It was revealed on January 6th that Nao Kosaka and Kaho Fujishima of the idol group Hinatazaka46 That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime in the second film adaptation of the popular anime That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime(That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime ), That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Tears of the Blue Sea (directed by Yasuhito Kikuchi, scheduled for release on February 27th). This will be the first time for Kosaka and Fujishima to try their hand at voice acting, and they will play Mio and Yori, respectively, maids of Yura, a shrine maiden in the underwater kingdom of Kaien, where the story takes place. The two struggle to protect Yura from pursuers, and eventually become involved with Rimuru and his friends.
Kosaka, who is an avowed anime fan, said, "I was a big fan of ' That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime,' so I was honestly very happy to be asked to appear in the role. I've always been interested in the work of voice actors, so I would rewatch the anime, paying attention to the voices rather than the visuals, to see how the characters' voices were chosen."
Fujishima said, "I was very nervous when I took on the dubbing! After I received the offer, I watched 'That That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime'. From there, I became completely hooked and watched the entire series. I felt happy to be involved in such an interesting work, and this opportunity gave me the opportunity to face my own voice, realizing, 'This is how I make my voice' and 'This is what my voice sounds like'."
The artists performing the insert songs have also been announced. These include "Sou Koku" sung by the Saori Onishi, "Ren That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime" by STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION, the sound-making project that has been in charge of the theme songs and insert songs for That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, and ASH, a member of the rock band ASH DA HERO.
In the second movie, Rimuru and his friends are invited by Heavenly Empress Hermesia of the great elven nation and sorcerous dynasty Sarion to visit her resort island, where a new incident unfolds across the endless blue sea.
"That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime" is a popular light novel by Fuse, posted on the novel submission website "Shosetsuka ni Naro." It depicts a modern-day office worker who is reincarnated into another world and becomes successful. The manga adaptation, written by Yasuki Kawakami, is currently being serialized in "Monthly Shonen Sirius" (Kodansha).
The first season of the TV anime aired from October 2018 to March 2019, the first part of the second season from January to March 2021, the second part from July to September 2021, and the third season from April to September 2024. An all-new movie version, " That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime as a Slime the Movie: Guren no Kizuna-hen," with a story originally conceived by Fuse, was released in November 2022. The fourth season of the TV anime will consist of five seasons, with the first and second seasons airing consecutively starting in April.
Comments from Mr. Kosaka and Mr. Fujishima are as follows:
-How did you feel when you received the offer to be a voice actor?
Kosaka: I was a big fan of "That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime," so I was honestly very happy to be asked to appear in the film.
Fujishima: I received this offer without any prior experience as a voice actor, so of course I was happy, but I was also very nervous when I took on the dubbing.
-What preparations did you make in advance or what did you pay attention to?
Kosaka: I was originally interested in the work of voice actors, so I would rewatch the anime, focusing on the voices rather than the visuals to see how the characters' voices were assigned.
Fujishima: After receiving this offer, I watched "That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime" and became completely hooked, watching the entire series. I felt happy to be involved in such an interesting work, and this opportunity also allowed me to face my own voice, realizing things like, "So this is how I make my voice," and "This is what my voice sounds like."
--If you were to be reincarnated, what would you like to be reincarnated as?
Kosaka: I admire wizards, so I want to become one who can use the most powerful magic. I want to be a wizard who is not only incredibly strong, but also always calm and supports everyone from behind the scenes.
Fujishima: I've always loved sheep. I'm from Hokkaido, so I've had plenty of opportunities to come into contact with them. But I'd like to be more than just a sheep. I want to be a fighting sheep that sleeps a lot, but is actually strong when it's not sleeping (laughs). I'd love to be reincarnated as a sheep with a unique personality, one that looks fluffy but is actually strong when it comes to fighting!
- A message to the fans who are looking forward to the release.
Kosaka: This movie is the first in the series to have a "sea" theme. There are scenes that show the feelings of caring for friends and the bonds that form between everyone, as well as very powerful action scenes, so I hope you will enjoy the powerful and immersive experience of "That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime" on the big screen.
Fujishima: This time it's a completely original story, so even people who have never seen "That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime" will definitely be able to enjoy it. I hope you'll pay attention to it!
