Continued from Interview (1) The TV anime "SANDA," based on the manga by Itagaki Paru, known for "BEASTARS," began airing in October on MBS, TBS, and other networks in the late-night anime slot "Animeism." This unique "Santa Claus" hero action story is set in a near-future Japan where children are overly protected in an era of extremely low birth rates. Ayumu Murase plays Mita Kazue, a second-year middle school student and descendant of Santa Claus, while Tochi Hiroki plays Santa Claus, Mita's transformed form. We spoke to Murase and Tochi, who play the roles of Mita and Santa Claus, who are one and the same, about what went on behind the scenes during the recording.
◇A flawless cast of voice actors who I can truly respect for each and every one of them
--The anime "SANDA" is also attracting attention for its impressive and diverse cast of voice actors, including Murase and Higashiji, as well as Seki Toshihiko, Hirata Masako Nozawa Masako, Yuki Shin, and Misato Matsuoka. How was the recording going?
Higashiji and Mako (Nozawa) were recording on the same day, but they ended up recording first, so they waited for me after we finished and even came to say hello.
Murase-san was surprised. I was shaking. It was my first time meeting her, so I thought, "It's the real Masako Nozawa!" After Nozawa-san greeted us, we were recording, and the sound director, Miyoshi (Keiichiro), said, "After this, Nozawa-san will be able to watch from behind," and I was like, "What!?" I wasn't nervous, but I was a bit nervous during the recording. I was glad that he had such love for the work and that he wanted to watch it.
Higashiji was happy.
--There are many young cast members, so how was the sense of unity on the dubbing set?
Higashiji: I think that's the power of Murase. He's a people-pleaser, he has a great ability to get close to people, and he's also good at getting into the hearts of his seniors. He also tells the younger members directly, "You're amazing. I've been interested in you for a long time." In that way, he has total control as the leader of the group. It felt like he was bringing together everyone, men and women of all ages. I was drawn into that (laughs).
I'm happy for Murase (laughs). It was a set full of people who were really interested. I've thought Nagase Anna (who plays Ono Ichie) was amazing and an incredible star when we worked together on another project before, so I'm incredibly happy to be working with her on "SANDA." I'm quite a big fan. I'm like a fan of hers. This was the first time I've worked with Misato Matsuoka Misato (who plays Kazeo Erhu), but she was amazing. I was particularly drawn to the scenes where she was interacting with Mita. She's a genius, capable of acting like this in her early twenties and taking the initiative. I'm happy to have had the opportunity to act with these two incredibly talented "young masters."
Higashiji- san and Arata-kun (who plays Amaya Isshi) were also fantastic. They were reassuring. Even though they're young, they were able to bring out the best in their characters.
Murase-san's fox-like way of speaking as Ama-ya in episode 2, which doesn't really get to the core at first, is also really good. Even after we gradually get to know this kind of character, he still manages to sound like Ama-ya, which is really good.
Higashiji-san and also Umeka-chan from the first episode!
Murase-san is amazing!
Toji-san played the difficult character of Fuyumura with incredible concentration and dedication. I remember being impressed with that from the rehearsal.
Murase-san: It felt like a crisis was looming. It was like he had great concentration and immersion.
--Listening to you talk, it's clear that it's an incredible site.
Murase: There were so many amazing actors! It was such a fun set. So I looked forward to going every week, and even after the recording was over I was always in awe. It was a special set.
I can truly respect each and every one of Toji's characters , there are no flaws. The directing staff's concentration is also incredible. That's why the recording took so long (laughs), but that's understandable. Of course, the art is fantastic, and the music is fantastic too. It was a masterpiece when I saw the completed first episode. It's a special set.
◇ Is Tochi Hiroki a superhuman voice actor?! The amazing natural acting of Ayumu Murase
--Among the impressive cast of voice actors, Murase and Azuma play the main character, Mita, and Santa Claus. What do you think are the charms of each of them?
I've worked with Murase-san and Toji-san on foreign films and anime, and especially in 2023 and 2024, we played many characters with a connection, and Toji-san sometimes became my subordinate. In every episode, I think he's amazing as an actor. He's really good at comedy relief, but he can also play serious and passionate dramas, so I wonder if he has any weaknesses? He's a voice actor who is in a superhuman position for me, and I'm always amazed.
Higashiji-san, that's not true.
Murase-san mentioned Murase's strength earlier, but I think it's "Hiroki's strength." About half of the reason I missed the "SANDA" set was because I missed Hiroki.
Higashichi-san (laughs).
Murase: Just the other day, Hiroki said he wasn't strong enough, so the three of us, Toji, Umeka, and I went out for drinks together. Toji has incredible human qualities. I love everything about him. I think that's amazing. Everyone loves him in every way, but it doesn't seem like he's forcing himself at all. I get the impression that he's a type of person I've never met before.
Toji-san, you 're really praising me too much. I'm grateful for those kind words. It's been a while since I met Murase, and before we did "SANDA," he played a role like my lover in a reading play, which is really unique. If you play a female role and no one tells you (that it's being played by a man), you think it's a woman. Not only that, but what's amazing about Murase in "SANDA" is his acting in everyday conversations. The naturalness of his acting when Mita is speaking normally. I felt that it's quite hard to pull off that kind of thing when I saw the finished video. I think Murase's greatest quality is that he can create something that isn't just voice acting.
Murase-san, I could make a living for 50 years just by listening to these words. I can work hard for the rest of my life. I'm so happy.
--Mr. Murase, as Mr. Higashiji said, are you conscious of "naturalness"?
It depends on the work, but I think the impression I get from the illustrations in the first episode determines the kind of acting I want to do, and it's like a dress code. For " SANDA ," the illustrations were pretty much complete when I did Part A of the first episode, and they were very dramatic, so I adapted my acting to fit that. But then Miyoshi and the director told me, "You're like a professional child actor, too perfected a boy, so I want you to feel more genuine." So I decided to strip off everything and take on a passive role in each and every situation. I tried to cherish Mita's impulsive nature, which makes him act before thinking, and entrust him to his honest, natural side. So I'm glad to hear Higashiji say that.
Higashiji- san and Murase-san can read the book (script). So there are times when they make suggestions for lines for characters other than the one they're playing, and they're all spot on. That's something I can't do.
Murase: No, no. I think that's difficult too. It's easy to say, but the script contains the intentions of many different people, so when I give my opinion, I always make sure to have an alternative ready. Otherwise, I end up causing trouble for many people and taking up time. Of course, I respect the script, but I've been consciously thinking about how to change it while still preserving its form for about four or five years now. I think that's starting to take shape a little bit.
There may be people who work solely on their own, but it's a work that requires the whole. Seeing that side of it, I got a glimpse of why Ayumu Murase is also appreciated for his various other works.
I'm happy, Murase-san ! But I'm also a bit embarrassed. Thank you!
