The TV anime " Agents of the Four Seasons Dance of Spring, " based on the light novel by Kana Akatsuki, known for " Violet Evergarden ," will begin airing on TOKYO MX, MBS, and other channels from March 28th. It tells the story of the loss and resurgence of the "Seasonal Agents," who use special powers bestowed upon them by the gods of the seasons to bring the seasons back to various places, and their bodyguards. For 10 years, spring has vanished since the disappearance of Hanaba Hinagiku, the agent of spring, and Himetaka Sakura, the spring bodyguard, has been desperately searching for her mistress, but one day Hinagiku suddenly returns, setting the story in motion. We spoke with Yuka Nukui, who plays Hanaba Hinagiku, and Yoshino Aoyama, who plays Himetaka Sakura, about the recording process.
◇ Feel the weight of words
--What are your impressions of the work?
I felt that Ms. Nukui powerfully captured the indescribable pain and other emotions in her writing. It was delicate, painful, cruel, yet beautiful... I was deeply moved by her words, and I lost count of how many tissues I used as I turned the pages. I was so engrossed that I could barely see what I was looking at as I read. I'm looking forward to seeing how it will be portrayed visually.
Aoyama's work is certainly cruel, but also warm, and as Nukui said, the weight of his words is immense. It's as if the writing is dancing. I wondered how I could portray a story that dances so much. I continued reading, a mix of anxiety and excitement.
--What was your impression of the audition?
I was really nervous during the studio audition for Ms. Nukui , but I remember feeling relieved when the sound director, Eriko Kimura, came in with a gentle demeanor. She was like a spring breeze; she eased my tension, and I think I was able to approach the audition calmly. My manager called me with the results, and since it was nighttime, I thought I shouldn't make a fuss, but I was so happy that I let out a high-pitched voice, almost a mosquito buzz.
Ms. Aoyama , I initially auditioned for the role of Daisy. They said, "We'll decide on Daisy first," and at first there were no other auditions besides for Daisy. To be honest, I wasn't confident that I was the right person for the role of Daisy. But I wanted to be in the show, so I auditioned anyway. Unfortunately, I didn't get the part, but at the bottom of the disappointing email from the agency, it said, "Ms. Aoyama, you might have a chance to play a different role." I thought, "Wow, that's unusual," and a few months later, I was given the opportunity to audition for the role of Sakura. Ever since I auditioned for Daisy, I'd wanted to play Sakura, so I was thrilled to be given this opportunity! After the tape audition, I didn't hear anything for a while, so I thought there must have been a studio audition that I wasn't aware of. Then I received the news that I'd passed, and since then I've lived with the joy of being able to play Sakura.
Mr. Nukui, there was an opportunity for the staff and cast to gather before the recording, right?
I received a script that Mr. Aoyama had written, and he told me, "This is the kind of work I want to create."
We also talked about the stage directions in Mr. Nukui 's script. Sometimes the stage directions are so funny that they make me chuckle.
Aoyama-san wrote "damn cute" on the daisy (lol). Her inner thoughts are leaking out.
Nukui-san wrote something like, "I want to protect this smile, it's so damn cute," which sounds like a poem, and there was also a line that said, "Sakura is furious."
Aoyama-san isn't just "angry," she's "furious," so she knows how far it's okay to get angry.
◇With a sharpened sense
--What was important to you while acting?
Ms. Nukui's portrayal of Hinagiku involves a hesitant way of speaking, but I wanted to convey her feelings, even if they were broken up, rather than making them incomprehensible. I was told to "prioritize the acting" rather than being too conscious of the timing, so I'm trying to make the most of the pauses. Hinagiku is also a strong girl, so I tried to emphasize her inner strength. As she gets older, there are things she won't compromise on, and I'm trying to express her dignified side as well.
Aoyama-san, one of the characteristics of this work is that it "shows us various timelines," so for example, we had to instantly express what happened to Sakura at age 9, 10, 13, and so on. Rather than lumping all childhood together, we had to express it in a way that didn't lose the accumulation of her history, so it wasn't a superficial approach like making her voice cute because she was young. The original work has all the answers to what happened to this girl, so we paid attention to the accumulation of her history. Even in flashbacks, we thought about exactly how old she was, and we worked closely with the sound director and director to create it in detail. If I were asked to recall memories from when I was 9 or 10, all I could think of was "jump rope" (laughs), but this world is different, so I acted with the feeling that I couldn't neglect that.
--What was the recording process like?
When I watch each of Mr. Nukui 's performances, I get the feeling of "Ah, it's summer" or "It's autumn."
Aoyama-san , everyone on set is embodying their own season, and I'm particularly impressed by the winter vibes of Hino (Satoshi) and Sakata (Shogo).
--Do the two of you have a spring vibe?
I wonder if Nukui-san had a spring-like vibe? I thought Aoyama-san was very much in the spring mood.
Aoyama-san doesn't know about herself, but I thought (Nukui-san) was like spring!
--Have you worked together before?
This is my first time meeting Mr. Nukui and Mr. Aoyama !
Nukui-san , Sakura and Hinagiku start the first episode in a state of "being used to each other," so I had to make that feel natural. At first, I wondered if I could do it, but from the test shoot onwards, it felt natural, like "we've always been like this," and I relied on her completely.
I agree with Aoyama -san (laughs). I remember the first episode very well.
Ms. Nukui seemed nervous, but Ms. Aoyama herself was very cheerful, and it felt like "Spring has arrived!"
I'm so happy for Aoyama-san !
Every time I recorded with Mr. Nukui , I felt like the colors of the scenery changed before and after it started. That's how focused I was.
Mr. Aoyama's concentration was heightened, his senses were sharpened, and I really felt like he was using his life force.
I get the feeling that Mr. Nukui is getting a fever from all the thinking.
◇Beautiful and cruel, yet warm
--By the way, what's your favorite season?
I like everything about Ms. Nukui , but actually, I like spring the most. I enjoy savoring different flavors, and I'm happy that I can spend my days with the windows open.
Aoyama-san, I love winter.
Mr. Nukui, are you okay with the cold?
I really like Aoyama-san . I've been skiing for a long time, and food tastes great in winter, doesn't it? My favorite food is shirako (cod milt), so winter is definitely my favorite season. I was born in Kumamoto, so I have a strong longing for snow. I'm basically always depressed during the summer, but when autumn comes and I can smell winter, I feel energized.
Ms. Nukui , I don't like the cold... My shoulders get stiff (laughs).
--The broadcast will begin in the spring.
Not only are Aoyama-san's novels amazing, but the comic adaptations are incredible too; the entire media mix is fantastic. I'm once again feeling the joy of being able to participate in such a work, and I'm looking forward to the broadcast. I hope everyone will also be looking forward to it with maximum anticipation.
Ms. Nukui's work is beautiful, cruel, and yet packed with warmth. I hope you will fully savor everything, including the music. Since it's springtime, I hope it will warm your hearts even a little. You absolutely must see it! (Manami Anima/MANTANWEB)
