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tofueggnoodles · 1 year ago

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Extreme Bath Log Disk 2 – Track 5: Cast Comments

Click here to listen to the track on youtube.

Click here for translations of previous tracks.

Summary: The voice actors shared their thoughts on the recording and scenes that left a lasting impression on them.

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Hoshi: It’s time for the closing cast commentary of Drama CD ‘Extreme Bath Log’! Yay! Today’s topics are your thoughts on the recording and scenes or lines that make a lasting impression on you. I’d ask each of you to talk about these in turn. All right, I’ll start. This is Hoshi Souichirou, who plays Son Goku. Pappi!

A few of the guys: Pappi.

Hoshi: You sure don’t sound lively. (laughs) No, that’s not lively at all, everyone.

Seki: Must we really reply to that greeting?

Hoshi: I’d like you to reply if possible. And to do it as lively as possible for the sake of the listeners.

Seki: Okay.

Hoshi: Er, let’s continue. Hoshi Souichirou, who plays Son Goku. Pappi!

Seki, Hirata and others: Pappi!

Hoshi: Extreme Bath Log – just by listening to the title, it’s difficult to tell apart [from the title of the main series, Saiyuki]. After all, the difference lies only in the kanji for ‘hot bath.’ [Both titles are homonyms in Japanese. In writing, they differ only by the second kanji, the one Hoshi-san referred to.]

(Morikawa laughs.)

Hoshi: That other title is also ‘Saiyuki.’ It’s been an amazing experience for me. I still played Goku, but in a totally new world and story. Acting together with the other cast of Saiyuki, I got this immense feeling of nostalgia. Also, various characters from Minekura-sensei’s other works made their appearances too, making this story all the more delightful. It’s been such fun that I don’t want it to end – it’d be great if I could go on playing Goku in a continuation of the story. By all means, let’s continue [our work in] Extreme Bath Log! That’s all from me. Thank you very much for today. Next, on to you, Seki-san.

Seki: This is Seki Toshihiko, who plays Genjo Sanzo. Scenes which make a lasting impression... er, that’s right – even in this absurd parallel universe, there are some understated, somber scenes. Such as the one at the veranda at the Genjos’ home, in which Hakkai and Goku talked about the Milky Way – that scene makes a profound lasting impression on me. In addition to that, there’s the question of why Konzen was cast as the grandmother, and what’s more, one that has already passed away**. I just have a brief comment on that: I would’ve loved to play Konzen by channeling the old lady I imagine Kinsan to be. My regret is that I was not able to do that. [Kinsan: one of a pair of long-lived identical twin sisters, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinsan_Ginsan] Then, Hira-san, who plays Gojyo, the floor is yours.

Hirata: Hello, this is Hirata, who plays Gojyo and Kenren. Seki-san–

Seki: Yes?

Hirata: You said that, but it’s tough, you know.

Seki: What’s tough?

Hirata: The conversation between Gojyo and Kenren.

Seki: Ah, yes, you did that! It was like a rakugo performance. [traditional Japanese verbal entertainment, in which a lone storyteller performs the narration and the dialogues for all characters]

(They both laugh.)

Hirata: I just want to say one thing: I love doing Drama CDs, Urasai sections and other stuff outside of the [Saiyuki] main storyline, but please, no more conversations between Gojyo and Kenren, ever! Hey, Minekura, are you listening? That was a terribly harsh experience I was made to go through. The conversation was interesting though.

Hoshi: You did alter your acting a bit [to depict the differences between Gojyo and Kenren], didn’t you?

Hirata: Eh?

(Hoshi repeats what he just said.)

Hirata: Of course I did. They’re two different souls after all. Yeah, that conversation was a tough one. So, what do you think of it [the situation in which one has to play two different characters in the same CD Drama]? Er... Akira-san, please.

(Ishikawa laughs.)

Ishida: Alright, this is Ishida Akira, who plays Tenpou and Hakkai. What do I think of that situation? Well, we both might complain that it’s tough, but I believe that undoubtedly, with their wonderful power of imagination, the listeners will be able to grasp the differences between the characters. We both might wonder if we managed to convey the differences without the visuals, but in actuality, in the listeners are able to picture the different characters in their minds. They can ‘see’ Hakkai and Tenpou as distinct individuals as they listen to those two speak and thus can differentiate between the two characters. At least, this is what I hope–

Hirata: Stop it!

Ishida: Why?

Hirata: Minekura might get cocky so stop it! [He is probably trying to warn Ishida that Minekura-sensei might come up with a scene in which Hakkai and Tenpou actually speak to each other. Unlike Gojyo and Kenren, Hakkai and Tenpou never appear in the same room at the same time in Extreme Bath Log.]

(Ishida and Hoshi laugh.)

Seki: She might make you do it. [the same thing Hirata had to do]

Hirata: She will.

Ishida: You’re right. You never can tell with this Extreme Bath Log series.

Seki and Hoshi: Series?

Ishida: Yes, series. You never can tell what will happen with it, so let’s just keep our anticipation light for now. Regarding scenes that leave a lasting impression, what particularly caught my attention is this: Sanzo-sama not complaining at being aged up into a grandfather, despite the fact that he seems like a character that would definitely object to that sort of thing. I guess, in the end, whatever Minekura- sensei decides goes and there’s no defying her. That’s the only thing that I’m curious about regarding this Drama CD. Well then, moving on, Morikawa-kun, please.

Morikawa: Ah. Thanks, Akira Ishida, for giving me the floor. Hello, this is Morikawa Toshiyuki, CEO of Axlone.

Ishikawa and a few others: CEO!

Morikawa (laughs): It’s been quite a while since I last played Kubo-chan – Kubota, so I was delighted, though also a bit surprised at the fairly different scenario. But, the relationship between Kubo-chan and Tokito remains unchanged from how it was in Wild Adapter – they still live together [in Extreme Bath Log]. I think it’s great that whatever universe they’re in, these two are always together.

Morikawa: Well, the good thing about Drama CDs is that there’s only audio and no visuals, so one is free to play the character as one sees fit. Since I was playing Kubo-chan for the first time in a long while, I felt uneasy when voicing the first few lines. These days, the director and crew are situated behind the voice actors, so we do the recording without getting a glimpse of their facial expressions**. You get this [feeling of uneasiness] when playing a character you’ve not played for a long time, do you? It happens quite often. Yes, it does.

Morikawa: As usual, even in an audio drama depicting this [parallel] world, unpleasant characters would turn up. For a number of reasons, as in a TV drama, there were quite a number of such background characters. The splendid voice actors here are able to depict background characters with great depth, you know. For example, I’m sure they can portray a crowd bursting into laughter on the first take. How about it, everyone? Okay, in three... two... one, go!

(A burst of laughter resounds.)

Morikawa: There! See what I mean? Everyone’s relaxed and roaring with laughter at will, aren’t they? (laughs himself) That’s how thorough they are **. Ah, is my time up already? Got it. Then, up next is Ishikawa Hideo, who plays Tokito.

Ishikawa: Thank you, Morikawa-san. I’m Ishikawa Hideo, who plays Tokito. Well, since Wild Adapter basically revolves around Kubota and Tokito, other characters such as their friends don’t appear much in that series. Say, there’s Kou-san though, right?

Seki: Yes! [Seki plays Kou, a character in Wild Adapter.]

Ishikawa: Aside from Kou-san, there are some police officers who get involved [but only] from time to time. Therefore, while interacting with Goku [in this CD Drama] I somehow felt like I’d gained a new friend. Frankly, it was very enjoyable experience.

Hoshi: So we’re friends.

Ishikawa: Yeah, it felt like gaining a new friend. That feeling made the recording an exceedingly delightful experience. If this series continues, I hope there will be more new friends to be gained. Thank you very much. Then, on to you, Suzumura-kun.

Suzumura: This is Suzumura Kenichi, who plays Mishiba Toki, a character from Bus Gamer. While talking [to the others] about Bus Gamer just now, I realized that it has been ten years since I first played Mishiba. Yes, I was amazed too [at how time flies]. Say, the voice actors who play Saiyuki characters seem to have various opinions on the work, opinions which they express in an apparently carefree manner.

Hoshi and Seki (laugh): No, don’t mention that again.

Suzumura: Taking opportunity of this occasion, I’d like to learn how you guys survived so far. (laughs) [He is probably referring to the fact that the Saiyuki voice actors have not been axed despite their relatively brazen comments on the work.]

Hoshi: So far, yeah.

Suzumura: Is that so? Then I’d like to try to reach your level from now on. So, please allow me to do my best with this sentiment in mind **. In this CD Drama, my role is basically just to serve coffee in a cafe. (laughs) That’s how the plot has unfolded up to now, but perhaps something will turn up down the road. Hopefully, there will be a continuation of this series and more appearances [for my character]. That’s all from me. Then, Hiroki, the floor is yours.

Takahashi (in character): Thank you for your continued patronage! This is Saito Kazuo, heir of Saito Liquor Store, which is still in business even after ten years.

Hoshi: Hello.

(Takahashi exhales loudly.)

Hoshi: Hang on there!

Takahashi: I’m doing my best to. It’s been ten years, huh. The [Bus Gamer] anime was broadcast in 2008. Considering that we’re here today, the franchise’s passably survived. Er, actually–

Ishikawa: They’re not making any more Wild Adapter anime, you know. [The Wild Adapter OVA, first aired in 2014, covers only one of six complete volumes in the manga.]

Takahashi: Is that so? Then, by all means, let’s struggle together to survive.

Ishikawa: Yes, let’s do our best.

Takahashi: And hope for the best too. As for my thought on the Extreme Bath Log CD Drama, even though the main plot revolves around Tanabata, the recording session was performed after Tanabata was over [July 7]. Despite this regrettable condition, I’m pleased we eventually managed to do the recording. Is this CD Drama slated for release in April 2019? Or was I mistaken? Anyhow, it feels good [to have completed the recording].

Takahashi: Well, the Summer Triangle came up in the CD Drama [Track 01-06], right? Vega and Altair are two of the stars in the Summer Triangle. Vega, a star in the Lyra constellation, represents the Weaver Girl while Altair in the Aquila constellation represents the Cowherd. Then, what’s the remaining star in the Summer Triangle called? I’d like Hoshi-san to answer this quiz at the end. Well, on to Suwabe-san, who plays the last of the three Bus Gamer characters.

Suwabe (in Nobuto’s voice): Thank you for giving me the floor. I’m Suwabe Junichi, who’s in charge of voicing Nakajyo Nobuto. How do you find my performance**? (laughs) As my fellow voice actors from Bus Gamer already mentioned, the anime adaptation was broadcast ten years ago in 2008. It left a fond memory in my mind. I certainly recall performing at a Bus Gamer-related event, but it seems that the venue where the event was held no longer exists. Yes, time’s passed to that extent. Even under such a pressure, such–

Suwabe (in his normal voice): Hey, I can’t speak in a nice voice with you guys making such a ruckus. Stop it, everyone!

(The others have been chatting audibly among themselves all this while. Some of them laugh in response to Suwabe’s admonishment.)

Suwabe (back in Nobuto’s voice): That’s how it was [in the CD Drama] – various characters from Minekura-sensei’s works amicably locked in a grapple as they came together in this variety show-like piece. It was a very enjoyable experience for me. It’d be great if another such opportunity or even another appearance in Bus Gamer were to turn up. That’s it from me.

Hoshi: Thank you very much, Suwabe-kun.

Suzumura, Ishikawa and Morikawa: He spoke with a nice voice.

Hoshi: Yes, he did, didn’t he?

Seki: I was taken aback.

Hoshi: What was it again? The question you had for me?

Hirata: What’s the other star in the Summer Triangle?

Takahashi: Sorry for throwing in that question. Just ignore it. **

Hoshi: Er, what’s the answer? Hiroaki.... [I gave up after listening to this for twenty times and scrolling though the google results for the phrase Tanabata+Hiroaki.]

(Takahashi and the others laugh.)

Hirata: I have a bad feeling about this. Why are you looking at my face? [Hiroaki is Hirata’s personal name, but I have never heard Hoshi refer to him by it in all of the Saiyuki cast talks I’ve listened to.]

Hoshi: So, we’ve reached the end of cast commentary of Drama CD ‘Extreme Bath Log’, but I’d certainly be delighted in case of future development to this work. Everyone, I look forward to your continuing support. Thank you very much for listening today. Goodbye!

The others: Goodbye!

Seki: It’s Deneb!

Hoshi: Deneb, it’s Deneb. Pappi! [He finally gave the answer to Takahashi’s question. Deneb, the third star of the Summer Triangle, represents the bridge formed by magpies which enables the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl to meet each other once a year.]

Ishikawa: It’s great you got the answer.

Takahashi: A star’s born, huh? [Probably a pun on Hoshi’s name, since ‘hoshi’ may mean ‘star(s)’ in Japanese.]

Hoshi: Then, goodbye, everyone.

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(Round brackets): actions and sound effects. [Square brackets]: translator’s notes or clarifications. Double asterisks **: Stuff I am not sure of. Suggestions for improvements and corrections are more than welcome.

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Inane comments which I put at the end so that you can skip them:

1. For fans of Saiyuki anime who find Suwabe’s smooth, deep voice familiar, he plays Sai Tai Sai in Reload Blast. The Bus Gamer event he mentioned (YT video with Chinese subtitles).

youtube

A short portion of the video with English subtitles.

youtube

2. Every single one of the voice actors featured in this Drama CD has voiced the main characters (uke and seme) in various Boys’ Love CD or anime, with the notable exception of Hirata Hiroaki (no, not even a role as a side character which does not appear in any of the sex scenes). Is that the reason why Gojyo always gets the short end of the stick in Saiyuki Drama CDs? Or why Kenren and Gojyo appear at the same scene in Extreme Bath Log but not Tenpou and Hakkai? Only Minekura-sensei knows :D

#最湯記 #saiyuki #wild adapter #bus gamer #ishida akira #hirata hiroaki #seki toshihiko #hoshi souichirou #morikawa toshiyuki #ishikawa hideo #suzumura kenichi #Takahashi Hiroki #Suwabe Junichi #saiyuki drama cd #Youtube

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