AnimeJapan2023 Special】Tomokazu Sugita's shocking project idea caused a stir at the event! Report on the joint talk show by "self-proclaimed voice actors" and "Hiroki Shimoshita! Tomokazu Sugita, Nobuhiko Okamoto, Hiro Shimono, and Hiroki Yamashita

On March 26 (Sun.), the last day of AnimeJapan 2023, a joint stage performance of DMM.TV's original voice-over content "Jishin Seiyu" and "Shimoshita Hiroki" was held on the stage in the DMM TV booth.

On stage were Tomokazu Sugita and Nobuhiko Okamoto from "Jikkaku Seiyu" and Hiroki Shimoshita from "Shimoshita Hiroki". The "Shimoshita Hiroki" group consisted of Hiro Shimono and Hiroki Yamashita. The stage was filled with the lively faces of these four actors, who would have been quite lively even on their own.

One would think that the speakers would be tired from the two days of "AnimeJapan 2023," held on March 25 and 26, but that was not the case at all. Although there were enough chairs for everyone, almost everyone stood and shouted. Under the theme of "Seiyu Roundtable Discussion," the 40-minute talk session was a friendly one, conveying the appeal of both programs, which are still trying to gain more viewers.

Hiro Shimono (left) and Daiki Yamashita

The talk began with a review of the programs to date, including an introduction of each other's programs.

The theme of "Hiroki Shimoshita" was "healing," and Shimono and Yamashita looked back on their visits to various healing spots.

Among them, Yamashita-san says that the "American Dream" and hamburgers he had at REWILD OUTDOOR TOKYO, an outdoor experience spot in Tokyo, were particularly impressive. However, when Yamashita said that the "Genkotsu hamburger steak" at the famous hamburger steak restaurant Sawayaka in his hometown of Shizuoka was his favorite, Shimono commented, "I've never had that at Sawayaka! I've never had it at Sawayaka! In a relaxed mood, he moved on to the next project, saying, "Let's go on a hamburger steak tour next.

Nobuhiko Okamoto (left) and Tomokazu Sugita

The other program, "Self-proclaimed Voice Actor," according to Mr. Sugita, is "a program to rehabilitate Nobuhiko Okamoto," and is also filmed in a variety of locations.

Okamoto-san recalls how Sugita-san performed a brilliant hand axe throw at REEAST ROM, a new type of amusement facility in Ikebukuro. From there, they all talk passionately about how to throw an axe effectively and well. What kind of show is this?

Also, just a few days ago, Mr. Okamoto launched a new agency, Raccoon Dog, and assumed the position of president. To celebrate, Sugita-san revealed that he had planned to present Okamoto-san with a suit that he recommended.

As this was a program in which two people who are good friends of each other would be on location, everyone was excited about the opportunity to collaborate with each other.

Mr. Sugita said to the two "Koki Shimoshita," "Shimono-san and Yamashita-san were in the bath. The wall suddenly opens and the bathtub they are in slides into the snow.

While Mr. Yamashita could not hide his surprise, Mr. Shimono seemed unconcerned, saying, "After 40, people begin to accept everything.

In contrast, Mr. Yamashita of "Koki Shimoshita" proposed to the "self-proclaimed voice actor" a "barbecue for everyone! The audience responded, "That's so cute! The audience cheered, saying, "How cute!" But Mr. Shimono replied, "We're going to have a barbecue, and then we'll all stay at a hotel. There's a bathhouse there (......)," she said, adding to the excitement of the audience by suggesting a docking plan with Sugita's project.

Other ideas included "playing analog games together," "playing retro games and athletic games against each other," and "traveling on location like a school excursion. Anyway, "We all want to play together! The topics of conversation were endless.

On the other hand, Mr. Sugita made a meaningful comment, "Actually, I have a plan for the final episode of the show. Okamoto-san said, "It's a very interesting idea. I've never seen a final episode like this." "I'm sure everyone will be horrified," commented Okamoto. I can't wait to see that stuff, and I don't want to see it because it will be the last episode. ...... Many people must have felt frustrated like that.

In addition, there was also a project to demonstrate what kind of works would come up when searching for content featuring the four actors on DMM TV by pairing their names. The audience was very excited to see the titles of the anime that came up. Some were nostalgic, others co-starred in unexpected works. ...... It was like we were being taught a new way to enjoy DMM TV.

Toward the end of the stage, the speakers said, "We want to do a survey on our awareness on the streets. "If I walk down Nakano Broadway, will people notice me?" How about Nobuhiko Okamoto's popularity in Shinjuku 2-chome? The topic of conversation was endless, with ideas like these popping up. Yamashita-san was just scowling at the three as they proposed their own plans, saying, "How far are you going to go as a voice actor? Yamashita-san was just scowling at them. It was a fitting end to a program that is in a sense at the forefront of the voice acting scene, which is constantly expanding.

The "self-proclaimed voice actor" Hiroki Shimoshita is now available on DMM TV to rave reviews! Even if you are not a registered member, you can watch part of the show for free, so if you are interested, why don't you check it out first?