The TV anime "The Fish That Got Away Was Big, But the Fish I Caught Was Too Big," based on the light novel by Momoyo Manyo that originated on the Shosetsuka ni Naro submission site "Shosetsuka ni Narou," has been airing since April. It's a pure love romantic comedy that begins with a misunderstanding when Duchess Maria (nicknamed Mimi) starts looking for a husband, only to be pressured by Renato, the first prince of the neighboring Rubini Kingdom, to break off their engagement, something she has no recollection of. Mimi is a martial arts expert and displays overwhelming strength, making the action a highlight of the show. We spoke to Yu Serizawa, who plays Maria, and Saori Hayami, who plays Aida, the Duchess's daughter with a gentle personality that is the complete opposite of Maria's, about what happened behind the scenes of the recording.
◇ Freely play Mimi
--What are your impressions of the work?
After reading the original work by Ms. Serizawa , I knew it was a story I really loved! The world of nobility and royalty is far removed from my own, but I love princesses, and I adore the sound of the word "prince" and this worldview. I also love the sense of power and satisfaction of the heroine solving problems with her own strength, and I strongly felt that I wanted to play Mimi! I find it appealing that she is not just protected, but also forges her own path, and it's a work that is filled with things I love.
Hayami-san's work is so uplifting. It's a story that keeps you feeling happy while you're reading it. It constantly stirs up feelings of happiness. All the characters are kind at their core, so I felt that if I were given the opportunity to appear in it, I would feel happy every time.
--What was important to you when playing Mimi?
Serizawa-san: After the first episode, I was really impressed when sound director Fumihiko Otera told me, "You don't have to think about anything at all." I was nervous because I was the lead, and Mimi is an important character in this work, so I had a lot on my mind, but I received direction like, "Just go with the flow and don't forget to be bold," and "Like a girl who makes noises no matter what she does," which made me think about acting more freely. I was able to act comfortably without thinking too much about being the lead.
-- Do you get nervous when you're the chairperson?
Serizawa-san definitely has a strong sense of responsibility. But Hayami-san and the other cast members are so charming, and after listening to everyone's acting, I've come to think that maybe I shouldn't be carrying too much on my shoulders... and in a way, I feel more at ease.
-- "A girl who makes noises no matter what she does" is also interesting. Even I sometimes say things like "Heave-ho!"
Hayami-san, I say the same thing (laughs). My father has onomatopoeia for everything he does. Maybe that's why I grew up listening to it.
Ms. Serizawa , I don't usually say this, but for this project, I started looking for where my voice would come in.
--What was important to you when you played Aida, Ms. Hayami?
Because of her upbringing as a lady, Ms. Hayami initially gives the impression of being refined and elegant in every way she behaves. However, I believe that in her childhood she was mischievous and carefree, and that's the root of her understanding with Mimi. Her upbringing has kept her carefree side suppressed, but Mimi's presence allows it to be unleashed. I think that deep down, she's a lively and strong-willed woman.
◇ Yu Serizawa makes your heart sparkle
--So the pace of the conversation is also important?
The conversation between the two Hayamis is really good.
Serizawa-san, that's right. However, Aida's tone is so close to the heart that when I listen to it, I want to speak in the same tone. I played Mimi feeling that she really likes Aida, and I felt that the two of them have been best friends since childhood. Hayami-san helped me bring out a lot of that. When I saw the finished video, I felt even more strongly that the two of them were close friends and had been together all this time.
When Hayami-san was doing the voice recording, we often recorded the dialogue at the microphone next to her, and although she was holding the script and looking straight ahead, the dialogue scenes really felt like we were having a conversation together. It felt like I was talking to Mimi and also talking to Yu-chan, and it was such a realistic atmosphere that it felt like a door had opened.
Ms. Serizawa said that what she particularly valued in the first episode was the dialogue with Aida. She felt that the scenes where Mimi's heart was moved were the conversations with Aida, and she is very happy to hear Ms. Hayami say that!
--The two of you have worked together before...
It's been a while since I've had this kind of interaction with Ms. Serizawa .
I've had opportunities to cross paths with Hayami-san at festivals and other events, and to talk to her, but it's been a while since we've had such a long conversation, hasn't it?
--What are your impressions of each other as actors?
Ms. Serizawa has a gentle, enveloping presence, yet there's a powerful energy within her, and she really brings you out. It's not like she's saying, "Come on!", but rather she naturally lifts you up. Even now, when I watch the works we previously co-starred in, I'm still moved to tears. It's only because of Ms. Hayami that I can stand in front of the microphone and think, "I can act like this!" She's truly an amazing person.
It's an honor , Hayami-san . It was a huge experience for me to be able to work with you this time, playing the roles of longtime best friends. The last time we worked together, our interactions were quite tense. I was so happy to be able to work with you this time, playing characters who are close to each other on an emotional level. You have such positive energy wherever you are. Just your presence brightens up the place. That's true not only in the voice recording studio, but also on stage. Even when we're talking backstage, you're full of energy, and when I talk to you, I feel like I'm getting some of that energy from you. I had so much fun this time too. We've gone home together once, and we started talking about Yu-chan's family, which made me realize how close she is to Mimi. Hearing about her family made me feel happy. You're someone who makes my heart sparkle. Of course, you've also really inspired me in terms of our acting.
--Ms. Serizawa, you have appeared in a variety of works, and you have also made a strong impression in comedies.
Serizawa-san is having so much fun! I'm trying to act simply, hoping to make my co-stars and staff laugh. First of all, I think if I can make the people in the studio laugh, then maybe a lot of people will enjoy it too?
◇Who was the one that got away?
--Have you ever had an experience where you felt like "the one that got away was the biggest"?
Hayami-san was talking to Yu-chan and said, "Maybe neither of you are the type to think that way?"
Serizawa-san, that's right. That's why I looked for it (laughs). I was invited to appear on a boat race program once, and since I was born on December 3rd, I chose "1, 2, 3". But it was no good at all... I tried to make proper predictions for the subsequent races, and at the very end, "1, 2, 3" came up with incredibly high odds! In the end, I was wrong. I should have not thought about it (laughs).
Hayami-san , that's right... There was a time when the restaurant I was planning to go to had already finished its lunch service, so I went into the Italian restaurant next door, and it was really delicious. I've had the experience of "the fish that got away was big," but also "the fish I caught was too big."
--Finally, do you have a message for those who are looking forward to the anime?
Hayami-san, each character has their own unique personality, making this a beautiful work. The characters converse with each other, connect with one another, and a beautiful, gentle, and endearing story unfolds. It is a turbulent ride, but I hope you will join us on this exciting rollercoaster ride.
Ms. Serizawa , the finished animation is truly beautiful. The shine of the hair, the sparkle in the eyes, the beautiful world I've always admired has been perfectly captured in the animation. I'm sure both fans of the original work and those seeing it for the first time will be satisfied, and they'll definitely laugh. Please smile! (Manami Anima/MANTANWEB)
