"Dorohedoro Season 2," the sequel to the anime "Dorohedoro" based on the manga by Q Hayashida, will be released almost simultaneously worldwide on various streaming platforms every Wednesday at 11 PM starting April 1st. "Dorohedoro" is a dark fantasy that depicts the story of Caiman, a man with amnesia whose head has been transformed into a lizard's by magic, as he tries to regain his true face and memories. "Season 2" is the first sequel in about six years since the TV anime that aired in 2020. We spoke with Wataru Takagi, who plays Caiman, and Reina Kondo, who plays Nikaido, Caiman's partner, about the appeal of "Dorohedoro" and behind-the-scenes stories from the recording.
◇First recording in a while: Caiman becomes a father? Nikaido (Torita) also faces pressure.
--What were your feelings when you learned that Season 2 was being produced?
So, what's the deal with Takagi-san , Rena-chan?
Kondo-san, should I go first? (laughs). Season 1 aired six years ago in 2020 and was very popular overseas, and as a fan myself, it was a show I loved, so I felt it would be a real shame for it to end there. I had heard talk of a possible sequel, but it wasn't clear, so I wondered what would happen. Then, as time passed, I heard that Season 2 was in production, and I was truly overjoyed. I was a little nervous about doing the voice acting again after six years, but I was able to enjoy it just as much as I did with Season 1, and it had been a long time since I'd seen Takagi-san...
It's been a while , Takagi -san. We really never seem to work together on any other projects. You're probably rejecting me, aren't you?
I haven't mentioned Mr. Kondo ! (laughs). He's a senior figure, and not someone I can easily meet.
Takagi-san, I thought there wouldn't be a Season 2 after this (laughs).
Kondo-san, that's not true at all (laughs). I really wanted to meet you. I was so happy to see you again after so long and to be able to do the banter as Caiman and Nikaido.
Takagi-san, that's right. Season 1 was a real treat, bringing to life the dark and fantastical world of Hayashida Kyu-sensei. The recording studio was filled with laughter, and if I do say so myself, it was a really fun and satisfying production. The final episode brought things to a close, but the story is still ongoing. It was just getting more and more interesting, so I'd always wanted to do Season 2. After six years, when I heard that we'd be doing Season 2, I jumped for joy.
--Since it's been a while since you played Caiman and Nikaido, did you do any preparation before recording?
Takagi-san , since it was a continuation of Season 1, there wasn't any particular preparation needed. I appeared in episode 14, and sound director Fujita (Akiko) told me, "He's gotten a bit old," and "Make Caiman younger," and since I hadn't prepared, I was caught off guard... (laughs). I felt bad for everyone who had been involved from the beginning, so I corrected it immediately.
Kondo-san , when I rewatched Season 1, I thought Nikaido's voice sounded a little young, but I also thought it wouldn't be right to just go into it with the assumption that "this is how her voice was," so I tried to recall my own image of Nikaido. However, I couldn't figure it out by trying to remember Nikaido on my own, so I started to grasp the atmosphere of "Dorohedoro" through her interactions with Caiman and the other characters, and that's how I finally managed to internalize it. At the beginning of Season 2, Torita was in the state of having transformed into Nikaido.
Takagi-san, that's right.
Kondo-san's first line was Torita, so it was quite a high-calorie burn. Katsu (Anri)-san played Torita so prettyly that I felt pressured to keep up, but sound director Fujita-san guided me a lot, telling me to "make it cuter," and I was able to let go of Torita. When I played Torita, Fujita-san directed me to "always put a ♪ mark or a heart mark at the end of the lines in the script," so I was able to naturally play as Nikaido with Torita inside.
--So Season 2 started off on a tough note, didn't it?
Kondo-san, that's right. However, I still vividly remember the relationship between Caiman and Nikaido that we created in Season 1, and the feeling of working with Takagi-san, and I also thought, "It'll be fine because it's Takagi-san," so I was really able to approach the scenes with Caiman with confidence.
Oh, Takagi- san, I'm so happy!!
◇"I got to meet Nikaido!" Growth after 6 years
--What was it like to interact with Caiman and Nikaido again after about six years?
Takagi-san, I was like, "Ah, this is it!"
It's the same for Mr. Kondo . I thought, "This is it!"
Takagi-san said, "It's been six years since I last saw Nikaido!" and there was such joy in our exchange. In Season 1, Rena-chan would say things like, "I'm nervous," and "I'm anxious," but when it came to the actual performance, she would nail it, and I had the impression that she had that kind of courage. But in Season 2, she seemed even more composed, and I felt she was very reliable. It felt like I was following Nikaido's lead.
Mr. Kondo , no, no, what are you talking about?
Takagi-san, it's true. I know it sounds arrogant coming from me, but I've been watching you and thinking how much you've grown.
Kondo-san, I'm so happy. Opportunities to interact one-on-one with a senior like Takagi-san don't come around often, so I consider it a very valuable time, and I approach each shoot with a sense of responsibility. Takagi-san is very kind and always livens up the set, so I'm really grateful that I can do it without feeling unnecessarily nervous. I myself really love Caiman, and the more I see him, the more I cherish him, so I'm filled with joy to be able to see Caiman again.
Takagi-san, I also want to work in a good balance of tension and a fun atmosphere. It might be good that I'm not the most senior among the cast. There are great seniors like Kenyu Horiuchi, Shigeru Chiba, and Hozumi Gouda, and when I tell a silly joke, Kenyu-san and others will join in (laughs), and everyone joins in on the conversation, which I'm grateful for. I tend to rely on my seniors too. I think the atmosphere of the studio is reflected in the work, so if I'm going to do it anyway, I want to do it in a fun way, and that doesn't change no matter which studio I go to.
Kondo-san, the atmosphere is really nice. Everyone is so kind.
◇Play and have fun with "Dorohedoro" - Season 2 delves deeper into the core of the story.
--"Dorohedoro" is also appealing for its lighthearted dialogue between unique characters. What are the unique joys and pleasures of performing in this work?
Takagi-san, I think the main reason is that the original work is really interesting. And when Fujita-san directs it, it ends up being something different from what I had imagined. I was planning to play it in a serious, heavy way, but as he directed it, it became lighter, and I thought that gap was interesting. Sometimes something different from what I imagined when I read the script comes together as we act on the day of recording. Everyone around me is a very strong individual, too (laughs). It feels like we're all creating it together, with Fujita-san helping to keep the balance.
As Kondo- san and Takagi-san said, I was guided by Fujita-san and the director, and I followed along with all my might, and when I saw the finished product, I was surprised to see how well it all came together. There were so many surprises like that. On the set of "Dorohedoro," even if the acting wasn't formulaic, or even if my voice was a little rough, they accepted it as part of the charm. So I felt at ease, and no matter what kind of acting I brought, the staff would correct it and guide me, which gave me a sense of security. I always play Nikaido with the feeling that I'm throwing out whatever comes to mind from the atmosphere of the voice recording with everyone, without thinking too deeply about it.
--Season 2 features many new characters, including members of the Cross-Eyed Organization. Has the atmosphere during recording changed compared to Season 1?
Takagi-san , we've got quite a few new members now, but the atmosphere in the studio hasn't changed much from Season 1. It's just more intense (laughs). The actors who come in are all weird... no, I mean, they're all people with strong personalities. So please look forward to it. Everyone's trying to leave their mark somewhere (laughs). It's like each character is really alive there.
Kondo-san, that's right. I'm really happy to see that all the new cast members are working together as one to pursue what makes "Dorohedoro" so interesting. Every time someone joins, Fujita-san and the director tell them, "It's a really funny show," and "It's a fun show, so just have fun and enjoy yourself," and I'm really grateful that they create an environment where we can act without hesitation.
Besides Takagi-san and everyone with the cross eyes, there are lots of other interesting characters like Store and Grandpa Coleman. I hope you enjoy seeing how they're portrayed. Everyone is working really hard. It's like they're having fun in a good way. I could never imitate them.
Everyone is always thinking about where they can hang out with Mr. Kondo .
Takagi-san is a little scary, in a good way (laughs).
--What are the highlights of Season 2?
Kondo-san , I feel that many aspects have been enriched or even powered up compared to Season 1. The visuals are great, and the story feels like it's delving into the mysteries amidst the chaos. But I was relieved to see that the fun atmosphere remains unchanged, with people not seeming to mind even when someone dies (laughs), in a good way. I also get the impression that it's become more serious, and there are some horror elements. I feel like we're finally getting closer to the core of the story.
Takagi-san, in Season 2, it feels like the individual characters are explored in more depth. The story becomes more complex, and we gradually see the past and background of each character, and they all intertwine in a complicated way. For me, it was difficult to figure out how to portray Caiman's struggles and eventual awakening. I can't say how much of the original story Season 2 will cover, but I think it will be very worthwhile to watch. The animation was also incomplete during the voice recording process, so I'm really curious to see what the final animation by director Hayashi (Yuichiro) will look like, and I might be the one most looking forward to watching it when it's released (laughs).
With the mysterious pasts of each character finally revealed, Season 2 promises to be even more chaotic. We'll be eager to see what kind of interactions these bright and cheerful characters will have in this dark world. (Shiroinu/MANTANWEB)
