Continuing from interview (1). The eighth and final season of the TV anime series " My Hero Academia ," based on the manga by Kohei Horikoshi that was serialized in "Weekly Shonen Jump" (Shueisha), began airing on October 4th (Yomiuri TV/Nippon TV, Saturdays at 5:30 pm). The story of heroes and villains that has been airing for about nine years is reaching its climax. We spoke to Yamashita Daiki and Uchiyama Kouki, who have played the main character Izuku Midoriya(Deku) and the villain who threatens to destroy everything , Tomura Shigaraki Daiki Yamashita, respectively, since the first season of the TV anime began airing in 2016, about their thoughts on "My Hero Koki Uchiyama ."
◇The feelings I learned from Deku: A challenge only possible through "My Hero Academia"
--In interview (1), Uchiyama said about the recording of "My Hero Academia," "None of us have a routine in a bad sense. Every single recording feels like a challenge." Having played Deku and Shigaraki since 2016, what do you feel you have "PLUS ULTRA" about?
I think it's because Yamashita-san is playing Deku, but I think he's become more aware of those around him. In the beginning, Deku was 100%, covered in wounds and in tatters, really headstrong, and a bundle of self-sacrifice that would do scary, dangerous things. That has faded, and it's still his top priority, but he's gradually come to realize the importance of fighting with others rather than fighting alone, and that that makes him stronger. For me personally, dubbing Black Deku for Season 6 was incredibly tough and difficult, but after going through that, Season 7 and the Final Season are incredibly easy.
--It's like Deku and Yamashita himself are linked.
Yamashita-san: With the FINAL SEASON coming up, I thought there would be a lot of pressure like when I was playing Black Deku, or all sorts of dark thoughts, or thoughts like "I have to do my best alone," but there's nothing like that, and I'm recording with a very relaxed feeling. I think that's another way I'm feeling that the character has given me. Deku is always teaching me new feelings. I think that these are the precious "feelings" that Deku has given me over the past 10 years.
-Do you remember recording the first episode of the first season?
I remember Yamashita-san . I was feeling really lonely, so I sat next to Miyake-san ( Kenta Miyake , who plays All Might ), but the sound director, Mima Masafumi-san, told me, "Don't sit down!"
Uchiyama-san: Huh, why?
Yamashita-san's character isn't that close. That's where Mima-san's direction started. All Might is a distant figure to Deku, so he shouldn't be within reach, and shouldn't talk to him casually! I thought, "Scary...!" From there, I tried various things, working desperately, thinking "Maybe this will work," "Maybe that will work," and when I think back on it, every single time was a real challenge, and I'm glad I took on the challenge.
-What do you feel has become "PLUS ULTRA" for you, Uchiyama-san?
Uchiyama-san's character has changed a lot, so I think I've arrived at where I am today as a result of trying to adapt to the situation at each stage. It would have been difficult for me to express the current feel when the TV anime first started. I think that's partly due to technical issues, and my voice has also changed, so I feel like I've been able to use that to express it.
--Shigaraki's appearance also changed dramatically, and he ended up being taken over by All For One.
Uchiyama: It was a continuous process of expressing various aspects of Shigaraki through my voice. It's difficult to put into words what I specifically gained from it, but I feel like I've acquired the ability to adapt. I think it was a challenge that's rare in a one- or two-cour work, and because it's a long span, I change as well, which I think is something that's unique to "My Hero Academia."
--Yamashita-san and Uchiyama-san have played opposing characters, the hero Deku and the villain Shigaraki, but do you feel like you are comrades who have fought in the same work?
Yamashita: I've been able to talk more in-depth with Ucchi through "My Hero Academia" and we've been able to chat about all sorts of things, so I think that when you stay together for a long time, a bond naturally develops, and I'm happy about that.
Uchiyama: That's true. I think it's mainly because I've done voice recordings for a variety of climaxes and created a variety of stories.
◇The ever-expanding world of "My Hero Academia": A textbook-like work
--What do you feel is the appeal of "My Hero Academia" now?
Uchiyama: There are a lot of characters, each with their own "personality," and I think it's interesting to watch how they use that in battle, and there's also the growth and drama of each character. Some of that drama is confined to the school, while others involve their families outside of the school, and the more you read, the more the world seems to expand.
--Indeed, "My Hero Academia" started as a school story, but has expanded into a story that involves the entire world.
Uchiyama: The number of characters keeps increasing, the worldview gets bigger, and the "individuality" gets more complex. I think the appeal is that it expands, becomes more complex, and becomes more interesting to watch.
Yamashita: Each character has a clear "personality" and is depicted as a special ability, but in the real world, each person has a wonderful personality, and it allows us to take a fresh look at that. Today, in a world where there are so many good things floating around and we all want them, we tend to lose sight of our own good points. I think "My Hero Academia" is a work that allows us to feel anew that "you have some really wonderful parts of yourself," and that helps us to affirm ourselves. I also think it's an inspiring work. Every single word and action you take can mean something very meaningful to someone, so you have to think about the other person and reconsider your own words and actions. I think it's like a textbook.
