#seriously I want to like it but Mappa makes it difficult

[tsukuyomiland]

The storming of the Bastille VS. The little disagreement at the tea party in the Bastille

[chil2de]

I’m probably forgetting some characters as well so don’t worry about it, there’s just too many to keep track of. Babe you’re honestly the sweetest, I’ll be sure to let you know how exams went

Oh I’m really worried about the shibuya arc, I just know it’s gonna hurt. Yeah it’s such a long time to wait and I don’t think I could avoid spoilers for that long. I avoid googling anything about the manga but I sometimes come across memes that aren’t labelled as spoilers which is a little annoying at times

Okay how do we keep having the same favourites? I’m loving it but how? I fell for megumi pretty hard and it happened so quick… I don’t think I could handle yuuta and toji

From the way you’re describing toji I genuinely think I’ll struggle to get through it. Like I’ll just have trouble focusing on the plot cause I’ll be too busy staring at him. Now I’m worried cause I don’t think Im gonna hate toji when he shows up but I really don’t wanna like him more than his son, megumi deserves better than this

*The cold pillow and comfortable shoes are appreciated, especially since I spend most of the day in heels and it’s gotten really hot here lately. And I’m hoping you get the same thing in return. I’ll take the gift cards but I’ll probably just use them to get you your favourite things. Now come on, let’s go shopping so I can get you countless boxes of your favourite chocolates, ice cream and whatever else you want - 🥰

hihihi!! sorry for the late(ish) response i always like rolling out a few requests before interacting with questions / these kinds of asks in my inbox <3 you are the sweetest! i assure you!

i heard gege akutami’s on a small hiatus so the manga isn’t going to be updated for a while :< which is understandable!!! no complaints or issues there but AHFHAHFHFH HE LEFT IT ON SUCH A CLIFFHANGER??? HELLO??? i just... wanna see the best boys again pls

great minds think alike! but toji and yuuta aside!!! since i can’t really fangirl over them without spoiling a lot, there’s also an arc that dives into gojo’s past! i really liked reading that and his relationship with geto was just... *chefs kiss*

i don’t know how i feel about gojo though? i don’t hate him, he’s just... eh. it’s difficult to explain, you know? i’m making this sound like he’s the worst character LMFAO ok no i really do squeal at his scenes but- i think i connect to yuuta especially on such a higher level because my personality is similar to his and then again, his back story :( boy just needs a hug

and honestly? i kind of don’t know much plot wise about jjk, i get the general gist of it but if someone were to ask me for an explanation i wouldn’t be able to do it in full detail, literally kept staring at toji with awe when he appeared

seriously i’m so excited for mappa to drop toji’s and yuuta’s official character design I KNOW they will pop off (AND NAOYA DHGHSHFH he’s apart of the zen’in clan, top grade asshole but he’s so damn hot)

[bows down to commend you on wearing heels, because personally they make my feet so sore and i also wear the smallest shoe size imaginable. whatever ur footwear is im sure you look killer either way :) be sure to stay hydrated when it’s warm and apply sun cream even if it’s cloudy! but hey jokes on you because you bought me all this confectionary and now i’m going to share it with you :> ]

[sarapyon]

[Translation] Murase Ayumu & Furukawa Makoto: Any similarities with the character you voiced? ‘Shoukoku no Altair’ Special Interview

“Shoukoku no Altair” is based on the battle between the two major countries, the main topic this July that depicts a magnificent view of the world.

“Shoukoku no Altair” Starting from July 7 (Friday) weekly Animation broadcast at 2.25AM ~ MBS · TBS · BS-TBS http://project-altair.com/ Twitter @pj_altair

STAFF Original - Katou Kotono (Kodansha’s “Monthly Shounen” series) Director - Furuhashi Kazuhiro Series configuration - Takagi Noboru Character design · Chief animation director - Kanno Toshiyuki Deputy Director = Igari Takashi Animation production = MAPPA CAST Mahmut - Murase Ayumu Zaganos - Furukawa Makoto Cyrus - KENN Abiriga - Suwabe Junichi Suleyman - Konishi Katsuyuki Louis - Tsuda Kenjiro © Katou Kotono · Kodansha / Shoukoku no Altair Production Committee

Photographer: Fukuoka Ryouhokora Writer: Arakawa Youko

This is what we thought since we’re originally a fan

Since this is the first talk, I think with both of your performance and roles (as your character) appears to have an impression with each other. First of all, Murase-san, what’s your impression of Furukawa-san’s performance as Zaganos?

Murase: When I read the manga, my impression of Zaganos is when I thought how arrogant is he. He’s fearless and handsome, although he’s still young, he’s two or three times better (about skills) than Mahmut. I thought it would be very difficult to make Zaganos convincing. However, it’s a monthly expression (he means how to voice the character for a month or so), Furukawa-kun is perfect! His voice have a persuasive power, there’s a presence of a ‘strong feeling’ coming out with just one word. At the time of the first recording for the PV, I thought "I see, that’s why Furukawa-kun is Zaganos”, and I was convinced. Furukawa: Thank you very much……!

Then how about Furukawa-san, what’s your impression of Murase-san’s performance as Mahmut?

Furukawa: Mahmut will grow, I think that growth is one of his attractions. And the same as me, at the recording for the PV, I thought "It’s perfect for Murase-san!”. Furthermore, as the dubbing begins and carefully drawn it in the story, Mahmut is shaking, but he will gradually mature, together with Murasa-san’s acting, I think that Mahmut will become more attractive. Murase: hehe (bashful) Furukawa: How much will Mahmut bring up his mind level in the future? I am looking forward to that from now on until it ends! Murase: Uwah, the hurdle has risen (lol)! Furukawa: (lol) Murase: …Anyway, saying things like this, isn’t it embarrassing? Furukawa: That’s right (lol).

What’s the impression for playing two scenes?

Murase: Um…… It made me angry! Furukawa: Eeehh!? Murase: Of course with my role. At first, I didn’t understand anything because whatever Mahmut is, he’s still in the same position of a general. There’s a scene where Zaganos really denied me at Zugan. At that time Zaganos, doesn’t see it in his eyes, like you’re not even stupid that there’s a cut feeling for being "zero” to him feels great…… But that got me angry (lol). I’m grateful though, because the emotion born on negotiations, in that sense I threw a very good ball (unexpected surprise). Furukawa: Ever since I was born, I never hear people talk like that in my life (lol). Murase: It feels like a test when you hear someone talk a little story, like you were instructed "Please don’t listen to the production at all”. Furukawa: I got shiver like "Eh, is that okay?” Certainly, the relationship between two people will parallel in a scene, and I guess that’s okay. Because it will be interesting if the distance gradually decreases. Murase: Yeah. Furukawa: Against Mahmut, it’s too straight! Murase: That’s true (lol). Furukawa: There’s a scene to give it straight (opinion) to the smart people, and I even thought "That’s what Mahmut does!!”. Personally, it’s because it’s close to Mahmut. So, in fact, the scene with Mahmut, I also wanted to throw the ball properly. Murase: I see. It may be more frustrating when you play as Zaganos. Furukawa: Because I’m the man on Mahmut’s side. So, I was relieved when you said that "Zaganos has persuasive power” earlier. Murase: I guess it’s more like Zaganos. I will cut it like a slap if I’m not interested. Furukawa: The mind and the role are the opposite! Murase: It’s interesting, huh.

Does it mean that Murase-san feels like Mahmut or Furukawa-san feels like Zaganos?

Murase: Yes, he does. Furukawa-kun’s seriousness is passed through the core, that it looks very much as Zaganos. Being skeptical is just a big front. When Furukawa-kun states "Is this okay?” is very Zaganos-like. Furukawa: No, it’s because I was in "Zaganos filter”……! Murase: Eh, really? Then the real person said it himself, it was a filter (lol). Furukawa: That’s how it really is…… But if you look closely, Mahmut is not the type of protagonist will have a lot of friends. I think that sort of thing is similar to Murase-san. With Murase-san, the communication is really smooth, like when I talk about Polo (shirts) he casually picks up (what I’m talking about). It made me really grateful. By deepening our bonds, I think that Mahmut will improve to his works for wearing a charismatic and natural communication skill/ability. Murase: I said this myself, but even though I didn’t do anything from my childhood, my friends have increased randomly. I try not to think about it, but it will make you think. Furukawa: I’m envious to Zaganos!! Murase: Even so, you sure do noticed that. It’s surprising! If it’s like this, I want you to praise me more like this. Hey, are you a manager? ……wait, the manager is not here! At a time like this (lol)! Furukawa: Let’s read this interview and praise it. Murase: It will be cut roughly. "Murase isn’t like that” (lol).

I hope I won’t cut it (lol). Well, what kind of story you two talk about in dubbing?

Murase: Recently, we were together at the stage for "THE IDOLM@STER Side M”. I sent a one-sided love call, "That was good!”, because I love Furukawa-kun’s performance. Furukawa: It's not one-sided! I also like Murase-san’s performance, I love it! Murase: Thanks! The distance has shrunk because of the relationship where we can talk comfortably, that’s why I’m very thankful to have this role. Furukawa: That’s true. Also, since both of us are originally a fan, we will talk about the story as well. Like I’ll talk passionately about "This directing of the original is really cool” or "my hand won’t stop turning the pages” and Murase-san will agree with me. Although it’s fun to talk to Murase-san, once the "AT field’ is fully open, I have to put out an aura to talk with him……. It’s frustrating when I switch (means they need to focus on their work mode).

Although as an original fan, what do you think about the charm of the work that you feel again when you act?

Murase: I read the original and received the theme of "How can a boy become an adult?”. Some people said there’s a message that the boy gets intelligent and smart through various experiences. It made me wonder how to make it by voice, but since MAPPA-san’s visuals is so beautiful that I can get on with the world view. Then, the generation between Ogata (Kenichi)-san and other veteran people is very human. Even though it’s a fantasy, it’s fresh. There are a lot of newly discovered charms through dubbing. Furukawa: Although I got a word that it’s fresh, I think that it’s a work that secretly shows the charm that can be shown like a historical fact that was really fiction even though it is fiction. From the international situation to the enemy’s setting, it was a tremendously thought-out original. In the animation, for example, using the original language of the story named Araba, we’re setting out an atmosphere of exchanges and devising it. Also as a fan, I’m very happy that I can do different ways of enjoying "Altair” by visualizing it!

By the way, Mahmut has a golden eagle called Iskandar, what about the two of you?

Murase: It’s iPad mini 4. The image quality of the camera is good, LINE can also do research with eating logs, and also playing app games! Furukawa: It looks comfortable on a big screen. Murase: I have a smartphone too, but I just use it to receive calls from work. Furukawa: As for me, I’m still into smartphone after all. You can check the script data first, because it’s convenient. I also bought the original of "Altair” at Kindle and I’m reading it on a smartphone. Ah, I’d like to emphasize this, but when I’m on the worksite where you see me with a smartphone, I’m checking the original (the series), I’m not playing a game, I wanted to make it clear…… I’m so relieved to say that (lol). Murase: You don’t need to worry about that, it’s okay (lol).

Anyway, please tell us the last highlight of your role.

Murase: Mahmut has a strong expression of anguish. I’m also gaining power when I play as him, like when everyone draws a painting with a brush is exciting. I’m conscious of my acting so I try not to feel ashamed with a beautiful movement for a beautiful Mahmut, so please look forward to it! Furukawa: Zaganos is really a hard character to understand in one word. It’s difficult to read from the original, so when Katou (Kotono)-sensei, the original author, was at the recording site, when I heard "How do you feel about Zaganos?”, I thought that he’s delicate and difficult. Therefore, it’s nothing different to Zaganos from the manga, rather, it’s what do we think of Zaganos from the manga can be easier to understand by voice. Also, please pay attention to the relationship with Mahmut!

★YAY!! I translated Ayumu and Makonyan’s special interview from kiki-voice since I’m really looking forward to shoukoku no altair anime m(_ _)m I hope you guys enjoy it and if you did, I hope you guys could leave a donation as I try my best to translate seiyuu interviews from now on 〆(・∀・＠)

[nikifoorov]

Interview With “Yuri!!! on ICE” Creator Sayo Yamamoto

By Lachlan Johnston

Let’s talk about your latest animated series, “Yuri!!! on ICE”, and jump right into the deep-end of it. First off, in the credits there’s a section under the title of “Name (Rough Sketch)”, but what exactly entailed for this position? Both your name, as well as the established mangaka Misturo Kubo are both listed under this “Name” title, rather than the more traditional “screenplay”. Could you tell us why it is that you chose to work under this title?

Well, I originally sat down and thought about the structure and plot of the series; following this myself and Ms. Kubo worked out the details for episodes 1 – 5. From episode 6 onwards however, it was a totally different dimension (laughs). In the Grand Prix, we wanted to have at least six skaters go up against each other. The actual episode of the series ran for about 20 minutes and 10 seconds, with the actual short programs running for about 2 minutes and 50 seconds, while the free programs would run for 4 minutes and 30 seconds.

When we ordered the music, we reduced the length of it to about 2 minutes. In a bid to keep all of the elements from the skating program, we had our choreographer Kenji Miyamoto make adjustments to transitions and spins so it would all fit the cut. Even then, we still had to make it shorter; this is where we decided how many minutes each character would skate, we pretty much calculated absolutely everything. Then both Ms. Kubo and I decided on the key elements we wanted to incorporate into each episode, and would write them into the plot. After all these discussions, this was the point in which Ms. Kubo would start writing the names.

When comparing a “name” to a “script”, the sketches are kind of like stage directions. It’s as if each drawing or sketch represented a different movement or scene. As a matter of fact, these “names” were the script. Try not to overthink it though, it’s essentially just the same thing as a regular script… (laughs). Given the nature of “names” however, they actually helped a whole lot when we began drawing details such as facial expressions for the characters.

Generally when an anime is created, it’s based on a pre-existing manga series or light novel, making it a little easier to work with. With “Yuri!!! on ICE” however, there was no source manga to be used as a basis. So the thought of you bringing on board a manga artist to work with you on an original anime was quite revolutionary. Where was it this idea came from?

When I first thought of the project, I was considering working together with a screenwriter, thus taking the traditional route. I quickly realized however that screenwriters are typically working on multiple projects simultaneously, so I felt as though it would be difficult to find someone who could dedicate all their time and think about figure skating as seriously as myself (laughs). Right around that time, I was avidly listening to a radio show called “All Night Nippon”, which featured both Ms. Kubo and Mineko Noumachi. Even though I was just a listener, I always thought I could probably become good friends with Ms. Kubo (laughs).

Eventually I heard her talk about figure skating on the radio, and I thought her perspective was extremely interesting. I knew she had contributed to the 2011 film “Moteki” as a screenwriter in the same “name” format we utilized. However, after doing some further research, I found out she had been writing for “Shonen Magazine” here in Japan for quite some time. It was after this discovery that I started to picture her writing scripts for a TV series. Admittedly, it was also a huge bonus to know that she was experienced in making manga based on novels as well. I had this idea that she must be accustomed to collaborating and creating various projects with others.

Were you acquainted with Ms. Kubo from the beginning?

No, not at all. I had previously made a PV for Japanese singer/songwriter Yasuyuki Okamura, and at the time Ms. Kubo was writing creating special manga boards as a bonus with Okamura’s releases. At a later point, I was invited for drinks with Mr. Okamura, and I mentioned me listening to Ms. Kubo on the radio, where he then mentioned him having her contact information (laughs). I guess you could say that my first real contact with Ms. Kubo was through this discussion with Mr. Okamura.  

“Yuri!!! on ICE” has been met with much praise internationally, and not just because of it’s figure skating theme. It features a diverse cast of foreign characters throughout the anime, and whilst that isn’t exactly very special in and of itself, it’s believed that they were drawn and animated extremely naturally. It isn’t exactly something that is done often in Japan, so was this done with a certain demographic in mind?

Actually, we weren’t thinking about a market demographic at all (laughs). It’s impossible to write about figure skating without depicting foreign characters, which is how that happened. What I always wanted to do was recreate and depict the stories of the top class skaters in each seasons final competitions. So it was kind of inevitable that the setting would take place on a global scale.

I went to the Figure Skating Championships which was held in the Czech Republic this past January and happened to see a spectator in cosplay. They were minding their own business, but I saw them in the hallways dressed like Viktor. I accidentally yelled out “Wow! It’s Viktor!” and they ended up hearing me, so they asked if I wanted to take a photo with them. I answered yes, and we ended up taking a picture together. I asked if they knew “Yuri!!! on ICE” and they said they knew about the show (laughs). Later on I saw the same person at the station, but this time they were dressed as Otabek… waiting and sitting there, just like Otabek would. It was really cute honestly.

It’s almost like there’s a totally different feeling when interacting with foreign fans, right?

Exactly! It wasn’t like they were jokingly going to the tournament wearing an outfit that just happened to look like cosplay either. I was completely overwhelmed with joy when I realized that people were starting to take interest in the sport of figure skating because they watched “Yuri!!! on ICE”. I’m sure you’re aware, but I’m not necessarily promoting the wearing of cosplay at figure skating tournaments. We wouldn’t want to distract the competitors, would we? (Laughs)

Since this was the first ever anime to revolve around the world of figure skating, there must have been quite a few challenges. After all, animating figure skating would appear to be an incredibly difficult process. Did MAPPA know what they were getting themselves into right from the early proposal stages of the project?

You know, there’s no real guarantee that any original anime will be a success. I realize how difficult it can be just to get a proposal through, but I thought that if I ever made something, I would just throw it out there regardless of how reckless it may seem (laughs). I believe it’s important that when proposing such an idea, you take a moment to think and verbalize as many interesting ideas as you possibly can.

As for whether or not the production staff were aware of the difficulty of the figure skating scenes, we had already given the work orders for the songs and the choreography during the series construction stage, so I’m sure they were aware. There were moments however where I was asked to reduce some aspects during production when the team were struggling to get the work done.  

How was the planning originally decided?

It was around the year 2012 when I started having these desires to make an anime about figure skating. I was previously the director for a project called “Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine’, and it was during that process that I decided my next animated project would be about something I truly care about, which was of course figure skating. There were often times when people would approach me and ask if I had any original ideas, and when I would suggest a figure skating anime, they would typically reject the thought (laughs). Usually they’d simply shake their head due to the sheer difficulty of such a project. I’d also get a lot of questions regarding whether it would be a “student figure skating club”.

When talking about modern anime that share similar themes, such as “Yowamushi Pedal” and “Haikyuu!!”, it’s not often that you’ll see professionals of the sport being drawn, but I think that’s just the style of anime. With this work however, you flipped that convention on its head, and I think we all found that extremely interesting.

Thank you very much! When you’re in the process of planning an anime, you get a large amount of pressure to make the main characters young, and if the story is set in a modern time, they inevitably leads to the character being a student. I think that’s why a lot of the people who aren’t interested in figure skating thought this would be about a school club. On top of that, I feel as though people thought it would be easier to simply jump on the bandwagon of previous anime that have found success with amateur sports clubs. I also had a lot of people telling me that the series wouldn’t find success if it wasn’t based in Japan, and that nobody would follow it if the characters didn’t have Japanese names. But my usual reply was “Huh? What’s makes you think that?” (laughs).

Looking back now, I think that “Yuri!!! on Ice” was the result of me ignoring all this “advice”, and simply making an anime that I myself would enjoy watching — the story of a character who has already matured and is taking on their final skating season, not some story about a character who is just getting started. I feel as though that would make conveying my ideal image so much more difficult. So when I shared the idea of “Yuri!!! on ICE” with everyone, people said “If you have more matches, we’d have to draw more skaters and that’d make things even more complicated!” (laughs). I couldn’t even get a nod or a “That sounds interesting.”, but I was absolutely determined to create something incredible. If I tried creating something that people would simply “like”, it’d end up being nothing but commonplace and mundane.

What kept me motivated through the whole process was the inspiration I received from actual figure skaters while watching their matches. Even when their retirement could be just around the corner, they’d continue to keep fighting and challenging themselves — that compassion for what they loved really stuck with me. That’s why I first came up with the idea of Yuri and Viktor; a skater on the edge of retirement and a world champion who becomes his coach, all while remaining both his hero and rival.

It almost seems like you were on some sort of lifelong mission to turn your passion for figure skating into an anime. Was there any particular moment that triggered this?

During the production process for “Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine”, Japan was devastated by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, and then immediately after that, one of my relatives passed away. My mental state was a total disaster. Usually as a director, there’s a certain element that drives you to create something interesting based on what you’re given, but I’d lost any emotional capacity to do that. I started to think to myself that it would be impossible to pull anything great out of someone else’s idea. It was at this point I realized I needed to create something from the heart, and for me that was figure skating.

I’ve heard there’s a lot of writers and creators in the industry who are afraid to apply the things they truly like into their works.

I hear that quite often too, the belief that you shouldn’t bring the things you like into your work. I had actually forgotten all about this, but the reason it was important for me to turn my figure skating passion into an anime was that doing anything else would have been impossible. The process of creating anime has become a really tough operation for me as of late. It was like I was creating, yet at the same time I was beating myself to death over it. My hands moved slow, and I would force myself to stay awake just in order to finish a project on time. So I thought to myself that I needed to work on a topic that I would never grow tired of, something that would keep me awake all day. Otherwise, I don’t think I could have ever made another anime, all while thinking “Someday I’m going to make something I like” (laughs).

A woman talented well beyond her years, Sayo Yamamoto is a model example of just what the Japanese animation industry needs. We continue to expand upon this in the second part of the interview which will be made available in the near future. A preview of the second part is featured in our ‘Yuri!!! on ICE’ film announcement piece, which was made available here.

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