He doesn't usually seem like that (laughs). Sakata-kun gives off a very generous impression, so it's a bit surprising when you consider his character and his personality. He does difficult things so easily.
Sakata-san, that's not true... I didn't really think I was doing something so amazing. I'm having fun acting. I like Yoshiki-san's tsukkomi, and I watched him do that every time. I've been watching the anime that Yoshiki-san is in since I was a student, so I wondered how he would play Cyril. The warmth of Yoshiki-san's voice is carried through Cyril, and I feel that he has become a very wonderful character.
◇Which character are you interested in?
-What are your impressions of the other characters?
From Monica 's point of view, Elliot only has a scary image for now. Will they reconcile or become enemies?
Sakata-san: Elliot often interacts with Felix, and I get the impression that Elliot is a real man! He has a strong core, and he acts according to his beliefs. I think the fact that he acts without hesitation and that he speaks and acts without hesitation is what makes him such an appealing character. Kimura Ryohei-san's acting is really wonderful, and I've learned a lot from watching him up close. I thought this was my chance to talk to Ryohei-san, so I talked to him during breaks and such. He sits next to me, so it's easy to ask him for advice, and I always rely on him for advice.
When I saw Nakajima-san in the cast, I felt some pressure to be in the same place as Ryohei-san and Hikasa-san (Yoko)-san (Bridget). I'm often on the same set as people my age, but being able to put my name on the same list as my seniors makes me happy but also a little pressured. There are also juniors, so I have to do my best as a senior! It makes me feel like that. Ryohei-san has been very helpful to me, and he's a senior who I consult with when something happens, so as a fellow professional, I don't want to show any lame side of myself. Hikasa-san has also been helpful to me, and I'm glad and glad that she's on set, but there is still pressure.
I really relied on Sakakibara (Yuki), who played Neil. He read the original work very thoroughly and has a deeper understanding of the work than most people.
I'm also interested in Nakajima-san's Isabelle. I'm impressed by the variety of Isabelle's voice, played by Tanezaki (Atsumi). I've worked with Tanezaki-san on other productions, but each time she does something different, so as a fellow actor, I'm in awe of her. Monica is timid, so I feel that she brings a positive energy to the production. She brightens the story, and I like her character.
Aizawa-san's Lana is also an interesting character. She is Monica's only light, she is just kind, she always supports Monica, she cares for her, she is always with her. Kindness is oozing out from every line. I also like Nakamura Kanna-san's acting, and the smile she gives me overlaps with Lana. We usually talk about everyday things, so I don't have the impression that Monica and Lana talk much, so maybe they have a relationship like classmates.
Sakata-san's Nero is also cute. I have a black cat, so I remember it every time I see it. My cat also stomps around... looking at Nero makes me feel at peace. Rin-san is also funny. She talks with a blank expression, but there are many funny points built into her speech, which I think is amazing.
◇This is just the prologue!
--Monica makes the impossible possible. What do you want to make impossible possible?
Mr. Sakata, if you press the "close" button on an elevator repeatedly, I wish it would close faster.
Nakajima-san, are you impatient?
Sakata-san, I can't stand that time (laughs). I think there are a lot of people who are looking forward to it.
Mr. Aizawa, that's the genre...
Nakajima-san, what genre is it?
Mr. Aizawa, I want you to raise the level of the Oedo Line. Because it is deep, we have to calculate backwards the time it takes to rise to the ground.
Nakajima-san, it won't take that long (laughs). I drive a car, and I want everyone to follow the traffic rules. I often feel it's dangerous!
--As an actor?
I want to try changing my voice, Mr. Aizawa . I want to have a cool voice like the two of you. Not a boy's voice, but a man's voice. I want to have a voice like Hiroki Yasumoto's.
Sakata-san has a voice that even men admire.
I'd like to know what it feels like, Aizawa-san .
--Finally, please give a message to those who are looking forward to the anime.
Nakajima: By the fourth episode, Monica will be participating in the student council in earnest, and the number of characters will increase. Monica's suffering will continue, so I would like you to watch her gradually turn her feelings outward. Although it is a story of Monica's growth, it also becomes complicated with the politics of the country and the nobility. There are also troublesome rules that are unique to the nobility, and if you keep in mind that they live within them, and that they are not only living for themselves, but also carrying something on their shoulders, I think you will find it interesting in a different way. When new characters appear, I would like you to pay attention to that as well.
Sakata: In the fourth episode, one wave of events seemed to have calmed down, but the incidents that were thought to be separate were caused by a single mastermind, and Monica solved them like a detective. A lot of things have happened, and it's getting more and more interesting, to the point that it feels like this was just the prologue. I hope you'll look forward to Monica's growth as well. Monica is interesting, so I hope many people will watch it!
Aizawa-san: Many new characters will appear from episode 5. They are not necessarily good people. Each one has something they are carrying, so I hope you will pay attention to each one. My relationship with Felix and Cyril will deepen, but it will not be a fun school life... Monica Norton is a disguise, and her goal is to protect the prince, but when you think about this life and reality and her goal, there are some heartbreaking parts. I hope you will pay attention to it.
