Animate Times is running a series of interviews that delves deeper into the appeal of this work! In the third installment, we spoke to the two groups who will be singing the opening and ending theme songs of this work. This time, we bring you an interview with Bocchiboromaru, who will be performing the ending theme song “Kamakura STYLE”. We asked him why he chose a dance rock number and what he put into the lyrics!
-Please tell us what you thought when you first read the original work.
Botchiboromaru (hereafter referred to as Botchiboromaru): I read it when it first began serialization in the “Weekly Shonen Jump” magazine, and at first I thought it was a heavy story. But as I continued to read it, the positive aspects became more prominent. While it follows historical events, there are also humorous parts, and I thought it was a really interesting piece of entertainment. I enjoy reading it every week.
- Were you reading Weekly Shonen Jump before you were offered this role?
Bocchiboromaru: Of course. I’ve been reading “Weekly Shonen Jump” cover to cover for over 10 years now. Jump manga may have shaped my personality to a large extent. Speaking of Matsui-sensei, I especially loved “Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo”!
–Matsui-sensei, you were an assistant to Sawai Hiroo, the author of “Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo.”
Bocchiboromaru: That’s why I love Matsui-sensei’s work. I was happy when I found out that his new work was going to start in “Weekly Shonen Jump”, and when I found out that it was a historical piece, I was a little surprised. But as I continued reading, it made sense to me that this was Matsui-sensei’s work.
–The characters that appear are typical of Matsui-sensei, and are a little… no, quite eccentric.
Bocchiboromaru: That’s right (laughs). When I saw the characters’ reactions, I thought, “This is it!” The story is heavy overall, but there are comedy elements here and there, and the balance is exquisite and it’s a very entertaining work. I was impressed by Mr. Matsui’s work.
–How did you feel when you received the offer to write the ending theme song for the work you were reading?
Bocchiboromaru: I was just happy! But at the same time, I did feel some pressure. Because it was the ending theme for “Nigejozu no Wakakuni”, I thought it would be best to express the feelings and scenery of Tokiyuki, and in that case, I thought I had to write a grand and beautiful song, which was difficult for me.
ただ、いざアニメ制作スタッフの方々に楽曲の方向性を聞いてみたら「ハッピーな感じで」と、自分が思っていたのとは真逆のオーダーをいただきまして。
――自分のなかでは想定していない方向性だった。
ぼっちぼろまる：驚きました。ただ、その予想を裏切られるようなオーダーが、まさに松井先生の作品らしいなとも思ったんです。とはいえ、『逃げ上手の若君』における幸せって、どういうことなんだろうなとは考えたんですよ。あの時代と現代では幸せの価値観や概念がちょっと違うような気もして。
――なるほど。
ぼっちぼろまる：そう思いながら『逃げ上手の若君』を読んでいたら、おいしいものを食べたり、歌って踊って騒いで楽しんだりしているときに、キャラクターたちがみんなすごくいい笑顔で幸せそうにしていたんですよね。あの絵を見たときに、ひょっとしたら当時の人たちのほうがピュアに幸せというものを感じていたんじゃないかなと思ったんですよ。そこに着目して、曲を作り始めました。
――明日は自分の身がどうなるのか分からない時代だからこそ、目の前のことに対してまっすぐ楽しめるという側面があるのかもしれません。
ぼっちぼろまる：そうかもしれないですね。当時は些細なことで幸せを感じられたのかもしれないです。ただ、大変なこともあるけれど、今は今で便利な世の中になって幸せの形も色々と増えました。
そう考えると、形は違えど人々の幸せというのはずっと変わらずにあるものだと思うんです。そういう思いを込めて、「みんな、ハッピーに生きていこうぜ！」と考えながら、エンディングテーマ曲の「鎌倉STYLE」を書きました。
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