Cats start talking in TV anime adaptation! Interview with Tomokazu Sugita, Hikaru Kayo, Ayaka Maekawa, and Yu Soma of the cast of the spring anime "Cat's Meow!

The spring anime "Cat's Meow" began airing on April 3, 2019, within TV Tokyo's "Kinda Terebi".
*Photo from left to right: cast members Ryo Tachibana, Yu Soma, Tomokazu Sugita, Hikaru Kayo, Yuuki Itagaki, and Ayaka Maekawa.

Akiba Research Institute has already interviewed the game staff of this title, and this time, to commemorate the start of the anime broadcast, we interviewed the cast members! Tomokazu Sugita, who plays Nyaho, Hikaru Kayo, who plays Theo, Ayaka Maekawa, who plays Monet, and Yu Soma, who plays Kiki, were interviewed about the appeal of this title and episodes in their performances.

If you read this interview and watch the anime, you may be able to enjoy it more tastefully at ......?

--What did you think when you received the offer to do only the "meow" in the game version?

Tomokazu Sugita (as Nyaho: hereinafter "Sugita") I guess you could say that I had high expectations, but to be honest, I had the impression that I didn't feel a clear vision.

Hikaru Kayo (as Theo: hereinafter "Kayo") When I heard that he only squeaks, I wondered if he was someone's pet since he plays a rat. I wondered if he was someone's pet since he plays the role of a rat (laugh). I remember well that I fished out a lot of rat voices and listened to them.

Ayaka Maekawa (as Monet: hereafter, Maekawa) "What will happen?" I was anxious and looking forward to it. I wondered how I would be able to perform with just my voice. But I was really surprised that there was no script... (laughs).

Yu Soma (Kiki): At first I was very nervous, but I am a big cat lover, so I felt like I was being tested on my "love for cats" (laughs). (Laughs) It was more fun than I had imagined to look at the characters, see their expressions, and think about what kind of meow I should make!

--I was able to think about what kind of sounds to make by looking at the characters and seeing their facial expressions! What is your impression of the characters who speak in the anime?

Sugita: It made me want to watch "What's My Number".

Kayo: I thought they were cute! They talk a lot, but they say "meow" and "chew" in various places, so I felt as if I had entered the world of "Cat's Meow".

Maekawa: When I was playing the game, I could hear the voices in my head while reading the scenario, so there was no big gap. But during the recording, I suddenly thought, "I see! Everyone is talking! I was impressed. I was really impressed by the fact that the scenario was created exactly as I imagined the characters to be.

Soma: "I can't believe they can talk so fluently. ......! I was also somewhat parentally moved (laughs). I wondered if changing from squeaks to Japanese would change the image. I wondered if the image of the characters would be changed by changing from the squeaks to Japanese, but Nyaho and the other characters remained the same as in the game.

--What do you keep in mind when you are playing the characters? Are there any differences or similarities between the way you play the characters with only meows for the app and the way you play the characters with lines for the anime?

Sugita: I always keep in mind that the character is a cat. It doesn't mean that I can't act as a cat if I don't keep that in mind.

Soma: I try not to change the impression of the character between the meow in the app and the dialogue in the anime. The common point in playing Kiki-chan is to think of her as the "Fujiko-chan of the cat world" (laughs).

Kayo: I tried to keep in mind Theo's energetic and firm character, both in his purr and in his lines. In the anime, I thought Theo was my conscience, and I was conscious of not being carried away by the pace of Nyaho-san and the others.

Maekawa: For the application, I built it up from the look and the impression of the eyes, so I was especially conscious of Monet's fluffiness in my performance. In addition to that, I had a very strong image of how happy she looks when she eats. The basic image of the animation is the same, but it is a bit difficult because of the fast tempo. I am still trying to find a way to express the character's appetite without destroying the image of the game.

--Are there any characters in Nyaho that are similar to yourself? 　Also, do you have anything in common with the character you are playing?

Kayo: I like to eat, so I guess I am Monet! But I am not as much of a glutton as Monet! (Laughs)

Theo and I are both energetic! I myself am not a strong person, so I have more things in common with Theo than I have things in common with him that I respect.

Soma: I am often told that I have an atmosphere similar to Kiki. Is it because I have a hachiware (bangs parted in the middle)? (laugh).

I also like purple, and many of my clothes and accessories are purple!

Maekawa: I think I am similar to you in that I have things I need to do, but I have a hard time getting started, and I want to help people in need even though I am also having a hard time. I also love to eat, so Monet's happy face when she is eating or talking about food is a bit like my own!

--Finally, what are the highlights of the anime and what would you like to say?

Sugita: Meow! (*cat's meow)

Soma: The characters who only say "meow" in the app move and talk a lot. We hope you will enjoy the daily lives of the Meows, which you can only see in the anime! Please also take care of Kiki, who is as devilish as ever ♡.

Maekawa: Finally, the nyahoos will talk, keeping the same helplessly sweet feeling! They are animated and moving! The cast is the same, and the illustrations and music are still wonderful, so of course those who have been playing with the application will enjoy it, and we hope that the charm of "Cat's Meow" will be conveyed to even more people. Please give us your support!

Kayo: I myself am very much looking forward to seeing the characters talking and moving! When I received the manuscript and saw the pictures, the story was interesting and made me smile all the time. I hope you enjoy the world of "Cat's Meow," which is filled with lots of meow-wow love! Chuchu!

Anime Info.

Broadcasted on TV Tokyo's "Kinda Terebi" every Wednesday morning from 7:30 a.m. starting April 3, 2019!

■Staff & Cast

Original story : "Neko no Meowho - Meow Miserable

　　　　　 KOKONE Corporation

Planning ：Sung Hun Kim

Planning Cooperation : Manabu Miki

Character Planning : Aya Morooka

Producer : Masanori Takeuchi, Shunsuke Kabasawa

Executive Producer : Takayuki Sano

Director: Masayuki Watanabe

Scenario : Masayuki Kibe