The TV anime "Atelier of Witch Hat," based on the manga by Kamome Shirahama, will begin airing on TOKYO MX and other channels from April 6th. The main character, Coco, a girl who longs to be a wizard, will be voiced by Rena Motomura. Motomura is a new voice actress who has also appeared in anime such as "Maebashi Witches" and "The Ragged Lady is Doted on by Her Sister's Ex-Fiancé," while popular voice actor Natsuki Hanae will play Kieffrey, the wizard who takes Coco on as an apprentice. For Motomura, Hanae was the person who inspired her to become a voice actress. We asked Motomura and Hanae, who co-starred in this "master-apprentice" relationship, about what happened behind the scenes of the recording.
◇A new Natsuki Hanae!
--What were your impressions after reading the original work?
When I was offered the opportunity to audition for Ms. Motomura , I read the original work for the first time, and I thought, "I wish I had encountered this work sooner." I deeply empathized with the childhood longing and yearning to become a wizard, and since I had struggled with similar issues when I was around the same age as Coco and her friends, I was moved by the thought that my life might have been different if I had met them. I was so engrossed in the story that it was hard to believe it was my first time reading it.
Hanae-san, when I was offered the audition, I read the book and thought the illustrations were beautiful and the way the world was constructed was wonderful. There are many stories about wizards, but the idea of "drawing magic" is unique, and I liked that it wasn't something that could be done immediately, but something that required careful thought and consideration.
--What did you think after watching the anime?
The illustrations in Mr. Motomura's original work are incredibly detailed and magnificent. I wondered what it would look like when it moved, and I was deeply moved when I saw the PV. When it became an anime, it exceeded my expectations; the way the pictures moved felt like magic, and I was deeply moved. The added depth made me feel like I was immersed in this world with my whole body, and I felt like I wanted to live with this work forever, to keep watching it forever.
Because Hanae-san's original work is so wonderful, I thought it would be difficult to adapt it into an anime. However, when I learned that Watanabe Ayumu would be directing it, I expected it to be an amazing work. He's a director I've worked with before, and I'd always wanted to work with him again, so I was very happy. I think one of the highlights is seeing the magic animated, and it's incredibly beautiful. The fantastical elements and the slightly spooky parts are blended together perfectly, and I find that very appealing. Personally, I was very impressed by the way the eyelashes were drawn. They were so delicate and beautiful that I couldn't help but think, "I wish I had eyelashes that thick!" (laughs).
--What are your impressions of Director Watanabe?
Hanae- san said, "I'm really happy to be able to consistently appear in Director Watanabe's works, such as 'Nikuko-chan at the Fishing Port' and 'Summer Time Rendering,' but I also felt a lot of pressure. The director is a very funny person and is always making jokes. When I first met him, I even wondered, 'Is this going to be okay?' (laughs). However, the quality of the finished works is very high, and I personally think that he does very meticulous work behind the scenes that we don't see, and that he is considerate enough not to put too much pressure on us on set. I haven't really played roles with the same age range and position as Keyfree until now, but Director Watanabe told me, 'I want you to act with your natural voice' and 'I want you to show us a new you.'"
--Ms. Motomura also appears in "Nikuko-chan of the Fishing Port."
Ms. Motomura's first named role was in "Nikuko-chan of the Fishing Port." It was an open audition, but unfortunately she didn't get the part in the final selection, and instead appeared as a classmate. Through a fortunate turn of events, she had the opportunity to work with the director again.
◇ Desperately clinging to a senior I respect
-- Mr. Motomura and Mr. Hanae have worked together before, but is this the first time they've had a dialogue exchange?
Motomura-san, that's right. I'm so happy. Hanae-san is the person who inspired me to become a voice actor. I have a lot of respect for him, but when I act with him, I try my best to cling on and do my best, as if I'm jumping into his heart.
Hanae-san , why are you being so formal? (laughs)
Mr. Motomura is a senior colleague of mine, so I feel a bit intimidated by him, but I truly trust him. I trust him more than my own parents.
Hanae-san, that much?!
Ms. Motomura, I'm so happy to be able to act alongside you in this production as Coco and Kieffrey, who have a mentor-student relationship. I'm thinking a lot about what I can do to contribute.
--Mr. Hanae, you mentioned that this was what inspired you to become a voice actor. Could you tell us more about that?
When I was in junior high school, I went through a period where I struggled with the difficulties of interpersonal relationships, and I really empathized with the character that Hanae-san was playing. Hanae-san's acting was so straightforward and really cool, and I admired him. I've always loved acting and wanted to try being an actor, but I was so moved by how much voice acting can move people's hearts that I decided I wanted to become a voice actor!
--So you're not just saying that because it's an interview, it's the truth, right?
Mr. Motomura, that's true!
Hanae-san, I'm so happy. Back then, I was trying my best to keep up, and my seniors helped me out. I'm happy that she decided to become a voice actress, and it makes me happy to see her working so hard.
--This overlaps with the relationship between Coco and Keyfree.
That's right, Hanae-san . Actually, the first time we met was at a vocational school in Osaka. There was something like a voice acting competition, and I participated as a judge, and she won. After it was over, I was talking to her manager and saying, "She was really good," and "She's definitely going to be great," so we got permission from the vocational school and she joined our agency. So I think our instincts were right.
--I never imagined there was such a fateful story leading up to you co-starring...
I thought it might be a little too soon since it was Hanae-san (laughs). The opportunity to work together came up relatively sooner than I was mentally prepared. I was cheering him on, thinking he was working hard, and before I knew it, he had grown so much. I also think I would have liked to work with him after he had matured a bit more (laughs).
Mr. Motomura, it's all thanks to Ms. Hanae! I know I shouldn't rely on her too much on set, but sometimes I do end up asking for her advice. Thank you always.
When Hanae-san is young, there are things he doesn't realize about himself. I sometimes tell him that it's good to realize things early on.
◇A straightforward link with Coco
-- What are your impressions of Coco Keyfree?
I remember when I first saw the character design for Coco in the materials, I was instantly captivated and knew I absolutely had to play this character. Coco is kind, loves her mother very much, and of course longs for magic, but it's not just longing; she also understands the scary side of magic and doesn't turn away from it. She can't ignore people in need, and she has inner strength. As I played her, I felt that her straightforwardness resonated with me, and I'm trying to emulate her unwavering strength once she's made up her mind.
There are many things about Hanae-san's character, Kieffrey, that I don't understand, and I'm sometimes told that "it's hard to tell what you're thinking," so maybe that's something we have in common. I don't think about it that deeply, though (laughs). Kieffrey is kind, and it was easy to imagine his gentle nature. He's in the position of a teacher, and Motomura-san is also a junior at the agency, so it was easy to put emotion into the role.
--What are your impressions of Coco and Motomura-san, Hanae-san? And what are your impressions of Keyfree and Hanae-san, Motomura-san?
Hanae-san is pretty much the same as the character, isn't he? He's very similar to the character in that he's hardworking and curious about everything he does, so when I first heard his voice, I thought it was a perfect fit.
Motomura- san and Hanae-san's kindness and gentleness are reminiscent of Professor Kieffrey. Sometimes, however, it's hard to tell what they're thinking...
Hanae-san (lol)
Motomura-san and Hanae-san are incredibly kind, and I think they probably think things through calmly even when they're silent. That sense of space is very similar to Professor Kieffrey. I feel like they are exactly like Professor Kieffrey, so it was easy for me to connect with them when I was acting, and I was pulled along by Hanae-san's natural acting. I feel like my own acting is becoming more and more natural as well.
--Mr. Motomura, you describe yourself as a "straight pitcher." In what ways do you see that as a "straight pitcher"?
Motomura-san: "It might be that once I think 'this is how it should be,' my body just moves on its own. Once I've decided, I act immediately. There are times when I have to worry or think things through, but I start running right away, so people around me are like, 'Wait a minute,' and my insatiable curiosity is another example of this."
--Conversely, what are the differences?
Ms. Motomura , Coco doesn't show her feelings even when she's down, but I would. There's a scene where Coco works hard at magic, but still can't keep up, and collapses. I think it's difficult to act cheerful and energetic towards everyone around you until you collapse.
-- How did you approach playing Keyfrey, Hanae-san?
At first, I thought that Kieffrey had a dangerous side to him, which led to his excessive kindness, but I was told to "just be natural." When I was talking to the original author about whether Kieffrey was actually a bad person or a good person, he told me, "This is how Kieffrey is at this point," and "This is when he started to develop a sense of responsibility as a teacher." It was difficult to leave the mystery of what he was hiding, so like when I was a newcomer, I recorded my performance in many different versions and listened to them again. I was that conflicted.
Motomura and Hanae spoke with a sense of mutual trust, much like the master-apprentice relationship in the story. Coco, who is driven by her aspirations, and Kieffrey, who guides her—how will their relationship be portrayed in the story? We look forward to the broadcast of the anime "Atelier of Witch Hat." (Man Anima/MANTANWEB)
