Yumiri Hanamori & Nao Higashiyama: "I'm so influenced that I cook camp food! Interview with winter anime "YuruCan△

The anime "Yuru Can △" (original story by Afro / Houbunsha, Manga Time Kirara Forward) will begin airing on AT-X, TOKYO MX, Sun TV, KBS Kyoto, and BS11 on January 4, 2018 (Thursday). Set in Yamanashi Prefecture, the anime loosely depicts high school girls camping and going about their daily lives. The appeal of this work is not only the atmosphere created by the characters, but also the detailed descriptions of camping and beautiful scenery.

We interviewed Yumiri Hanamori, who plays the role of Nadeshiko Kagamihara and Nao Higashiyama, who plays Rin Shima, the two heroines in the anime, which is highly anticipated for its broadcast. We asked them about the appeal of their work and characters, as well as their camping experiences.

Pursuing how to make the food look delicious

--What was your impression of the original manga?

Hanamori: I read it for the first time when I was auditioning. That's the only word I can use to describe it. I thought it was new that high school girls go camping, and I thought the manga conveyed the good points of both solo camping and camping with others. When I saw Nadeshiko and her friends struggling, I thought to myself, "Is this what happens when you are a beginner? And most of all, the food looks delicious! （I actually tried making Nadeshiko's "just for fun" dumpling hot pot, and it was really delicious!

Higashiyama: The book is really full of "kawaii" (cuteness), not only in the girls but also in the dogs, pine cones, and everything else. I felt that it was a mysterious work that was lively but also tranquil, a "daily life away from daily life" kind of thing. It is not only relaxing to look at, but also offers various discoveries. I myself have never been involved in camping before, but I thought it was interesting that the tools and knowledge about camping were depicted in a natural way in the story.

--If you were not involved in such activities, did you have many outdoor-related events at school?

Higashiyama: There were forest school and field trips. We also climbed Mt. Takao with my family and went to the fifth station of Mt. Fuji. ......

--Fuji (). - It doesn't seem like you were very far from the outdoors (laughs).

Higashiyama: We weren't very far from each other (laughs). But I have no experience in camping, setting up tents, playing in the river, and so on, where you have to prepare your own equipment and get in touch with nature.

Hanamori: My school events included factory tours, and the only time I remember going out into nature was when I was in elementary school and I was invited to a barbecue by a neighbor's child. I thought it was going to be in his yard, but he put me in his car and took me to the river after a few hours of rocking (laughs). (Laughs.) They told me to go play in the river, so I was splashing around and fell down and got soaking wet, but it was a lot of fun. The meat we ate there was really good, too.

--How did you feel when you were chosen to play a role in this film with a camping theme?

Hanamori: "Yay! I thought (laughs). Nadeshiko is close to camp newbies like me, and I thought it would be a lot of fun to play such an energetic and powerful character. So when I heard that I had been chosen, I thought, "I get to play that powerful wild child! I thought.

I was happy, but at the same time I was prepared for the role of Nadeshiko, who has many scenes in which she eats delicious-looking food, so I knew that I would have to pursue "how deliciously she eats" and "how she enjoys camping in a pure way. I wanted to play a girl who "naturally looks cute. Moreover, she is not only energetic, but also inspires everyone with her every action, so I wanted to do my best to give a performance that has that kind of influence.

Higashiyama: I was very happy too. I have experienced many different worlds through my roles in the past, and I was very excited that I would be able to open up a new world through Lynn this time as well. After the decision was made, I looked at camping magazines and websites such as "What's good for camping food? (laughs).

Hanamori: I did my research too (laughs). I wondered what I could eat.

Higashiyama: I also have memories of the previous "Kirara Productions" that I was involved in, where I got along well with the cast and had a lot of fun making the work, so I have high expectations for "Yurukyan △" as well. I was waiting for the recording session, hoping that the recording would be as friendly and enjoyable as the characters.

--Please tell us if there is any part of the character you play that you sympathize with. Also, what is your impression of them as well?

Hanamori: I have a habit of always paying attention to the reactions and expressions of the people around me, so when I found out that Nadeshiko has that aspect, I felt very close to her. But Nadeshiko is not only that, she is also able to run straight to her feelings. If she wants to talk, she talks; if she wants to eat, she eats. She is also a girl who, while being straightforward, is also aware of her surroundings and can genuinely reflect when she feels that she has done something bad to someone. I admire her for that because it is something I don't have. I have the impression that she is a girl who is close to me in some ways, but also has a lot of things that I admire about her.

Higashiyama: I can relate to Lynn in many ways. She is a solitary "solo camper" who can go anywhere by herself even though she is in high school. She doesn't talk much, but deep down she is the type of person who gets very excited. She doesn't have a hard time being around other people or doesn't fit in, but rather voluntarily wants to spend quiet, peaceful time camping alone. As an only child, I am also the type of person who enjoys spending time alone, so I felt that I could relate to her the most.

The solo camping scenes are basically narrated by Lynn's monologue. I was able to learn about Lynn's inner feelings through her monologue, which made me smile and gave me the impression that she is a girl I can't take my eyes off of.

--I was impressed that she is a child that I can't take my eyes off of.

Higashiyama: I can go almost anywhere. I am not afraid of going to yakiniku alone, karaoke alone ......, or theme parks alone?

--I have never been to a theme park by myself?

Higashiyama: I haven't experienced it yet, but I'm not afraid of it at all. I don't like screaming machines, so it would be nice to see a show by myself. I'm also the type of person who is shy, so I think about what I should do if we get in line and I lose the conversation, or if I should prepare a bullet-point list of topics, or if I should bring a book on divination that we can talk about together, etc. It's fun to get together with others, but if I were alone, I'd probably just play games and wait around.

--Nadeshiko is also attractive because she eats so deliciously.

Hanamori: I am often told that my cheeks are the loosest when I am eating (laughs).

Higashiyama: I get really excited when we are talking about food (laughs).

--By the way, what food has excited you the most recently?

Hanamori The yakitori I had recently was delicious.

Higashiyama What do you like best when it comes to yakitori?

Hanamori I think it's the cartilage. I like salt! I also like nabe (hot pot) in this season. It's cold, but I'd rather eat something hearty than just soup. I like spicy food, so I have an irresistible craving for kimchi nabe. I have already made and eaten it 3-4 times this winter alone (laughs).