Fujino and Kyomoto are connected by their single-minded passion for manga. The two characters who pursue their dreams, grow together, and walk together are played by Yumi Kawai (Fujino) and Mizuki Yoshida (Kyomoto).
Both actors are usually active as actors, but this is their first attempt at acting using only their voices. Through an interview with the two, we will unravel the appeal of the story, including how they empathized with the characters and what they discovered during dubbing.
-What kind of response have you received since your appearance was announced?
Yoshida Mizuki, who plays Kyomoto (hereafter Yoshida): I’m the type of person who researches things quite a bit. Since the original work has a large fan base, there are many people who are happy with it, but there is also a lot of pressure. There is nothing I can do now, but it feels like I’m praying to my past self (laughs).
Yumi Kawai (voice of Fujino) (hereafter Kawai): Normally, I would watch it as soon as the information ban is lifted, but I was scared to watch it. It was my first time (as a voice actor), so I was nervous about what I would do if there were negative opinions. However, there was a lot of excitement about it being made into an animated movie, so I was grateful.
–It’s such a popular work, but what was your impression when you read the original?
Kawai: I don’t usually read much manga, but when it was released it was such a hot topic that it even reached my ears, and I read it online.
Fujimoto’s personal thoughts and what is happening in society are properly linked, and in a good sense, it doesn’t lean too much towards either. However, I thought it was amazing how the passion is not overpowered by the dialogue or the intense illustrations, but rather builds up in the reader’s heart as they read.
Yoshida: I learned about and read the original work when I auditioned for this production. At the time, I hadn’t been decided on the role of Fujino or Kyomoto, and I auditioned for both. But I read the original work intuitively from Kyomoto’s perspective.
Kawai: Wow!
Yoshida: I really love the sparkling look in Kyomoto’s eyes when he admires Fujino, and I thought that if I had someone like Fujino by my side, I’d definitely admire her too.
I’ve been reading a lot of manga lately, and I think Tatsuki Fujimoto is great at moving people in his drawings. He’s able to capture the expression of a character in a drawing, and it’s really powerful. I thought, “Wow, I’ve come across such an amazing piece of work, and I’m just happy to be able to audition for this piece.”
–Can I ask you a bit more about the parts of the role that you felt sympathy for?
Yoshida: I don’t know… I’m currently looking to absorb a lot of different things. It’s not that I want to become someone. I still have a lot to learn, so I want to listen to and be influenced by a lot of different people, which is why I think I empathized with that part of Kyomoto. As the auditions progressed, I was narrowed down to the role of Kyomoto, and I thought, “It’s Kyomoto!” and felt like it was fate, so I was happy.
–What did you think of Fujino, Kawai-san?
Kawai: I was thinking about it while listening to that story… I also auditioned for two roles at first. My manager asked me “Which role do you want to play?” and actually, I also auditioned for Fujino…
Yoshida: Wow!
Kawai: I don’t have experiences that overlap with Fujino’s, but I’m a jack of all trades, master of none. Before I started this job, there were so many things I wanted to do, and I would often try and give up. I also love drawing, and I’ve always taken dance lessons. But every time I do, I see someone who is definitely better than me in that field. But I don’t hate that person, and I’ve had the happiness of being able to create (the things we love) together, so I think I can really understand Fujino’s feelings.
–Hearing your story, it seems like fate. Watching the film, I really think you’re a perfect fit for the role.
Kawai & Yoshida: Thank you!
河合：良かったぁ……。
吉田：そう言ってもらえると安心するね（笑）。
河合：ね！
――行間が独特の作品だったからこそ、おふたりにぴったりだなって。
河合：そう言っていただけると嬉しいです。でも不安はいつもよりあるので、公開されるまでドキドキしていますね。
――吉田さんは演じているうちに涙が出てきてしまうくらい、ふたりのキャラクターが愛しくなったというコメントを寄せられていましたが、お芝居を通して、藤野・京本に対してさらに惹かれていきました？
吉田：そうですね。声を当てる時はまだ（映像が）未完成なところもあったんですけれども、動いてる！って感動があって。それと現場で優実ちゃんとふたりで録っていると、キャラクターにどんどん命が吹き込まれている感覚をすごく感じて……。
河合：うんうん。
吉田：そこでキャラクター自身が目の前に現れてきたような気持ちになりました。今までは第三者目線で見られる部分があったけど、やっぱり自分が演じて、自分の声が入ってと、目の前で作り上げられていくその過程を見ると、ただのキャラクターではなく、もっと身近に感じて。心を動かされるシーンはたくさんありますけど、そういう場面で「はぁ」とつい涙が出てしまいました。
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