Signed Polaroid photo giveaway! A peek into the "slapstick communal life" of the Buddhas!　TV anime "Namuamidabutsu! -Interview with Masaaki Mizunaka, Ryuichi Kijima and Shun Horie

Among the anime starting in April, the TV anime "Namuamidabutsu! -Rendai UTENA-".

This work depicts the struggles of the Buddhas who have descended into this world to save people from their troubles, as well as their slapstick daily life together at "Bonno-ji Temple," their base of operations.

This time we interviewed three members of the cast: Masaaki Mizunaka as Teishakuten, Ryuichi Kijima as Monju Bosatsu, and Shun Horie as Fugen Bosatsu, from among the thirteen Buddhas led by Shakyamuni Buddha!　They talked about their characters, how the recording sessions went, what they would like us to pay attention to, and their "troubles".

Looks like a lot of fun! The shared life of the Buddhas!

-- First of all, please tell us about the characters you play.

Mizunaka: I play the role of Teishakuten, who is called to this world by Lord Shakyamuni Buddha, along with Brahma, to help out at the temple. The other Buddhas are more relaxed, but Teishakuten, as you can see from his appearance, is a cool and serious character who doesn't talk much. Teishakuten and Brahma are the lowest in rank in the temple, so they call everyone by their full names (plus honorific titles) and use honorific titles. They speak carefully while overcoming the barrier of slurring their words, "◯◯ Nyorai-sama" (laugh).

Horie: Fugen Bosatsu is a side character to Shakyamuni Buddha, and is paired with Monju Bosatsu. His graceful and beautiful appearance makes it hard to imagine that he has a crass side to him, and he is very harsh to Monju Bosatsu, but it seems as if he has forgiven him. Although he says harsh things, he is a Buddha and his heart is very kind. It is true that "Nyorai" is hard to say, but I had a hard time saying "Ajichu tsuke jisou" in the bath scene that appeared in the first episode. I still can't say it now (laughs).

Kijima The role of Monju Bosatsu (Manjusri) that I play is that of the Bodhisattva from whom the phrase "When three people gather, Monju no Chie (wisdom of Manjusri)" is derived. As you can tell from his appearance, he is the "spectacled class dean" character. He is like a big brother to everyone, but because he is too serious, he has a side where he cannot read the air. Whenever he makes a comment that is not in line with the atmosphere, the "You don't have to say that right there! When I speak out of turn, Fugen Bosatsu (Fugen Bosatsu is a Buddhist priest), played by Horie, gives me a sharp rebuke. I find it endearing that he has such a wonderful heart, but also has a human and snobbish side to him. The character speaks slowly, so there are not many lines that are difficult to say.

Underwater: That's so nice! I envy you!

Horie: I guess so! I have the impression that I am given a lot of space!

-- How is the recording studio?　Since the character in the film is a Buddha, do you talk about such things?

Mizunaka: We often talk about the content of the work, such as "Today's story was very heavy. We exchange information about each other's characters, such as their backgrounds and causes.

Kijima

I went to a nearby temple and worshipped a statue of Monju Bosatsu before recording.

Mizunaka Oh, really? Actually, I also went to ...... Teishakuten ...... (giggle giggle giggle).

Horie Oh, really? Are you serious?

Mizunaka I'm sorry, it's a lie.

-- I'm sorry, it's a lie. (laughs) Please tell the truth.

Horie: I have always loved museums and art galleries, so I have many opportunities to come into contact with Buddhist images. When I saw an exhibit on Fugen Bosatsu in the past, I studied it and decided to keep it in the back of my mind for when I play the role in the future. I had been playing the role in the game for a long time, so I thought it might come in handy somewhere. I also have to go to the special exhibition at Toji Temple that is going on right now! I am looking forward to it.

-- The story is about the communal life of the Buddhas. If you were to live together, what would your roles be in terms of housework? Are there household chores that you can confidently take the initiative and say, "I'll do it! Kijima: I can spread a futon!

Kijima I can spread a futon!

Mizunaka: I can also do the cleaning.

Kijima Well, I'll do the cleaning too.

Horie I can't do housework, so I will try not to get in everyone's way. I will never leave water stains or anything like that, and I will be considerate so as not to cause you any minor irritation.

Mizunaka: I can't do anything. I can't even cook a meal. So I think I'll do some muscle training and be in charge of security.

Horie: No, Seishi Bosatsu did muscle training, so he has a bodyguard.

Mizunaka Then, I'll go shopping!　I'll be a passerby (laughs).

-- Would you actually like to live together? Or do you have any memories of communal living?

Kijima: I experienced this when I was in vocational school. I have a small story about communal living (......), but I'll refrain from sharing it here because of the image of the work (laughs). We all got together for drinks, had our hair cut cheaply by someone who went to a beauty school, etc. It was fun to be around so many different people.

Underwater・Horie It sounds like fun, like youth!

What are the three's vexations you want to unleash?

-- There are 13 Buddha characters in the film, which character interests you?

Horie : I guess Yakushi Nyorai. He doesn't have many words, but I like the way he says interesting things in a whisper. I don't know what he is thinking at times.

Kijima I think Maitreya Bodhisattva is cute, a character who is promised to become a nyorai after 5.67 billion years.

Mizunaka I am interested in Amitabha Nyorai. He is a character who makes jokes all the time, but I enjoy imagining that the actual Amitabha Nyorai was like that.

-- The catchphrase says, "Purify your troubles." The catchphrase reads, "Purify your vexations. Do you have any troubles you want to purify?

Kijima When I am tired, I buy cream puffs at a convenience store and eat them. I suffer from acne. I want to purify this affliction.

Horie: I want to stop negative thinking. I take even the smallest things too seriously, and even the way I am talking with ...... has a bit of negativity in it (laughs). (Laughs.) Even though it is not a big deal to others, somehow I take it seriously and worry about it even more. I want to get out of this cycle.

Underwater I want to reduce the amount of time I spend idling around at home. At night, when I am watching TV while brushing my teeth, I often find myself saying, "An hour has passed ......! So I would like to somehow shorten the time I spend in a daze and use it more effectively (laugh).

Q: Lastly, what are some of the highlights of your future work?

Mizunaka: The highlights are the heartwarming conversations between the Buddhas and the intense battle scenes. Their battles have deep meanings, so please pay attention to them and watch what happens to the Buddhas in the future.

Horie: Although the main focus of the story is on the Buddhas, it is basically a slapstick daily life in the extreme, so it is not a high-stakes anime. Even those who are not interested in shrines and temples can easily watch this work. At the same time, there are some rather serious battles depicted, so please enjoy the good balance between daily life and battles. Also!　I also do the voice of "Paomi," so I hope you enjoy hearing "Shun Horie, you're doing your best.

Kijima: The only anime in which you can see the scene where Shakyamuni eats taiyaki is "Namuamidabutsu! -UTENA-" is the only anime in which you can see Buddha eating taiyaki. I am sure that there has never been and will never be another one.

Underwater Preaching-like narration (laughs)

Horie What are you purifying?

Kijima (through their tsk tsk) I'll continue (laughs). The scene of the battle against afflictions is wonderfully coolly depicted. While there are such scenes, I want you to feel the heartwarming expressions and breathing that the 13 Buddhas show in their daily lives. We hope you will be liberated with us. In the style of Nirvana. ......

Horie, it's not just a matter of putting together difficult words about the Buddha.

Mizunaka What are you trying to do? (Laughs)

Kijima I hope you will watch over the life of Buddha with us. .......

-- Thank you very much. It was a wonderful teamwork, with the blurbs and tsukkomi that flowed until the end.

(Reporting and writing by Shinobu Tanaka)

Namuamidabutsu! -Rendai UTENA-" broadcast, two winners will receive a pola photo autographed by Masaaki Mizunaka, Ryuichi Kijima, and Shun Horie!

This time, "Namuamida Butsu! -UTENA-", two lucky winners will receive a Polaroid photo autographed by Masaaki Mizunaka, Ryuichi Kijima, and Shun Horie. Please read the detailed application guidelines before applying.

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Polarized photo signed by Masaaki Mizunaka, Ryuichi Kijima, and Shun Horie

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Entry period: May 10, 2019 (Fri.) - May 16, 2019 (Thu.) 23:59

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