Animate Times is running a serial interview series that delves deeper into the appeal of this work! In the second installment, we spoke to Asaki Yukawa, who plays Hojo Tokiyuki. Yukawa said that she found out about her appearance as a surprise. Although she received “1000 knocks” at the actual dubbing studio, she answered with sparkling eyes that she learned a lot and found acting to be fun.
-How did you feel when you were chosen to appear in this film?
Yukawa Asaki (Yukawa), voice of Hojo Tokiyuki: Actually, I heard I would be appearing in this film as a surprise! When I heard, I was so shocked that I was unable to express my joy or tears or anything like that, and just froze up (laughs).
–Wow! What kind of surprise was it?
Yuikawa: At the time, I was such a newbie that my agency didn’t even have a promotional photo on their official website… So I heard from the agency that they were doing an “Interview with a New Voice Actor” project and that I would be able to have my promotional photo taken as well.
It was my first time to take promotional photos and have makeup done by a makeup artist, and there were more than 10 adults on set, so I was really nervous. In the midst of all these first-time experiences, I received the news that I would be appearing in “Nigewaka” (short for “The Young Prince Who Runs Away”). I was so surprised that I was overwhelmed (laughs).
–And so it stuck.
Yuikawa: Yes (laughs). I thought this is what it means to have your mind go blank. However, on the way home, while talking with my manager, I gradually felt happy that I was going to play Tokiyuki. At the same time, I began to wonder, “I know I have a responsibility as the lead, but what will I do next? What will happen?” I was in a state of mixed anticipation and a little anxiety.
-Did you feel any pressure being the lead?
Yuikawa: Strangely, I didn’t feel any pressure. Looking back, I think I didn’t really understand how difficult the job of a voice actor was at the time.
–I didn’t feel any pressure because I didn’t know what was going to happen.
結川：そうなんです。周りから「頑張ってね」と言われても「頑張るけれど、何をどうすればいいだろう」という感じで……。プレッシャーを感じたのは、1話の収録後でした。アフレコでできないこともいっぱいあったなかで「でも、私が主役でやっていくんだ」という気持ちが大きくなっていって。すごくプレッシャーを感じましたが、それでも「やるしかない！」という気持ちで、その後のアフレコも臨みました。
――改めて、原作を読んだときの感想をお聞かせください。
結川：私は『暗殺教室』を登場キャラクターたちと同じくらいの年頃に読んでいたんです。とても面白かったですし、クラスでもすごく流行っていました。そんな『暗殺教室』を描いた松井先生の新作漫画なんだから、そりゃ当たり前に面白くって。ギャグとシリアスなシーンが出てくるのですが、両立しているというよりかは、ベースはギャグなのかなと個人的には思いました。歴史で起きた事柄をしっかりと描きつつ、松井先生の発想力でギャグに落とし込んでいる、みたいな。
――史実を元に描いている作品だけれど、ギャグテイストが強いというか。
結川：そうなんです。「歴史」と聞くと固い作品というイメージを持つ方がいらっしゃるかもしれませんが、本作はそうじゃなくて。歴史を知らなくても一作品としてすごく楽しめる漫画だなと感じました。
――松井先生の描くギャグっぽいシーン、大好きです。
結川：分かります！
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