Before the broadcast begins, we asked Umeda Shuuichirou (role of Nukumizu Kazuhiko), Tono Hikaru (role of Yanami Anna), Wakayama Shion (role of Yakishio Lemon), and Terasawa Momoka (role of Komari Chinatsu) to give a presentation on what the appeal of the TV anime “Too Many Losing Heroines!” is, as well as the appeal of each character.
–I noticed that you put a lot of effort into the characters and background art, but first I’d like you to tell us about the appeal of the work.
Shion Wakayama (hereinafter, Wakayama): The characters are really unique. As people, they each live with various thoughts… and the sense that the characters just happen to cross paths is also reflected in their conversations. The director took that very seriously, and I think he gave a lot of direction in the conversations. I really felt the passion that he wanted to show this anime in the way he did, from the timing to the atmosphere when they were talking.
Umeda Shuuichirou (hereinafter, Umeda): I think this allows us to get a more realistic feel for the atmosphere that each individual is experiencing at school and in Toyohashi.
But when it’s necessary to deform them, it’s fun to do so, and when it’s necessary to highlight the unfortunate aspects of the McCains (the loser heroines), it does so. I think that the synergistic effect is there.
Furthermore, the beauty of the visuals, the cuteness of the heroines, and Nukumizu-kun’s normal-ish nature (lol)… I think that the combination of all these things is what makes the TV anime ‘Too Many Losing Heroines!’ so high quality.
–If someone asked you what a “losing heroine” is, how would you answer?
Umeda: Fans often say that blue-haired girls are the “loser heroines.”
Hikaru Tono (hereinafter, Tono): Huh? Anna?
Umeda: Right. Is it a coincidence that Yanami-san has blue hair, or…?
Momoka Terasawa (hereinafter, Terasawa): Also childhood friends (laughs).
Wakayama: It’s heartbreaking when you’ve known someone for a long time, but they don’t see you as a potential romantic partner. You think, “Even though there’s such a cute girl right next to me!”
Tono: Really! But the “losing heroine” shines precisely because she is the loser. I want you to see these girls, who are sad, strong, and shining, as a story that focuses on the “losing heroine” = “girls who lost in love”!
–In anime, “losing heroines” are quite popular, and it’s easy to fall in love with them.
Umeda: That’s right… I think there are a lot of people who want to see the continuation of the popular but defeated heroines who weren’t chosen. This work is a work where you can see the continuation. The defeated heroines come together and that is the main story.
Tono: It’s like the story is written from the inside out.
Terasawa: I think what the winning heroine doesn’t have is “transience.” The losing heroine’s emotional side is more likely to be picked up on. This is especially true for this work, but there are parts that are transience and sad, and I think there are a lot of people who empathize with those parts, so as you said, I think there are a lot of people who will fall in love with her!
–Another attraction is that the story takes place in Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture.
Umeda: That’s something I have to talk about. It feels like the whole city is supporting us, and when you get off the train, you’re surprised at how much you’re immersed in “McCain.” There’s a stamp rally, and the places that appeared in the original work are actually there, so I think you’ll feel like Nukumizu-kun and McCain are spending their time here! Works that have sacred places can be enjoyed many times in one bite.
遠野：リアリティが増し増しになるんですよね。キャラクター達が訪れるスポットだけでなく、何気なく通る道や街並みまで、実際の豊橋市そのままなんです。このアニメを観てくださった皆さんが豊橋市を訪れたとき、地元に帰ってきたような、青春を懐かしむような気持ちになるんじゃないかなと思っています。マケインたちが、ここで輝いていたんだって、思い出に浸ってくれたら嬉しいです。
梅田：実は僕、プライベートで豊橋に行ってきたんですよ。商店街のお店の方々もすごく応援してくださっていて、ヒロインたちを下の名前で呼んでくれたりしていたので、すごく皆さんが温かかったです。
若山：あと、ちょっとだけ方言が出てくるんです。ゴリゴリではないけど、時々言い回しや語尾に三河弁が入っていたりするので、もし三河弁を話す方が見たら、これ、三河弁じゃん！となってもらえるんじゃないかなと思っています。
――あとは、ヒロイン達が歌うカバーソングですね。
梅田：エンディングテーマですね！
遠野：第1弾PVでまずお披露目されたのが八奈見杏菜の歌う「LOVE2000」（hitomi）でして。杏菜としてカバーさせていただくのがこの曲だと伺って、実際にサビの〈愛はどこからやってくるのでしょう〉というフレーズを歌ったとき、「こんなに沁みながら歌うことがあるのか！」って思ったんです。
杏菜を通して歌うからこそ、より深みが増すように、歌詞の言葉一つ一つを大切にレコーディングしました。エンディングでは「ここ！」ってところでイントロが流れ始めるんですよ。
若山：あれは本当にズルい！
遠野：この作品のEDとして、これ以上ない完璧なハマり方です。カバーソングはお二人もあるんですよね？
若山：私たちも何かしらをカバーさせていただきますので、放送をお楽しみに！
寺澤：3人ともそうなんですけど、歌詞がそのキャラの心情にピッタリなんです。カバーソングとしてよくぞ見つけてくださりましたと。
小鞠ちゃんの、たくさん考えて考えて、それでももがいてどうにか成長しようと頑張る力みたいなところに寄り添っていて、本当に考えて選んでくださったんだなと思いました。
――それも楽しみですね。梅田さんは歌うんですかね？
梅田：あるといいなぁ。言うだけタダなんで言っておきます（笑）。でも、彼ならコアなアニソンかPCゲームの曲とかを歌いそうですね。
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