This is a youthful occult story in which Momo, a high school girl born into a family of spiritual mediums, and Okarun, a boy who loves the occult, are attacked by the elusive monster Turbo Granny, and begin to face mysterious phenomena.
To commemorate the start of the broadcast, Animate Times conducted an interview with the main cast! This time, we interviewed Shion Wakayama, who plays Momo, about her impressions of the work, what she paid attention to when acting, and behind-the-scenes stories.
–Please tell us your impressions of the original work and your thoughts on the anime.
Shion Wakayama (hereafter, Wakayama), who plays Momo: The illustrations in the original work are very beautiful, and the story has a good tempo. The horror parts are full-on horror, but the comedy is also very intense, and I felt that the two opposing elements were well-balanced. It’s easy to read, fun, and full of impact. Just reading it makes me excited. It’s a great work.
The anime uses a variety of different expressions and directing techniques, which shows that Director Yamashiro (Fuga) has carefully considered how to express the good points of the original work in the anime. I could fully feel his desire to convey to the viewers the shock and enjoyment I felt when reading the manga, and I was as excited as when I first read the original work.
–Please tell us your impression of the character Momo, and what similarities you have with her and what you find attractive about her.
Wakayama: The thing I have in common with her is that I tend to use language a little rougher when I get home (laughs). Of course, that’s because I have a trusting relationship with my family. In addition, when I’m feeling a little down, I can also understand how I suddenly become depressed and think, “Oh, no, no.”
One thing I don’t have about her that I find attractive is her honesty. Because she’s honest, she can reveal everything, and even though she makes some sharp remarks, she’s a kind person at heart, so I think that’s a good thing about her.
–What did you keep in mind when playing the role of Momo?
Wakayama: I am always conscious of expressing all my emotions and attitudes honestly. I also think that Momo is characterized by her gal-like nature, and I admire gals myself, so I incorporate the way gals talk, use of language, and mindset from YouTube and other sources, and reflect them in my acting.
–What was the most memorable direction you received at the recording studio?
Wakayama: I don’t think there were any specific instructions about the character, but the direction I received after the test for recording the first episode left a strong impression on me. I was very nervous before the recording, and on the day of the recording I was putting pressure on myself, thinking “I have to do it right.” Maybe because of that, during the test for Part A, I was told, “You’re putting too much force into it.” I was a little panicked, saying, “I’m putting too much force into it… but I don’t know how to relax!”
The Serpo aliens appear from Part B, and Nakai (Kazuya) who plays them played the three Serpo aliens A, B, and C in a single voice (recorded as the scene unfolded, without separate recordings). I was very surprised, and then Tanaka (Mayumi) who played Turbo Granny started giggling, and the warm and fuzzy atmosphere made me feel relieved, like “I can be here too,” and I think I was able to record with a little less tension from that point on.
–Please tell us your impression of Okarun and your thoughts on Hanae’s acting.
Wakayama: When I read the original work, I thought Okarun was a timid and timid boy. But after hearing Hanae-san’s performance, my impression changed to “He may seem timid at first glance, but he has a strong core, and when he needs to take a step forward, he will gather his courage and take it.”
また、第1話から山代監督がどんなお芝居を望んでいるのか、しっかり理解しているかのように、確固たるオカルン像を完璧に用意されていて、驚くばかりでした。そんな花江さんのお芝居に食らいついていくつもりで、自分も必死にモモを演じていた気がします。
ーーオカルンは落ち込んだ時と好きな宇宙人やUFOのことを話す時のギャップが面白いですよね。
若山：オカルンの会話のテンポは、緩急があって聞いていてとても楽しいですよね。でも、1話のお芝居の部分では、オカルンの好きなUFOや宇宙人の話をし始めたらテンション高く、まくしたてるような感じにモモも乗っかってしまうと、仲が良いふたりになってしまうんですよね。最初は心の距離があるからこそ、ちょっと引いたり、ちゃんと聞いていない感じのローテンションで返したり、オカルンに引っ張られないように気をつけていました。
ーーモモとオカルンの関係性についてはどう思われましたか？
若山：第1話の最初では、モモがオカルンに好意を持つとは思えないような関係性ですが、第1話の最後で衝撃的な事実が発覚し、モモにとっては天地が逆転するくらいの出来事だったのではないでしょうか。
そして回が進むごとに、大切な人を守るためなら自分の身を投げ出せる、硬派で男らしい一面も見えてきて、そういうところにモモがキュンときたんだろうなと思ったら、二人のやり取りも可愛らしく感じるようになりました。
そのままふたりは恋仲になるのかなと思っていたら、邪魔をする人たちが続々と現れ……（笑）。モモを演じる身としては、いつかふたりが結ばれてほしいなと願っています。
ーーモモとオカルンが遭遇するターボババアとセルポ星人の印象もお聞かせください。
若山：序盤のターボババアは恐ろしい存在ですよね。見た目もおどろおどろしいですし、勝てそうもないほど強く思えます。でも、そのうちマスコットのような可愛らしさが出てくるんです。何だかんだ言いながら世話を焼いてくれるし、モモのことは「モモ」と呼んでくれるし、徐々に愛おしいキャラクターになっていきます。
セルポ星人については、最初は気持ち悪いという印象が先行しますが、中井さんのお芝居と画のお芝居が合わさって、クセになる気持ち悪さが可愛く感じられるようになります。
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