Autumn Anime "Kizuna no Ariru" Second Season Broadcast Commemorative Cast Interview! No.11 Nozomi Nagumo (Jua) [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 the cast of the virtual artists who will appear in the second season.

The 11th interview is with Ms. Kimi (Jua) Nagumo of VICONIC!

───Please tell us how you felt when you were chosen to perform in this film.

Nagumo: The audition itself was quite a long time ago, and I had already failed in the audition for another character, so my first thought was, "What the heck is this ......? That was my first thought (laughs).

The announcement of the cast was also a surprise, so it didn't seem real for a while.

───Please tell us about the character you will be playing.

Nagumo: Jua is cheerful and full of energy. You can see it in the way she interacts with her VICONIC partner, Seah (laugh).

(Laughs.) She is usually a noisy girl with high tension, but in fact, she is a very hard worker, and her performances are of high quality because of her hard work. I love that kind of gap. There are parts I would like to talk about in more depth, but I'll leave that for you to enjoy after the show airs!

─ What was your first impression of Jua?

Nagumo: My first impression was that she is a "cool girl. I thought she would be a smart girl who moves quickly and crisply. I thought she was a smart girl who moved quickly, but on the first recording, I was directed to "be super energetic! I remember I was honestly surprised when he directed me to be "super energetic!

From there, I got to know Jua. I was dazzled by her honesty and straightforwardness, but I was also deeply attracted to her tireless efforts behind the scenes. When I think about how she became a hard worker, I feel my heart beat faster. ......

Jua's innocence and hard work inspire me, too. Don't tell anyone that I sometimes get nervous because she is so determined (laugh).

─ ─ What kind of unit is "VICONIC"?

Nagumo: It is a unit with a very good synchronization rate, although I thought it would be uneven. ...... This is my own fantasy, but I think that my relationship with Céa goes beyond being best friends. We are friends, rivals, companions, and partners. ...... It is difficult to put this into a few words, and if I had to summarize it, I would say that it is a concept named "VICONIC! It's hard to sum it up in one word. We are usually a duo of the giggly Jua and the twangy Cea, but we hope you will pay attention to the synchronicity and breathtaking performance that only VICONIC can produce.

─ Please tell us about episodes during postrecording with your partner, Tsukino (Seah), and episodes during the recording of the songs.

Nagumo: Regarding the recording, there was a so-called "on-duty" episode. I was very nervous because it was just the two of us. Seah had already recorded the music, so I got to listen to it before recording myself. I listened to it before I recorded mine, and I found it to be very sexy and glamorous (......). At the time, I did my best to make a contrast with her, but I am still struggling with it.

Also, I was shown a dance video before the recording of the song, and it was so cool. I remember making a strange cry of excitement in front of the director at ...... (laugh). I can't wait for everyone to enjoy the video and songs!

───What episodes did you and the other members of the unit have during postrecording?

We talked about mahjong in the lobby with Hina Natsume (Sarah) and talked about doing it together next time. After that, Ariru's Mahjong Club was established and we have already played a few times (laughs). (Laughs.) Since the recording sessions were scattered, we didn't have many chances to meet in the studio. I still haven't met some of them, so I can't wait to meet them all.

─ What is your impression of Kizuna Ai, who is an important character in the film?

Nagumo: I have been watching Ai since she started her channel as a virtual YouTuber. When I heard about "Kizuna Ariru", I was excited and nervous at the same time because it was based on Ai's work. I watched Ai-chan's videos again, and I couldn't help but admire her talk, cuteness, and performance (......). I couldn't even use her as a role model. I am too proud to even refer to Ai-chan as a reference. I cherish the present that Ai-chan has connected me to, and I will devote myself to conveying my gratitude and love to everyone who watches my work.

─ What do you think are the highlights and interesting points of the anime "Kizuna no Ariru"?

Nagumo: I think it is the growth of each character and the "bonds" they form with their friends. It may sound like a sparkling dream, but each person has their own struggles and setbacks, and I don't think it's actually all fun and games. I have broken down many times myself, so I realize that. ...... But I still want to make it happen because it's fun, because it's my dream, because it's my aspiration. I sympathize with these characters, and I get courage from the way they overcome obstacles.

And "Kizuna" teaches us that there are things we can do because we are together with our friends, and that the world expands when we connect the dots. I feel that "kizuna" is a key word in the title of the work. I will be happy if I can connect the bonds that are scattered throughout the story to everyone who watches it.

─ What do you think is unique about the second season of the "Kizuna no Ariru" anime?

Nagumo: There are two major points! The first is the performance of the music and images. As the story progresses, you can find unexpected combinations between these characters. You can also enjoy the different atmospheres of each song. The unit videos are also really, really great. I'll say it again, they really are amazing!

Another point is the gap with "Alleles," who is active on YouTube. Some of them have a lot of gaps in their personalities, while others have less, so I hope that you will enjoy watching them in real and virtual life, as well as in anime.

─ In addition to appearing in animated films, you are also active as the XR artist project "Alleles" on your YouTube channel. What kind of activities do you want to do as "Alleles" in the future?

Nagumo: I want to say it out loud, but I want to do a one-man live performance at ......! We have uploaded more than 140 live broadcasts in the form of regular performances, live game broadcasts, song slots, cooking projects, and I tried singing, etc., and we are always very happy with the reactions of the people who watch our live broadcasts. Especially in the live streaming, I can interact with everyone in real time, so I feel like I am creating a stage together with everyone. ...... I get greedy and want to see your faces and hear your voices every time I stream. So, my goal is to have a one-man live show where I can meet you all virtually in real life! This is a dream that we all at Alleles want to make come true.

We will of course be performing songs from the anime, but we also have original songs by Alleles, so please check them out on YouTube!

─ ─ Finally, do you have a message for the readers of Akiba Research Institute?

Nagumo: Thank you for reading to the end! The second season will be even more exciting with more characters, so we hope you will watch along with us. Also, I think you will enjoy the anime many times more if you watch Alleles! I hope you will enjoy it as well. I will continue to work hard with Jua, with fun and energy. I would like to ask for your continued support for "Kizuna no Ariru" and "Alleles"!

Production Information
TV animation "Kizuna no Ariru" second season

＜Broadcast Information

TV Tokyo October 4, Wednesday midnight 24:00~.
TV Osaka October 4, Wednesday at 1:35 am -
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
Seer: 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