Interview with the cast of the fall anime "Kizuna no Ariru" in commemoration of its second season broadcast! No.5 Arisaki Hanawa (Liz) [PR].

As an anime project of the world's first virtual YouTuber "Kizuna Eye", the first season of the anime "Kizuna Ariru" has been broadcast since April 2023.

Following the first season, which can be called an introduction to the story of Miraku, a girl who follows Kizuna Ai's back and aspires to become a virtual artist, and her friends, the long-awaited second season will begin in October.

Akiba Research Institute continues to push this work, in which reality and virtuality cross over, to the hilt. We will be releasing daily interviews with the members of PathTLive, formed by the main character Miraku, as well as with the cast of the virtual artists appearing in the second season.

The fifth interview is with Arisaki Hanawa (Liz)!

─ ─ How do you feel now that the first season has been completed?

Hanawa: I feel that the 12 episodes really flew by, and I feel relieved that we were able to successfully deliver the story to everyone. The first season is from the meeting to the formation of PathTLive. I feel that the story of how PathTLive was formed and how they became a unit was carefully depicted in the first season, and since there were times when all five members were in the spotlight, I think we were able to tell you more about who they are! ！！！！) ).

(There is so much more to tell!) In the process, each member had their own problems and struggles, and they all hit a wall. But when they feel like falling down, they support each other. The sight of the five of them growing through friendly competition in this way was precious and shining. I am sure that they were able to overcome difficulties that would have been difficult for them to overcome on their own, because they worked together. During the broadcast, I enjoyed the story of these girls with everyone in front of the screen, sometimes sympathizing with them and sometimes cheering them on, and I became even more of a fan of the work after watching it again. Once again, I would like to thank everyone who watched the first season.

Also, on a personal note, since this is my first time acting in an anime, I was very moved to see the character I play move on the screen and to see my name in the end roll. ......

─ ─ What scenes or lines in the main story were particularly memorable for you in the first season?

Hanawa: Episode 9, which was Liz's full-fledged appearance in the show, left a lasting impression overall. Liz appears as a strong rival to Miraku and his friends in a racing game called "Ultimate," in which the winner gets to perform on a special stage where all the students are watching. Riz appears as a powerful rival to Miraku and his friends. At first they are "rivals," but as they work together toward the goal, their relationship gradually transforms into that of "friends. Seeing these two people who might not have met without this race, I felt that it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime encounter.

Personally, I found Liz's growing interest in Miraku, who had fought through the race with her, very endearing, and it was one of my favorite parts of episode 9. And the line "The future is always in the dark" right before the finish line really stuck with me, and I try to remember it when I can't take the first step forward. I hope you will listen to it in the film!

Finally, this story was also the first time my character song was played. Recording as a character was a lot of exploration for me, especially in the technical aspects of singing, such as the differences in the way I and the character sing, but I was able to cultivate another new experience for myself. Episode 9, when the completed song "Take Off" was played, was the moment when one of my dreams came true, as I had always longed to be in the singing content business.

───How has the response been from the people around you and your fans?

Hanawa: Since this was my first animated work, I received a wide variety of reactions. ...... I was especially happy that my fans were as happy as if they were me, and came to enjoy the anime broadcast with me and to support my activities on YouTube! We also received many warm words from everyone, some of whom we may have connected with through activities related to "Kizuna no Ariru".

I also received regular calls from friends and family members saying that they had seen the show. Each of those words was truly encouraging, and I was reminded once again of how much support and encouragement I receive from you on a daily basis. I will continue to do my best to express my gratitude to everyone through my activities!

─ Now that you know more about each character's personality, who would you like to say something to and what would you like to say to the other characters?

Hanawa: Liz often rides a vehicle called a Vogel board, but in episode 9 Ultimate, she didn't get to ride with any of the other members except for Miraku, so I'd like to see them all go somewhere together on the board next time. Also, Liz seems to have a thing for powdered food, so I'd like to see us have a powdered food party (laughs). I also hope that the five of us will have more memories together, and if there are any problems or worries during our time together, I would like to encourage Liz, who is very observant of her surroundings, to not take things on herself but to rely on others and to work together to do her best!

─ ─ What kind of activities can we expect to see in the second season, which will finally start airing?

Hanawa: Ten new characters will appear in the second season, bringing the total number of members to 15. Just as there were times in the first season when the members of PathTLive were spotlighted, each of the 10 members has their own story and their own path to formation. I hope that everyone will be waiting to see which of them will be involved in the story. As for Liz, I think it will be "meeting a new you." ......

I hope you will look forward to the broadcast for more details, but it is an event that I have a strong emotional attachment to. In addition, there will be people who will be deeply involved with Liz, so please look forward to it!

─ ─ There will be other units besides PathTLive in the second season. Please tell us about the units you are currently interested in, along with the reasons why.

Hanawa: Each unit has its own unique personality, so I can't help but look forward to their appearance! You must see how they are formed, as well as their performances, which have strong colors of each unit! It is difficult to choose one group because they are so different from each other, but I can't wait to see their performances! It is difficult to choose just one group, but I think they have a lot of charm, so I am sure there will be something that will stick with many different people. By the way, I have been stuck with all four units! (Laughs) I'm sure that as the story progresses, you'll see even more of their charms, so please enjoy the anime and try to find your favorite unit!

─ By the way, at the recent "Chao x Ribbon Girls Comic Fest," you gave PathTLive's first live performance in real life and performed a live reading!

Hanawa: The first time I stood on stage with Liz was really fun and flew by. ...... I had never done an on-stage telecast before, so I was nervous about that aspect, but from the moment I appeared on stage, I was greeted so warmly, and I felt like my nerves had been eased. I was so excited to see everyone's faces that I was able to relax during the live part of the performance. I would like to do my best so that I can have another chance to meet you like this!

To everyone who came to see us on stage, thank you so much for a wonderful time!

─ ─ I'm sure you must have gone through a lot of things in the lessons leading up to the show and backstage on the day of the show.

Hanawa: I had already performed some of the songs with the other members of Alleles at their regular performances, but we had not yet performed as PathTLive many times, so we prepared for each performance by checking each one carefully together. We asked each other about what we didn't understand, made suggestions if there were any, and it was very pleasant to see the atmosphere that was naturally created in order to deliver a better performance. I wondered if this was how the actual characters were preparing for the performance.

You are also involved in the XR artist project "Alleles.

Hanawa: I have tried various activities as Alleles, and I would like to mention two of them. First, I would like to do a regular performance. 15 members of Alleles were shuffled and divided into 3 teams to hold regular performances. I was entrusted with the chairmanship of "Team Rock," which was based on my favorite song theme, and we were able to give two performances. Thankfully, after the team was formed, we were also given the opportunity to create original music for the song theme. ...... We spent a lot of meaningful time learning from the teacher and sharing our opinions with each other in friendly competition in order to deliver the songs in a better way. At first I felt responsible and anxious about being the chairperson, but the members and whiz-linkers (Alleles' fans) were so warm and kind to me that I was very moved at the last performance. Thanks to your support, Liz and I were able to be the chairperson of the show for a period of time.

Next was the project we did for Liz's birthday delivery, "Yakuman in Mahjong for Entertainment". I had just started to learn mahjong, but with the help of the two people I was delivering the program with and a wizlinker in the comments section, I was able to make a "Midori Ippiki" in the second game! What a time it took us to achieve it: 9 minutes! When we announced this project, we received comments like, "I want to go up in "Green Ippiki", which is the member color of Liz! I thought it would be wonderful if we could go up to the top, but I was not so sure that we could really go up to the top. I was thrilled that we could actually go up, and it was a very bonding moment for me. ...... Both are archived on our YouTube channel, so please take a look!

─ By the way, if you were to actually enter the virtual world, what would your avatar look like?

Hanawa: I really like Liz's avatar, so I would like to wear a matching one. If I were to customize it myself, I would like to have long silver hair and cold-colored eyes! Also, for some reason I have longed to be 163cm tall since I was little, so I want to be selfish about how tall I am (laughs). I also think that there are costumes that are designed to look good only because they are not in the real world. I would like to wear voluminous skirts and embellishments that are difficult to reproduce in detail, and I would like to fully enjoy the "things that are not possible in the real world but can be achieved in the virtual world". I would like to create the most powerful avatar someday, filled with all the cuteness I can think of!

─ ─ Finally, do you have a message for those who enjoyed the first season and those who are interested in the show but have not watched it yet?

Hanawa: Thank you for watching the first season and for your interest in this film! Everyone in PathTLive is aiming to become a virtual artist, but I think that "striving for dreams and goals" comes with not only artisans but also with many other things. The girls' dedication and hard work will leave a lasting impression on you, so if you are interested in watching the show, we would like you to give it a try. Now, the second season of the show will start soon! How will the five members of PathTLive, who have made it through the qualifying rounds, develop their cohesion and performance in the future? We also hope that you will pay attention to how the new characters will be involved and color the story in the future! PathTLive, as well as the other 10 members, are all wonderful characters full of individuality and charm! We are sure you will be able to find your favorite! We will do our best to make "Kizuna no Ariru" even more exciting, so please continue to support us! Please visit us on our YouTube channel, Alleles Project!

[Production Information
TV animation "Kizuna no Ariru" second season

＜Broadcast Information

TV Tokyo Wednesday, October 4 at 24:00~.
TV Osaka Wednesday, October 4, 1:35 a.m.
TV Aichi October 4, Wednesday at 2:05 a.m.
Animax Saturday, October 14, 9:30 a.m.

<Cast

PathTLive
Miraku: Ayumi Hihara
Quon: Rina Kawaguchi
Chris: Hikari Kodama
Noel: Yuzuka Nukui
Liz: Arisaki Hanawa

BRT5
Nisca: Yuri Matsuoka
Jessie: Ran Fue
Ellie: Yuka Yoshiki
Sarah: Hina Natsume
Hal: Hinaki Yano

VICONIC
Jua: Nozomi Nagumo
Seah: Tsukino

3DM8
Hymena: Ruri Arai
Zoe: Nawa Furuhata
Sophia: Yuna Kitahara

Kizuna Ai: Kizuna Ai

Auris: Maazumi Tazawa
Ada:Kana Ueda

<Staff
Director : Kenichiro Komaya
Series composition：Deko Akao
Character Design : Shiori Asaka / Fumina Morita
Chief Animation Director : Shiori Asaka / Futatsuna Morita / Mizuki Takahashi
Prop Design: Kai-Qi Dan
Color Design: Mitsuko Sekimoto
Art Director: Masakazu Miyake
Art Director: Masakazu Miyake ・ Art Setup: Kazushige Kanehira / Yuri Sanami / Hitoyuki Ogi
CG Director: Ryo Sasaki
Director of Photography: Mayuko Koike
Editing: Junichi Masunaga
Sound Director: Hitoshi Akutagawa
Sound Effects: Yui Ando
Music: Tsuyoshi Sakabe
Animation Production: WIT STUDIO × Signal M.D.

Second Season Opening Theme
Perfect World! (Sung by PathTLive)

Second season ending theme
Jankenhoi! (Sung by #kzn)

<Distribution information
Bandai Channel, Hulu, TELASA, J:COM On Demand Megapack, milplus, Smart Pass Premium, dAnime Store, NETFLIX, U-NEXT, Anime Unlimited, Prime Video, DMM TV, FOD Premium, Flat Video, ABEMA, Nico Nico Live, Lemino, Animax on Demand

XR Artist Project "Alleles
What is XR Artist Project "Alleles"?

Dive into "i" Let's dive into it, into the me you want to be.
This is a project in which 15 members with different origins and personalities from the TV anime "Kizuna no Ariru" will dive into the virtual world and grow up.

(c)KA/Kizuna no Ariru PJ (c)Kizuna no Ariru Production Committee