This work is an original anime that was distributed on the Chinese video distribution platform “bilibili video” from April 2021. Toki, who runs the Jiko Photo Studio'' located in a corner of the downtown area, has the ability to link to the photographer’s consciousness and enter the world of the photo” and “can grasp the events of the 12 hours after the photo was taken.” The story depicts the events that occur when Hikaru, who has the ability, solves a request from a client who is haunted by his past.
This time, we interviewed Toshiyuki Toyonaga, who plays Toki , and Takahiro Sakurai, who plays Hikaru . We asked them to talk about their joy at the decision to broadcast the second season and their new impressions of each other’s performances.
[Text = Kaori Yoneda Photos = Ayumi Fujita]
–The first season reached its final episode with many mysteries left unsolved. Many fans have been hoping for a second season, and I would like to hear the joy of the decision to air the second season.
Toyonaga : As you said, the content of the final episode of the first season was weird, so I thought, This has to be done in a second season!?'' (laughs) In fact, when we were recording the final episode of the first season, I went into the control room where the staff were and said, Is this really the end?!” (laughs)
At that time, it had already been decided that the second season would be produced in Japan, so I remember strongly urging them, “Then they’ll do it in Japan!” So I was relieved that my wish had come true.
However, when I received the script for the first episode of the second season, the mystery that had been deepening was going to deepen even more… I thought, “My pain is still not relieved…!” (laughs)
Sakurai : The final episode of the first season was so shocking that, like Toyonaga-kun, I was relieved when I heard about the second season. Moreover, is Hikaru alive? is he dead? I was at a crossroads, so I’m glad I received the script and was able to confirm my survival (lol).
–It must have been shocking for both of you. The second season will be aired about two years after the first season. Did you get a feel for the role right away?
Toyonaga : Of course, I looked back on the first season. It’s necessary to regain a sense of the role, but it also has to do with my own view of age. I’ll be turning 40 this year, but I feel like my position in the “voice actor” category has changed a bit. The second season was decided at a time when I was starting to think that the type of roles I would play were changing, so I was worried, “Will I be able to perform the same way I did two years ago?”
–Did you actually provide any direction on set?
Toyonaga : No. When we performed the play on video, there were no spoilers or retakes. However, I once again realized that “a play is not something that is created only by me, but is made with the support of images, music, direction, and dialogue.”
–I would like to ask Sakurai-san about this change in his views on age.
Sakurai : I had that too. But I don’t think this is just about acting. For example, even if this tea looks green now, it may look dark green in a few years. The reason for this is that I have gained a lot of experience as I’ve gotten older, but sometimes it becomes unnecessary for the role. In particular, since this work starts from where the first season left off, I thought that if the experience and skills that I had acquired over the past two years were to be used in my acting, I would no longer be Hikaru.
–I see. So how did you control it? Are you going to rewatch the first season?
Sakurai : That’s right. Also, as Toyonaga-kun said, because it was a work made by a team, the same staff who worked on the previous work handled it well. Not only the staff, but also the cast. The biggest part was being able to tune in to Toyonaga-kun’s Toki and Koga Aoi-san’s Rin.
Toyonaga : I’m happy…! After this, I feel like going out for drinks (lol).
――I would like to ask you again what you thought was amazing about each other’s acting.
Sakurai : Toyonaga-kun expresses things in a way that doesn’t “extend” his image, but “expands it.” I think it’s interesting because it’s an idea that I don’t have. It’s not just Toyonaga-kun, but Koga-san as well. Rin’s performance when she was possessed was amazing! It was really scary (lol).
Toyonaga : I’m so happy that I’m crying (lol). Sakurai’s acting just gives me a sense of security. As Sakurai-san just said, in being in charge of the Japanese dubbing of Toki, I believe that one of my roles is to raise Toki’s maximum value even just a little. Mr. Sakurai understands this, and is open to accepting whatever performance I give. It’s thanks to Mr. Sakurai that I can play Toki without any reservations.
Koga-san also has a lot of potential, and his plays are challenging every time. I feel that I have been able to do this because Mr. Sakurai is watching over me and accepting me.
Sakurai : It’s okay to tell people, but it’s embarrassing to be told (lol). But thank you very much.
–Although this work has a “time suspense” core, it is packed with elements such as human drama, comedy, and action. What do you both find particularly interesting?
Toyonaga : I think everything about it has its charm, but since it’s a Chinese anime, I’m drawn to the aspects that are different from Japanese anime. What I found particularly refreshing were the action scenes. Even though it’s an anime, it has the “realism” of a live-action drama. It’s such a detailed depiction, but it also has a dynamic that is unique to anime, so I think it will look fresh to everyone who watches it.
–The camera work, which approaches and pulls back, also feels like a drama.
Toyonaga : That’s right. There are scenes where you can tilt the camera and actually hold it in your hand while shooting, giving it a very realistic feel.
Sakurai : Personally, I think what makes it appealing is how it veers into the suspense genre. He’s really good at scaring people (lol). It does have a comedic quality, but it’s a heart-wrenching depiction that covers it up. I think the strength of this expression is a major feature of this work.
–In the second season, the relationship between Toki and Hikaru changes. Please tell us the highlights about it.
Sakurai : In the second season, there are scenes where Toki and Hikaru are paired together with Rin and Detective Xiao Li, but that’s because the premise is that Toki and Hikaru are buddies. For example, even when I’m not acting with Toki, I think and feel, “That’s how he would act.” As the story becomes more complex, the buddy relationship develops one step further, and I think that will be a new attraction.
Toyonaga : Up until now, the relationship has been between Toki, who rushes out of his emotions, and Hikaru, who skillfully stays still and controls them. This will be the second period, and the two will act separately. The relationship of trust within that relationship is not depicted in the work. I feel like I’m leaving it up to the viewers to say, “The relationship was clearly shown in the first season, so you can understand the rest without having to describe it.” I felt that I needed to express this through my acting so that everyone could feel that blank space. Please pay attention to that.
[Tokimitsu Agent -LINK CLICK- II]
■Broadcast information
Broadcast on Fuji TV “B8station” from April 10th (Wednesday) 25:25 On
BS Fuji April 11th (Thursday) 24th Broadcast from :30
■Staff
Director/Screenplay: Haolin
Original Character Design: INPLICK
General Director/Chief Animation Director: LAN
Art Director: Tomoya Asami, Zhu Lipu/Zhu Lipu
Executive Director: Zhang Youxia/Zhang Yuxia , Lu Wanyu/Lu Wanyu
Color design: Haruko Nobori
Music: Tenmon, Yuma Yamaguchi, Kent Watari, Inukai Kanade
Animation production: LAN Film
Japanese version production: Sony Music Solutions Co., Ltd./Aniplex Co., Ltd.
■Japanese dubbed version cast
Toki/ Cheng Xiaoshi: Toshiyuki Toyonaga
Hikaru/Lu Guang: Sakurai Takahiro
Lin/Qiao Lin: Koga
Aoi Qianjin: Yuichi Nakamura
（C）bilibili/BeDream
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