After 500 years, in the year 2099, the huge national city of Shinjuku has achieved the ultimate in development, and the story revolves around the legendary demon king Berthol, his loyal servant Makina, and the self-proclaimed super genius beautiful hacker Takahashi, as they seek to rule the “new world” once again.
The first trailer released, “Digital Desolate City Shinjuku,” includes humorous scenes such as the Demon King busying himself with his job search and a conversation with Makina, but also glimpses of scenes that give off a serious atmosphere, raising expectations for the broadcast.
Animate Times brings you an interview with Satoshi Hino, who plays the Demon Lord Bertholdt Velvet Beerschwald, and Miku Ito, who plays his supporter Makina Solege! We asked them about their impressions of the characters they play, the appeal of this series, and stories from the recording sessions.
–Please tell us your impressions after reading the original work and performing in the role, and what you found appealing about it.
Hino Satoshi, who plays Bertholdt Velvet Beerschwald (hereinafter referred to as Hino): It’s an entertaining work that combines traditional fantasy with cyberpunk, and the meticulous craftsmanship of the dialogue is also very interesting.
The more you read the more you’ll be drawn in by its charm.
Miku Ito (Ito), voice of Makina Solege: The contrast between seriousness and comedy was very impressive, and I couldn’t stop reading. The serious battle scenes are full of action and realistic depictions, while the comical scenes are surreal and make you chuckle. That’s what’s so fascinating about it, and I think it’s been well-expressed in the anime.
I think the fun comes from doing both comical and serious roles seriously, so I approach my acting with that in mind.
–Please tell us your impression of the character you play, as well as any similarities or sympathies you have with the character.
Hino: To be honest, I don’t think there are any similarities between us (laughs).
On the other hand, I think there are people who want to become someone like Berthold. He has a very high adaptability, unwavering confidence, and the drive to protect those who admire him, and the strength to follow through. It’s something to admire.
Ito: Makina is intelligent, obedient to Lord Berthol, and has a big, straightforward love. At first, she seemed flawless and flawless, and mysterious, but as I played the role, I saw glimpses of her girlish cuteness and naturalness, and she became very lovable.
There aren’t many similarities between her and me. I admire Makina because she’s honest, reliable, and cute.
–Please tell us about the things you kept in mind when acting and any direction you received before or during recording that made an impression on you.
Hino: What I’m conscious of when acting is to always maintain the dignity of the Demon King, while making sure that Berthol doesn’t waver even in comical scenes. I think the fun of the dialogue in this work comes from the fact that Berthol says completely serious and nonsensical things.
Ito: Because the work has a strong worldview, I was conscious of making the long explanatory lines easy to understand even for first-time viewers.
また、マキナが天然さを発揮するコミカルなシーンは、もっと思い切りギャグにするように、ディレクションを頂いたりしました。淡々としている時もあれば、少し様子のおかしい面白いマキナもいますので、どちらも楽しんでもらえればと思います。
──お互いのキャラクターに対する印象やお芝居はいかがでしょうか。
日野：今まで伊藤さんとは幾つかの現場でパートナー的な役を担当させてもらった事もあり、彼女が全身全霊で役に向き合う姿勢など間近で拝見させてもらってきました。今回のマキナについてもそれを体現されていて、ベルトール役として私は非常に助けられております。
伊藤：魔王というと悪であり、怖いイメージがありますが、ベルトール様は素直で憎めない、可愛いらしい印象があります。何事にも真剣に取り組み、上に立つものとして、臣下への愛情も忘れない。後ろに着いて行きたくなるリーダーシップもあります。
日野さんは、威厳がありつつもお茶目で放っておけない魔王を、しっかりとシーン毎に捉えて演じられていて、先輩凄いな……と背中を見せて頂いています。日野さんのお芝居で、より魅力的な魔王になっています。
──収録の雰囲気や裏話などあれば、お聞かせください。
日野：収録現場は、非常に和気藹々と楽しい現場ですね！
面白い裏話的なことはまだ少ないのですが、マルキュス役の松風さんが趣味でもある工具について熱くレクチャーしてくれたりはします。シルバーアクセサリーもご自分で作られたりしていて、凄いんです！
伊藤：今後の展開はどうなるんだろう、原作のこのシーンは来るかな？など、作品について話していたり、はたまた全然プライベートなお話をさせてもらったり、日によって様々です。先輩方が柔らかい空気感を作って下さるので、思い切りお芝居させてもらっています。
また現場で印象に残っているのは、高橋役の菱川（花菜）さんがマルキュス推しらしく、演じる松風（雅也）さんが喋るたびに悶えていたのが可愛くて、私はその姿をみてニヤニヤしていました。
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