The first episode of the original TV anime "Eternal Yugure," produced by PAWORKS, the animation studio behind "true tears" and "SHIROBAKO," will air on MBS/TBS's late-night anime slot "Super Animeism TURBO" starting October 2nd. This full-scale love story is set in a future world where AI technology has advanced. Protagonist Akira Himegami, who has pledged his love to his beloved lover, Towasa Oh, awakens from years of cold sleep to find a city devastated by war. An android named Yugure, who bears a striking resemblance to Towasa, appears before Akira, and they embark on a journey together, believing they will reunite. Episode 0, airing on September 25th, follows Akira, severely injured in an incident and falling unconscious. We spoke with Shuichiro Shuichiro Umeda, who voices Akira, and Yui Ishikawa, who voices Yugure, about this original anime, shrouded in mystery.
◇The android played by Ishikawa Yui is amazing!
-What is your impression of the work?
Since it is an original work by Umeda and there is no original work, I came across the outline of the work and the characters with zero knowledge, and I was excited to imagine what had happened in the future, where civilization has declined 200 years from now. I wondered if Akira was an honest boy, and I was excited to see how the future world and androids would be portrayed. There was also a new system called "Elsie," which is different from marriage, and
Ishikawa: At the audition, we only had fragmentary information. The story is set in the future, so there are many differences from the present, but it's a love story, and some things haven't fundamentally changed, so I wanted to cherish that. The story also depicts new values, such as a new system called "ELC" that is different from marriage. I felt like maybe I needed to keep myself updated.
-What is your impression of Akira?
During Umeda's audition, I thought he was the athletic type based on the character's expressions and fragmented lines, but when we actually started recording, I realized that he's a reliable boy who is good at studying, good at research, and can do anything, thanks in part to Towasa's influence. From Akira's perspective, it doesn't really feel like 200 years have passed, but even after 200 years, his feelings for Towasa haven't wavered. He's always thinking about Towasa, and even when he faces difficulties, he tries to overcome them for Towasa's sake. It's amazing that he can continue to think so wholeheartedly and act on them. I respect his unwavering nature.
Ishikawa-san , Akira's straightforwardness is a perfect fit for Umeda-kun. I thought so when I saw how seriously he worked during recording. Yugure is a character that is at the core of the mystery, and I thought it would be better for me to know how things would unfold, so I read the script after receiving it, but Umeda-kun made the choice not to let him hear about the upcoming developments, so when something came up on set that he couldn't tell Umeda-kun, he would sometimes be asked to leave. Even though he's the main character.
Umeda: That's right (laughs). I consulted with the sound director and acted without knowing too much about what was going to happen. He dodged information that I shouldn't know. I was in the same position as Akira, not knowing where we were going to end up, and I ended up finding out at the same time as Akira. There were many things I learned for the first time when I read the script.
--What about Yugure?
Ishikawa-san is an android, but in this world he is indistinguishable from a human. However, he also has some android-like characteristics, such as being inflexible, rational, and not getting along with others. He loves to eat, and although he is an android, he has some human qualities and a gap between his personality and his personality. That's what makes him so adorable.
I can't imagine anyone other than Ishikawa playing Umeda-san's Yugure. It's hard to put into words, but her presence as an android girl is radiated from everything she does, and even though the conversations are like those between humans, you can still sense the android element somewhere. She's a very convincing android. There are cute conversations, there are battle scenes, and everything is wonderful.
◇The excitement of not knowing what will happen
--Kayano Ai Kayano plays Towasa.
Umeda and Kayano themselves are sociable, but they also have a strong leadership personality, and this is something that shines through in Towasa. Towasa is also a life-sized girl, but she is also a genius scientist who is leading the world in technology. She is someone you naturally look up to.
This was the first time I had a proper conversation with Ishikawa-san and Kayano-san, but the atmosphere was so friendly and easy to open up to. It was perfect for Towasa! The friendly atmosphere between Kayano-san and Umeda-kun was overflowing on set, and it was a soothing space.
I felt comfortable working with Umeda-san . It's a heartfelt environment.
--The future setting is innovative, with people being managed by a unified organization called OWEL and a system called "ELC."
There are themes that Umeda-san can relate to. The android Yugure is cute, but also interesting, and really adds to the appeal of the work. I think many people will be moved by Amor, who has values and common sense from 200 years in the future.
Ishikawa: Even with "Elsie," there are parts that make you think, "Is that even possible?" It makes you think about AI and diversity, which are being discussed right now, and it makes you wonder if things like this could really happen in the future. There are a lot of really interesting settings, and they're innovative and fresh. The director really comes up with a lot of ideas.
Umeda-san, the characters belonging to OWEL are also very strong, so I hope you'll look forward to it.
--Finally, please give a message to those who are looking forward to the anime broadcast.
Ishikawa: Yugure searches for true love, but it's also a way to get to know himself. Through the love stories he meets with the characters he travels with, he encounters new values and learns about the shape of love. There are many mysteries, such as why Yugure resembles Towasa. I hope you enjoy traveling with him and finding out where he ends up.
There's an excitement that only Umeda's original anime can provide, where you never know what's going to happen, so you'll definitely be looking forward to next week. I hope you enjoy it in real time. There are elements that will appeal to fans of science fiction, but the story also mainly revolves around the human heart. I hope you'll watch until the end to see what answers Akira will find.
