An inspiring work that passionately depicts the feelings and efforts involved in cosplay – Interview with Junya Enoki, who plays Masamune Okumura in “2.5-Dimensional Temptation (LiLiSa)” | I want to empathize with the role of Okumura by comparing it to my own life”2.5-Dimensional Temptation (Lilitha)” is a manga by Yu Hashimoto currently being serialized in Shueisha’s “Shonen Jump+”.

The story centers around Masamune Okumura, an otaku high school student who loves the 2D character Liliel, and Amano Ririsa, a girl who expresses her love for Liliel through cosplay, and depicts the passionate feelings of people who are involved in “cosplay.”

The TV anime of this work will start broadcasting on Friday, July 5, 2024! Ahead of the broadcast, we spoke to Junichi Enoki, who plays the main character, Masamune Okumura, about the appeal of the work, what he paid attention to during recording, and the fun of cosplay that he discovered through this work.

–Please tell us your impression after reading the scenario and what you found appealing about it.

Junichi Enoki, voice actor of Masamune Okumura (hereinafter, Enoki): Aside from the cuteness of the cosplay, I thought it was interesting to be able to deepen my specialized knowledge, such as “how to create facial expressions and poses.”

Also, I think what’s particularly interesting about the work is that it depicts the characters’ passionate feelings and efforts when it comes to cosplay, making it a very moving piece.

–So you see cosplay not just as a hobby, but more like a job, art, or sport.

Enoki: Yes. The story depicts him seriously taking on the challenge, believing it to be something worthy of his youth, and I think that’s what makes it so moving.

–What did you feel as the story became more heated?

Enoki: I think that because they are facing it seriously, they compare it to something else, but because of that, the story also depicts them growing as they overcome it, so I felt that being able to become passionate about something is a very happy thing. There are also hardships, but I think that’s part of it.

The story depicts cosplay not just as a fun hobby, but also as art, showing the difficulties of making it a job, so I could relate to it and I think it will also resonate with people who create things.

Next, please tell us your impression of the character you play, Okumura.

Enoki: He has otaku hobbies, and is very direct, especially when it comes to Liliel, to the point where he loses sight of what’s going on around him, but I felt that he was a kind and gentle character.

As the story progresses, his past is gradually revealed, and he has a surprisingly heavy burden, including a not-so-good family environment. He’s not just a cheerful character, but I also thought he was someone who had some painful feelings deep inside.

–Please tell us what you have in common with Okumura and Enoki, and what your differences and admiration are.

Enoki: I’m jealous that you have something you can be passionate about. I don’t really have anything like that, so I think it’s amazing that you can become so absorbed in something that it becomes your purpose in life.

–Please tell us how you felt when you were chosen to appear and if you have any memories of the audition.

Enoki: Since it was a tape audition, I didn’t have any direct contact with the staff at the time, but later I heard that “your screaming was good.” I often do screaming roles, and it was a part I was confident in, so I was very happy.