Have a nice trip, Ms. Tachibanada! Interview with Izumi Tachibana, voice actress, just before going to the UK: "Anime, gyoza, yuri - I want to be a person who conveys fascinating Japanese culture to the world.
Izumi Tachibanada is a voice actress who has been active as a member of the voice acting unit Milky Holmes since 2009. In recent years, Ms. Izumi Tachibana has published books such as "Izumi Tachibana's Gyoza" and "Today is Gyoza Day," as a "gyoza critic who is too beautiful. and as a yuri specialist, she has been expanding her activities by writing the original story for the comic "Liberty.
However, in January 2019, Ms. Tachibana ended her unit activities as Milky Holmes, and later announced that she would study abroad in the UK from this June to learn English in earnest. This was a big surprise to her fans.
Akiba Research Institute asked Ms. Tachibana, just before she left for England, how she came to her decision to study abroad and what kind of life she plans to lead in England. And. We also interviewed Ms. Izumi Tachibanada about her image of "Izumi Tachibanada" in the next 10 years!
─ ─ When did you decide to study in the UK?
TachibanaThat decision was made about a year and a half ago, at the end of 2017, when I heard about the finals of Milky Holmes' unit activities. You finished your 10 years as Milky Holmes, and you thought long and hard about the next 10 years. I am a person who cannot lead a monotonous life with no change! My personality is such that I can't live in the same house for more than a year. I can't live without change and stimulation.
───Your search for change led you to study abroad.
Tachibana: At the time, I went to Hawaii for my sister's wedding. My sister's husband is from overseas, so the wedding was basically in Only English! I could communicate with him to some extent, but I felt super stressed because I couldn't speak English properly, so I couldn't even talk to the cute kids over there. At that time, I had just heard about the finals of Milky Holmes, so I thought about what I wanted to improve as a skill when I was abroad and slowly reevaluated my future, and it turned out to be English.
─ You have mentioned before that you were frustrated that you could only say "thank you" at overseas events.
Tachibana Yes, I think I said that every time I went overseas. Fans over there would say things like "I love you," but I could only say "Thank you," and I didn't have the courage to reply in English. I hated myself for that, it was so uncool.
─ ─ In the "HiBiKi StYle" that you are doing at Hibiki, there are many videos of Ms. Tachibana trying her hand at English conversation. Is that in response to your intention to study abroad?
Tachibana: No, that was a project that came from the other side before I decided to study abroad. Was it just a coincidence? I wondered if the other members were also doing it, but I was told that it was just you, Ms. Tachibana. I had always talked about how I wanted to be able to speak English, so maybe they had guessed something (laughs).
───When you were a student, were you good at English?
Tachibana: I attended an English cram school in elementary school and was good at English until junior high school. But from high school on, I went into the sciences. It was all about science and math subjects, and it was almost like there were no English classes. After that, I studied French and other languages, so I don't think I had better than average English skills. So first of all, I wanted to be able to speak English normally (at the level of Japanese people).
─ Have you been studying English since you decided to study abroad?
Tachibana: Yes, I did! I have been attending an English conversation school for about a year.
───Do you feel that you are making progress?
Tachibana: I feel that I am improving a lot! When I was packing for my trip to England, I found a notebook from when I attended an intensive English course a year and a half ago. I was such an idiot (laughs). What is the present perfect? I didn't know any words at all. I think I've improved to the point where I can understand it now.
─ ─ Words related to your specialty, such as yuri, otaku, and gyoza, are not often learned in school, are they?
Tachibana: We talk a lot about these things in the lessons! I have told the teacher everything that I want to talk about and learn, because he/she was introduced to me after understanding my work and so on.
So it's like a one-on-one lesson. How do you say gyoza in English?
Tachibana: It is "Gyoza.
─ ─ It is an international language!
Tachibana: But when I went to Chicago four years ago, "Gyoza" was not understood, and "Pierogi" (Polish food) was more understood. I told them it was "like Chinese dumplings" and they finally understood me. I wonder how it is now. ......LA (Los Angeles) was understood by Gyoza!
─ ─ Of all the places to learn English, why did you choose England?
Tachibana: There are many reasons, but it is because it is where Sherlock Holmes was born! That's what I officially say (laughs). (Laughs.) I went to England when I first started working as Milky Holmes, so I have a strong emotional attachment to the place associated with the work I have been doing for 10 years. Also, my sister has lived in the U.S. for a long time, so she speaks frank English, but I wanted to be someone who spoke authentic, polite, condescending, and expensive English (laughs).
(laughs) ─ If you were to act in English as a voice actor, it seems like you would be suited to a role where you could use that kind of English.
Tachibana: Yes, that is true! Thank you (laughs). (Laughs.) I have always longed to be like that. Also, to be realistic, the schools I go to are in various countries, but the rent for a room near the school in the U.S. was ridiculously high, so it was impossible for me to afford it.
Special feelings for the Milky Final Live
─ ─ Once again, the finals of the Milky Holmes unit were a big factor in your decision to study abroad, wasn't it?
Tachibana: Until then, I thought it was impossible to leave Japan for a year. People might forget me, and it would be too much trouble for my work.
─ Did you make up your mind immediately after you realized that you might be able to go on the condition?
Tachibana Tachibana: I make a quick decision when I have an idea, so it was immediate. I was on a business trip to Singapore when I decided to go, and I met the president of Hibiki and Mr. Kitani there, so I told them on the spot that I wanted to study abroad.
─ How did Mr. Kitani and the others react?
Tachibana: It seems that the company and the office felt that it would be very helpful to have someone who could speak English. They said, "You should go now," and I thought, "How can I go right away when I have Milky and other things to do? (laughs).
(Laughs) ─ ─ I decided to go after I had properly completed Milky Holmes to the end. How was the "Milky Holmes Final Live Q.E.D." at Nippon Budokan, which was a major milestone?
Tachibana: The final live was great. As all the members have said, there was not a single millimeter of regret, and it was the kind of live where we had done everything. I was able to convey all of my feelings in the form of letters.
─ Not only the members but also the audience who were leaving all had happy smiles on their faces, which made me think that such a final performance was possible.
TachibanaThat 's right, I am glad you all said so. It was very hard for me to see the sad faces on everyone's faces at the first event where we announced the final live ....... For a year after that, I didn't know how to say "see you later" or "keep supporting us" at all the live shows and events. So I had a blast at the last live performance.
─ ─ It was a live concert with laughter and tears. I felt that it was only in the finals that Milky Holmes had such a wet time.
Tachibana Tachibana: "Sayonara (good-bye). I didn't want to do the last part of the song in rehearsal. My heart squeaked, so I could only do it once. I was also sad to be alone when I greeted the audience.
─ Were you aware that you would be heading for new activities, including studying abroad, after this concert?
Tachibana Tachibana: I knew that the environment would change drastically, so I had special feelings. The last song "Bye Bye Yell! at the end of the live was also very moving and made me feel like "I'm going to go. I felt like "I'm going to go now." I think I was in a slightly different frame of mind than the other members.
─ ─ Your last message, Mr. Tachibanada's letter was a scroll, which had a great impact on me.
Tachibanada: There was a reason for that! After the concert, there was a discussion about putting the letters in a time capsule for preservation. With letterheads, they might deteriorate, right? I thought that scrolls would last longer and have a certain flavor over time, so I went looking for them by mail order.
──This may be a bit of a digression, but I heard that the reason you said "I will shout louder" before the circle call was because Mr. Tachibanada, who was very surprised by the call at the regional performances, asked you to do so.
Tachibanada: I don't remember if I said that! I thought I started saying "I'm going to do my voice" in the middle of "The Last Road" (laughs). But I was really surprised at first. I didn't expect him to have such a big, thick voice, so I was surprised. Sasaki is the banquet manager, so it is always Sasaki who greets the audience at the drinking party.
─ Did you continue to eat beef tongue at Yakiniku after the live performance after the final show?
Tachibana: Yes, we did! I ate more than one plate of beef tongue!
─ When did the custom of "everyone ordering the best beef tongue" originate?
Tachibana: From the beginning. We have been ordering it since the time we formed the group.
─ ─ I don't mean to say this, but you are a very expensive new unit (laughs).
Tachibana: Yes, it did cost a lot! We are very particular about food. If you ask Poppipa (Poppin'Party) and others, they are not like that, so Milky was a unit that spent a lot on food. At first, the company (Bushiroad) was still small, and the launches were paid for out of the president's pocket, so maybe we didn't have any restraint (laughs). (Laughs) That was one of the reasons why many of the Milky Holmes live performances were held with a small group.
How was your life and activities in England?
─ ─ Thank you very much for this valuable episode. Going back to your study in the U.K., can you tell us a little bit about how you plan to spend your time there?
Tachibana: I have another week full of language school classes and lessons. I also have free-choice classes in between, so it will be like a full day of school. It was like that.
Tachibanada: It was like the last summer before the university entrance exam.
Tachibana: It was just like that, so I was a bit scared. I registered in English, so I think I will ask about the details of the classes at the orientation when I actually get there.
Mr. Tachibana is particular about food, but the reputation of food in England is not so good. How was the food when you went to England as Milky Holmes before?
Tachibana: It was bad. It was very bad! I had a soup pie or something like that, but it was so bad that all I can remember is that it didn't taste good.
─ Is it okay to live there?
Tachibana: I rented a room with a proper kitchen, so I will basically cook for myself!
───Oh, by the way, I heard that yaki-gyoza (grilled dumplings) have recently become popular in England.
Tachibana: It seems that gyoza is very popular not only in England but also in Europe. So after I get settled in England, I'm thinking of inviting people around me to a gyoza party. Since there is a gyoza boom, I am thinking of going to a local restaurant and asking to collaborate with them, and so on.
─ ─ When I first heard that you were going to study abroad, I thought you might be preparing to open a gyoza restaurant overseas.
Tachibana: I would like to do that. When I appeared on NHK radio the other day, I said that 10 years from now I would like to manage a chain of 100 gyoza restaurants in Europe. I have a strong desire to spread Japanese culture overseas. I want to expand gyoza and yuri.
─ ─ As a voice actor, gyoza critic, and yuri specialist. How do you want to use the English you mastered while studying abroad?
Tachibana: I would like to open a gyoza restaurant, and I would also like to publish a book about gyoza in English. Paradise Yamamoto has published a book on gyoza in English. Also, my sister-in-law's husband is a person who can show his face, so I would like to become a gyoza YouTube star with him.
─ What is your brother-in-law like?
Tachibana: He is an American, but he loves cooking. When I give him books on Japanese food, he sends me pictures of prototypes every day. I asked him if he would like to introduce Japanese food with me. When I asked him if he would like to introduce Japanese food with me, he was very enthusiastic, so I would like to do it someday. I would like to introduce Japanese food culture, not just gyoza.
─ I would also like to ask you about English and yuri.
Tachibana: When I go to events overseas, all my fans talk about yuri. They also have access to the magazines in which I write my serials. So I think there are yuri fans in many countries, but I don't think they have the opportunity to pick up yuri books in their own countries. That's why I would like to have a yuri booth at Rainbow Pride and other events overseas to sell yuri books.
───Do you have any episodes of interaction with yuri fans overseas?
Tachibana: I heard from someone that there is a yuri auntie in America, so I searched for her and found that she follows my Twitter account. (She also wrote a lot of comments about "Liberty" (for which Ms. Tachibana is in charge of the original story). I heard that he participates in yuri events and exhibits at various places in the U.S. I think that if I could make contact with such people, it would open up a lot of possibilities. I hope that by becoming able to speak English, I can broaden the scope of such communication. On the other hand, I would also like to convey the otaku situation overseas to Japan.
─ ─ It seems that your world will expand if you can speak English, both as a voice actor and as an MC.
Tachibana: I want to be able to narrate in English. I also think it would be great if my voice would not change when the English version of the work I am in is produced. Nowadays, there are programs on NHK in which Japanese actors perform in English. After I announced that I was going to study abroad, I was told by people in the recording studio that the number of jobs where I act and narrate in English is increasing, so I would like to become someone who can do that kind of work.
I want to become someone who can do that kind of work. ──On the other hand, I am sure it will be useful for dubbing foreign films in English into Japanese.
Tachibana: I think it is very important to understand the nuances of the original language. As well as being a voice actor, I would also like to be able to host overseas events. I don't think there are many English-speaking emcees who understand the Japanese anime industry.
─ ─ I have to work hard for a year to achieve my many dreams.
TachibanaThat 's right. I want to be able to speak English without being intimidated and with good pronunciation.
─ ─ Finally, do you have a message for your fans? If possible, please give us a few words in English.
Tachibana: I am still not sure how much I will be able to grow by going for a year, so I was under a lot of pressure to be told that I would be able to speak English right away. However, as the day of my departure approached, I began to think that I could use this pressure as power. So I want to do what only I can do and bring back an interesting story that will make people think, "Oh, this is a little different from ordinary study abroad programs. I would like to accumulate many life experiences and be able to have the values of people overseas and around the world. I will become a voice actor, gyoza researcher, and yuri critic who can tell each other about things from Japan and other countries! I would like to report on my recent situation once I come back in six months, but I would be happy if you could come to see me grow up and not forget Izumi Tachibanada a year from now. I'm off! I can do it!
(Reporting and writing by Kiri Nakazato)
Izumi Tachibana Tachibana will present one person with an autograph card signed by Izumi Tachibana directly before her trip to the UK!
In June 2019, voice actress Izumi Tachibana will be leaving for a year of study in the UK. To commemorate her interview just before she leaves for the U.K., we are giving away an autographed paper to one lucky winner! Please read the detailed application guidelines before applying.
<Prize
A paper autographed by Izumi Tachibanada
<Entry requirements
Application period: June 15, 2019 (Sat) - June 22, 2019 (Sat) 23:59
Number of winners: 1 person
Announcement of winners: Prizes will be sent to the winners.
Prize shipping: Prizes will be shipped by the end of August 2019.
How to apply: Use the dedicated application form below.
<Please note the following
Registration (free of charge) is required to apply.
Only one entry per person is allowed.
We will not be able to respond to any inquiries regarding lottery results or shipping status.
Transfer or resale of the prize or rights to the prize winner to a third party is prohibited.
Kakaku.com Group employees and related parties are not eligible to participate.
Prizes must be shipped within Japan.
We will take the utmost care in packaging the prizes, but please note that we cannot accept returns or exchanges in the event that the prizes are damaged due to an accident during transportation.
Please note that the prize will be invalidated in the following cases
Multiple winners at the same address or in the same household
If you have entered the contest using an unauthorized account (e.g., multiple accounts by the same person)
If a prize cannot be delivered due to the winner's address, change of address, long-term absence, etc.
Prizes cannot be delivered due to incomplete contact or delivery address information.
Prize winners who fail to contact us by the prize delivery address notification deadline
If there is any fraudulent activity related to the application.
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