2022 Spring Anime] The deep Nagoya stories are on a roll again this time! Interview with Hirazawa Hisayoshi, General Director of "Yajukame-chan Kansatsu Nikki 4-something".

The TV anime "Yajukame-chan kansatsu nikki 4same" ("4same") is set in the Tokai region centering on Nagoya, Japan, and will be broadcast from April 2022.

It is a slapstick comedy in which the heroine, Yatogame Monaka, who is overflowing with love for her hometown Nagoya, unfolds with unique characters. As expectations for the fourth season of the series continue to rise, we spoke with its general director, Hisayoshi Hirasawa, to find out more about the series.

He talked about his thoughts on the work, the secret story behind the production of "4 Satsume," and his vision for the future.

-What kind of response have you received to this new series?

Hirasawa: We have received many voices of surprise and many "congratulations" for the fourth season of the so called "local production.

What have you kept in mind as the general director of the "Yajukame-chan" series?

Hirasawa: This is common to all the works I have worked on, but I always try to "conform to the original work as much as possible. I try not to deviate from the essence of the original work. I also hope to adapt the story well by using the expression method of animation. There are also budget and time constraints. The original work has various charms and essences, so I am trying to find out what parts I can extract from it within the limitations of the original work.

-What did you keep in mind in particular for the "fourth scene"?

Hirasawa: First of all, in terms of direction, since this is the fourth season of the series, the direction methods and patterns have been perfected. So, I talked with the chief director, Ryosuke Higashi (Ryosuke Higashi), about the basic direction methods that we have used in the past. Also, I was particularly careful to "introduce as many characters as possible" in this production. After consulting with Mr. Masamoto Ando, we managed to achieve this goal.

-What is your impression of Nagoya and the Tokai region?

Hirasawa: I have visited many places in Aichi, especially Nagoya, and have always enjoyed my time there.

I have also visited Gifu on trips and other occasions, so I would love to visit Mie and Shizuoka to discover more. I would love to go there for an event!

-Do you get any feedback on your productions from visiting the locations of your works?

Hirasawa: Of course, not only for this work. One obvious example would be the background art. Other examples include the "atmosphere of the people. For example, the anime "HAYATAI Nanaha," for which I served as producer, is set in Okinawa, and the "sunlight" was helpful. I think you can get a sense of that kind of atmosphere by going there.

In the case of "Yajikame-chan," the original story creates a great deal of local atmosphere, and above all, Mr. Ando and the staff of TV Aichi are in Nagoya, so I feel that "just getting information from the local area is enough. They also cooperate with us in location scouting, etc.

-This work often introduces local stories using actual footage and photos, but what kind of response do you get from viewers?

Hirasawa: Yes, ....... We have received a lot of comments like, "Isn't that exactly what the picture looks like? I feel that they have basically taken it positively. Although this is a fictional animated film, I am very happy because I want viewers to feel close to Yajukame and his friends by linking the film to actual scenery and real photographs.

-I hope that the cast members have become familiar with the Nagoya dialect and the common sense of Nagoya by now. Please tell us about any memorable episodes from the recording of "4Same," including acting instruction.

Hirasawa: The recording session went smoothly and ended on time. This can be said for all of "1-same" to "4-same," but I feel that all the voice actors prepared well for the recording even though it was a short recording. I am grateful that they prepared the dialect of each character by themselves.

Also, the mother of Dobe Seruran, a junior high school student from Ichinomiya City, Aichi Prefecture, makes an appearance in the story, but the actor himself suggested a different approach from the original story. After consulting with Mr. Ando, we decided to adopt her, and I think we have created a very good character that is unique to the anime version.

I hope you will look forward to the broadcast!

I think that participating in events is one of the joys of "Yajukame-chan," but in this day and age, it is very difficult to hold real events. What is the current status of your activities outside of anime?

Hirasawa: Outside of events and the anime, there are many things I don't know about, but I enjoy meeting fans and viewers through event appearances, and it is stimulating. So I hope to have more opportunities like that in the future. We have an increasing number of characters from outside the Tokai region, and it would be great if we could hold fan meeting-type events, even if on a small scale, in each locality.

Also, for this project, we are holding PR auditions on SHOWROOM, crowdfunding, and other unprecedented measures.

It would be great if many people could be exposed to "Yajukame-chan" through these projects.

-What are the highlights of this film?

Hirasawa: First of all, please pay attention to the three student council members who will appear in this season!

Also, we have packed a lot of episodes and dialogues into each episode this season. I hope you will enjoy the direction and the breathtaking performances of the voice actors.

-Finally, do you have any ambitions for the future of "Yajukame-chan"?

Hirasawa: Ambitions? ....... It's not something I can do just because I want to, but I would like to animate episodes of the original story that have not been animated due to the length of the show. There are many good episodes. If you are a fan of the original work, you will immediately recognize the episodes. If you are a fan of the original, I am sure you will be able to recognize it right away.

Of course, we would like to start with the fifth episode, and then continue the series after that. In order to make this happen, we need the help of our fans, so please give us your support for many years to come!

[Anime Information

Yajukame-chan Kansatsu Nikki: 4th episode

The story follows four unique characters: Yatogame Monaka (c.v. Haruka Tomatsu), a high school girl from Aichi Prefecture who is a grandmotherly girl and has a blatant Nagoya accent; Jin Kaito (c.v. Mitsuhiro Ichirai), who moved from Tokyo; Tadakusa Mai (c.v. Tomoki Wakai), from Gifu Prefecture who goes to the same high school as Monaka; and Sasatsu Yanna (c.v. Mikako Komatsu), from Mie Prefecture. (c.v. Mikako Komatsu), who are from Mie Prefecture. Through these four unique characters, the audience can experience the dialects, cultures, and citizenship of Nagoya and the Chukyo region in this comedy production!

Furthermore, in the second and third seasons, characters such as Shonai Lala (c.v. Nanjo Aino) from Shizuoka Prefecture, Itemae Shiharu (c.v. Kuroki Honoka) from Osaka Prefecture, and Koshiyasu Nanaho (c.v. Ito Ayasa) from Kyoto Prefecture also appear! The spread of the project has reached not only the Chukyo area, but also the Kinki region.

The "Yajukame-chan Kankasatsu Nikki 4-same" will continue to promote the charms and unique culture of Nagoya City, the Tokai region, and other regions through its productions, with "loving disrespect".

＜Broadcast Information

Broadcasting will begin on April 2 (Sat).

TV Aichi: Starting April 2, every Saturday from 20:54 to 21:00

BS11: Starts April 3, every Sunday from 21:55 to 22:00

AT-X: Starts April 7, every Thursday, 22:00-22:05

(Repeats: Every Monday 10:00-10:05 / Every Wednesday 16:00-16:05)

The first episode will be an "Announcement Special Program". The main anime will start in the second week.

<Staff

Original story: "Yajukame-chan Kansatsu Nikki" (serialized in "Monthly ComicREX")

Author：Masamoto Ando／General Director：Hisayoshi Hirasawa／Character Design：Satsuki Hayasaka／Art Director：Mame

Color Design: Ami Hayashi / Director of Photography: Natsumi Hori / Editing: Yuji Oka / Sound Director: Hisayoshi Hirasawa / Music Production: LEVELS / Music: Takahiro Abe / Series Composition and Script: WORDS in STEREO / Animation Production: Hayabusa Film / Animation Production Support: Creators in Pack

<Cast

Yajigame Saichu: Haruka Tomatsu / Jin Kaito: Mitsuhiro Ichirai / Tadakusa Mai: Yuki Wakai / Sasazu Yanna: Mikako Komatsu / Jin Shigeka: Nisako Tojo / Hatsuuchi Lala: Aino Nanjo / Jakuda Raiju: Eriko Matsui / Teppei: Kenji Akabane / Hitenma Shiharu: Honoka Kuroki / Koshiyasu Nanaho: Ayasa Ito / Dohbe Seruran: Maria Naganawa / Tsuji Masaru: Junji Majima / Tofukashi Shon: Uesaka Sumire / Megumi Aonadera: Tokui Aozora / Kina Asaka: Kurachi Reiho / Mr. Lecci: Toru Inada / Rika: Haruna Terada

<Original Story Information

Yajukame Chankansatsu Nikki" (serialized in "Monthly ComicREX")

Yajukame-chan Kansatsu Nikki" (published by REX COMICS) Volumes 1-11