Aniplex and A-1 Pictures/Psyde Kick Studio's new original anime, "Grow Up Show ~Himawari no Circus-dan~," will begin airing on TOKYO MX, BS11, and other channels from midnight on July 4th. Directed by Kanta Kamei, known for anime such as "Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend," and with character designs by Kurehito Misaki, who also created the original illustrations for that series, the story is set in Japan around the 1950s, during the height of Japan's economic boom. Numerous circus troupes travel around Japan performing, competing for a chance to participate in the Circus Collection, a world festival open only to the very best circus troupes. The story begins when Mizuka Tsurumaki, a circus prodigy, arrives at the Himawari Circus, a poor and struggling circus troupe led by ringmaster Maria, for certain reasons. Tomoka Noda, who plays Mizuka Tsurumaki, and Shiori Kurosaki, who plays Sakura Kawasumi, the star of the Himawari Circus, are both newcomers to voice acting, and this is their first time playing main characters. We asked the fresh-faced Noda and Kurosaki about the recording process, which was full of firsts for them.
◇The two met at their first audition
--What was the most memorable thing about the audition?
This was my first time auditioning, Ms. Noda . So everything is new and I can't quite grasp what's real about it, and I feel a bit lightheaded. I had a dialogue with Shiotan (Ms. Kurosaki) during the audition.
When Kurosaki- san and Tomochin (Noda-san) spoke their first lines, it was so Mizuka-like that I thought that even if I didn't get the part, Tomochin would. So I was feeling the other person's response, not my own. Mizuka was right beside me! I was able to become Sakurako thanks to Tomochin.
Noda- san and Shiotan had imagined Sakurasho to be the perfect role, and I thought it was a great fit. It was my first audition, and of course I wanted to get the part, but I put that feeling aside for a moment and just tried to have fun while I was talking to the microphone. I figured if I was going to be nervous anyway, I might as well enjoy the situation, so rather than feeling like I did well, I remember it as a fun experience.
--What was it like once you were cast and recording began?
I was so happy to hear that I would be appearing with Ms. Kurosaki . I really enjoyed the recording session.
Noda-san is still inexperienced and not yet used to the recording process, so there were many difficult times, but she gave her all every time.
Kurosaki-san always sat next to me and we talked. It helped me relax, and I was glad we were together. I'm the type to get nervous and I'm also shy, so I was really stiff during the first recording. Tomochin is so cheerful, which was a lifesaver, and she also did acting in ways I hadn't anticipated, so it was really refreshing to interact with her and just watch her act.
◇There were also mistakes during the recording.
-- Mizuka and Sakura are both difficult characters.
Noda-san and Kurosaki-san, that's difficult!
When I received the script for the first episode, Ms. Noda , I was like, "Seriously?!" Mizuka is a straightforward girl, for better or for worse, so I thought this would be quite challenging. But I also thought it would be rare to have the opportunity to meet such an interesting character, so I was looking forward to it. I was conscious of trying to play Mizuka in a way that wouldn't make her seem like a bad girl. She might come across as unpleasant at times, but I didn't want that to happen. She's a girl who doesn't mean any harm, so I tried not to overthink it when I played her.
Sakura Kurosaki is the complete opposite of Mizuka. She is passionate about the circus and is a hard worker. She has a responsible side and is a model student as she appears, but she also has a funny side. She was more passionate than I expected, so I tried to cherish the core of her personality. She is serious, but sometimes her efforts are misplaced, so I tried to make her not too rigid and instead focus on expressing her passion and emotions directly.
--It seems like there were many things you were doing for the first time, but did you make any mistakes?
Of all the episodes, it was Kurosaki- san's turn to be featured, and I ended up losing my voice... When I greeted everyone with "Good morning," there was a murmur of "Huh?! Are you okay?" At that moment, I thought my life was over. After the test recording, Kugimiya-san (Rie Kugimiya, who plays Maria) came over to me and encouraged me, "It's okay. You can do it!" I tried to avoid speaking anything other than my own lines as much as possible, and somehow I managed to perform.
Noda-san's voice gradually started to sound clearer, and I thought, "What incredible skill!" I also had a lot of difficulties, and when I had to do retakes, I felt really sorry for making everyone wait. Kayano-san (Ai Kayano Rin) told me, "They're letting you try again and again because they think you can do even better. It's okay," and that gave me the strength to give it my all.
--Were you often helped by your seniors?
There were lots of photos of Mr. Noda and Mr. Kurosaki !
Ms. Noda was very kind and supportive; she spoke to me and gave me advice whenever I stumbled.
I'm so glad that Kurosaki-san's first regular role was on this set.
--Were there any moments where you felt you made progress?
Mizuka Noda had many comical expressions, and there were also scenes where she ad-libbed, but ad-libbing requires quick thinking and it felt like she was being tested, so I was happy when she said, "That's funny."
Kurosaki-san's character , Sakura, is usually serious, but there are also scenes where he goes "Whoa!", and I was happy to hear him say "That's good" when I put my all into acting.
◇While being influenced and stimulated
--I heard you had some younger colleagues of the same generation there as well.
Noda: Yes. It was a set with many senior members, and Koyamauchi-san (Koyamauchi Reo, who played Agono Imari) and Ando-san (Ando Nanako, who played Isotsuchi Isuzu) were all what you'd call "younger" members, so after recording, the four of us would go out for meals together and we became good friends.
Ms. Kurosaki, you've inspired me to work even harder.
--I understand that all the recording is finished. Having worked together through this process, what are your impressions of each other as actors?
Ms. Kurosaki, I felt your passion. You're the complete opposite of me when it comes to acting; you're uninhibited in a good way, which suits Mizuka perfectly, and I was impressed by how you could come up with expressions that I couldn't even imagine! Your ad-libs were also fun, and I was amazed at how freely you can perform in front of the microphone!
I'm so happy , Noda-san . I thought I was the type to get nervous.
Ms. Kurosaki looks very dignified.
If Ms. Noda doesn't seem nervous, then that's good.
Kurosaki-san was so nervous, it's truly amazing that she was able to perform like that!
Noda-san's Sakura had a gentle image, and I felt that was because it was Shiotan. She's not reserved with Mizuka, but she's supportive of the other characters, and her acting was gentle and comfortable. I was influenced and inspired by her as I acted.
◇Attention to detail in the circus scenes
--What were your impressions after seeing the finished animation?
Mr. Noda's visuals are incredibly beautiful, the music is wonderful, and I was deeply moved to have been involved in such a project.
Ms. Kurosaki, I was drawn into the world of the story right from the beginning.
--Mizuka's opening line was very impressive. How did you deliver that line?
Mr. Noda, that was the first line I said. You told me, "It's okay if there's no emotion," but when I actually saw the video, I found it really interesting.
--What was the most challenging aspect of working on this project?
Ms. Noda, I mentioned ad-libbing earlier, but in order to ad-lib in a way that matched the character's facial expressions, I had to create and open up a new set of techniques I hadn't used before. I had the opportunity to ad-lib to match Mizuka's very distorted facial expressions, and it was a great experience and a lot of fun.
Kurosaki-san, Sakurato is a very enthusiastic kid who says to Mizuka, "Let's do a circus together!" He attacked Mizuka with the determination to win her over no matter what. That's something I challenged myself to do together with Sakurato.
--Which scene did you pay particular attention to during recording?
This is the circus scene with Noda-san . It's very immersive, and we worked together to come up with the signaling scene as we acted it out. You can also see Mizuka and Sakura's growth in the second half, and I really love the circus scene.
I think Kurosaki-san put a lot of effort into her breathing during the circus scene, and it's something that left a lasting impression on me.
Facing numerous obstacles and supported by their seniors, these two fresh-faced girls gave their all in their first regular role. We encourage you to see and hear for yourself the culmination of their passion as they fully embodied their characters. (Manami Anima/MANTANWEB)
