The 32nd film in the hit anime series "Crayon Shin-chan," "Crayon Shin-chan the Movie: Super Hot! The Spicy Kasukabe Dancers," hits theaters on August 8th. Set in India, this dance-themed entertainment film features Shinnosuke Nohara and the rest of the Kasukabe Defense Force dancing away. The Kasukabe Defense Force travels to India to compete in an entertainment festival, enjoying their time sightseeing. However, under the influence of an evil piece of paper in a backpack resembling a nose, Bo-chan turns into a tyrant and goes on a rampage. Announcements like "Bo-chan will be in the spotlight!?" have generated buzz, and Bo-chan will play a more prominent role than ever before. We spoke to Yumiko Kobayashi, who voices Shinnosuke, and Chie Sato, who has played Bo-chan for nearly 33 years since the anime first aired in 1992, about their thoughts on the new film and Bo-chan.
◇Bo-chan becomes a tyrant?!
--It seems like Bo-chan will be more active than ever before...
Sato-san is talking more than ever before!
Kobayashi-san is just saying things he normally wouldn't say. Bo-chan is the kindest and most wise person in the Kasukabe Defense Force, and I thought maybe he was on his third life, so I thought he'd guide everyone and take the lead and help them...
This is an unexpected turn of events for Sato-san .
Kobayashi-san was really surprised! He got to see a new Bo-chan, and it was kind of cool.
When Sato-san first heard that "this time it's Bo-chan's story," I thought that if I continued speaking at Bo-chan's pace, the movie would probably be about four hours long! I was often in charge of the closing remarks, and rather than Bo-chan leading the story, I was often in the position of someone else leading the story and building up the excitement, so I did wonder if it would be okay.
Kobayashi-san, this time Bo-chan becomes a tyrant!? It's a genius idea.
Sato-san and Ueno Kimiko-san's script is amazing! It's really wonderful, and if Bo-chan suddenly changes, you'd wonder who it is, but she changes from her first form to her second form to her third form... I stuck sticky notes on the script to make gradual changes, such as making her speak a little faster and changing her tone, to create a gradation. I checked with the director while making the changes, and tried to play Bo-chan in a different way than usual, such as speaking from a condescending perspective.
Kobayashi-san's gradation is very natural. Bo-chan becomes a tyrant, but it's not that he always had a dark heart; it's just that his pure feelings exploded, which is very Bo-chan-like. It also looks cool.
Director Sato also gave me the direction to "act coolly." This is something that doesn't usually happen, so it was refreshing. I've been told to act sharply, but it was the first time I'd been told to "act coolly." Normally, Bo-chan doesn't talk this much either.
Normally, if Kobayashi-san speaks even a little too quickly, people get agitated, but this time he was talking nonstop, so there was no time for people to get agitated.
In the previous film, Sato-san spoke passionately about dinosaurs and spoke very quickly, which happens sometimes in films, but this was the first time I'd ever seen anything like this. I was surprised, thinking, "I never thought a day like this would come!"
It's also the first time we've seen Kobayashi-san and Bo-chan become tyrants.
Sato-san's Bo-chan is a character who goes at his own pace and has a strong sense of self, so he doesn't waver. He's just a kid though (laughs). This time, that side of him explodes. It's really refreshing.
◇Changes over the course of more than 30 years
--What do you think is Bo-chan's charm? Please also tell us what you keep in mind when acting.
Sato-san is very consistent, and even though she's a child, she's very reliable. I'm an adult, but I'm quite unsteady (laughs). I'm straightforward about the people and things I like, I have strong convictions, and I don't usually criticize anyone too much. I try not to make my opinions too extreme. Even in my everyday lines, I sometimes add a little laughter to the end of my sentences, but I'm generally careful to speak in a matter-of-fact manner.
Kobayashi-san, Bo-chan is the most mysterious character in the Kasukabe Defense Force. She has depth and a strong sense of her own world. Shinnosuke also sometimes listens to what Bo-chan has to say.
-Have you seen any changes in the time you've spent playing Bo-chan for over 30 years?
Sato: At first, the tone was a little higher. There are five children, and while Shin-chan is speaking freely, I thought that Bo-chan should have an even lower tone, sound a little monotone, and speak slowly in short sentences. Shin-chan's voice gradually got lower, and to balance things out, Bo-chan's voice also got lower, and we settled on the current form. I think it was already settled by the time of the first movie. At first, was the tone about the same as Shin-chan's now? Part of the current form was decided by considering the balance of the five characters.
Kobayashi: The five of us have such an exquisite balance. I feel at ease when I hear Bo-chan's voice. His voice is filled with his personality and outlook on life. There are times when he says something that makes me go, "What!?"
Sato-san is only 5 years old (laughs). He's very intelligent.
Kobayashi-san has his own world, but he doesn't reject others. He's like a philosopher.
Sato-san: It's good that he doesn't say much. He gets it all out of his mouth in one word, so some people say it's unfair!
--There are plenty of highlights to see, including Bo-chan's tyrannical behavior.
With Kobayashi's singing, dancing, delicious curry, friendship and parent-child love, this movie is packed with entertainment. When you hear that Bo-chan is a tyrant, you'll want to go see it! I really want everyone to experience Bo-chan's tyrannical side, so I'll be waiting for you at the theater!
--You can also enjoy Bo-chan's rap-like songs.
Sato's insistence on getting his own point across reminded me of Masato Ibu's "Don't Blame the Children" (laughs). The song is energetic and fun, making for an exciting movie. Bo-chan has changed, but will he ever be able to go back to normal? I hope you'll watch until the end.
