The new TV anime "Yoroiden Samurai Troopers," the official sequel to the "Yoroiden Samurai Troopers" series, which aired from April 1988 to March 1989, will begin airing on TOKYO MX, Kansai TV, and BS11 from January 6th. This is the first new anime in about 35 years since the OVA "Yoroiden Samurai Troopers MESSAGE" released in 1991, and the first TV anime series in about 37 years. The story is an entirely original one set in present-day Shinjuku, and is directed by Fujita Yoichi, who has also worked on "Gintama" and "Mr. Osomatsu." We spoke to Ishibashi Hikari, who plays the new Samurai Trooper Gai, and Kentaro Kumagai Kentaro, who plays Ishida Shion, about their thoughts on the series.
◇There are surprising developments in "Yoroi Shinden"!
--Were you born before the TV anime "Armored Troopers" was broadcast?
Ishibashi: That's right, it was before I was born.
Kumagai- san and Yosai-kun were 21 years old, right? Before I was even born. But I knew the title, and when I was offered the opportunity to audition, I was surprised and excited to be doing it, and when I read the materials for the new film, I was excited. It's a sequel, so it's different from a remake, and I was nervous about how the fans would react. I wanted to approach it with the utmost respect.
I knew Ishibashi-san too. When I was a kid, I loved "Dragon Ball Kai," the digitally remastered version of "Dragon Ball Z." It's an anime from the same era as "Z," and I felt the atmosphere of that time from "Armored Samurai Troopers." The explosions and battles are cool even when you watch them now. I also like how the transformation sequences are long. There's a lot of charm and intensity that you can only get from that time, and I watched it thinking, "Wow!" "Armored Samurai Troopers" also has a long transformation sequence. It's packed with a lot of respect for "Armored Samurai Troopers."
Kumagai-san , as expected, you've drawn the transformation scenes and weapons with great care. You can really feel the attention to detail and respect of the "Yoroi Shinden" production team.
--It seems like "Yoroi Shinden" is an anime that will surprise you in many ways...
Kumagai-san was surprised. I'm sure you've imagined a lot of things after watching the PV, but I think you'll be thinking, "No way! Really!? The main character!?" (laughs). The way the first episode ended makes me even more curious about what will happen next. But I think Yosai-kun was the most surprised.
Ishibashi: That's right... I wasn't given any detailed explanations at first, and relied on the script and setting materials to act. Later, I would go to the director or sound director and ask, "What does this mean?" but they entrusted me with it in a good way. I recorded with a fresh feeling, not knowing at all what the story would be like after the first episode. That's why I was able to naturally portray the changes in Gai's heart and the way his relationships with everyone grow.
Kumagai: It's based on a work called "Yoroiden," but it's a sequel, so you never know what's going to happen next. We usually know a lot from the script, so I was surprised every time. I was able to act with a fresh feeling all the time.
◇ The "destiny" of Takeshi Kusao and Yoa Ishibashi
-What was important to you while acting?
Ishibashi: It's a beloved work, so there was some tension and pressure. However, it's important to have fun while doing it. Gai is not "just the main character." I tried to express that in detail through my acting.
Kumagai: There are times when Shion shouldn't be too tense, and of course there are times when she should be fired up, but her impression changes as she goes along. She's the oldest of the five, but at 18 she's not entirely philosophical, and she has the worries and emotional turmoil that comes with being young, so while I felt like I had to lead them, I was conscious of not putting too much pressure on her. She has great specs, but she also has weaknesses, in a good way. She's sometimes teased and treated roughly by the other four, so I tried to create that atmosphere, while also showing the contrast when she gets fired up.
--The cast of stellar voice actors, including Junya Enoki as Uesugi Kaito, Ayumu Murase as Hojo Musashi, and Takeuchi Shunsuke as Hojo Yamato, is also a hot topic. How is the teamwork between the five of you?
Kumagai-san is a member who is like a bundle of individuality (laughs). I felt the strong personalities between the characters and the seniors, and the set was full of laughter. However, when they stand in front of the microphone, they all look cool. Yosai and I are juniors, so when we ask for advice about acting, they are receptive, and it's a comfortable atmosphere, so I looked forward to every recording session.
I feel the greatness of Mr. Ishibashi and everyone else's shoulders, and I've learned a lot from them. The other cast members were also amazing, and there was so much to absorb. I feel like this production is coming to fruition with everyone's support.
--At the event where "Yoroi Shinden" was announced, Ishibashi co-starred with Kusao Takeshi, who plays the main character, Sanada Ryo, in "Yoroi Den Samurai Troopers."
Ishibashi and Kusao told me, "It's okay, there's no need to be nervous." At the end of the event, Kusao said, "I know there will be a lot of different opinions, but I want everyone to watch it and enjoy it," which was very reassuring for me.
Kumagai- san, Sanada Ryo's words carry a lot of weight, don't they?
I thought to myself, "Ishibashi-san, you have to work harder!" I was also happy to hear that Kusao-san was 21 years old when he appeared in "Yoroiden," as I am the same age.
Kumagai-san, I feel like it's fate.
◇Who are your two heroes?
--The story depicts the exploits of heroes called Samurai Troopers. Who are heroes to you two?
Kumagai and Tanahashi Hiroshi. I fell in love with professional wrestling after seeing one of Tanahashi's matches when I was in middle school. His down-to-earth style of receiving his opponent's moves and then repeatedly getting back up with a special move at the end to turn the tables was energizing. My love for wrestling led me to work in the field of professional wrestling, and Tanahashi is my hero.
Ishibashi: When I was a child, I admired special effects heroes, but when I thought about who my true hero was, it may seem like a no-brainer, but my mother played a huge role. Before I became a voice actor, I was a singer, and it was my mother who inspired me to do that, and she supported my dreams without denying them. Now that I'm an adult, I realize how important the words my mother spoke to me are. I feel how great my mother was, and I'm grateful for her.
Kumagai-san, as you grow up, you realize how grateful you are to your parents.
Ishibashi: When I started eating out more and wasn't feeling well, I found my mother's home cooking to be a great help, and my mother and family are truly my heroes.
-Finally, please tell us your aspirations for 2026.
Kumagai- san, health is the most important thing after all. I've been feeling a little unwell at the time, which has caused some inconvenience, so I want to run through 2026 in good health, both physically and mentally. "Yoroi Shinden" will start in January, and I want to share it with as many people as possible.
I'm just like Ishibashi (laughs). I'm also healthy. My birthday is in August, but in 2025 I got sick around that time and spent my birthday in bed. It was really tough. In 2026, I want to be healthy on my birthday! And of course, I want to deliver "Yoroi Shinden" to everyone!
(Anima Mitsuru/MANTANWEB)
