The TV anime "Yomi no Tsugai," based on the latest work by Hiromu Arakawa, known for "Fullmetal Alchemist," began airing in April on TOKYO MX, BS11, and other channels. The manga has been serialized in "Shonen Gangan" (Square Enix) since December 2021 and is a popular work with over 6 million copies of the comic series sold. Kensho Ono voices the protagonist, Yuru, and Yume Miyamoto voices Yuru's twin sister, Asa. We asked Ono and Miyamoto about their thoughts on the work.
◇What kind of mate do you want?
--What is the appeal of the work?
Ono-san, with "Fullmetal Alchemist," the first episode made a strong impact. It started without any explanation, and I was drawn into the work wondering what was going on. I felt that very strongly with "Yomi no Tsugai." In the first episode, the barrier was broken, and it was revealed that it was a story set in modern times, which was shocking. I was drawn in because I didn't know what was happening, and I was curious about what would happen next. I felt the greatness of Arakawa-sensei.
Miyamoto-san , I love Yuru's line in the first episode, "Nobody's going to explain anything to me today," and I watched the first episode from Yuru's perspective, just like that line. It's interesting how things keep happening that you don't understand, and how you get swept up in them. I was impressed by how the feeling of "What does that mean?" is expressed through the music. It's exciting, and when Sayu-sama appears, it's thrilling, and the synergy with the music makes it a fun watch.
--The unique setting of this work is also appealing. What aspects of it interest you?
Ono-san, I think the title itself, "Tsugai" (pair), is the key. The pairings of Higashimura and the Kagemori family, and the twins, are what I found interesting. Since the story is set in Japan, Japanese yokai and gods appear as pairs, but having grown up in Japan myself, there's nothing new to me, and I feel a sense of familiarity. As Arakawa-sensei mentioned, even the pair of Tenaga Ashinaga that will appear later have different names depending on the region and era, which is also very interesting. The more I learn, the more intrigued I become, and I feel the breadth of the work.
The fact that some people can see Miyamoto 's mate and others cannot is something that personally appeals to my inner chuunibyou (middle school syndrome) and makes me excited. Asa can see them, of course, but some of the villagers cannot, and I'm acting while keeping that setting in mind.
--What kind of mate do you want?
I'd love to talk to Miyamoto-san about the extremely bad and slightly bad fortunes. Many of the pairs don't talk, but they do. It was animated, and the voice actors gave such wonderful performances. I really want it now.
Mr. Ono, I'd say "Essa Hoisa." I don't usually fight, so it seems like it would be useful in everyday life. I'd like it to do all the chores around me. Like laundry, sorting the trash, sorting receipts, etc. (laughs).
Miyamoto-san is the best. I'd love for her to dry my hair with a hairdryer (lol).
--I heard you visited the workplace of the original author, Arakawa-san.
There was a get-together with Mr. Ono , and I mentioned that it would be nice to be able to drop into his workplace, and he said, "Sure." It was a wonderful experience. You know how you imagine a manga artist's workplace to be filled with lots of reference materials? That was exactly the case. There were materials about yokai and gods, but he said he hadn't collected them specifically to draw "Yomi no Tsugai," but had been interested in them for a long time. I really felt that he was "doing what he loves for a living."
Miyamoto- san's workspace really gives off the vibe of Arakawa-sensei. It's warm and inviting, and I felt that's why works filled with love are born there.
--Did you talk about the work?
I've heard stories about how Mr. Ono's works came to be.
Ms. Miyamoto , you told me about the audition at the get-together. I was so, so happy when you said you liked the contrast between Asa's fight scenes and her gags!
Mr. Ono, I've spoken with the director about the audition. He told me that he "felt a wildness" in me.
◇Are you aware that you are twins?
--What are your impressions of Yul and Asa?
Yuru, as portrayed by Ono , is still in the early stages of the story and hasn't yet fully grasped all the circumstances and facts, so he's trying to adapt. He grew up in a harsh environment, abandoned by his parents, and he probably had no choice but to grow up in that way.
I think Asa Miyamoto was lonely. I'm amazed that a 16-year-old girl could make the decision to go to Higashimura, but when she's talking to Gabu, she seems like a normal girl. I'm working hard to express that contrast in my acting. She's a girl who has made up her mind and is moving forward, and I respect that she doesn't become pessimistic.
--You're playing twins; are you conscious of each other while acting?
Mr. Ono, I don't really think about it that much. I feel that they are more like brother and sister than twins, considering their positions, and Asa looks up to her brother and calls him "big brother," so I don't consciously think of them as twins. However, when you look at Asa's sharp gaze in the first episode, I do feel that their eyes are very similar, but I've left that to the visual expression.
Miyamoto-san, I'm extremely conscious of you.
Ono-san is doing it a lot (lol).
I think Miyamoto- san and Yuru and Asa are similar in that they are both honest and straightforward. I've always thought that Kensho-san sometimes has a unique sense of rhythm in his lines and monologues, and I tried to project that onto my character. No one may have noticed, but I feel like I'm playing twins!
Mr. Ono is so unaware of his unique sense of rhythm. He doesn't notice it himself.
For example, Mr. Ono sometimes ends his sentences with phrases like, "I thought it was..."
Maybe Ono-san just can't hold his breath long enough (laughs). It's unconscious.
Mr. Miyamoto was like that both in the test and the actual performance, so I'm trying to imitate that aspect.
Even if Mr. Ono isn't consciously trying to look like her, he might start to resemble her more and more in the future.
-- Asa is a character whose charm lies in her unexpected sides.
From episodes 1 and 2, the sound director told me to "try not to show too much of the side of you that loves your older brother," so I kept my acting restrained, but I made sure to make the comical scenes clear and easy to understand. I also read the original manga to deepen my feelings for my older brother and approached the recording sessions with that in mind.
So that's what Ono-san was doing (laughs).
--Yuru is also a character with very expressive features.
Ono-san, that's right. Especially after descending to the lower world, a variety of expressions emerge. Since he was living in a world where civilization had stopped, he's the only one who has time-slipped, and I try to portray his reactions to encountering things he doesn't know in a way that's appropriate for his age. Dela-san and Hana-san handle the comical parts, so I don't consciously try to do that, but I hope that the difference between the serious scenes and his fresh, everyday reactions will be clearly visible. What's difficult is when Yuru says words he doesn't know. For example, in the scene where he's questioning the word "control" because he doesn't know it, I have to pronounce it as if he's reading it in hiragana. It's difficult to express that with just my voice, and although it's a scene that passes by in an instant, it's a point that I personally put a lot of effort into.
◇To be performing with Kensho Ono, whom I've always admired...
--Ms. Miyamoto, when the cast was announced, you commented, "I'm so incredibly happy to be able to create a work with Kensho Ono, who has been a huge presence in my life and someone I've admired since I was little!" What was it like actually working with him?
Maybe Ono-san isn't someone I look up to anymore (laughs).
I still look up to Miyamoto-san ! There's no other older brother as reliable as him. I often talk to Misaki-chan (Misaki Kuno, who plays Gabu-chan), and Ono-san is really easy to talk to, understanding, and kind. He picks up on whatever you say, and it gives me a great sense of security. He's the best older brother. Thank you always!
Ono-san, I'm the one who's been helped by you. Miyamoto-san is always cheerful, something I lack. I'm not very straightforward, but Miyamoto-san is completely different. That's why I envy you. Every week, you create a great atmosphere on set, and it brightens up the whole place. As for acting, there's nothing more I can say.
Miyamoto- san, no, no...
There was talk about the gap between Ono-san's and Asa's character, but as the episodes progress, we start to see Asa's adorable side, and it all happens so naturally. Rather than it feeling like they're switching to a comical role, it's expressed seamlessly within the flow of the story, which is wonderful. Plus, it looks like they're having fun.
Miyamoto-san is so much fun! Everyone's a senior, but they're all incredibly kind.
--What are the highlights to look forward to in the future?
You'll see a different side to Ono-san 's Asa, and her charm will shine even more, so I hope you'll look forward to it. There will also be some strong characters, and I myself am really looking forward to seeing how the couples will move in the anime.
As Mr. Miyamoto and Mr. Kensho mentioned, Asa will really start to show her true potential. We're still in the introductory part, so there are many serious scenes, but there will also be more comical scenes with Dela and Hana. There are still many mysteries, but some will be revealed as we go along. Please look forward to it! (Man Animan/MANTANWEB)
