Spring Anime "Arslan Senki", Staff/Voice Actor Comments Arrive!　Director: "We want to make it in a way that conforms to the original work."

Staff/voice actor comments from the TV anime "Arslan Senki," which will start in April, have been announced.

Arslan Senki" is an anime based on the manga "Arslan Senki," which has been serialized in Bessatsu Shonen Magazine since 2013 by Hiroshi Arakawa of "Fullmetal Alchemist" (manga) and Yoshiki Tanaka of "Legend of the Galactic Heroes" (original story). It is a historical fantasy that dramatically depicts a boy's growth and the days of bloody battles on a continent where intrigue and intrigue swirl. Directed by Noriyuki Abe, series composition by Makoto Uezu, and character design by Shingo Ogiso.

Comments from the staff and voice actors have arrived in anticipation of the April 5 broadcast. The following comments were made by the staff and voice actors on the work and the atmosphere at the site: Noriyuki Abe (director), Makoto Uezu (series composition), Yusuke Kobayashi (Arslan), Yoshimasa Hosoya (Daryun), Daisuke Namikawa (Narsus), Natsuki Hanae (Elam), KENN (Gieve) and Maaya Sakamoto (Falangisse). The film is a work of art.

--What is your impression of the work "Arslan Senki"?

Kobayashi: I think it is a "royal road" military story that anyone can enjoy. The story and the characters are all very appealing, and I think it can be enjoyed in various ways depending on the viewer. I am honored to be involved in such a work. However, the entire cast and crew are having a lot of fun and giving it their all. I hope I can play the role of Arslan to the best of my ability.

Hosoya I read the original comic before recording, and I got the impression that it was a very solid and interesting work. I got the impression from the script that you were trying to create an anime that would follow the texture and worldview of the original comic. So, it may sound like an absurd thing to say, but I am going to trust the fun of the script and act without being unnecessarily self-conscious or strangely conscious of the technicalities. I am a little scared, though.
　The atmosphere of the postrecording studio is similar to that of the dubbing studio where I first worked as a voice actor for foreign films, not for animation. The atmosphere is a little more relaxed than that of a regular animation studio. I think it is a good site.

Namikawa: It is a work with a long history, and the novel on which the comic is based has been made into an anime before. I feel very honored to be involved in such a popular title. The story begins with "adversity" for Arslan and his friends, but it is the same for the cast members who must face the tough situation. All the cast members are working together as one and struggling day by day. I hope that this anime adaptation will allow us to show our fans a new world of "Arslan Senki".

Hanae: When I was offered the role of Elam, I was just as happy as everyone else to be involved in an anime adaptation of a work that has been around for a long time. The worldview of the work is a bit challenging, but I believe that anyone will naturally fall in love with it as they watch it. I myself would like to travel through this fascinating world with Arslan. I will do my best until the day we take back the royal city.

KENN: When I read the original comic, I thought that each of the many characters had a fascinating backbone and a strong sense of character, and I never got tired of reading it. The fact that there are so many compelling lines is also appealing. Now, as a fan, I am looking forward to seeing what happens next in the original comic (laughs).
　I have just recently participated in the postrecording, and it was both fun and nerve-wracking, an exciting experience. I hope to keep my concentration and enjoy playing the role until the end.

Sakamoto: From the moment it was announced that I would be appearing in this film, many people responded, "You're going to be in "Arslan Senki"! I felt the high level of attention and popularity of this work. I have yet to participate in postrecording, but I am looking forward to it.

Uezu: I have been a reader of "Arslan Senki" since it was first published in the Kadokawa paperback edition. I am just in the middle of the generation of readers. I have been observing how this title has been liked and loved by readers, how it has spread, and how it has continued as a series. I have been following this process for a long time. Therefore, I think I feel more pressure than anyone else in the staff and cast to handle this work as an original story. At the same time, I feel that I have been entrusted with a tremendous honor.
　When I was asked to do this work, I was very excited. However, once I actually started working on the series composition, I forgot about such feelings and proceeded with the project in a very clever manner. The original work is very good, so I am working with the director to create an anime version of "Arslan Senki" that does not lose any of its charm, but at the same time is more exciting and interesting when it is made into an anime.

Abe: This work is a "war story," but I am very conscious of the fact that it is a "character story," that is, a work in which the characters really stand out, and I am participating in its creation.
　The postrecording has just begun, but I feel that everyone is already perfectly suited to their roles. In my experience, a work that goes well is one in which the original soundtrack is good, and it seems to get even better during the storyboarding, and even better when the voices are added. After that, when I can feel the work getting better as it progresses one by one, it often turns out to be a good piece. This work also has that feel. Thanks to everyone, I feel that the final product will be even better than what I feel now.

--How about the cast members, how do you feel at the postrecording studio?

KENN I just joined the post recording, but even though we are only at the beginning of the recording, there is an atmosphere of harmony, as if we have already recorded dozens of episodes.

HOSOYA It is true that there is a friendly atmosphere, but there is no visually noticeable excitement during the postrecording. Perhaps it is due to the fact that veterans are working on the side, but the dubbing sessions have a calm and dignified feel to them, even though they are friendly. However, whenever a new cast member joins, the atmosphere will probably change a little. It changed when Mr. Namikawa and Ms. Hanae came in, and also when Mr. Kenn joined.

Kobayashi: Yes, it did change.

--What is your impression of the character you play?

Hosoya Darün is a character who never bends on what he thinks is right and keeps defending what he thinks is right until the very end. In the world where this work is set, there are great differences in status, but even in such a situation, he is a man who can say to the king of a country, "You are wrong. He has respect for the king and understands that he will be criticized by others if he expresses his opinion. On the contrary, he knows that if he offends the king, his position will be in jeopardy. Even so, he still does not bend his opinion. You don't consider the subtleties of human relationships, read the air too much, or consider the hearts of the weak too much. If there is a goal that absolutely must be reached, he is a character who will absolutely follow the path that leads to that goal. I would like to play the role in such a way that the audience can feel that. That is the only thing I am particularly conscious of. The characters' relationships are well-developed, and it is very difficult to add or subtract from them. I try not to make a point where I say, "Look at this part! I try not to create a point where I say, "Look at this part!

Namikawa: Was Darün Arslan's "mother"?

Hosoya Director Abe mentioned something like that.

Namikawa: And Narsus is like a "father" to him. But for a father, he is quite logical. Even in his lines, he often has to give very difficult explanations (laughs). But even though he is an eccentric, he thinks of his friends around him. At first glance, he may seem high-minded, but if you watch his interactions with Elam, you will see that he is a character who is able to talk with others from the same level as they are. I hope he will be a friendly character. It may seem surprising from his appearance, but he also has a very friendly side (laughs).

Hanae: Eram is a character who looks up to Nalus and has a mentor-student relationship with him. However, he is not only obedient, but is also able to carry out his own will, so I want to play that part well. Also, although Arslan and I are the closest in age, we don't get along very well in the beginning. Elam is one-sidedly pushing Arslan away. I hope I can play the part of how he and Arslan gradually get to know each other and how they become friends during their journey. Even though Elam is a bit of a brat, his cuteness is evident in some parts (laughs). I want to express that in my voice.

Kobayashi My impression of the character ...... Arslan is so ...... attractive that the other characters are too attractive and seem to get misty .......

Hosoya That's not true!

(everyone laughs)

Kobayashi Thank you (laughs). But really, Arslan is a prince for whom the word "ordinary" is appropriate. And yet, his friends follow him. They gather around him with the thought, "If it's this prince, I might be willing to serve him. What is that all about?　I try to think about it as I play the role.
　He is royalty, but in the world of this work, royalty does not have a very good image among people. However, Arslan has a kind heart that is different from that impression. Despite his status as royalty, he is in a rather special position and has a peculiar heart. That is why I now think that everyone expects something from him and follows him. That is why I am going to play the straightness and purity of his heart. He is not only pure, but he is also thinking as royalty, "What would he do if he recaptured the royal city?" What would he do if he took back the royal city? I hope you will pay attention to this aspect of his character.

KENN: Guive is a loner who doesn't belong anywhere and makes an impact in his first appearance. He is a character that is hard to read, acting in a hard-headed and aloof manner, or suddenly expressing his true intentions. This may sound like what Mr. Hosoya and Director Abe said, but the story is complete from the beginning, and each character is well-developed, so there is nothing we can add to his performance. However, Gieve is in a position to act in a rather tricky way, so I wanted to give the audience a chance to ask, "What is this guy? I hope I can show you a different side of him so that you will have various impressions of him each time you see him.

Sakamoto: I am the only female in the cast here today, but there are many male characters in the production as a whole. I feel that there are many aspects of the work that I have to carry out, even though Phalangis is one of the few precious female characters. She plays a role like an air freshener that removes the sweaty smell of the work (laughs).

(Everyone laughs).

SAKAMOTO: I think that while she is feminine, Phalangis has a strength that is different from the strength of men, a strength that is unique to women, a strength that is flexible. I hope that the charm of a dignified woman will be conveyed to the audience.

--I hope that the charm of a dignified woman will be conveyed to those who see it.

Uezu: We are now in the final stages of working on the scenario, and I was able to witness the recording and hear the cast's performances, which made me realize something. This time, you had a good feel for how the characters in the TV anime "Arslan Senki" would turn out. Based on that feedback, I am going to draw the climax. Please look forward to it.

Abe: I want to make this anime in a way that conforms to the original work, and as you said, the basics of the original work are solid, so I don't want to add too much to it. But on the other hand, I want to make sure that the TV series is a work that will be exciting. That's what I want. I want the audience to expect the surprise of "This is how 'Arslan Senki' is going to go! I would be very grateful if you could expect such a surprise.

Uezu: For our part, we hope to continue this work for a long time. Please support us!

Hosoya I know there are many people who are not familiar with "Arslan Senki" at all, or who liked the previous "Arslan Senki" anime, but I hope that you can watch the work without any preconceptions. I think that even those who casually tuned in without knowing anything about the work would definitely enjoy it. I think it has a world view and style that is a bit rare these days. I think it is a work that will slowly and deeply affect you after you have seen it. I hope you will enjoy it.

Namikawa: My honest feeling is that I would like you to watch it first. I mentioned at the beginning that it is a work that has been around for a long time, and even today, its appeal has not faded at all. If you watch the film, you will understand that. I believe that this is a work that has the potential to be accepted by a very wide range of people. I look forward to your continued support.

Hanae I hope that viewers will watch the work from the same perspective as Arslan and his friends, as if you were one of them. The more you watch the work, the more you will be drawn into it. I myself am not an expert in history, so I thought it would be difficult to understand the work, but it is very easy to understand, and as the recording progresses, I find myself liking the work more and more. As the postrecording progresses, I am becoming more and more fond of this work. I am sure that everyone will be able to understand its appeal. I am doing my best, so I hope you will watch it.

KENN I hope that I can continue to have fun with the other cast members and color the work. Also, in postrecording, there are parts of the work that cannot be seen objectively. Therefore, I hope that we can enjoy the on-air performance at the same time as the audience. I can't wait to see the grand world come to life. I hope you will support this animation as well as the original work.

Sakamoto: The characters have their own unique colors, and I think the viewpoints of the viewers will differ depending on which character they sympathize with the most and what kind of viewpoints they have. In that sense, I think this is a work that can be enjoyed in different ways by various types of people.
　I have appeared in one of Director Abe's films before, and at that time I thought that he is a director who expresses originality while cherishing the original work with a deep love. I am sure that if I follow the director's lead, I will be able to produce a wonderful work. I myself have no idea how the anime will turn out, but I hope we can all enjoy and work together toward the unique ending of the anime. I look forward to working with you.

Kobayashi: I hope you enjoy the story, the stories of the individual characters, and also the "battles" that are unique to this work. Not only will you be able to enjoy the sword-to-sword combat, but you will also be able to see how the characters use their wits to fight in ways that will surprise you. Also, Arslan has a certain secret, and I think the developments related to it are quite fascinating. I believe that this is a work that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, so I hope that everyone will "Yashasun" to the world of "Arslan Senki!