Interview] The legendary PC game "Muv-Luv Alternative" is finally getting a TV anime adaptation! Koichi Kamiki (Takeshi Shiragin) and Karin Nahami (Meiya Mikoto) talk about the appeal of "Muv-Luv"!

The popular "Muv-Luv" series was first released as a PC game in 2003, and has since been developed into a variety of media mixes, including novels, manga, and anime, as well as other works in the series' external legacy. The latest anime work, "Muv-Luv Alternative," has been airing since October 2021.

In this sequel to the first work in the series, "Muv-Luv," the main character, Shirogane Takeru, is suddenly transported to one of countless parallel worlds. It is a world invaded by extraterrestrials called "BETA. Takeshi joins the United Nations Forces and together with his training platoon, fights the threat aboard a humanoid weapon called a tactical walking fighter (Tactical Plane). ......

To commemorate the long-awaited anime adaptation of this big title in PC game history, we asked Koichi Kamiki, who plays Takeshi Shiragin, and Karin Nahami, who plays Meiya Mitsurugi, a noble, calm and collected trainee in the platoon, to talk about the highlights of the work.

--First of all, please tell us how you felt when you were selected for the cast.

Kamiki: I am ashamed to admit that I had never heard of "Muv-Luv" before I auditioned for the role, but as I researched it, I realized that it is a series that is loved and influential by many people. I am very happy to be involved in such a work.

Incidentally, when I was told by my manager that I had been chosen for the role, I was in the middle of a video program and just before I was to be punished. Even though I was being punished, I was so happy that my cheeks loosened up and I had a hard time (laughs).

Nanami: One day, I was suddenly summoned to the office by the manager. I went to the office with a pessimistic attitude, but when I was told that I had been accepted, it was like a heaven-sent moment from hell (laughs)!

At first, it was in the form of a tape audition, but I remember that I recorded a lot of lines with a high level of passion. After I was accepted, I spent many days thinking about how I would play Meiyasu.

--What is your image of "Muv-Luv"?

Kamiki: It has many unrealistic elements such as "science fiction" and "fantasy," but the character interactions seem realistic. That gap is fascinating.

Nanami: "I thought it was a spartan work that taught us that what we usually take for granted is actually not the norm. The emotions of the characters are depicted in a truly realistic manner, so I think it is easy to get emotionally involved in the story.

-Please introduce the character you are playing.

Kamiki Takeshi is a student who originally lived in a peaceful world like the one we live in, but suddenly he is transported to a parallel world. However, I thought he is a young man with a strong core who is able to live with a strong will and not be overwhelmed by despair.

Nahami Meiyoh is a girl with many circumstances, but she is noble and lives her life with conviction, even though she is clumsy. The expression she shows from time to time, which is appropriate for her age, is very cute.

Only Takeshi knows about her situation and it was difficult for him to reflect it in his performance.

--What was the most difficult part of the role?

Kamiki: Takeshi has returned to the past with some of his memories of the three years he spent in this world invaded by BETA. It was very difficult to reflect in his performance that he is the only one in this world with knowledge of the situation, unlike the other characters.

Nnami: Meiyo's tone of voice is very old-fashioned. If I make a slight mistake in direction, it sounds like a heavyweight talking (laugh), so I always keep in mind that I am playing a "girl standing tall".

--Is there a character you are interested in?

Kamiki: I would have to say the "laser class" BETA. Why does only this one have two legs?　From the first time I saw it, I was always curious about its different atmosphere from other BETAs.

Nanami (laughs). I like Marimo Jinguji and Yuho Kouzuki. I love the scene where the two of them talk to each other, and I'm very curious to see how their friendship will be portrayed.

--I'm very curious to see how the friendship between the two will be portrayed.

Nanami: Actually, I was able to talk with Kamiki-kun for the first time during today's recording (*I interviewed him after the post recording). Basically, I usually do the post recording first, and Kamiki-kun often records at a later time.

Kamiki: I often play with Junatsu Kagami (played by Tomori Kusunoki) and Yuho.

In the beginning, due to the amount of dialogue, I often had to stay behind after the seniors had finished recording, but it was a luxurious experience to work while listening to the seniors' performances.

Nanami: I think it must have been very difficult to match our performances to what we had already recorded, and I think Kamiki-kun is doing an amazing job.

Kamiki I am glad to hear you say so!

Nanami: I feel very relieved when I can hear the voices of the members of the training platoon through the earphones or outside the booth. I hope to be able to play with a large group of people someday.

--How do you spend your time between recording sessions?

Nanami: I'm the type of person who talks aggressively, so I spend a lot of time chatting with the other cast members. Today, I had a great time chatting with Kamiki-kun as well!

Kamiki: The work itself deals with a heavy theme, and in my case, I am so occupied with acting that it is sometimes difficult for me to have a lively conversation with my co-stars, but today, thanks to Nanami, I think we may have had the best conversation so far (laughs).

--Do you two have any events that you would like to "go back in time" and redo, like Takeshi?

Kamiki: Actually, I am taking on a diet project for a video channel, and it is really tough. ...... I love to eat, and even then I don't exercise. If I could, I would strongly tell myself a few years ago to rethink my diet and exercise moderately. ......

Nanami I would like to play "Muv-Luv" without any previous information. I will never be able to enjoy the many shocking scenes again without knowing anything about them.

I would also like to audition again for other works that I took in the past. I didn't have the skills at the time I auditioned, but there are roles that I think I can play now. (laughs).

Kamiki I can relate to that!

Please follow the events in the "world where Takeshi was" and the "world where BETA exists" (Nanami)

--What would you do if you were confronted with BETA?

Nanami: We put something like "torimochi" in the area where they are advancing. Then they will stop moving and we will hit them at once!　How about this?　If they fly in the air, we intercept them with a tactical plane that has a gun that can shoot torimochi!

Kamiki (laughs). My favorite ray class, when I saw their legs, I thought, "Wouldn't this thing fall over easily if I hooked it with a rope?" (laughs). (Laughs.) They don't have arms, so I thought that once they fell down, it would be hard for them to get up, and if I attacked them there, I could beat them. But when I actually tried to see if I could get up by myself, it turned out to be surprisingly easy. ...... So, I vote for Nanami's idea (laughs)!

--So I vote for Nanami's idea!

Kamiki: Since I have talked a lot about the appeal of the characters and the story so far, I would like to mention the battle scenes of the tactical machines. I hope you will enjoy the world of "Muv-Luv Alternative" with its powerful images.

Nanami: If you follow the events in "the world where Takeshi was" and "the world where BETA exists," I think you will be able to enjoy the story more deeply. I hope you will watch the film many times to deepen your understanding of the story.

--Lastly, could you give us a message?

Kamiki: This is a series that has been loved for many years, and all the voice actors who have taken over the job are battling with high expectations as they continue the postrecording. I will do my best to perform so that not only the fans from the original work but also those who are new to the work through this anime will find the work interesting!

Nanami: I hope that the fans will think, "This is what I have been waiting for," and I would be happy if this work will be a good opportunity for them to get to know "Muv-Luv" as a work. Thank you for your support!

(Interview and text by Atsushi Saeki)