The TV anime "See You Tomorrow at the Food Court" is based on the manga by Nariie Shinichiro, which is currently being serialized on the manga distribution site Comic Newtype (KADOKAWA). The original manga is about Wada, who gives off an unapproachable vibe, and Yamamoto, who is feared by those around her for her gyaru-like appearance, meeting every day at the food court and chatting about trivial things... and has become a hot topic on social media as a manga about "high school girls just talking." The TV anime aired its final episode (episode 6) on August 11, but will be rebroadcast from episode 1 on TOKYO MX and other channels as an "encore broadcast" from the 18th. We spoke to Hiyori Miyazaki, who plays Wada, and Yoshino Aoyama, who plays Yamamoto, about the relationship between Wada and Yamamoto, and their own youth in high school.
◇Pay attention to Wada, who can fight head-on, and "Saito-san" played by Yamamoto Saori Hayami
--Wada has a lot of emotional ups and downs, while Yamamoto is cool. Watching the two of them interact makes me feel warm inside and think, "They're such good friends." How do you view their relationship?
Aoyama-san and Yamamoto are very good at absorbing Wada's energy while also exchanging it. If they absorbed too much, they would probably both fall over, but I think Yamamoto is able to absorb Wada while also releasing him properly, which is why they maintain a balance. They eat super spicy udon together and go, "Uh-huh!" and I think it's great that they can do this because they both enjoy being together.
Miyazaki: Wada really relies on Yamamoto. There's an episode where Wada originally had another best friend, and had a dispute with that friend... and there's a scene where Wada thinks of Yamamoto, "He's the kind of guy who wouldn't laugh at me." Yamamoto accepts all of Wada's twisted sides and the parts where he's a little different from other people. I think they fight sometimes, but they have a relationship where they can fight head-on about everything, and I think that's wonderful.
--What is your favorite episode, or an episode that you would like fans to look forward to?
One of my favorite episodes from Aoyama's original work is when the two get into a fight and end up acting separately. The scene where the two can't be honest with each other and it turns into a verbal argument was painful to act out. Up until then, I had never felt pain from a work like this, so it was tough, but I also felt that pain was a good emotion. I hope everyone will look forward to the fights that arise as their relationship deepens. Another highlight is Saito-san. I love Saito-san so much.
--Saito is a classmate of Wada's, and is played by Saori Hayami in the anime. I'm sure there are many fans who are curious to see how Hayami will play the gyaru-like Saito.
Aoyama-san and Saito-san are amazing. I couldn't believe it when I heard their voices during the recording, right?
Miyazaki-san was like, "Eh...?"
I was completely captivated by Aoyama-san and Hayami-san's convincing voices and acting. When I heard that voice, I was so overwhelmed and surprised that I thought, "Yes, this is Saito-san."
During the recording, Miyazaki made some very delicate adjustments.
Aoyama-san already has a wonderful voice, but she was directed to "try to make it even more angelic," which made me wonder, "Can she become any more angelic than this!?" I hope you'll pay close attention to Saito-san.
◇The endless high school days, including a "presentation of your favorite idol" at the food court
--In relation to the work, please tell us about your memories from high school.
Miyazaki: Like Wada and Yamamoto, I'm not the type to just join in with the other students in my class, and rather than being in a lively group, I prefer to have relaxed, deep conversations with one close friend. In that sense, I feel that the relationship between Wada and Yamamoto is similar to mine. Many of my friends also like to talk, so I think I would have become good friends with Wada.
Aoyama-san is certainly a good listener.
Miyazaki-san, is that true?
Aoyama-san , I tend to talk a lot, so I'm always grateful for your support in listening.
-Is the relationship between the characters you are playing the opposite to the actual relationship between Miyazaki and Aoyama?
Aoyama-san is the opposite. It's a strange role.
-What kind of high school student were you, Aoyama?
When Aoyama was in high school, she was a total otaku, wearing geeky glasses. She had lots of friends who shared her otaku tendencies, so during recess, we would go together to the piloti area under the stairs to buy Lipton. On the way to get Lipton, we'd play Daruma-san ga Koronda (The Tale of Daruma) on the stairs, or try to see how many mechanical pencils we could fit in a friend's ponytail... It was really silly (laughs). But she found joy in everyday life. This film reminded me that, although you can't do all of that when you become an adult, there were some silly things you could only do back then. High school really does have endless fun. I didn't think of it that way back then, but being a high school girl was great.
Miyazaki-san, whatever you did was fun.
Aoyama-san has infinite stamina.
Miyazaki: I went to the food court and my friends and I presented each other's favorite things.
Aoyama- san, you're the best! So youthful!
-Finally, please tell us what the highlights of the anime "Fudoasu" are.
Miyazaki's original work is a dialogue drama, and of course the anime is also a dialogue drama, but we added a lot of tempo, comical expressions, and ad-libs, so I think even those who have read the original will enjoy it. I think we've been able to bring out the atmosphere between Wada and Yamamoto in a more three-dimensional way.
The work is a snapshot of the peaceful daily life of the two Aoyama characters , and yet there is so much more passion in their conversations. You'll probably be able to empathize with Wada, and watching the conversation between the two will make you feel like you're part of it, so I think it's a lot of fun no matter what perspective you watch it from. It's enjoyable no matter how many times you watch it, no matter which episode you watch, and there are plenty of gimmicks that will make you realize, "Oh, so that's what that conversation meant," so I hope you'll watch it as many times as you can.
