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Megaten Spotlight, an official newsletter made prior to SMTIV's release, got FULLY TRANSLATED!

While focused on the voice cast, exclusive information surrounding the development of several characters was touched upon, including juicy obscure lore about Mido and Stephen.

Taken from SMTIV's official website. Translated by takujilvr and commissioned by furinana

Megaten Spotlight: Sabbath Newsletter (108 Macca)

Text and Reportage by Shinji Yamamoto

OOOOOO

Jonathan/Kamiya Hiroshi/Forbidden Anonymous Report

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity

Kamiya Hiroshi is very busy. This recording session was a gift made possible thanks to the strenuous efforts of his coordinator.

Even today, he could only show up for recording after finishing the rest of his work.

The Deciding Factor was His Versatility

His appointment to the role strongly reflected the opinions of the female staff. Apparently they grinned, saying his voice fit Jonathan's concept and visuals perfectly.

But what really caught my eye, aside from their support, was his versatility. He can perform a wide range of roles, from handsome men to madmen.

In addition to Jonathan, he also plays a character who appears in the latter half of the story, for reasons pertaining to the game's plot.

I knew he’d be able to perform both roles splendidly.

Fighting with Real Swords

He's frighteningly strict in regards to the art of acting.

He gave a great deal of attention not just to the nuance of the lines, but the context they stem from.

Even when we gave the OK, he would ask to do a retake if he wasn't satisfied with the result. In the end, he gave so much of his time to us that he had to make an unplanned addition to his schedule.

I felt he had the approach of a modern-day "Samurai".

Living Up to the Title of Law Hero

Up until now, Chaos has had more vocal supporters thanks to its bold claims and good balance of recruitable demons.

The secret challenge put before this series entry is whether or not it can add to the ranks of Law adherents.

Seeing his acting, the way Jonathan laughs with the protagonist and sheds tears before him, I'm convinced this hurdle has already been cleared.

In Conclusion

After recording, I asked for a photo despite his busy schedule.

This gentle expression conveys his personality well.

I earnestly wish for his continued good health, and that his fans won't throw rocks at me after seeing this photo.

AUDIO FILES

01_01 [Hiroshi Kamiya] I'm Kamiya Hiroshi, who does the voice for Jonathan. Now Jonathan, he's a bit like the honor student there's at least one of in any class. His conduct and morals are flawless, there isn't a single gnarl in his character, but because of that he can be a bit inflexible from time to time, and then again sometimes not. But being the golden boy can come with its own particular forms of suffering, and I feel like in some scenes you might gradually come to see glimpses of that here and there. You'll have to play the game to find out. Thank you!

01_02 [Jonathan] S-Stop pulling my hair, Walter! It won't straighten out, I got it from my mother!

01_03 [Jonathan] Some say, "Might makes right. I have no hand to extend to the weak." …I simply can't comprehend that way of thinking.

01_04 [Jonathan] I'll only tell you this because it's you, all right? Only because it's you! I'm afraid I can't bring myself to like women very much. Being raised in a household with two elder sisters and one younger made me lose any illusions about them I might've had. You're a man, so I feel much more at ease with you.

Walter/Konishi Katsuyuki/Forbidden Anonymous Report

The Troupe's Vice-Leader is a Fisherman's Boy

Lunchtime in Jinbocho

Before the recording session at 2:00, we sated our hunger at a famous ramen shop near the studio. It was before work, so when the call came he asked for "Veggies, salty!"*. *[TN: Referring to infamous chain Ramen Jiro, where you have to make your topping orders very fast-- "Garlic! Veggies! Fat! Salty!"]

This time Konishi Katsuyuki, who plays Walter, is recording. He's a remarkable actor who works as the vice-leader of a theatrical troupe in addition to performing many roles as a voice actor.

He's also tall and has refreshing looks. How many things has heaven blessed him with? The photo below was taken before recording.

We gave him a summary of this SMT title and an explanation of his character. During the prep meeting, we found out that he's an avid gamer. After enduring the worry that we'd lose track of time talking about games with him, I attended the recording session.

A Chaotic Recording

The recording session reached new heights of chaos. The script he was given was full of missing pages.

Walter boasts the most voice lines out of any character, which means that reviewing the script takes up a lot of time as-is.

Perhaps this was the work of a certain bigwig demon he also plays.

Now this is Acting!

To the left, you can see Konishi recreating a scene where Walter, due to a certain event, vents his emotions to Jonathan, who should have been his friend. His clenched fist represents the katana Walter holds during the scene.

It once again drove home to me that voice acting isn't just about reading lines, but performance.

A Brief Rest

The recording actually lasted five hours.

But today's work only amounted to about 60% of the voices he's been assigned to do. The rest would be recorded at a later date.

Dinnertime in Jinbocho

It was dinnertime by the time we left the recording studio.

The scene where Walter enjoys breakfast with his friends crossed my mind, and even though I hadn't decided on dinner yet, I chose to have bread for breakfast the next day, and hurried home.

AUDIO FILES

02_01 [Katsuyuki Konishi] Yes! Thank you! Hello! I'm Konishi Katsuyuki! I play the part of Walter. Right, anyway, Walter, he doesn't talk very nice, but he's a great guy at heart. How do I put this, he's a very human character. He openly expresses the things that most people hide, and if everyone sees that they might be a little turned off by it; but he's very honest; he's a good boy. So I hope you enjoy him a lot. Honestly, I think it's a pretty wonderful thing! Please see him in action in SMT 4!

02_02 [Walter] Enough of that "Ooh, you'll catch cold!" drivel, Jonathan, you sound like a naggy old wife. I can't abide being constricted, this chest must stay bared!

02_03 [Walter] I'll only say this if you promise not to tell anyone! Cats, I just love 'em. When I see one outside, I can't help but crouch down and give it some pets! Wait, no. I mean, listen, I can't stand fish. And they can take it off my hands, can't they? That's why I love cats. Right.

02_04 [Walter] "What is this world without God's order? We don't need any excess of individuality." There are some who say this, but I wonder if they even know where their own heads are at.

Isabeau/Sawashiro Miyuki/Forbidden Anonymous Report

The Sole Lady Samurai is Bilingual

Taking the Subway to the Studio

We boarded the subway from Sangenjaya, where the company building is located. The studio we headed to is in Jinbocho.

The laptop I was carrying holds the data for all the scripts used in recording. If this laptop gets stolen, you can be sure a written apology won't save me. Preparing for unforeseen circumstances, I made sure to keep my nerves sharp even while I was on the move.

Today's recording was with Sawashiro Miyuki. I'm not familiar with the voice acting industry, but even I know her name. I also know she's proficient in English.

She gives a quiet impression, but has a fair amount of presence. I felt the awe you'd get from a still body of water holding back a raging current.

Before recording, we gave an explanation of her character, Isabeau. But she understood the character perfectly. I spend most of my time silently working at the development offices, and I'm not good at conversation, so nothing made me more grateful than this.

A Consummate Performance

Her performance plan was even more perfect.

Not only did she nail the image of Isabeau we had in mind, she polished it even further, without any need for retakes. As Isabeau, she conveyed merry excitement, and acted with bizarrely high energy after inhaling gas.

So many new expressions of Isabeau were given life that couldn't be conveyed through text alone. If at all possible, I'd like to progress the story together with Isabeau, without having to part ways.

The End of Recording

Her recording session ended without incident.

She briskly left the studio to go to her next job.

Back to the Office

I stopped back by the office to prepare the materials for tomorrow's recording sessions.

I was met with the envious gazes of staff who were knowledgeable about voice acting, having become "the guy who got a conversation out of Sawashiro Miyuki".

AUDIO FILES

03_01 [Miyuki Sawashiro] Hello everyone, I'm Sawashiro Miyuki. Isabeau, who I play, is a very strong girl, one of the few to become a Samurai, and she works hard to stand on equal footing with men in a society where she's expected to walk one step behind. In present-day terms, she's like a career woman working hard on the forefront of things. She may not seem like it at first glance, but she's a girl with a very focused will. Definitely play the game and see for yourself how she turns out.

03_02 [Isabeau] Your hairstyle is called a "ponytail", correct? Maybe I should grow out my own hair. I wonder if it'd suit me.

03_03 [Isabeau] "So we're talking like, super lame, but so lame it makes me laugh my ass off, yanno?" It seems this dialect was common in Tokyo once, but how exactly does one laugh off an ass?* *[TN: in jpn Isabeau's confusion revolves around the phrase 'gyaku ni ukeru'. "gyaku ni" can mean "in reverse" but also "on the other hand", and "ukeru" can mean "to find funny" but also "to take", so Isabeau's confused by the slang-- she thinks the person with the 'accent' possesses something that is backwards, and she doesn't know what.]

03_04 [Isabeau] I must tell you something very important. You mustn't go spreading it around. When I think of that one special gentleman, it makes me want to have a romance so enthralling I can't even take my meals! But it's not an easy one, maybe let's say, our parents are both opposed to it. And this is where it really gets good! Finally, after so much deliberation, we choose to elope and-- Excuse me, I got rather carried away. I suppose before all that I need to experience love for myself first.

Navarre/Ōhata Shintarō/Forbidden Anonymous Report

Behold a Gallant Man Who's So Hard to Hate That You Can't Help But Hate Him!

A Quick Lunch Between Recordings

This morning we managed to finish recording one voice actor's lines without incident. Two more are scheduled for the day.

To the right you can see me having lunch before the next session. It wasn't very good manners, but I also went over the scripts we'd be using that afternoon.

Even a Problem Child Outside the Game

It was actually pretty rough going selecting Navarre's voice actor.

The development staff had varying opinions on just how annoying Navarre should be, and we couldn't quite seem to figure out an image we could all agree on.

Then we borrowed some wisdom from the director of the recording studio. On the basis of this recommendation, we listened to some sample voices, and decided to have Ōhata Shintarō play Navarre.

He came without a moment's delay. He was unpretentious and very friendly. To the right you can see him doing a promotional autograph. He handles the pen so smoothly. Navarre could learn a thing or two from him.

Thanks to his acting chops, Navarre became many times more enjoyable than we originally planned.

If that pen was a sword, Ōhata would be a remarkable Samurai.

A Happy Accident

Ōhata's Navarre went above and beyond what I had imagined. The director was right on the money.

The likeability he brings to Navarre will make his tragic fate stand out all the more.

A Quick Break

The session ended faster than planned. This is yet another one of his skills.

We saw him off from the studio.

A Luxurious Time

Thanks to him, we had some extra time before the next session. We took a short break with some coffee, courtesy of the studio staff.

This must be what it's really like to live as a Luxuror.

AUDIO FILES

04_01 [Navarre] Whuh?!

04_02 [Navarre] If there aren't any demons it'll all be fine… And there aren't any demons in the Eastern Kingdom of Mikado…

04_03 [Navarre] [Mindbroken laughter]

The COOL☆ Way to Throw a Tantrum

You're on break with your close friends, and you want to get curry for lunch, but everyone else is fine with going to the convenience store. These moves will come in handy in such situations.

Move 1: The Paper Sheet

Stand with your arms relaxed. It's easier to move if you lower your center of gravity.

Vigorously push either one of your shoulders to the front, like you're hitting something.

Stick out your arm, letting it move with the force of your shoulder. Twist your upper body around while doing this. Now do the same thing with your other side.

Repeat while whining. You don't necessarily have to use your words, just make sure to convey your intent.

Protagonist/Kaji Yūki/Forbidden Anonymous Report

The Leading Role

We spent almost the whole day immersed in work.

The last voice actor didn’t have that many lines to record. We planned for the recording time to total less than two hours.

I felt a premature sense of relief.

But……

The Players had Unexpected Knowledge and Wisdom

Nothing’s been published on the official site yet, so I was surprised by how many people online guessed correctly.

Today we’ll be introducing Kaji Yūki, who plays the protagonist.

The Character of a Samurai

I was struck by his inquisitive gaze as we explained the concept of a protagonist who recruits enemy demons, and the mythological origins of the major demons who stand in his way.

I could already feel the character of a Samurai radiating from the way he refused to shrink before demons.

Surely it’s a quality the Gauntlet wouldn’t overlook.

The Personality of ‘No Personality’

SMT puts emphasis on the player being the protagonist.

So we had to give him the unreasonable order of displaying heroism without displaying too much individuality.

To be honest, taking his presence and his voice’s impact into account, I felt a touch nervous before the recording.

But his knack for restraint was superb.

Given his ability to understand our angle and promptly execute it, I believe all his stats would be very high.

Abundant Variations

The majority of the protagonist’s lines are short phrases, such as the “Yahh!” when he swings his sword and his “Ugh!” when he takes damage.

He gave as many “Yahh!”s and “Ugh!”s as the recording time permitted. His excellent performance sparked a passion in me as I gave the orders.

To the right, you can see me striking a pose to explain the nuances of the protagonist’s voice when he lands after falling from a great height.

A Rich Recording Session

During his recording, I didn’t just use my head, but my body, to convey the nuance of his lines.

Despite the short recording time, I had a rich and extremely rewarding sense of exhaustion by the end.

Feeling a bit of discomfort in my thighs due to lack of daily exercise, I left the recording studio.

AUDIO FILES

05_01 [Yuki Kaji] Hello everyone, it's Kaji Yuki. Some of you have probably guessed who I'm playing. I'm the protagonist! In SMT the protagonist represents the player themselves, so I tried hard to make my performance cool without bringing in too much invidiuality and spoiling the player's sense of identification. This game is a story of the choices the protagonist makes. Please weave the tale of SMT 4 with those choices, everyone.

05_02 [Flynn] [Dying Flynn noises]

05_03 [Flynn] Summon!

05_04 [Flynn] [Climbing grunting Flynn noises]

Issachar/Maeno Tomoaki/Forbidden Anonymous Report

The Bass-Voiced, Reliable Childhood Friend

The Character’s Role

Issachar is the first character whose face you see.

In the game’s setting he plays the role of the protagonist’s childhood friend, while simultaneously bearing the responsibility of a guide, easing the players into the game’s world.

So Issachar is a very important character.

We put a lot of thought into selecting his voice actor and the phrasing of his lines, so that he’d appeal to a wide range of players.

Reliable Performance

Since Issachar acts as a guide, he has to be a character that the players will want to take along with them.

Maeno Tomoaki, Issachar’s voice actor, conveys that dependability with his powerful bass voice. I’m sure he’ll be able to comfortably guide the players into the Eastern Kingdom of Mikado.

Although Issachar doesn’t have many lines, he’s a character with turbulent emotions, going from speaking in a gentle tone to suddenly violently raising his voice.

The above photograph shows him just before he does Issachar’s dying scream. The sudden change in him left me awestruck.

I was so transfixed that I forgot to take a photo……

A Tearful Farewell

This is a photo of us after recording.

It was taken after the scene where Issachar, choked by tears, pours out his emotions.

It’s easier to make a middle-aged man cry than I thought. His tears became my own as I saw him off.

AUDIO FILES

06_01 [Issachar] Haha! I suppose so.

06_02 [Issachar] I'll have my vengeance!

06_03 [Issachar] Shall we?

The COOL☆ Way to Catch Change with Your Feet

We drop our change at vending machines a good deal more often than we’d like to admit.

We’ll introduce a COOL way to deal with this situation.

Move 2: The Chicken

Stick your lower back out behind you. Keep your upper body as still as possible, and…

Rotate your lower back to the other side from behind.

Use the force of your rotating orbit to raise your leg. Fix your aim on the change at your feet…

And twist your leg as you stomp on it. Don’t let your prey escape.

Akira/Gōda Hozumi/Forbidden Anonymous Report

You Won’t Find These Two On the Website

The Joys of the Job

Game development is harsh work that exhausts and burdens one’s mind and body. One page isn’t enough to convey how painful it is.

But there are joys I’d never experience if not for this job. This time, Gōda Hozumi, who plays the two Akiras, is recording.

There might be readers unfamiliar with ‘Akira’.

Because of the timing of his appearance, and to maintain the balance of the work’s setting, the two Akiras aren’t introduced on the official website.

I’ve known about Gōda since I was little, when he played the role of a perfect soldier.* *[TN: Chirico Cuvie, from Armored Trooper Votoms.]

I really admire him, and in my humble opinion the character he played is one of anime’s top three handsome men of all time. So I’m a lot more tense than usual, and during the briefing my words seem to get stuck in my throat.

The two Akiras he plays are an Akira with an aura of Law, and another with an aura of Chaos.

The tricky thing about this role was how he had to play, fundamentally, the same “Akira”, while still bringing out the differences between the two.

Truly Perfect

Just so I’m making it clear.

Both Akiras became deeply impressive characters thanks to his performance.

In-game, when you find yourself about to press the remote control’s switch, that means you’ll meet Akira very soon.

Normie Experience

You can see a photo of the two of us to the left.

I never imagined I’d be taking a photo with “the man on the TV” I looked up to as a child.

In this moment I felt, from the bottom of my heart, how happy I was to have this job.

The End of Recording

On the way home, for no real reason, I checked today’s horoscope on my cellphone.

It seemed like my sign was in the lowest-ranked position. My career luck was especially bad. After today, I knew that couldn’t be true.

I smiled and followed the route home.

AUDIO FILES

07_01 [Blasted Akira] Your faces tell me you have no idea what's going on. That's understandable. There's no need to worry, we aren't your enemies.

07_02 [Infernal Akira] Oh yeah, lemme ask, where you guys from? I mean, not like it really matters.

07_03 [Both] [Blasted Akira]: We'll make sure your efforts are remembered till the end of time. Farewell, Messiahs. [Infernal Akira]: Damn, you guys are something! That's my Intruders for ya!

Hikaru/Inoue Marina/Forbidden Anonymous Report

A “Light” Hidden by a Uniform

Trouble Brewing

The problems that occurred during Inoue Marina’s recording session almost broke my heart.

In the middle of recording, we found out that a crucial scene with Hikaru was missing from the script.

A certain somebody must have been present at the recording. We wouldn’t be able to do this the easy way.

Handling it Cooler than Cocytus

At this point she had already recorded Hikaru’s lines and started on our old friend’s. Changing characters in the middle of recording can really disrupt the flow of an actor’s performance plan.

After she finished the lines for our old friend, we’d have to have her do Hikaru once again. In contrast to my panicked state, she understood the situation without once breaking her beautiful composure.

Our friend is very reliable indeed. While she was playing this character, I had to work out appropriate lines for Hikaru while checking her performance at the same time.

Borrowing Our Old Friend’s Knowledge and Wisdom

After that phase of recording ended, we went back to recording Hikaru. She helped us out with the parts of the script we had issues with.

With her suggestions, we managed to record some very nicely fitting lines. I came to know firsthand the magnificence of the knowledge and wisdom our friend gave humanity.

A Stormy Recording

She gave us an autograph for promotional use. She then left the studio for her next assignment.

The studio was once again calm, as if our earlier troubles had never happened. This time around, in the words of a certain entertainer, “my stomach turned to friggin’ ice!”.* *[TN: Yamashita Kenji, a personality appearing on entertainer Matsuko Deluxe's variety program Out Deluxe. Notable for his unusually squeaky voice. The line in question is 肝を冷やしたぜ！]

AUDIO FILES

08_01 [Hikaru] I wonder how it'll look if we take a walk together? We can go arm in arm if you like. Hold hands, too. Squeeze them, like a couple. I'll do anything you want… As long as you hold my interest.

08_02 [Hikarucifer] The nail that sticks out is hammered down in the human world, yet in the end it's king-of-the-hill: the winners rise by process of elimination. See Tayama; he has no power, but he draws the people's ire by making more of a display of it than he needs to. Charming, as long as this game goes on, but I can't leave him be if he goes too far.

08_03 [Marina Inoue] I'm Inoue Marina, who plays Hikaru. Hi! Hikaru looks like a very normal high school girl, but is she really? Right. I guess she's a very odd presence in SMT 4's world, which raises a lot of mysteries around her, but definitely play the game, discover it for yourself, and you'll be like, 'Oh, so that's how it is!' Please have fun playing SMT 4! Thank you!

The COOL☆ Way to Push a Button

Buttons may seem like they’re at a disadvantage with the advent of touch panels, but we still have many opportunities to push them.

These moves will turn your everyday button-pushing into COOL button-pushing.

Move 3: The Point

Set your hand at the edge of your shoulder. Put your fingers in the pointing position.

Using your elbow as a fulcrum, stick your hand forward without breaking the position of your fingers. Lean your upper body forward a bit.

You can also do it with the opposite hand, with many variations depending on which direction you’re pointing.

Or do it from the side. There are as many ways to point as there are people.

Tayama/Ōtsuka Hochū/Forbidden Anonymous Report

A Rock-Solid Image Even Before Recording

Unanimous Agreement

Tayama’s role of the ‘lovable enemy’ is a difficult one to pull off. But it was surprisingly easy to decide who we wanted to play him. Basically everyone agreed.

I actually wrote Tayama’s lines with Ōtsuka Hochū firmly in mind even before we decided on him.

I even listened to his acting in other works he’d been in while I was writing. So, ironically, I actually couldn’t believe it when I heard he was officially selected for the role.

He’s played many memorable villains, like the pilot of a Mobile Suit equipped with a weapon called the “Sea Snake”*, and the final boss of the second movie in a series about drunken martial arts.**

[TN: *Yazan Gable from Zeta Gundam, who pilots the Mobile Suit Hambrabi.

**John, an enforcer for the British consul in Drunken Master II. (Of course, just the dubbing, he's not the actual actor.)]

To be honest, I was a little nervous about actually meeting him.

A Gentle Aura

He had a very gentle aura about him when he arrived at the studio.

I could feel my tension melt away in front of him, like a detoxifying lotion.

Lovable Villain

Thanks to his acting, Tayama became even more persuasive than we thought. His voice has the power to make even Tayama’s inhuman methods seem reasonable.

Tayama is more than simply “the tyrant who rules Tokyo”, and Otsuka was able to bring out that appeal even more.

Sharing Drinks

I asked for a photo after recording. Taking Tayama’s character into account, we tried doing a photo of us ‘exchanging sake cups’.

But I was overwhelmed by his presence, and got nervous again. Maybe the senior Samurai in Roppongi ended up that way for the same reason.

I felt like I’d touched the aura of somebody really amazing.

AUDIO FILES

09_01 [Tayama] If I went around looking like a bum, my men would lose their ambition. This way, even with Tokyo in the state it is, you know you can dress sharp and drink your fill of good booze twice a week. I know if everyone in Tokyo heard this they'd really chew me out, but it's a lot to put up with on my end too. I'm really more of a 'wolf down some egg on rice wearing a sweatshirt and sweatpants' kinda guy.

09_02 [Hochu Otsuka] Hello, I'm Otsuka Hochu, who plays Tayama. He's one of them yakuzas, but I played him with the image of a slick, smart guy-- a guy who keeps some sharp fangs hidden, who glimpses people's weaknesses-- in mind. A sharp guy who used that rottenness and dirtiness unique to adults to crawl from society's dregs to the peak. He might be a character who grown up players can find surprisingly sympathetic. I know he's a scary middle aged dude, but why don't you join him and think about the future of SMT 4's Tokyo?

9_03 [Tayama] 'Scuse me? You're telling me you can't meet the Reds quota? I've said it a million times, if it looks bad, you gotta report to me with a contingency plan. You know, kidnap some poor sap from the underground, turn yourself into Reds material, that kinda thing. Now I'm not saying you have to just go off and do that. But when you make a report, I better hear you say "We won't be able to meet the quota! In the worst case scenario I will gladly become the Reds myself!", capiche?

The Black Samurai and Gabby/Tanaka Atsuko/Forbidden Anonymous Report

Devilish Female Characters

There’s an expression, “devilish”*, that’s sometimes used to describe a woman. *[TN: The word used, Mashō, literally means ‘devilish’, with the specific connotation of an alluring sexiness.]

During this recording, I found myself in the direct presence of that devilishness. If there were an app that could evaluate devilishness, how many points would she get?

Devilish Beings Taking Human Forms

The Black Samurai and Gabby, who Atsuko Tanaka plays, are unique characters. They appear to be human on the outside, but there’s an inhuman quality we want to emphasize in every one of their lines.

We wouldn’t be able to do this without her skill and devilish appeal.

A Soft Demeanor

I got a very mellow impression from her.

Before recording, I was encouraged by how she said “Just let me know if you have any requests”.

A Gentle Aura

During recording, her demeanor was so cool and dignified that it’d be easy to fall in love with her even if she was a man.

If someone like the crossdressing beauty in V◯rbara* really existed, they would probably be a lot like her.

*[TN: Oscar from Rose of Versailles. You should know this.]

You can feel this devilish allure from both characters. It’s no wonder the people of the Eastern Kingdom of Mikado were led astray by the Black Samurai.

Innumerable Kinds of Devilishness Within Her

We got a promotional autograph from her after recording was finished.

She was very gentle-mannered, in stark contrast to the dignified aura she had during recording. I felt that there were innumerable different kinds of devilishness within her (in a good way).

It makes you wonder if the devilishness you can feel in these characters is something that comes from Tanaka herself.

AUDIO FILES

10_01 [Gabby] Hm? You'd like to share breakfast with me? It would be an honor. I was thinking I'd like to talk with you if I had the chance. You must have all manner of things to think about in the course of your duties each day. I can be your listener if it isn't any trouble. Why don't we share our time as fellow members of God's chosen?

10_02 [Yuriko] It doesn't give me too much grief when I actually wear it, but shame on humans for making this Demonica thing. Oh, you over there, if you've got the time, could you help me take this off? It gets so tight around the chest. Why don't I add it to your quests? Oh, I know you'll accept. Hehehe.

10_03 [Gabriel] Shene Duque is the land of beginning, where your ancestors who once spurned His works alit on the earth anew. Thus from this land shall the new Millennium be built… With you, who have hearkened to the voice of the angel who speaketh His word.

10_04 [Atsuko Tanaka] I'm Tanaka Atsuko. I played two female characters, Gabby and Yuriko, in SMT 4. Their personalities and alignment are polar opposites, so I played them while digging deep into my own lawful and chaotic sides. Maybe this game will create an opportunity for all the players to confront their own selves. Is your alignment Law? Chaos? Or…?

[Editor note: Tanaka Atsuko sadly passed away in August of 2024. She also voiced Lilith in SMTV:Vengeance]

Hope/Nakai Kazuya/Forbidden Anonymous Report

Sympathizing with the Grief of Middle Management

I also found myself in a central position where I was put in charge of and had to give directions to the staff who drew up the in-story events.

Which is to say, I’m a middle manager pushed down by the higher-ups and pressured by the people under me. It’s a tough place to be.

This is a game where the player becomes the “protagonist character” and fights demons. But when I take my own circumstances into account, I can’t seem to take my eyes off what Hope is doing.

Is this the Studio or my House?

It may be because he provides the narration for various morning infotainment programs, but even though this was our first time meeting, I was already used to his voice.

Listening to him as he did the promotional autograph, for a moment, I thought I was in my own living room watching TV.

Truly the Ideal Boss

In the course of the story, the protagonist leaves the Eastern Kingdom of Mikado and has to perform new duties in Tokyo.

The story itself doesn’t go into details, but while the protagonist is gone, Hope makes strenuous efforts to defend the Eastern Kingdom of Mikado.

He has the great pride of devoting himself to behind-the-scenes work so his subordinates can fulfill a great task.

Thanks to Nakai, Hope’s “Ideal Boss” concept was made into a reality.

The Road to Being the Ideal Boss is Long

By the time recording ended and we saw him off, it was already past 9:00. Even then, the story event staff was probably hard at work back at the office.

I was planning on going straight home from the studio, but now I thought I’d drop by the office and give them some snacks…… Unfortunately, the next day’s recording was scheduled early, so I had to go home after all.

If Hope was real, I’d definitely want him to give me some training too.

AUDIO FILES

11_01 [Hope] You. Good timing. I want you to sit down a minute and listen to me talk about the old times. I left a woman in my hometown. A slight one, with a bit of a curl in her hair. My beloved. Haven't been able to send her so much as a letter since the day I became a Samurai. No, here I am throwing the ring I was supposed to give her into Naraku every year for the Prentices' training. Being blessed with outstanding men can be a trouble in its own right.

11_02 [Kazuya Nakai] I'm Nakai Kazuya, I played Hope. He's a rather unlucky adult character who's revered by his peers for his ability, but isn't valued by society at large because his inability to bend his convictions makes him a bit pigheaded and awkward. He shows a brusque, taciturn, and strict side, but on the inside he's quietly full of passion and concern for his subordinates. I played him with the image of the ideal commander everyone has in their heads. He doesn't get very much screentime, but he has a lot of flavor as a character, so please go meet him in SMT 4.

11_03 [Hope] Listen here, you. I can't say I find it very admirable that you're spending your off day mewed up in the barracks. Come, if leisure is too much for you to handle, I'll give you some training. Take off your coat and come to the Aquila Statue Plaza.

The COOL☆ Way to Pick Out a DVD

DVD stores are a treasure trove of knowledge and wisdom. You don’t want to take your eyes from the shelves for a moment, lest you miss out on an unexpected meeting with a masterpiece.

Here are some moves that will help you out at such times.

Move 4: The Crab

Stand by with your toes turned inward. Keeping your knees turned inward is also a good idea.

Open your legs, shifting your weight to the heel of the foot pointed in the direction you want to go, and to the toes of the opposite foot.

When you lift your foot it’ll look like this. As you move, keep alternating your weight between the heels and toes of your left and right feet.

Shift your weight again and return to the first position. Repeat, moving sideways. You’ll never miss that actress’ new movie now.

Hugo/Tadano Yōhei/Forbidden Anonymous Report

Not Just “Another Hired Gun”* *[TN: Tadano Yohei’s name, 多田野曜平, is a homonym for ただの傭兵, ‘just another mercenary’.]

Hugo’s voice actor, Tadano Yōhei, was a pretty unique individual. As soon as we met, I was hit with a preemptive strike: he introduced himself as “tada no yōhei”, just another hired gun.

I could tell he wasn’t “just another” guy at all.

Eyes on my Head

We explained Hugo’s concept to him before recording.

During my explanation, even as he listened to me, I noticed that his gaze drifted to the top of my head multiple times.

Adding More Lines

When it was decided he’d play Hugo, the development staff felt a sense of regret. You see, Hugo didn’t have nearly enough scenes. We wouldn’t be able to fully convey the appeal of a Hugo played by Tadano.

Despite the difficulty of making large-scale revisions given our schedule, we increased the number of events Hugo appeared in, and drew up some new quests focused on him.

Among the staff, Hugo has a solid position in the popularity rankings, even moreso than the female characters, who are all pretty high up there. This is also thanks to his voice.

Trembling from the Seriousness

This next photo shows him acting out another character related to Hugo, just before you enter into battle with him. *[TN: Most likely King Ahazuya Mikado-- He's played with a lower-pitched voice, but its tone and quality makes me fairly certain it's Tadano]

He gave a serious performance, as far from Hugo as you could imagine. I trembled at that quiet air of intimidation that lulls whoever listens to it into despair.

A Friendly Chat After Recording

After recording, he told me he had a request. I readily consented, saying I’d do whatever I could.

He’d had his eye on something since before recording started. If this’ll make him happy, it’s no problem for me.

I attained a heartfelt understanding of how a certain anpan-headed hero feels.* *[TN: Anpanman. You really should know this.]

AUDIO FILES

12_01 [Hugo] In truth, we of the Monastery have been conducting excavations of Naraku ever since King Aquila founded the Eastern Kingdom of Mikado 1500 years ago. Yet every one of those daft Samurai speaks of our many accomplishments in Naraku as if they were their own deeds! No one would have even conceived of forming the Samurai if not for us!

12_02 [Hugo] In this kingdom, the fruits that come of researching Tokyo net you more praise than doing battle with demons all day. Thus I left the Samurai and joined the Monastery, even as my brethren-in-arms all scorned me as a coward. Now I'm the Abbot, and even the Samurai must act as I will it! And yet I feel a hollowness sometimes. I've lived my life prey to the whims of my own avarice; I've never learned what it is that I truly must do. I envy, yet resent my Commander-- I mean, Hope, for how he lives with such unwavering conviction. [TN: Hugo calls Hope 'Hope-kun', implying that he sees him as a subordinate, or at least tries to act like it. idk how to carry over the nuance?]

12_03 [Hugo] It seems in Tokyo there was once a dish called sweet-and-sour pork. I'm told the meat was fried together with vegetables and even fruit, and mixed with a sweet, mildly sour sauce. Isn't fruit supposed to be eaten as dessert? And what's meant by "sweet and mildly sour"? Does the sweetness win out in the end, or is the flavor more acidic? It's all very bizarre. I can't say it doesn't fascinate me, this pork.

Fujiwara/Morita Junpei/Forbidden Anonymous Report

From the Ward Junior High to the Coffee Shop

This installment’s voice actor is active in many other areas besides games. He really does have a wide range, from anime to dubbing to theater.

Morita Junpei, who plays Fujiwara, also played “Kan-Kan from math class” in a nationally famous school drama. *[TN: Morita played Inui-Sensei, nicknamed "Kan-Kan from math class" in the long-running Kinpachi-Sensei series. His nickname comes from an alternate reading of his name, and his short-tempered (kan-kan) personality.]

A Very Well-Suited Role

All of the voice actors are people I’m meeting for the very first time at the recording studio.

It’s natural that when they get cast, I’m not going to know what kind of people they are.

But even though he looks different, Morita felt just like Fujiwara himself.

He’s a mature fellow with an intellectual and gentle demeanor, but the discretion to not make a big show of it.

It Feels Just Like a Cafe

Morita loves conversation very much. During the pre-recording briefing, he told me about the frontman of a well-known guitar rock band some of you may know as “Shikerona”.* *[TN: This was a misspelling, probably deliberate, but it's supposed to be "Shinaroke"-- Sheena and the Rokkets. Fujiwara was based on frontman Makoto Ayukawa, who sadly passed away in 2023.]

It seems like he’s very good friends with him. Coincidentally, Fujiwara was based on that musician.

Our conversation grew even more enlivened. The briefing’s mood was supremely relaxed, just like Cafe Florida. I found myself unconsciously reaching for imaginary snacks in front of me.

An Artisan’s Technique

What struck me was his magnificent way of utilizing pauses.

Fujiwara is meant to search out and get a feel for whoever he’s talking with without saying much himself. Morita conveyed this through exquisitely timed pauses.

His technique as an artisan shined even within his relaxed manner.

Making Balanced Decisions

Fujiwara doesn’t have very much screentime at all. This means you could easily reach the ending without even touching on Fujiwara’s real motives.

You should definitely try to make balanced decisions and conquer your feelings of despair. Then Fujiwara just might open his heart to you, using the power of Morita’s voice.

AUDIO FILES

13_01 [Fujiwara] Hey, Skins. You're looking a little long in the tooth lately! The corners of your eyes are all droopy now, like in one of those idol groups from this one country back in the day. Maybe time to think about a facelift? I can give you one if you're jealous. Aw, what's with the face? Bet it's 'cause you don't know where they messed up with it!

13_02 [Fujiwara] I've lost all my appetite with age. A drink, a cig, piece of a biscuit, and brother, I've got myself a dinner. But back when I was a company man, I duped my coworker Kelly so I could eat at this yakiniku joint in Roppongi three times a week at my employer's expense.

13_03 [Junpei Morita] Morita Junpei here. I play a character called Fujiwara. He's the man with the cigarette and coffee cup who's always at the cafe. He used to be a newspaper reporter and he went through a whole lot in the past, but I tried to play him as sort of detached and easygoing, without letting that show on the surface too much. Also, his friendliness and that kind of thing. Depending on how you progress through the game, there's a route where you get to find out about the hopes and sorrows he's had since he was younger, so if you haven't seen it yet, please try and adventure through every nook and cranny of SMT 4's world.

Skins/Yamaji Kazuhiro/Forbidden Anonymous Report

The Dandy Comes to Town

When I was a teenager, I had a sense, albeit vague, of wanting to become a “cool adult”. But even as I near my 40s, I still don’t know what you need to be “cool”.

But when I met Yamaji Kazuhiro, who plays Skins, I think I began to understand a little.

Exuding Presence

Skins was written as taciturn to begin with, but he doesn’t have much screentime either.

I tried to give each and every one of his lines a lot of weight so that he would make a bigger impression. Adding Yamaji’s performance into the mix, Skins stands out far more than we initially planned.

He Can Play Around, Too

Yamaji doesn’t operate on presence alone.

When Skins asks the protagonist the name of a certain character, you’ll get to see a unique reaction from him if you enter a certain string of letters.

On his recommendation, the content of his lines in that scene became more comical than we initially planned. I take my hat off to his playful spirit.

Definitely enter “Masa****” when you get the chance.

How to be a Cool Adult

He joined us for a post-recording photoshoot. He proposed that we both make “cool faces”.

Being photographed with him, I felt like I got closer to being a “cool adult”. I think I still have a ways to go before I can really become one.

I want to think that I got a little bit closer from realizing that.

AUDIO FILES

14_01 [Skins] When I see you I think of this one kid I worked with in my old unit. Had these two friends he was always with, just like you with Jonathan and Walter. What were their names again… Oh, right. One guy was a little too much of a people-pleaser. Had some real backbone though. He was Kiyoharu. The other was a rough, wild type, but real compassionate when he wanted to be. That was Kenji.

14_02 [Skins] The guy who first proposed building the Yamato Perpetual Reactor was the Minister of Defense. Said Japan was weak, didn't have enough stamina, and if we wanted to catch up we'd need a perpetual-motion plasma reactor. He drew up the perfect plan to make this Yamato Reactor a reality. But it was actually a means of staging a coup d'etat, to purge the incompetent politicians resigned to selling our country out to the ones who financially dominated us. He was a brave but pitiful man who got swallowed up by the lust called patriotism. His dying screams as he fell to the demons still ring in my ears.

14_03 [Skins] I remember these rumors that started going around way back when the Counter-Demon Force was first established, about the source of the Demon-Summoning Program. Thought we'd summon some demons with it and put 'em to use as weapons anyway. I mean look, this thing, if you got the most bleeding-edge tech in the world back then, you still couldn't even come close to developing it. And that means you've got everyone talking about some broad out there providing our country with supertechnology.

Stephen (or rather... Steven) /Chō/Forbidden Anonymous Report

The Father of the Demon Summoning Program

When I had to stay home sick early in elementary school, I saw a young man on the TV, who moved to Nagano Prefecture to pursue his dream of running a store.

I can still clearly remember how he worked hard at his delivery job with his beloved bicycle, and how between deliveries, he would make maps of his routes and introduce the places on them.* *[TN: Cho played the main character in the television series Tanken! Boku no Machi.]

To think I’d be able to meet him in a situation like this.

So Many Mysteries

Some of you may know this, but for a little while there was a rumor that Chō was dead.

Steven, who developed and spread the Demon Summoning Program for the sake of humanity’s potential while losing his own physical form, is one of the most unusual characters in the game.

Chō and Steven are both shrouded in mystery.

How he was chosen to play Steven is a mystery in its own right.

The Father of Steven

Even though Steven has appeared many times in the series so far, the truth of his character remains unknown.

So even the development team struggled to work out Steven’s nuances. This is why we decided to leave it to Chō to depict Steven’s image.

His performance was gentle, but with a sense of overwhelming scale, as if he had descended from on high.

Chō is the father of Steven, so to speak.

His Smile Hadn’t Changed a Bit

After recording, he joined us for a photoshoot.

He gave us an innocent smile, just like the one I remember from elementary school.

AUDIO FILES

15_01 [Steven] I remember a movie about a group of astronauts killed by an artificial intelligence they themselves developed. That's humanity for you; they'll sacrifice everything for demons and gods they birthed from their own imaginations, and lose themselves completely in the process. But that purity is humanity's greatest strength and its greatest weakness; it's exactly what makes humans human. [TN: obviously, he is talking about 2001: A Space Odyssey]

15_02 [Steven] With you it was Naraku, and I think with the other you it was the Harajuku police station. The first time we met I believe it was, "Will you find a ray of hope in a place the sun doesn't reach?". Now that fits the description of a certain somebody who hacked the Ministry of Defense's PCs to distribute the Demon Summoning Program, heh heh heh heh.

15_03 [Steven] Technically speaking, I used to be STEVEN, but you can still call me that, I won't mind. But let me just say that it's SteVEN; not PHEN, VEN. Say it with your teeth on your lower lip; I'd appreciate it. Up to you, though. [Editor note: The fictional SMT character was known as STEVEN in Japanese (and changed to the written form of スティーブン in SMT4/A albeit still officially romanized as STEVEN). However, the English localization spelled his name as "Stephen" because well, Stephen Hawking. Whether this distinction was intentional from the start from the Japanese side or this was a reversal Herlock Sholmes situation, who knows. Either way, his name is pronounced the same in both languages]

Mido/Chafūrin/Forbidden Anonymous Report

Human or Demon?

At first Mido didn’t even have a portrait, and wasn’t counted among the characters with unique voice actors.

But the demon fusion system is the jewel of this entry, and the staff in charge of system development wanted to make it stand out.

Taking their wishes into consideration, we decided to have Chafūrin play Mido.

Refined Uniqueness

To say nothing of his voice, Chafūrin’s hair and clothes are very refined, and he has an exceedingly stylish sense of presence.

In spite of myself, I couldn’t help but have big expectations for Mido’s recording.

Stylish and Crazy

Mido is already a character who would willingly give up his own humanity, so he isn’t exactly in his right mind.

The Mido Chafūrin played during the test recording had a much more stylish image than we thought he would.

We gave him a rundown of the image we had in mind and had him do another performance.

After comparing the two, we decided to proceed with the “stylish and crazy” Mido Chafūrin played.

The Recording was a Battle with My Ab Muscles

Those who know him may understand this already, but Chafūrin’s voice has a strange charm that slowly grows on you.

He has a tendency to boldly exaggerate every bit of Mido’s lines, and you might find yourself about to burst out laughing.

I had to put up with the desperate urge to laugh in the middle of a serious recording, and if it had gone on just a half hour or so longer, my abs might have collapsed.

Just Like Going on a Bar Journey

The recording ended without incident.

We’d gotten to the time of evening where the bars are about to open, so we naturally began talking about alcohol. Like, whether rice or noodles are better for a last meal of the night after a bar crawl.

We began getting deep into topics like whether you should cut shochu with dark or light low-alcohol beer, like in a certain travel program about touring different bars.* *[TN: Yoshida Rui no Sakaba Horoki (Yoshida Rui's Bar Journeys). The Japanese header namedrops it, referring to "Sakaba no Horoki".]

When I remember that conversation, I start wanting to eat vinegared mackerel.

AUDIO FILES

16_01 [Mido] Welcome to the Cathedral of Shadows, where demons gather! And congratulations! From this moment on, you'll live within the Extraordinary that lurks in the shadows of the Ordinary! That's right, by activating this app, you've stepped into a zone far beyond the human world!

16_02 [Mido] What do I look like to you? I bet I look like a weird digital geezer. But this form is proof that I successfully grasped the reality of the human mind and transferred my own soul to the Expanse. I'm a superior species of geezer, so to speak. And not only that, I've successfully fused myself with a demon native to the Expanse. Right now you can only see me as an old guy due to issues of data capacity, but if you saw my true form… You'd be too scared to open the app.

16_03 [Mido] When I was young I spent all my time with that Steven, immersed in researching how to convert emotions to digital information. Steven was the one who proposed the theory, but I, Meade Waugh, used my own body to put it into practice and become a cybernetic trailblazer! Goodness gracious, this body is fantastic! Without any pesky human relationships, I never need to worry about getting my suit dry-cleaned! I only regret that I can no longer savor those blissful times when I stuffed my face with vinegared mackerel and washed it down with some dark beer. It still weighs on my mind. [note: his old name seems to be ミード・ウォー? pronounced 'meed woe']

Masakado/Nakata Jōji/Forbidden Anonymous Report

The Majesty of Tokyo’s Guardian Deity

Many readers are probably familiar with Nakata Jōji as the voice of Q, the shopkeeper who sells weapons and armor in the Eastern Kingdom of Mikado.

But Q isn’t the only representative character he plays.

Some of you may recognize him as the character responsible for the game taking place in two settings, the Eastern Kingdom of Mikado and Tokyo.

Nakata plays none other than him: Masakado.

Switching Modes Before Recording

In contrast with the humble Q, Masakado is a majestic, imposing character.

Nakata was supposed to do his promotional autograph after all the day’s recording was over, but he asked to do it right after recording Q. He wanted to cut Q’s energy off before going into Masakado’s recording.

I saw his spirit as an actor in this request. I thought an aura of quiet and solemn majesty began to grow from him the more he moved his pen.

Masakado is rooted firmly within him.

A True Guardian Deity

His Masakado was a guardian deity for sure.

Just listening to him, the courage to take on God’s Chariot or the demonic Tyrant wells up within you.

Definitely keep a slot in your stock open when you head for Ginza to bear Tokyo’s hopes on your shoulders.

The Stage for the Battle is Set

This has already been published on paper, but Masakado also has a design from the neck down. If you want to see it……

If you don’t know what we’re talking about, give the information we’ve released up until now another good once-over.

Nakata’s majestic voice just might bear down on the protagonist in hostility this time.

AUDIO FILES

17_01 [Masakado] Behold my form. I am Masakado, guardian of Tokyo and great spirit of earth. The boy entrusted with destiny, the boy who found himself in the Colosseum, the boy who became a demon, or the boy who was once in the Counter-Demon Force… It matters not who you are. If you have become the hopes of the people, I shall follow you.

17_02 [Weapon Shop Guy] You wouldn't think it, but when I was little I too wanted to be a Samurai and fight for the sake of my kingdom. But selling weapons and armor to the blessed Samurai, I have many opportunities to listen to them, and they seem to be having an awful time of it. They worry for their superiors, they worry for those at the Monastery, and of course they worry for their compatriots. I now consider it a blessing I was never chosen by the Gauntlet.

17_03 [Joji Nakata] Hello, I'm Nakata Joji. I think some of you may know this, but I played a cat named Gouto in Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha. If you know, you know. He was the cute black cat. Anyway, this time, I played a number of roles in SMT 4, some of which were pretty important! In the game I turn up in many different positions- standing in the players' way in battles, selling weapons and armor, and handing over very important items, so look forward to it. Please fully immerse yourself in the world of SMT 4.

The COOL☆ Way to Jump Over Obstacles

Stepping over the threshold, you find seven enemies.*

*[TN: Reference to a proverb, 男は敷居を跨げば七人の敵あり( “Stepping over the threshold, a man finds seven enemies”). It basically means, keep your wits about you when you grow up and step out of your house and into the world, because you never know who might be out to cause you harm. The “seven” is just a symbolic number standing in for “many”.]

Here are some moves that will allow you to clear any obstacle in the level known as the World.

Move 5: The Shuffle

Obstacle spotted by the wayside. This time we will represent it as a tissue box. Set your direction, and using the foot opposite to this direction to launch yourself…

Jump over the obstacle. The key is to do it without exerting yourself.

And land. At this point, if you’ve already done the steps to make the jump, your landing will be COOL too.

Cross the foot opposite to the one you landed on and strike a pose. You haven’t just jumped over an obstacle now. You’ve jumped over your own limits.

Burroughs/Kaida Yūko/Forbidden Anonymous Report

The Fairy in the Gauntlet

As soon as you think you can do a surprising amount of things in the world by yourself, you realize that all those things are a pain in the butt.

Even when you eat alone, if you don’t talk with the other people in the store, you’ll have to pick out all the ingredients and seasonings by yourself.

The protagonist of this game must have also had a hard time fulfilling his duty alone.

A Fairy for Real

Burroughs is played by Kaida Yūko.

When she appeared at the recording, she was gorgeous, just like the “fairy” in the Gauntlet.

Burroughs doesn’t just appear in events, she gives you support with the game’s system and the tutorial, and has lines for just about every scene.

We of the development team want the players to have a comfortable experience, and we think that’s best communicated to everyone with a lovely female voice, rather than the deep voice of a middle-aged man.

A Fairy Again

Actually, Kaida did another recording after finishing her work for the game itself. She also did the narration for the promotional videos.

Not just the development team, but the person in charge of promotion took note of her voice’s power of persuasion and Burroughs’ appeal.

Some readers may know this already. The narration for the fourth trailer currently viewable on the website and the title call in the TV commercial is Kaida’s voice.

A Fairy Three Times

She put in a particular amount of effort for the TV commercials.

When the development team got the pilot version, we ended up deciding that we wanted her voice to give it a more mature finish.

She cooperated with us in the midst of her very busy schedule and did a third recording session.

“Shin Megami Tensei IV”. Just to give us that one line.

Until I can be called “Master”

On the left you can see us after recording. We requested a smile for the photoshoot.

In contrast to her unreserved gaze towards the camera for the sake of this request, despite my best efforts, I couldn’t even manage a half smile.

I wonder if I’ll be someone worthy of being called “Master” when the next series title is announced.

AUDIO FILES

18_01 [Burroughs] Lovely weather we're having, Master. On days like these, don't you humans just want to forget about your duties and laze around all day? All right, I'll give you an extra day off. And I'll go tell the Monastery to keep an eye out for a flagrantly falsified report.

18_02 [Yuko Kaida] Hello, I'm Kaida Yuko. I played Burroughs. Will my voice reach Masters all over the country? Burroughs is the character who spends the most time with all the players, so I strived to do a performance that sounded pleasant without too many mannerisms that stood out. A little like a reliable older sister. I'm here to support your comfortable gaming life. Journey onto the stage of SMT 4 with me.

18_03 [Burroughs] This was long before you were born, but the people of Tokyo once used communication equipment similar to Gauntlets in their daily lives. I think they were called smartphones and feature phones?

We’re at That Point, so Let Me Say it/Almost Time to Move On/Forbidden Anonymous Report

I Know it’s Sudden…

This morning, I got a notice from the higher-ups to complete this blog. Should I take this as a “step up”, or as a “fall back to the center”? This is the story of my own choices.

I know this is sudden, but I’d be happy if you read this report as an editorial postscript.

Take care not to get possessed until the day we meet again.

A Definite Response in the Feedback

This is only within the scope of what I myself have been able to check, so I apologize, but I can definitely feel a surprising response in the support I’ve seen for Isabeau.

Isabeau doesn’t get the indulgent treatment common with female characters in other works. We made sure to always center her character around the themes of the story, and use her concept to discuss those themes.

I’m encouraged by the fact that even though nowadays works are full of female characters who seem to embody male fantasies, with predictable “character types” and excessive attention drawn to their body lines, there are still plenty of users in the market who “get it”.

A Definite Response

Even now, when I look back on the horrors of getting the script done before the deadline, I’m as moved as Hideki* was every time I hear the voices in this work. *[TN: Reference to a commercial for Vermont Curry where singer Hideki Saijo says "Hideki, kangeki!" (Hideki's moved!)]

The staff in charge of game events who skipped their days off to edit the script, the administrative staff who helped send the script out, and the promotional staff who helped out so much preparing the voice material for this blog.

Then, the coordinator, who worked everything out even with the frequent script delays and made these recordings possible. And of course, the voice actors who breathed life into these characters.

To everyone who worked on these recordings……

Thank you!

AUDIO FILES

19_01 [Raphael] I am Raphael. God's solace resounds through my name. I hear that a popular song in your world sings of children of men as flowers, all special in their own way. Indeed, such is the Lord's teaching. All children of men are children of our Lord, equal in His eyes. Thus every one of you is special. [TN: idk which song he's talking about..]

19_02 [Michael] I am Michael. God has no equal; this resounds through my name. If you children of men repeat not the mistakes of your foolish forefathers, if you exalt our Lord Almighty, if you eat not the Forbidden Fruit, no wickedness shall take root within your hearts. O wise ones who hearken to this voice! Will your future hold such glory as befits our apostles in the new Millennium? Or will you suffer God's wrath, laid low at Armageddon and cast out with the Snake?

19_03 [Uriel] I am Uriel. God's fire resounds through my name. If you have heard this voice, you pass muster as a warrior of light on a par with us four Archangels. Do not betray our Lord's expectations. I have wrestled with you children of men and I have delivered you prophecies, but if I find you to be unclean, I will not hesitate to burn your face to ash that I may never see it again.

19_04 [K] Let me recount the legend of a hero passed down in the Eastern Kingdom of Mikado-- not one so great as Aquila, mind, but a hero nonetheless. This isn't public knowledge on account of the Monastery's controls, but some decades ago a demon erected a Domain in Naraku. Many Samurai fell prey to this demon. Now the Commander at the time couldn't just leave this matter be, so he let the demon plunge its teeth into his own arm, then took his chance and skewered it, arm and all. The Commander could fight no longer, so he became a tavernkeeper. They say he's there to this day, watching over the young Samurais' progress with his one good eye.

19_05 [Charon] The souls of those who took their own lives wash up here on occasion. And when they get a look at this riverside, it's always the same: "Oh, it wasn't supposed to be this way!" These misguided nuisances choose death on a moment's impulse or out of plain naivete, and all it does is give me more work. You had better believe I charge them a massive return fee. The market price is three times the usual, as compensation for inconvenience.

19_06 [Chiwa Saito] Hee-hello, everybody! I'm Saito Chiwa. I've been here since Soul Hackers. In SMT, I started with the Hee-Ho demons, and I've actually played about five more people-type characters… People-type, that sounds really weird… So I thought it'd be fun if I could do it being conscious of, where am I now?, and all that… Anyway, I did the Hee-hos, and before I started I thought I'd give the voices recorded in Soul Hackers another listen, and thinking I really had to do that myself, it really calmed me down! The game itself is very much for die-hards, but that 'ho! ho!' tic, it's relaxing! I try to really relax and get comfortable, but actually I have to convey that dangerous and precarious quality, and I have to keep that balancing act all by myself, and that's the hardest part. Right. I managed to put things pretty well while hee hee ho ho'ing. Or, well, I'm not right now, but, well, I did it. And in this game, I did what I could, and hee-hos will gladly be your demons, so if everyone can relax and be fends-- I fumbled my words, friends with them, I'd be really happy. This has been Saito Chiwa, nice to meet you all, ho!

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#reblog #this is a very good read #it has a lot of interesting lore and character tidbits not found in the game #really enjoyed reading it!

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