Continuing from interview (1). The TV anime "Tune In to the Midnight Heart," based on the romantic comedy manga by Igarashi Masakuni currently serialized in "Weekly Shonen Magazine" (Kodansha), is currently airing on Kansai TV and Fuji TV's Tuesday 11 PM anime slot, "Kaanibal!!." Yamabuki Arisu, a second-year high school student searching for a streamer named Apollo, relying only on her voice, meets four beautiful girls in the broadcasting club of the high school she is attending, all of whom dream of working in a voice-related field. We spoke with Yasuda Rikuya, who plays Yamabuki Arisu; Seto Momoko, who plays Inohana Rikka, an aspiring singer; Okubo Rumi, who plays Himegawa Nene, a voice actress; Sayumi Suzushiro, who plays Kirino Iko, a VTuber; and Miku Ito, who plays Ugetsu Shinobu, an aspiring announcer, about what went on behind the scenes during the recording.
◇ Full power in the comedy scenes
-What was the recording like?
I learned a lot from everyone, including Yasuda-san , and as the series progressed, I grew along with Arisu, and the dialogue between them was a lot of fun. The cast members other than these four were all wonderful. I was able to give it my all, especially in the comedy scenes, because these four were there. They were so accepting, and with each episode we were able to build more and more trust, which I was very grateful for.
Seto-san pulled me along! He was there to support me, so I was able to ride with confidence.
Okubo: I thought it would be better if the arguments got more heated and heated, and I wanted to pass the baton to him, but Yasuda gave me back what I had imagined. He was a big help. When he gave me the line "I can't just leave it because it's related" in the second episode, that was the moment I was sure it would work out.
Ms. Seto, as Rikka, there were some moments at the beginning when I said devilish lines but Arisu didn't respond at all, which was frustrating (laughs). But when I stood in front of the microphone, not only was her voice louder, but she really was just being herself, so I felt like I was one with Rikka. It felt like the story was being created right now, and it wasn't just about fitting the pieces together, it felt like we were shaping the pieces together, which was great! Thank you!
Yasuda-san, no matter how many times we auditioned, it was always these four who were the perfect fit, and I feel honored to have been involved in this production. I tried to act honestly so as not to disappoint everyone. The atmosphere on set was friendly, and relationships gradually developed, which was really fun. It was a set where I felt sad when the dubbing ended.
◇The charm of Yamabuki Arisu
--What do you think is the appeal of each character?
Yasuda's Rikka is linked to the character, and although both Rikka and Seto can do anything with ease, they are also trial and error, which can be seen in their characters and makes you want to root for them.
Thank you , Seto-san . Before seeing Yasuda-san's performance, I was excited to see what kind of expression he would use, but in reality, I felt a power that far exceeded my imagination. I think that was the moment when, even though I'm just a newcomer, I truly felt the sensation of being "pulled along by the performance." He warmly guided and led me from start to finish.
Yasuda-san's Nene is the only one of the four who really puts in the tsukkomi. Arisu doesn't intend to be funny, but she does have her moments, and it's nice to have her directly get the tsukkomi. It was like, "That's it!" And she always gives it back with a positive response. For me, if I were to fight, it would have to be Nene, and I especially enjoyed the exchanges with Nene in the comedy scenes. She's selfish, but also has a cunning side, so there's a huge gap between her personality and her character, which is also what makes her so appealing.
Okubo: I think Yamabuki is just cool. He honestly praises and sends her off, saying things like, "You'll be fine," and "Do your best." And he's also able to say, "It's my fault." He's not doing it to look cool or anything, it's just so charming. You can tell Yasuda is acting with careful calculation. I don't think Arisu is speaking words of encouragement to the heroine without thinking about it. He's also very smart. I think that overlaps with Yasuda's acting and is a perfect fit. I hope that from here on out, Nene's feelings will continue to turn towards Arisu.
At first, Yasuda-san's Iko doesn't have many lines, and each one is short, but as the episodes go on, her emotions become clearer. She's cute because she goes at her own pace. She's really like a cat. There are scenes where she uses that same pace to create quirks in her acting, making the staff and cast laugh. (Suzuyo-san and I) are in the same company and in the same class, so I feel like I can't lose to her.
Thank you, Suzuyo-san . I love how Arisu is so dedicated and unconcerned about the consequences, and he takes responsibility for each of his actions until the very end. His actions may seem outrageous, but they are consistent in their own way, and I think it's cool that he has a strong core. Yasuda-kun is humble and takes a step back to watch over us, but I get the impression that he has a lot of passion, and I feel that he connects with Arisu. I think it's wonderful how he adds a touch of glamour to the character of Arisu.
Yasuda's Shinobu is truly elegant. In the play, she is described as having a "clear voice like a silver bell," and I felt that she really does! The way she chews her words is so beautiful, it really feels like she's chewing them. Ito also gives the impression of standing back and watching over everyone, which is linked to her character, and as I've said many times before, I feel that these four were chosen because they were meant to be.
Ito-san's Arisu is a perfectionist, but I actually like how kind she is. She knows how to say "thank you" and "sorry." She's the one who supports and guides everyone in the broadcasting club to make their dreams come true. I was at the audition with Yasuda-san, and even then I felt the pressure of her voice, and there was so much power in it from the moment she spoke. I remember thinking, "If this person wasn't Arisu, who would do it?"
-Finally, please give a message to your fans.
Ito: There are many different elements to this story, and I'm sure you'll want to root for everyone chasing their dreams. I'm sure fans of the original work have been anxiously waiting to see what would happen in the anime, and I'm sure it will not disappoint. I hope you'll immerse yourself in this world and enjoy it from various perspectives. There are scenes where Shinobu takes a step back and watches everyone, but as the story progresses, her true feelings will be revealed. Please look forward to seeing Shinobu's delicate expressions.
The animation carefully captures the fun of Suzuyo's original work. The anime also features a unique depiction of Kaedebayashi High School, with distinctive colors and shadows, giving Arisu and the other characters a more three-dimensional appearance. Each character's journey toward achieving their dream is carefully depicted, with realistic yet harsh aspects. There are points that will resonate with a wide range of people, including those who are pursuing the same dream, those who want to pursue it, and those who once pursued it. We hope you'll also look forward to unraveling the mystery of who Apollo is. Iko is already active as a VTuber, but it's difficult to rise above that, so we hope you'll look forward to seeing how she pursues her dream.
Those who find Okubo's dialogue and lines interesting and the overall atmosphere of the work a good fit will definitely be hooked until the very end, and it will not disappoint. The original work has a strong influence, and the staff and cast have created it with love for the original. The four heroines appear in every episode, so in that sense there is plenty to see. Nene begins to show cute expressions towards Arisu, questions herself, and becomes more and more adorable. Her attitude towards Arisu changes little by little, so I hope you will enjoy that as well.
Seto -san, I think this work makes us realize once again that chasing and continuing to chase our dreams means that we can move forward and take that first step thanks to the presence and support of others. I receive so much energy from every single comment I receive from MayoChu fans. Thank you so much for your constant warm support. As Rikka, I would be very happy if you could get your heart racing with every line. Please be sure to listen to her singing voice a lot. Please support the original work as well as the anime #MayoChu!
Another feature is that the opening sequence before Yasuda's opening is long, about the same length as parts A and B. It's fun to see the four heroines in every episode, and the cast members add a lot of ad-libs, so try to find those as well while comparing them with the original. I scream every time. In the scenes where I'm frustrated, I express my frustration with all my might. I put my soul into it, so I hope you enjoy it. (Anima Mitsuru/MANTANWEB)
