Cast interview in commemoration of the broadcast of the second season of the fall anime "Kizuna no Ariru"! No.13 Ruri Arai (Himena) [PR].

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

Following the first season, which can be said to be an introduction to the story of Miraku, a girl who follows Kizuna Eye'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 13th interview is with Ruri Arai (Hymena) of 3DM8 (Three Dee Mates)!

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

Arai: Actually, it took me quite a long time from the time I auditioned until I found out that I passed the audition (......), but I thought that an anime about a VTuber would definitely be interesting and I wanted to be accepted because it was my favorite anime production company, so I did a lot of research on the characters. I was surprised but happy because I had done a lot of research on the characters. I was holding back tears desperately as I listened to the staff member who told me that I had passed. Actually, there was a camera in the room, but will the footage of that time be shown to the public? I am inclined to keep it a secret because I am embarrassed (laughs).

──What kind of character is Himena?

Arai: Himeena has many things that I don't have. The most important one is that she is not afraid of things. Himena can get anyone involved and take things at her own pace, and she is not afraid to go ahead with any task, but I am cautious and timid, so I enjoy thinking about how I can make up for those mental differences and get closer to Himena. If I don't meet these girls, I don't get a chance to look at myself very often. However, through Alleles' activities, I have had anime staff members tell me that they are discovering characters that we don't know either. I am sure that in the future, there will be times when they will bring out the charm of Hymena that I do not know. Maybe she is not good at slurping noodles and eats them with all her might, like ...... (laughs). I think it may be a characteristic of Alleles that we can feel that kind of excitement.

─ What was your first impression of Hymena?

Arai: My first impression was ...... English! Freckles! That's right. I am usually not familiar with English, or even with horizontal characters, so I thought I should practice to pronounce them as well as possible. I thought her freckles were a cute charm point. I have a little freckle myself, so I felt close to her! I felt a sense of affinity with her.

I thought that if we were in the same class, I would not be in the same group with Hymena, because she is so bright and cheerful, but as I got to know her deep-seated sensitivity and way of thinking, I felt sympathy for her. I now think that if we were classmates, we would be great friends!

─ What kind of unit is "3DM8"?

Arai: I think we are a unit that freely shouts what we want to shout. The words and sentences in the lyrics are very current, and they stick with me. I like the lyrics that are free of any discovery. I think they are a unit that looks great live because of their bass and beat. If we ever get to perform, I definitely want to make it a big hit!

─ ─ Please tell us about any episodes you had with the "3DM8" members during postrecording or when recording the song.

Arai: Actually, I haven't been able to do postrecording with the members at all. ...... I've only been able to record with Zoey once in particular, and I haven't heard her speak much of her lines. I have a strong image of Nawa Furuhata as she usually is, so I'm really looking forward to seeing the gap between her and Zoe in the anime! (Laughs) Recording the song was very difficult. My part consisted of a lot of rapping, but I had never done anything that serious before, and I struggled with the rhythm and inflection. I listened to many songs by female rappers before recording to at least get the groove and atmosphere! Personally, I really like Sophia's rap parts, and I hope to be able to tell you about them at a live performance sometime in the future.

─ ─ Do you have any episodes from the postrecording sessions, including the other unit members?

Arai: When I met Ayumi Hihara for the first time during postrecording, she said, "You are so cute! She was so cute! I remember thinking, "If such a cheerful and nice girl is the chairperson, I will be at ease! I remember thinking, "If such a cheerful and nice girl is the chairperson, I'll be at ease! Yuzuka Nukui said, "I really like Himena! She is so cute! I was also happy when Yuzuka Nukui said to me, "I really like Himena! When you do postrecording for the first time in a production, you are always worried about whether you are doing the right voice or role, but that comment gave me a lot of peace of mind. Also, there were two booths for postrecording, and I often recorded in my own booth while listening to the other cast members talking on earphones, which made me feel a bit lonely. I felt a bit lonely! (Laughs)

─ ─ What is your impression of Kizuna Ai, an important character in this work?

Arai: I think that people who are the first to accomplish or create something, not only in the arts but also in tradition, culture, politics, etc., are all amazing. Ai-chan is a pioneer in the virtual world, and to me, she is a legend. She is so great that I wonder if she really exists and if she really lives in the same time as us, but she also makes me feel close to her at times. ...... I am so grateful that my goal as Alleles was Ai-chan. I am so thankful that my goal as Alleles was Ai.

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

Arai: It is rare to find an anime that portrays girls striving toward their dreams in such a straightforward manner. In the first season, the psychological portrayal of each character was very detailed and you could really feel the feelings of the characters, and I was moved every time I watched it. I hope you are looking forward to seeing what the second season will be like.

─ What are some of the highlights of the second season of the "Kizuna no Ariru" anime?

Arai: There are 15 girls in the anime, so it is only natural that there will be girls with different ways of thinking. What kind of aspirations do these girls have as they compete in the same field, and what kind of thoughts and feelings do they have as they pursue their dreams? I think it is interesting to see the differences in the way each girl pursues her dreams. And since there are 15 girls with so many different personalities, you are sure to find your favorite! Then there is the live performance scene. The colors of each unit really stand out, and the cute and cool scenes will keep you busy with emotions! It's great! It's great!

─ In addition to your appearances in anime, you are also active as the XR artist project "Alleles" on your YouTube channel.

Arai: There are many virtual artists, but I think Alleles is the only one who has adopted this type of activity. Hymena is Ruri Arai, and Ruri Arai is Hymena! For example, I think it was a unique project for Alleles to show both Himena and me on the screen at the same time, so I would be happy if we can continue to bring that kind of fun to the screen. Then there is my dream one-man live ......! I definitely want to do it! That's my number one goal right now. We are all working hard to spread the word about Alleles in preparation for the one-man show.

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

Arai: Thank you so much for your warm support. We have never seen an anime like this before, a groundbreaking project, and we are confident that our determination to deliver a good product is second to none. I would like to join forces with all the "Wizlinkers" (as the fans call them), Alleles, and the staff to make this project a success.

I would like to ask for your continued support for these 15 people who are working hard to achieve their dreams!

Production Information
TV anime "Kizuna no Ariru" second season

＜Broadcast Information

TV Tokyo October 4, Wednesday midnight 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
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