[Oggi Interview] Working together for more than 10 years, they consider each other more of “comrades” than “friends”

Source | Jun 28, 2019

@Oggi (since 1992) is a fashion magazine for women, in their late 20s and early 30s, with a “global career” in mind (Source). In its 2019 August issue, they feature the voice actress Hanazawa Kana on the theme of “the checkpoint of turning 30 (30歳の通過点),” and she invites her co-actor Kaji Yuki to join her in a special interview.

KAJI YUKI ✕ HANAZAWA KANA ― AFTER A CERTAIN RECORDING SESSION

As much as they respect each other, there are small giveaway mannerisms only evident because of the 10 years they’ve known each other for! They are also currently co-starring in the baseball anime Mix!

Kaji: Once again, congratulations on turning 30! We just happened to come from the recording session for Mix, I was reminded all over again about how Kana-chan really is loved by the people around her. She constantly brings smiles to her surroundings. That impression hasn’t changed since we first co-acted as regulars in Ro-Kyu-Bu.

Hanazawa: Ro-Kyu-Bu! How nostalgic! That was a basketball anime, where Kaji-kun played the coach, and I played an elementary school girl. I remember having to wear bibs, while I sang and danced with the other girls… (laughs). Although I’m usually teased in studios, Kaji-kun, on the other hand, is good at responding (i.e. tsukkomi). Every time Kaji-kun is present in a studio, our seniors are especially tempted to joke around (i.e. boke tagaru), that’s because they know Kaji-kun will properly respond and follow-up with each of their jokes. And so people always end up crowding around him (laughs). His demeanor is something I can’t pull off even if I tried to learn. The way he manages the atmosphere is almost like Sanma-san.

Kaji: It’s nothing like that (laughs).

Hanazawa: It’s been more than 10 years since I started voice acting, but Kaji-kun is someone I’ve been working with almost non-stop throughout all these years since I was in my teens. At this point, instead of a “friend“, his existence is more of a “comrade” to me. And of course, I respect him very much as a voice actor.

Kaji: Kana-chan’s personality is clear-cut and transparent. Although at first glance, she may seem soft and happy-go-lucky, she is actually very strong-willed and composed. Now even as she approaches this milestone of entering her 30s, the core of her ‘brand‘ as “Hanazawa Kana” has already been molded firmly, and I find that truly amazing. Kana-chan, was there anything from our co-acting experience that left an impression?

Hanazawa: There are way too many (laughs)! Back when we worked together in Otome Youkai Zakuro, it was the first time Kaji-kun complimented me saying, “Kana-chan’s acting is great.” I still remember feeling super happy about that (laughs)!

Kaji: It’s not that I was in a position to compliment you! I’ve always respected you, but it was probably only then that I let that slip out (laughs).

Hanazawa: That’s exactly what made me happy. When it comes to discussions on acting, especially between actors, we can’t help but be more reserved with our comments. It felt sincere because I could tell that it was a slip of tongue.

Hanazawa: We talk quite a lot when we meet in the same studio, don’t we?

Kaji: True. Even today, at Mix’s anime studio, we were getting excited about how the rice crackers bought by the producer for us as refreshment looked really instagrammable (laughs). The atmosphere in the studio has been very pleasant, in that sense.

Hanazawa: In the anime too, it’s finally time for Touma (CV: Kaji Yūki) and Soichiro (CV: Uchida Yūma) to compete in the tournament!

Kaji: Exactly! Also, now that Kana-chan’s character, Ōyama Haruka, entered the picture into the love quadrilateral with us siblings, the plot is starting to move forward too. It’s a show packed with plenty of Adachi Mitsuru-esque humour, so I believe that people who liked Touch, and even people who are first-timers to the series would surely be able to enjoy it.

Hanazawa: I feel that the pleasant atmosphere in the studio is being well-represented in the show as well, so please watch it by all means! Kaji-kun, thank you for joining me today!