Interview] Marei Uchida releases 13th single "Kikoeru? is released. She talks about her thoughts on the theme song of an anime about work!

TV animation "Shakushiku-san wants to be healed by a young ghost. Ending theme "Kikoeru? as her 13th single. Hear that?" accompanies the heartwarming story of Fusehara-san, a "company animal" who is busy working until midnight at his office, and a small and cute little girl ghost. is a song that is not only gentle but also powerful, based on the theme of the "inner voice" that encourages us to be ourselves.
The coupling song "Sensation Dancin' Show♪" is also a song about a working woman. These two songs are for everyone who works hard every day!

This is an anime that will especially stick with those who live alone and are busy with their work!

─ ─ The TV anime "Shakushiku-san wa kojo ghost ni yasai ni yasai" (The company animal wants to be healed by a little girl ghost) is currently airing. Ms. Uchida plays "Kurahashi-san" who lives in the room next to the main character, and sings the ending theme song "Kikko-eru? and sings the ending theme song, "Can You Hear Me? As the title suggests, the work is truly healing.

Uchida: The tempo of the animation is slow, in a good way. The dialogue is also long, with "Hello" being repeated as "Konnichi~chi~ha~wa~". Compared to other productions, the play is quite relaxed, creating a relaxing atmosphere.

It is a work that you can watch with a relaxed mind.

Uchida Moreover, the main character is a woman. The story is about a woman who is having a hard time, and then the healing children and ghosts come to her. I thought it was a kind world, and I am happy if you can be pampered by this work, or if it gives you a place to heal in this tired world, saying, "We have all worked hard in various ways, haven't we?


─ ─ In a way, I thought that this work captures the current social situation in Japan.

Uchida The title contains the word "Shakushoku-san," right? But I don't know how many people in Japan have jobs that would fit that term. Being involved in this work made me think a lot about the state of society. This work may especially appeal to those who have just moved to the city, are living and working alone in a one-room apartment, have a hard time at work, and wish they had someone to say, "Welcome home.

─ ─ If there were a ghost of a young girl in your room, it would be very comforting, wouldn't it (laughs)?

Uchida: At an advance screening event, I was impressed that the hostess, Yuko Gitake, said that her own children do the same thing as the ghosts. She said that they rub shoulders even though she didn't ask them to, and give them mocking, soothing looks. They said that was really cute (laughs). (laughs) So I think this work can be sympathetic to people of that generation who have children.

───They are as close as possible to real young children, but the fact that they are ghosts, haunted cats, or fantasy beings is an exquisite setting, isn't it?

Uchida: I think of myself as being similar to Gigi in "The Witch's Delivery Service" (laughs).

─ ─ Could you explain again what kind of character "Mr. Kurahashi" you are playing?

Uchida She is the neighbor of the main character, Mr. Fusehara, an illustrator who works from home. She is also a company employee of a different vector: .......

─ So you are busy with your work?

Uchida That's right. I'm always pressed for time to meet deadlines, and just when I'm feeling sluggish, Lily-chan, a maid ghost, appears and heals me. The interaction between you and Fusehara-san is one of the highlights of this work, making it an at-home story.

───It is difficult to interact with neighbors when living alone in the city, but Mr. Kurahashi gets along well with Mr. Fushihara, doesn't he?

Uchida: In the conversations between Mr. Fushihara and the ghost, the topic of Mr. Kurahashi comes up many times, and the good relationship between neighbors is very heartwarming. In the anime as well, Fushihara-san and Kurahashi-san and the little ghosts will enjoy many seasonal events together.

───How far did you get in the postrecording?

Uchida: We finished recording everything before the start of the broadcast. I am usually alone in the recording sessions due to the Corona disaster, but I was able to work with Natsuori Ishihara, who plays Lily, for a few episodes. It was a pity that I didn't have a chance to record with the Fushihara's ghost girls, but I was able to record with Natsuori in a good atmosphere.

─ Since Mr. Ishihara sings the opening theme song "Cherish," the Kurahashi family is also the theme song singing team.

Uchida That's right. Natsuori's "Cherish" was a very cute song. Lily is quite cold to Mr. Kurahashi, who is a lazy and whiny person (laugh). But Natsuori herself is not the type to get angry at anyone, always smiling and saying "Marei-chan~! So, on the contrary, I enjoy being told off when I'm being lazy in the anime. I wanted to bring out both Natsuori-chan's tsun and her dere attitude in the recording.