Continuing from interview (1). Season 3 of the TV anime "SPY×FAMILY," based on the manga by Tatsuya Endo currently serialized on Shueisha's manga app "Shonen Jump+," will begin airing on TV Tokyo and other networks at 11 PM on October 4th. The series returns to TV Tokyo and other networks after Season 2, which aired from October to December 2023, and is garnering attention for its depiction of Twilight's past and the bus hijacking arc. We spoke to Takuya Eguchi(who plays Anya), Atsumi Tanezaki(who plays Yoru), and Saori Hayami (who plays Bond), who have been playing the Forger family since Season Kenichirou Matsuda began in April 2022, about four years ago, about their impressions of each other and what they find amazing about their characters.
◇ Takuya Eguchi as "Lloyd" casually extends a helping hand
--Please tell us what is appealing about Eguchi-san, who plays Lloyd.
Hayami-san , it's an embarrassing turn to talk about everyone's charms (laughs). Eguchi-san is the one who overwhelmingly leads everyone. He's not like, "Follow me!", but he's always there, solidly there, and he's always there to help out when something happens, and I feel like he has a reliable presence.
Tanezaki: There have been a lot of things happening with "SPY×FAMILY" up until now, like interviews, events, and live streams, and I'm not one to say that I don't get nervous in those situations, but I don't get nervous with "SPY×FAMILY." I think that's probably because somewhere in my heart I know that "even if something happens, Eguchi will definitely do something about it."
Eguchi-san (laughs).
Tanezaki: I think it's amazing to be able to think, "As long as this person is there, everything will be fine," even if something happens to someone.
Matsuda-san and Eguchi-kun are amazing at how they can slip into the gaps and give support. They do it so naturally. When I first appeared on the "SPY×FAMILY" podcast, I really felt how much they helped me. They are the kind of people who casually lend a helping hand.
I understand Tanezaki-san . I too have had moments on set when I've been like, "I want to ask this question, but... can I ask it later? No, but what should I do? Maybe now..." As the sound director was about to leave, Eguchi-san called out to him, "Ah, was the question supposed to be during a cut?" and urged me on.
Hayami-san is amazing!
Tanezaki: I wanted to ask a question so I blurted out "●Cut," but my voice was too quiet for the sound director to hear. I was surprised and thought, "Eguchi, you heard what I just said!?"
I thought Eguchi-san would definitely want to hear it (laughs), but the timing was such that I wasn't sure whether to ask him or not.
Matsuda-san really sees it.
◇“Bond”Kenichirou Matsuda is a craftsman! He has a great aura
--Please tell us what you think is amazing about Matsuda.
Eguchi-san and Matsuda-san are taking on two important roles as narrators and as Bond, but I think they are truly skilled craftsmen. When we work together, they are very reliable.
I think that anyone who has had a conversation with Hayami- san or met Matsuda-san is immediately drawn into their charm. For example, when recording comments for videos, the makeup artist and stylist sometimes join in, and the two people I work with are big fans of Matsuda-san. They've become Matsuda-san's fans. I often find myself thinking, "Huh, did we really get a chance to talk that much?", but I think he has an aura that just radiates, something that draws people in.
I wonder if Matsuda-san has one (laughs).
Even though Tanezaki-san is the oldest and most senior of the cast, he doesn't come across as that and remains truly natural, giving off an aura that makes you think, "Are you Bond?"
Hayami-san's warmth too.
Tanezaki: Yes, I can feel the warmth! Also, as Eguchi said, he's a craftsman, or rather, he loves acting. He listens very carefully to other people's acting, and when I watch a work, I often feel like "I'm watching it from that perspective!", so he must be quite an otaku...
Matsuda-san: Ah, you're an otaku.
I think the way you look at Tanezaki's work is like an otaku, like a craftsman.
Matsuda-san , what should I do? I'm already sweating... Thank you.
◇ “Anya”Atsumi Tanezaki is a hard worker with the ability to think ahead
--What do you think is Tanezaki's appeal?
I meet Eguchi-san and Tanezaki-san on various occasions, and I wonder how many different approaches they have in their hearts. When they change completely, their inner selves change, which I find amazing. And yet they remain so humble.
Matsuda-san is very earnest and stoic. He has an intuitive, genius-like side, but he worries, works hard, pursues, creates, deepens his understanding of the script, deepens his understanding of the character, and delves deeply into it. He's a studious and hard worker, and I think there are many things I need to learn from him.
As the years go by, I think Hayami-san must be a very considerate person. She is probably someone who can think very far ahead. I think it's precisely because she is able to think so hard about the future, using options like "If A happens, this will happen, if B happens, this will happen, if C happens," that she is the type of person who can become paralyzed, confused, and worried. That's why, when she is entrusted with something, whether it's acting or anything else, she is very well prepared and does everything properly. I think she has always lived that way. As the years go by, I feel that she is someone who thinks about many things and lives with a rich variety of emotions within herself, but I'm sorry if I'm wrong... (wry smile).
How did Tanezaki-san get to that point...wow... It felt like he'd just put everything inside of me into words, and I thought, "That was right!" But there were times when it was painful, and I felt like he could see right through me, including that. How can he see people that way? It's amazing. On the other hand, ever since we met, I've wondered what kind of life Hayami-san had led to become the person she is.
I said that because I thought Hayami-san had a really wonderful side to her, but I'm sorry if I caused you any distress...!
Tanezaki-san, no no no! I've had nothing but respect for you since we first met, and that respect has only grown stronger with each passing year.
◇ Is “Yoru”Saori Hayami“universe”?
Tanezaki: Next, let's talk about Hayami. For example, if someone asked me to name something I'd like to improve on, I could probably find something for anyone other than Saori Hayami, but I can't find anything about her.
Hayami-san , no no, there are lots!
The only thing I can say is that Tanezaki's drawing is a bit disappointing. No, it's not that the drawing is disappointing. That drawing is just too genius. But, as a human being, I'm sure there must be something there, but it's really amazing that she doesn't show it and just remains Saori Hayami.
Matsuda: We were just talking about Hayami's paintings, but when I look at them, it reminds me of a dream I had as a child...
Everyone laughs
Matsuda-san is so fantastical, it's like if you asked a child to draw a picture of the dream you had yesterday, they'd probably draw something like that. He has a certain purity about him, like pure water, or a clear stream flowing through greenery, how should I put it? Listening to his acting, I'm amazed. It's as if all the characters are drawn to him. Some actors are possessed, while others imbue their characters with themselves, and Hayami imbues his characters with them. But that doesn't mean he becomes Hayami in everything; he makes it work within the context of the work. I've always thought he's an incredible actor. Sometimes I even feel like he's godlike, yet it's strange how he exists as a proper human being.
Eguchi-san and Hayami-san are strange people, yes. This "strangeness" is what really makes them attractive. They seem like they're all well-behaved, but sometimes they have the air of travelers who might just disappear somewhere (laughs). That's why they're such mysterious beings. I guess that's what makes them so attractive.
--Previously, when I covered a conversation between Tanezaki and Hayami, I asked Tanezaki about his impression of Hayami, and he said "space."
Mr. Eguchi : I see. It goes even higher than the sea.
It encompasses everything about Matsuda .
Tanezaki-san's "universe" remains the same, but as everyone has said, it's divine, but still strange. It's divine, yet so human, and somehow it feels like the universe... (laughs). I want a word that fits better than "universe"... Come down...
I want words to describe Matsuda and Hayami.
Eguchi-san (laughs).
Hayami-san: I wonder what everyone thinks of me... I can't help but wonder. I'm not really aware of it at all though (laughs).
"SPY×FAMILY" began serialization in "Shonen Jump+" in March 2019. The story follows a skilled spy who starts a new life with a temporary family for his mission. The spy father, psychic daughter, and assassin mother live together, hiding their true identities from each other. The first season of the TV anime aired from April to June 2022, the second season from October to December 2022, and Season 2 from October to December 2023. The Spy × Family Code: White" was released in December 2023 and was a huge hit, grossing over 6.32 billion yen. The comic series has sold over 38 million copies in total.
※The "崎" in Atsumi Tanezaki's name is pronounced "tatsusaki"
