A few days ago we posted some translated interviews with the staff and cast of this summer's Berserkanime, but that's not all. There are also some one-on-one questions with members of the principal cast, from Guts VA Hiroaki Iwagana to Casca VA Toa Yukinari. See what they had to say below!
Interview with Shimono Hiro (VA: Isidro)
● Please give us your thoughts on the manga Berserk.
I've been reading the manga since before the auditions, but this serious dark fantasy manga has a lot of extreme depictions, and it makes me curious to find out if we really can make a TV anime out of it, and how much of it we can actually show. Since the manga's still ongoing, I don't know how much we can adapt, but I'll do my best!
● What are your impressions on your character? What's the best thing about them?
Isidro has the strength to stay true to himself no matter what situation he finds himself in, and I found that great. While he may be young, he staunchly lives through all kinds of harsh environments and dangerous situations, and tries to achieve his ambitions. That's the best thing about him, and what I respect him for.
Though he's an idiot.
● Tell us how you felt after actually playing the character. Did anything change?
When I saw the visuals during dubbing and found he looked even younger than I expected, that surprised me. But he looks young or mature depending on the circumstances, and shows loads of expressions, so playing him is bundles of fun..
Since he's more playful than other characters, it makes me want to adlib a lot of his lines.
● Is there anything you make sure to do, or have difficulty with, while recording?
His expressions change at the drop of a hat, and the anime itself is rather high-tempo, so try to keep up with that, all the while bringing out the essence of Isidro's persona, adlibbing lines, and bantering with Puck. Be it comical scenes or serious ones, I hope to have fun playing him in all sorts of situations.
● What would you like to tell the fans looking forward to the anime?
I really can't wait to see how the anime ends up when it goes on air. We're desperately doing all we can to live up to fans' expectations, so please give us your support!
● Please give us your thoughts on the manga Berserk.
I've been reading the manga since before the auditions, but this serious dark fantasy manga has a lot of extreme depictions, and it makes me curious to find out if we really can make a TV anime out of it, and how much of it we can actually show. Since the manga's still ongoing, I don't know how much we can adapt, but I'll do my best!
● What are your impressions on your character? What's the best thing about them?
Isidro has the strength to stay true to himself no matter what situation he finds himself in, and I found that great. While he may be young, he staunchly lives through all kinds of harsh environments and dangerous situations, and tries to achieve his ambitions. That's the best thing about him, and what I respect him for.
Though he's an idiot.
● Tell us how you felt after actually playing the character. Did anything change?
When I saw the visuals during dubbing and found he looked even younger than I expected, that surprised me. But he looks young or mature depending on the circumstances, and shows loads of expressions, so playing him is bundles of fun..
Since he's more playful than other characters, it makes me want to adlib a lot of his lines.
● Is there anything you make sure to do, or have difficulty with, while recording?
His expressions change at the drop of a hat, and the anime itself is rather high-tempo, so try to keep up with that, all the while bringing out the essence of Isidro's persona, adlibbing lines, and bantering with Puck. Be it comical scenes or serious ones, I hope to have fun playing him in all sorts of situations.
● What would you like to tell the fans looking forward to the anime?
I really can't wait to see how the anime ends up when it goes on air. We're desperately doing all we can to live up to fans' expectations, so please give us your support!
Interview with Iwanaga Hiroaki (VA: Guts)
● What is your impression on Guts? What's the best thing about him?
He's as formidable as he looks, so at first he was strong man who was invincible against humans. My first impression of him is that he’s strong and composed, which is something all guys admire to become.
He carries darkness in his heart, such as the traumatic events of his pasts, so he isn't just strong and nothing else. And while this is just my interpretation, I feel he's trying to make up for his frail heart by becoming stronger, and I think that's great.
● Tell us how you felt after actually playing the character. Did anything change?
This is a comparison with the movie trilogy, but in the Golden Age, there are a lot of fight scenes, and in them Guts is always out of breath and roaring as loud as he can, so I thought it'd be hard enacting that again. Although I know that might be complaining about something others would long for : )
When I realised that he stopped roaring as much after becoming the Black Swordsman, I went through the manga once more for research, and realized the difference between Guts then and Guts now. The scales fell from my eyes, really.
But just as much, the burden he carries in his heart is even heavier than back during the Golden Age, so I hope I can effectively portray that difference.
● Is there anything you make sure to do, or have difficulty with, while recording?
This is Guts after experiencing the Eclipse, which is honestly beyond human understanding. He's quite unlike his past self in the Golden Age, when he simply sought strength and first found people he could call comrades, so while it may still be Berserk at its core, I think its overall feel has changed since he became the Black Swordsman. Thus, I try to show that change to the best of my ability.
● What would you like to tell the fans looking forward to the anime?
Berserk has a lot of history and fans, so we're trying our best to please the original fans without betraying their expectations, and also to make new viewers find the series fun and exciting. We really wish that as many people as possible understand the allure of Berserk with this anime.
Interview with Yasumoto Hiroki (VA: Azan)
● Please give us your thoughts on the manga Berserk.
I've been reading it forever. It's an amazing story that builds up over a long time and really excites its readers. In my mind, high fantasy equals Berserk.
● What are your impressions on your character? What's the best thing about them?
His charm, I suppose. He's overbearing yet lovable. I really like him.
● Tell us how you felt after actually playing the character. Did anything change?
Living in that world is really tough. It's desperate times every time.
● Is there anything you make sure to do, or have difficulty with, while recording?
Living with all I have within in that world, with an unshaking and unyielding conviction.
● What would you like to tell the fans looking forward to the anime?
This anime isn't “heavy and far too rough”, it's actually extremely rich. Let's all get immersed in its eclipse.
Interview with Mizuhara Kaoru (VA: Puck)
● Please give us your thoughts on the manga Berserk.
It's so hot blooded! Boiling, seething hot. But within that you can also find pain and warmth, so I feel it's a manga that both male and female readers can get hooked on.
● What are your impressions on your character? What's the best thing about them?
In the midst of a severe battlefield, there is just one corner of solace. That is Puck.
His presence softens the pain of sorrow and suffering, if only a bit.
He occupies a different sort of role from Casca, but supports Guts just like her.
● Tell us how you felt after actually playing the character. Did anything change?
It's fun. I even learned how to switch on the fly after having to portray both Normal and Evil Puck.
● Is there anything you make sure to do, or have difficulty with, while recording?
“Cute and lovable” is what I swear by. Cute and lovable laughter, cute and lovable screaming, cute and lovable crying, cute and lovable anger, etc.
● What would you like to tell the fans looking forward to the anime?
Following in the passionate footsteps of the movie trilogy, the TV series turns the heat up another notch. The main role goes without saying, but I've also put in enthusiastic performances voicing the bad guys, so I hope you enjoy that as you watch.
● Please give us your thoughts on the manga Berserk.
It's so hot blooded! Boiling, seething hot. But within that you can also find pain and warmth, so I feel it's a manga that both male and female readers can get hooked on.
● What are your impressions on your character? What's the best thing about them?
In the midst of a severe battlefield, there is just one corner of solace. That is Puck.
His presence softens the pain of sorrow and suffering, if only a bit.
He occupies a different sort of role from Casca, but supports Guts just like her.
● Tell us how you felt after actually playing the character. Did anything change?
It's fun. I even learned how to switch on the fly after having to portray both Normal and Evil Puck.
● Is there anything you make sure to do, or have difficulty with, while recording?
“Cute and lovable” is what I swear by. Cute and lovable laughter, cute and lovable screaming, cute and lovable crying, cute and lovable anger, etc.
● What would you like to tell the fans looking forward to the anime?
Following in the passionate footsteps of the movie trilogy, the TV series turns the heat up another notch. The main role goes without saying, but I've also put in enthusiastic performances voicing the bad guys, so I hope you enjoy that as you watch.
Interview with Okitsu Kazuyuki (VA: Serpico)
● Please give us your thoughts on the manga Berserk.
It's been adored for years and years, and that's not surprising because it's a grand story told through overwhelmingly powerful visuals. I feel it really digs deep into the sins and karma of humanity. Once you start reading, you can't stop.
● What are your impressions on your character? What's the best thing about them?
You can't tell what he's thinking from his usual expressions, so he's impossible to grasp. But once he opens his eyes, he's crazy strong. Guts said this, too, but I felt he really was like a wily fox.
● Tell us how you felt after actually playing the character. Did anything change?
He doesn't talk much, so often the script would have nothing but "…". When I see "…(good grief)," it makes me go, "I want to say 'good grief' out loud!" (haha)
● Is there anything you make sure to do, or have difficulty with, while recording?
I'm expressing the "…"s with my breathing, so I get nervous every time I stand before the microphone. I mean, a lot of the times there are crazy battles happening around me…
Since I have few lines as Serpico, whenever I do double duty in other roles, I yell out with all my heart, haha.
● What would you like to tell the fans looking forward to the anime?
The staff and cast are all doing our very, very best to live up to the expectations of the manga fans. I'm very excited to see the show in its completed form, too. Please continue to support us!
Interview with Yukinari Toa (VA: Casca)
● Please give us your thoughts on the manga Berserk.
I was overwhelmed by the wild action scenes, but I also felt that it was a story that portrays the deepest part of the human mind, which you don't want others to know, and the ugly along with the beautiful. Since it isn't filled with only strong characters, it can resonate with you and draw you into its world.
● What are your impressions on your character? What's the best thing about them?
Before, Casca wished to be gallant and strong but was actually awkward and weak inside. That straightforwardness was what I liked best about her.
And now, she's basically the embodiment of human instinct.
● Tell us how you felt after actually playing the character. Did anything change?
Playing Casca is really, really hard. It made me understand just how much language helps in terms of expressing our feelings.
I use the scripts, the manga, and my own impressions to try and grasp what she feels at any given moment.
● Is there anything you make sure to do, or have difficulty with, while recording?
While Casca doesn't talk, her body and mind do work and move, so I try not to miss any signs of movement from her, and look to play her with a real voice coming from within me. I find it fun discovering all the various kinds of noises I find myself making.
● What would you like to tell the fans looking forward to the anime?
I'm very happy that after the movies, I can continue to play Casca.
I would like to make a home for myself in the world by facing up to a side of her that is different from before.
Please look forward to it!
● Please give us your thoughts on the manga Berserk.
I was overwhelmed by the wild action scenes, but I also felt that it was a story that portrays the deepest part of the human mind, which you don't want others to know, and the ugly along with the beautiful. Since it isn't filled with only strong characters, it can resonate with you and draw you into its world.
● What are your impressions on your character? What's the best thing about them?
Before, Casca wished to be gallant and strong but was actually awkward and weak inside. That straightforwardness was what I liked best about her.
And now, she's basically the embodiment of human instinct.
● Tell us how you felt after actually playing the character. Did anything change?
Playing Casca is really, really hard. It made me understand just how much language helps in terms of expressing our feelings.
I use the scripts, the manga, and my own impressions to try and grasp what she feels at any given moment.
● Is there anything you make sure to do, or have difficulty with, while recording?
While Casca doesn't talk, her body and mind do work and move, so I try not to miss any signs of movement from her, and look to play her with a real voice coming from within me. I find it fun discovering all the various kinds of noises I find myself making.
● What would you like to tell the fans looking forward to the anime?
I'm very happy that after the movies, I can continue to play Casca.
I would like to make a home for myself in the world by facing up to a side of her that is different from before.
Please look forward to it!
Interview with Hikasa Youko (VA: Farnese)
● Please give us your thoughts on the manga Berserk.
I read it for the first time recently, to prepare for the auditions, and it's an extremely powerful work. Drawn by its philosophical musings and portrayals of human nature, I honestly find it terrifying at times.
● What are your impressions on your character? What's the best thing about them?
My first impression of her was that of a strong and unyielding woman, but as I kept reading, I found out that in truth, she was entirely the opposite. I think that gap between expectation and reality is what I liked best.
● Tell us how you felt after actually playing the character. Did anything change?
I don't know if it's because of the powerful story, or whether I get too immersed in Farnese, but there are times during dubbing when I find my hands trembling out of anger or fear and I nearly drop my script. As an actor, I find it immensely satisfying that I can enter that state of mind.
● Is there anything you make sure to do, or have difficulty with, while recording?
I get the feeling that voicing Farnese becomes a shallow affair the moment you lose focus, so I try not to. And that wears me out both physically and mentally, so I'm always extremely hungry after a recording session.
● What would you like to tell the fans looking forward to the anime?
Berserk has a huge fan following both in Japan and overseas. We're trying to make this a show that not only lives up to their expectations, but surpasses them. Please look forward to it!
This is dummy text. It is not meant to be read. Accordingly, it is difficult to figure out when to end it. But then, this is dummy text. It is not meant to be read. Period.
ConversionConversion EmoticonEmoticon