"Shabake" Interview with Daiki Yamashita, Koji Okino, and Taku Yashiro (2)

Continued from Interview (1): The TV anime "Shabake," based on Megumi Hatanaka's popular novel series "Shabake," is broadcast every Friday at 11:30 PM on Fuji TV's anime slot "Noitamina." The series is a period drama mystery with a total circulation of over 10 million copies. Set in the Edo period, the story follows Ichitaro, the sickly young master of Nagasakiya, a major Edo store, and the spirits around him who solve difficult and unusual cases. We spoke to Yamashita Daiki, who plays Ichitaro in the TV anime, Daiki Yamashita Koji, who plays the role of Nikichi Shirasawa, a clerk at Nagasakiya whose true identity is Inugami, and Yashiro Taku, who plays Sasuke, another clerk whose true identity is Inugami, about behind-the-scenes recording and the appeal of the series.

◇The moment the three of them meshed together, a glimpse of their love

--As the story progresses, the relationship between Ichitaro, Nikichi, and Sasuke feels more unique than just a master-servant relationship. How do you view the relationship between the three of them?

Each of Yamashita-san's characters has their own arrows, and I think it's interesting how they gradually mesh together. To be honest, the arrows of the two characters who are protecting Ichitaro as part of their so-called mission are painful. How should I put it, it's just unpleasant (laughs).

Yashiro-san says it clearly (laughs).

--It seems like Ichitaro is tied down by the two of them?

Yamashita: That's right. During conversations, it can be painful when your words don't reach the other person, and it feels like you're being forced to say no.

The two Yashiros tell Ichitaro, "You have to do this" and "You shouldn't do that," but it doesn't seem like they're taking Ichitaro's feelings into consideration, and it's all very businesslike.

Okino-san: I certainly understand what you mean by a "mission."

Yamashita: From that slight awkwardness, they gradually start to mesh well and start to have proper conversations. I was very happy to see this change. At first, it felt like there was something more than love, like they seemed to get along well at first glance, but there was a sense of discomfort because there were hidden feelings behind it.

I really think that's true, Yashiro-san . The way these three characters are changes and grows throughout the story.

Okino-san's reaction isn't exactly parental, but she holds Ichitaro in a very restrictive position, feeling that it will be too late if something happens to him. This behavior is very much like that of a parent of an adolescent child. But in the end, the child is grateful when he grows up, and the parent has to give in at times. This kind of relationship is clearly built in the work. Love is not one-sided after all, and it never works with just one arrow.

--Does the relationship between the three of them reveal the shape of love?

Yamashita: That's right. That's what makes it interesting.

-What are your thoughts on playing three characters with such a unique relationship?

I thought it was amazing that Okino-san and Yamashita-san were able to convey their inner strength even though they were playing young husbands who were in poor health. When they were simply playing sickly characters, they tended to go in the direction of fragile and sad, but this gave off a hint of strength.

Yashiro : Yes, it feels like he's always thinking. Ichitaro has been cared for by many people, he cares for himself, he's come into contact with spirits, he's had a variety of experiences, and I think that's why he's so thoughtful and proactive, so I think he's always thinking about what he says before he speaks. I think it's amazing that Yamashita-san is able to express that.

Yamashita-san , I'm happy. From my perspective, Nikichi's approach is difficult. It's not just about being cool, his voice has a nice angular feel to it, and I felt a hardness to it that made me think, "This can't be moved no matter how much you try."

--At first glance, Nikichi seems like a gentle man and gives off a soft impression.

That's right, Yamashita-san . He's smart, and I'm sure the audience sees that side of him, but when he's fighting Ichitaro, his firmness leaves no openings for him to exploit, and I think he's an iron wall. In Sasuke's case, in contrast to that firmness, there's a gap between his gentle and simple sides, but deep down he's still a demon. If you ask me which one is scarier, I'd say Sasuke is scarier.

Okino-san, I think so too.

As I listened to Yamashita-san's performance, I was impressed by how he was able to convey the danger of Sasuke when he suddenly loses his temper, and how he was able to convey the convincing message that he is an extremely powerful demon like an Inugami.

--It seems that Ichitaro is caught between the impenetrable Nikichi and the actually quite scary Sasuke.

Yamashita: Because there is nowhere to escape, Ichitaro has no choice but to go alone. The two of you have expressed that sense of being trapped, and I think you are both good at filling in the gaps.

◇Very vivid characters Light and sound unique to the Edo period

--There are many fascinating characters in "Shabake." Which character would you like us to pay attention to?

Yashiro: I'm Noderabo (played by Shinya Takahashi) and Otter (played by Tomioka Misako). They pop up briefly, liven up the scene, and sometimes say something important, so they play a variety of roles. They're not characters that appear all the time, but they're important in adding color to the work, and even during recording, it's like the two of them are doing a stand-up comedy routine (laughs).

Okino-san was a craftsman.

Yashiro-san : What's more, with each performance, they become more in sync and I can't help but want to watch them.

Yamashita-san is so cute. They're both free-spirited, and I imagine they're always looking for fun things to do and eating delicious food.

Yashiro-san, I want to live like this.

Okino : In "Shabake," even the characters who don't have names are very strong. I'd like you to pay attention to the two people carrying the young master in a palanquin. Shinya Takahashi was in charge of the "eh-ho-eh-ho" voice, and at first, sound director Kikuta Hiromi was directing, but towards the end, there was no direction whatsoever.

Yamashita and Shinya Takahashi Shinya are amazing, as expected. I would like to mention the character looking through the folding screen (played by Daisuke Namikawa) as a character to watch out for.

--Byōbu Nozoki is a tsukumogami spirit of an old folding screen in Ichitaro's room, and sometimes helps him sneak out of the house.

Yamashita-san has a close relationship with Ichitaro, and I feel a different kind of bond with him than I do with Nikichi and Sasuke. He's like an older brother who helps Ichitaro out while grumbling, and he supports him. I can't help but wonder how he got to that point. What was behind the bond that seems to exist? I think he's a character that's a lot of fun to speculate about.

-Finally, please tell us what the unique appeal of the "Shabake" anime is.

Okino: The mystery that emerges from the diverse cast of characters is a real highlight. I think viewers will have plenty of moments where they'll think, "Huh? I wonder what's going to happen?" The characters are all so rich, and I think they're big enough that after watching all the way to the final episode, you'll want to have a conversation about them again, like, "This character was great, wasn't he?"

Mr. Yashiro : I think that because it's an anime, the sound has a lot of significance. I think this is an era where you can really hear sounds, like the sound of shoji screens or footsteps when crossing a wooden bridge. In that context, the background music of the animation really adds color. I hope you enjoy that aspect as well.

Yamashita: I think the film expresses the streetscapes of the Edo period and the actual darkness. What would it be like walking in pitch black, relying only on the light of a lantern? Nowadays, streetlights are commonplace, and everyone has a cell phone, but back then, there was only a faint, gentle light. I think the charm of anime is that it makes you feel as if you've traveled back in time, precisely because it was carefully crafted with a strong focus on the historical background. Adding to that the fantasy element of spirits creates the excitement of wondering, "What's going to happen?" There's also a mystery element to solve. I hope people will experience this incredibly delicious combination through the anime.