Animate Times is conducting a series of interviews that delve deeper into the appeal of this work! In the first installment, we asked the original author, Mr. Matsui, about what inspired him to write this work and what he requested when it was made into an anime.
–Following “Majin Tantei Nougami Neuro” and “Assassination Classroom”, “Nige Jouzu no Wakakuni” has been made into an anime. How did you feel when you found out it was going to be made into an anime?
Matsui Yusei-sensei (hereafter, Matsui): In the highly competitive “Weekly Shonen Jump,” it is not easy to continue serialization until it is made into an anime, so I consider it an undeniable honor that three works have been made into anime in a row since my debut. I am also very grateful to the readers who always find my work interesting and fill out the questionnaires.
— “The Prince Who Ran Away” is a story that centers around Hojo Tokiyuki. What inspired you to write Tokiyuki’s story? What was the reason?
Matsui: Historical works are generally aimed at adults, and the child Tokiyuki is rarely used as a subject in movies, novels, or even Edo period storytelling or kabuki. He is a rare warlord who can only be empathized with in the genre of boys’ manga. I thought that while I am currently drawing for a boys’ magazine, I might be able to shed light on a warlord who would otherwise be forgotten forever.
-What kind of person do you think Hojo Tokiyuki was in historical fact?
Matsui: I think he is a character with all the qualities to be a protagonist, with his desire to avenge his family, his only sworn enemy, his never giving up and his ability to appear and disappear at will. From the fragmentary historical facts, such as his not betraying his allies, his lack of evidence of trying to rule the country after the Nakasendai Rebellion, and his cooperation with his former enemies, I infer that he is a man of strong sense of duty, little ambition, good-natured, and who values harmony.
–Did the author make any requests regarding the anime adaptation?
Matsui: I asked the cast to include lots of great older guys (laughs).
Also, many of the people who were initially nominated for roles involving older men had a calm, older look, but I discussed with them that “since he’s living in a brutal era and going to the battlefield, it would be best to have an older man who has a sense of being active and still has a glimpse of youth.”
As for the main cast, I remember that there was almost nothing to complain about with the candidates that were suggested, and they were basically decided on as they were.
–Please tell us your impressions of listening to Yukawa Asaki’s acting as Hojo Tokiyuki, and if you have any requests.
Matsui: Although Yukawa-san has only just begun his career, he has already grasped the role of “Samurai Prince, Boy” perfectly, so there was almost nothing I could say. One thing I strongly requested was the quality of Tokiyuki’s voice when his talent for running away is displayed. Tokiyuki is weak in every way, but when he runs away he becomes a monster who surpasses adults, so rather than acting in a fun or relaxed manner, I asked him to act in an invincible, perverted, and lustful way. Yukawa-san was very understanding, and the line in the first episode, “What will you do if I die?” is the culmination of the author’s request.
-What do you think about Nakamura Yuichi, who plays Suwa Yorishige?
Matsui: Nakamura-san has so much talent that I don’t even need to make requests, and once the sound director gives his direction, the finished product is generally flawless. In episode 3, Yorishige’s casual line, “If there’s anything lacking, it’s me,” conveys his own realization, and his acting exceeded the author’s expectations.
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