The event will be irresistible for fans of Yowamushi Pedal, with photo spots recreating famous scenes, a life-size figure of the main character, Onoda Sakamichi, a recreation of the Inter-High tent, original edited footage on a giant screen, and merchandise exclusive to the event.
In this article, Fukushima Jun, who plays Naruko Shokichi, and Ito Kentaro, who plays Tadokoro Jin, look back on the 10 years of the TV anime “Yowamushi Pedal” and talk about the highlights of the exhibition.
–Please tell us your thoughts on the 10th anniversary of the TV anime “Yowamushi Pedal.”
Jun Fukushima (Fukushima), voice of Shokichi Naruko: I am so happy that I have been able to play the same role for so long, that there are still so many people who support me, and that they even held an exhibition for me. I am glad that I was able to be involved with “Yowamushi Pedal”, and I am truly glad that I came across it.
Ito Kentaro (Ito), who plays Tadokoro Jin: We third-year students graduated halfway through and became supporters, so during those 10 years we spent a lot of time supporting the series as viewers.
I was able to experience this event where I could enjoy both my time as a performer and as a supporter, and it made me think, “Yowamushi Pedal is still hot.” In the early days, there were a lot of events where fans came, and I saw a lot of people wearing Sohoku jerseys or Hakone Academy jerseys. Recently, I felt a little lonely, wondering if everyone had drifted away, but I was happy to see at this event that the enthusiasm has not yet cooled.
–In the last 10 years, five TV anime series have aired and a movie version has also been produced. This is all thanks to the passion and love of the fans.
Fukushima: I think it’s because the work itself is so interesting that it keeps drawing people in. We actors got so into it that we actually started cycling. I think that’s because it’s a work filled with great stories and charm.
Ito: The passion and volume of the original work is really incredible. It tries to depict the entire three years of the Inter-High School Championships, from when Sakamichi and the others enroll until they graduate. It’s a wonderful work that makes you want to read more and more.
–The original story is still ongoing, and there are no signs of the excitement cooling down.
Fukushima: That’s right! If you read the original work or watch the anime even once, you’ll definitely fall in love with it!
–As the series has progressed, I imagine the character you play has changed and grown as well.
Ito: In the case of Tadokoro, he was already a third-year student when he first appeared, and at the last Inter-High, he was in a position to lead the club members, but then Sakamichi and the other first-year students joined as members of the Inter-High. Of course, the presence of second-year students Teshima and Aoyagi is big, but I feel that there was a big change in him as he met and accepted Sakamichi and the others.
Fukushima: While I was acting, I felt that Naruko had grown and become stronger because she had lost so many times and shed tears of frustration.
–While we’re at it, could you tell us about some memorable scenes or battles from the TV series?
Ito: There are mountains of them…
Fukushima: Right!
Ito: But it was definitely the scene where I hugged Teshima and Aoyagi in the first year when they just couldn’t win at the end of the training camp. That scene led to the scene where I watched from the sidelines as Teshima became captain and Aoyagi became vice-captain the following year and led them to their second victory.
Fukushima: The most memorable scene was the third day of the Inter-High in my first year. The seniors were pushing me forward and I was handed the baton. It was a passionate scene in the work, but for me, Itoken-san (Ito-san) is a senior, so the baton overlaps with the Naruko in the work, and I felt like he was telling me, “It’s your turn next.” Because I felt like I was receiving the baton in two ways, I felt even more determined and more serious, which made for a passionate run on the third day.
–What were your impressions from the talk show at the preview earlier, which was also attended by fans?
福島：参加してくださったみなさんがそれぞれ初期のグッズを身に付けてくださっていて、同じ時間を過ごしてきたという喜びを感じつつ、変わらない熱量の高さも感じて、改めて感動しました。
伊藤：いい意味で落ち着いていたかな。もちろん熱量は感じるし、放送が始まって数年のうちはイベント稼働も多かったり、規模も大きかったり、ひとつのムーブメントになっていた印象があります。月日が流れていく中で一旦、一過性の熱が落ち着いて、ちゃんとグツグツと温度を保っているものとして、作品を楽しんでくださっている方々が10年の節目で集まってくださったんだなと。熱く盛り上げてくださる方はもちろんですが、持続的に熱さを保ちながら応援してくださる方がいるのはありがたいことです。
福島：コアな笑いでもリアクションを返してくれていたので、昔からの色々なことも知ったうえで、応援してくださっているんだなと肌で感じました。
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