The animated feature film " 100 Meters ", based on the serialized debut work by Uoto , known for " Orb: On the Movements of the Earth (Chi: Chikyu no Undo ni Tsuite), " which was also adapted into a TV anime, was released on September 19th. The film is based on the 100-meter track and field race, depicting the madness and passion of those who are captivated by the brilliance of the 100 meters, a mere 10 seconds, and put everything on the line. The film's two main characters, Togashi, a naturally fast, "talented" runner, and Komiya, a "hardworking" runner who becomes obsessed with the 100 meters after meeting Togashi, are voiced by actors Tori Matsuzaka and Shota Sometani. This marks the first time the two have worked together in about 14 years since the 2011 film "Antoki no Inochi," and we spoke to them about their thoughts on the project and behind-the-scenes footage from the recording sessions.
◇ Why does it resonate and resonate so much with us? The appeal of "100 Meters"
-What was your impression of the original work and what did you find appealing about it?
Matsuzaka: After I was offered this role, I read "100 Meters" for the first time, and I thought, "Why didn't I read something this interesting sooner?" But conversely, it was precisely because I was able to read it at this timing that I was able to keep up the enthusiasm of "This is interesting!", so I think that was good in itself. Even though I have no experience as a 100-meter sprinter, I felt that I could empathize and resonate so much with the characters' outlook on life, their determination, passion, and feelings of failure.
Someya: When I heard about the story and read the original work, I felt like what was being written was not something that only happened to other people. When there was a line where a character was pointed out, I felt as if they were pointing something out to me, and I was so immersed in the story that I felt like "Is this about me?" and it was very moving.
-Which character or line did you relate to?
I admire the mentality of someone like Matsuzaka- san, who continues to be a sprinter even at an older age. He doesn't seem to be clinging to anything, but when he gets to that point, I feel like there's something beautiful about him. I like that.
Someya-san, the undisputed champion of the track and field world, said something very shocking to me at a lecture by Zaitsu. "In any competition, I don't fear defeat, I focus on the content. At the same time, I tremble in defeat and want results," he said, and he also said to just enjoy the tension. That's the same for me as an actor, "I want to enjoy the tension."
Matsuzaka: I certainly want to be able to enjoy it.
Someya-san was deeply moved.
--Togashi and Komiya's relationship is difficult to describe in one word; they are friends, rivals, and comrades. How did you feel about their relationship while acting?
Matsuzaka: When Togashi was in elementary school, he was admired for being a naturally fast runner, but when he saw Komiya run for the first time, he thought, "Ah!" and Komiya has always been somewhere in Togashi's mind. As they continue to grow and they both become successful sprinters, Komiya's presence grows bigger and bigger, and their relationship changes little by little from friends to rivals and a threatening presence, and eventually, as they race at the same racetrack, it seems as if they have transcended that kind of relationship. I think that's what they are like.
Someya: I thought the relationship between these two was really emotional. Two people who met by chance happened to influence each other. When they were in elementary school, Komiya challenged Togashi, lost, and suddenly had to transfer schools. The shock and the impact left a mark on each other, and after some time has passed, they meet again. At that time, there is something that remains unchanged as a foundation, but there are also moments when they accept each other's changed parts, which I thought were wonderful, twisted but beautiful.
--What if someone you could call a rival appeared before you?
I think Matsuzaka-san will be inspired. He will think, "I'm working with a director like this, I want to do a production like this too," and that will be a good opportunity to motivate himself and raise his morale.
Someya-san , when you were a teenager, when you went to auditions you would end up with people who had characters that were fairly similar to you. Then you'd see that this person acted like this in the previous audition, but this time they're acting like this. It left a strong impression on you, and it was a learning experience and it was inspiring.
◇The excitement of expressing things that can't be done in live-action. Exciting recording
--Matsuzaka-san and Sometani-san, this will be your first time acting together in about 14 years. How do you feel about working together again after such a long time, as the roles of Togashi and Komiya in "100 Meters"?
Matsuzaka-san, I was honestly very happy to be able to work with Sometani-kun again after such a long time.
Someya-san, I was really happy. I've always watched the works that Tori-kun has been in, and I've always wanted to work with him again. We haven't had many opportunities to work together, but it feels like we're always close. I was incredibly happy to be able to work with Tori-kun in this relationship on "100 Meters."
-What are your thoughts on interacting with Togashi and Komiya?
I thought Matsuzaka -san's voice tone was very much like Komiya's. When I was reading the original work, I could hear the air of Komiya from the side, so I thought, "Wow, it's Komiya."
Someya: I feel the same way. When I heard that Tori would be playing Togashi, I thought, "Wow, it's Togashi!" (laughs).
Matsuzaka-san (laughs).
-What difficulties and fun aspects did you feel were unique to voice acting during recording?
Matsuzaka: It's a way of expression that doesn't exist in the live-action footage we do, in other words, adding voices to something that's already been completed. The voices are matched to the character's movements and animation so that they blend into the atmosphere, but that feeling is difficult, and I think there's something interesting about it when you get it right. There are some things that you won't know until it's released, though.
Someya: I thought it would be difficult to add my own touch to something that has already been edited, which is a completely different process from what I normally do, but on the other hand, I thought it was really interesting to be able to create emotional changes that you can't get with live action. The difficulty outweighs the difficulties, but I thought it was really wonderful.
--What new discoveries or realizations did you make about yourself by participating as a voice actor in "100 Meters"?
When Matsuzaka was recording, the director said, "Dialogue is important," so I actually had the opportunity to interact with Sometani and the other cast members. It was the first time for me to see a voice actor actually working live, so it was a great inspiration and a learning experience, like, "So that's how it's done...!" For example, Tsuda, who plays Kaito, had all of his lines perfectly memorized in the long dialogue scenes, and he had barely looked at the script.
Someya-san, that's right...!
Matsuzaka: Yes, I barely watched it, I was just talking nonstop and I thought, "Oh, I see, that's right."
Even if we remember it, Someya-san , it's probably a little different, right?
Matsuzaka-san is different, I think he's definitely different.
Someya-san, it's difficult, isn't it?
Matsuzaka-san, I learned a lot from that.
Someya: I also found the set stimulating. Working with the voice actors, I was impressed by how they managed to materialize the director's direction within the rules of the dialogue length. Also, coupled with the use of rotoscoping, which involves turning live-action footage into pictures, it's an anime, but it's not just anime. We were able to see some really interesting shots that you won't find in either live-action or anime, and the same goes for the sound. I thought it was packed with a lot of fascinating elements.
◇Each actor's amazing talent
--Please tell us your impressions of each other as actors, including your co-starring in "100 Meters"
Matsuzaka-san and Sometani-kun really understand the intention of the work 100% and seem to be completely absorbed in it, so I think the director must be relying on them. I've watched them work with various directors, and I think they're amazing. I hope to act together again in a live-action film someday.
Someya-san is exactly the same. Tori-kun has appeared in a wide variety of works, but he always fits into the work properly and doesn't stand out at all, in a good way. I've always thought over the past 14 years that it's really wonderful that he has become a living person within the work (laughs). I would be happy to work with him again in a live-action film.
--What do you keep in mind when "entering the work" and "living in the work"?
Matsuzaka-san might read a lot of scripts. He reads them a lot, over and over again. For example, if he read a scene he read yesterday again today, it might give him a different impression or give him a different way of thinking, so he reads it over and over again, and as many times as he can before going to the set. Also, depending on the work, if there is something he needs to learn, like sword fighting or practicing an instrument, he practices while thinking about the role or the work, and improves his concentration, that's how it goes.
Someya: I'm the same. I also listen carefully to what people say.
Matsuzaka-san is important!
Someya: I think that listening carefully and in detail to what people are saying is the key to getting into the work. I think it's really important to listen carefully to what the director and everyone else is trying to do and to look closely.
"100m" vividly depicts the lives of Togashi, Komiya and others who are dedicated to the "100 Meters." I want to experience the passionate performances of voice actors such as Matsuzaka and Sometani on the big screen.
