Over 70 voice actors have appeared in the series, and the series is now in its 51st installment! We dissect the secrets of this popular collaboration! Seiyu Original PCs [Gemba of Collaboration No. 10

Today, with the increasing collaboration between various industries and subcultures such as anime and voice acting, there are many people who say, "Whoa, they're doing it! You're doing it," "What? You did it! and "Oh, you're doing it!" and "What? Akiba Research Institute is going to visit the sites where these "collaborations" are being planned and ask about the appeal of the projects, interesting episodes, hardships, and other behind-the-scenes stories about their production! The series "Gemba of Collaboration" is a series of articles about the fascination of the project, interesting episodes, and behind-the-scenes stories about the production.

In this 10th installment of the "Collaboration" series, we will talk about "Type:YOU," the original PC for voice actors, which is currently in its 51st round. This is one of the collaboration products that had been on my mind since the beginning of this series.

This time, we interviewed Mr. Shinichiro Nakahata, Director of Smashcore Entertainment Inc. The number of voice actors who have appeared in the series so far is a whopping 70!　And just the other day, the 51st installment of the series was announced!　At this point in time, we asked him to talk about the reasons why the collaborative products have been on sale for so long, the secret behind the popularity of the series, the difficulties he faced when starting up the project, and his vision for the future.

What's more, this time, there was also a superb present!　Check out what Smashcore Entertainment has put into the "Seiyu Original PC [Type:YOU -type you-]" and how the collaborative product will be created before applying!

ー What kind of company is Smashcore Entertainment?

Nakahata Our main business is the sale of "original PCs for voice actors [Type:YOU - Type You]. In addition, we plan and produce illustrations and light novels, create and edit manga and illustration content, and develop original goods, media, and merchandise. I have been in the planning field for a long time, but my previous job was at a goods-related agency, and before that at an IT-related company, so I had a basic knowledge of computers and characters. I wanted to create something novel and value-added based on that knowledge, which led me to the idea for the current voice-over PC.

-- Was there a specific trigger that led to the idea?

Nakahata: It was when I was helping out at a hand-off event for drama CDs at my previous job. A female fan asked the male voice actor, "I have an exam tomorrow. Please call my name and encourage me. When the voice actor said, "Fatty, do your best," the female fan tearfully and happily said, "Thank you very much! I saw them leave the venue with tears of joy. I wanted to fulfill their wishes to have their names called and to have their support. I met an old acquaintance at an exhibition for the first time in a long time, and the personal computer market I had been involved with was in a sharp decline, so I thought, "Is there anything I can do to help?" and that led me to the idea.

-- How did you come up with the idea of personal computers?

Nakahata I wanted to put the data on some kind of media, and I felt that CDs would not be fresh and easy to listen to, but they lacked a special feeling. We wanted something that would please the fans, and that the voice actors would enjoy participating in, so we sought a system that would create a win-win situation for everyone. Although the product is expensive, I wanted to create something that would give people a good reason to pay for it, and that's how I came up with the PC.

-- I see. I see that you also have tablets.

Nakahata For the "Voice Actor Original PC [Type:YOU -type you-]," you first choose whether you want a PC or a tablet. The tablet is priced at 100,000 yen, and the PC is priced at 200,000 yen, 300,000 yen, or pine, bamboo, and plum, with three different specifications to choose from. The top and back panels will be decorated with original designs, and in addition, the voice will be recorded. The voice is the same regardless of which model you choose. Those who just want to enjoy voice are choosing a tablet that feels like an entry-level model. There are also high-spec models that can accommodate those who want to play games vigorously, so our style is to let people choose the specs according to their needs. We really want to lower the price, but the original design and original lines are recorded just for this product, so the price has to be about this high.

-- The series has continued to 51 editions, what do you think is the reason why it has lasted this long?

Nakahata: We have a revival model coming out this year. Some of them are revived by people who have talked about them, and others are due to customer feedback. For example, "I was a student and couldn't afford it when it was first released. Now that I am working, I can buy it now! We are always eager to respond to such requests as much as possible. We also receive comments such as "I want to buy a new PC soon," since PCs are replaced every 4 to 5 years.

-- Nakahata: The voice actors get to say the lines that they have thought up themselves, right?

Nakahata Yes. However, we cannot specify characters from existing animated films. You can specify two lines per model. Each model allows two lines per model, and the lines themselves are about 20 characters in kana equivalent. We ask that you include a description of the situation so that we can get as close as possible to your request. For example, "In the style of a tsundere (tsundere) older brother! or "The intonation when you call my name is like ◯◯," etc. Since this is a product that makes dreams come true, we ask that you describe your particular wording in as much detail as possible. This situation detail is very useful during the recording process. Unlike in animation, there are no character settings or stories leading up to the scenes, and the voice actors are performing scenes that have been cut out, so they have to go through a lot of trial and error as they record. Thanks to their efforts, we have never received any complaints about the lines we have recorded!

-- My favorite voice actors say the lines for me in the situations I'm in. It's a great feeling to have your favorite voice actor say the lines for you while envisioning the situation, isn't it?

Nakahata That's right. So I receive many messages of gratitude and thanks.

-- Besides, I feel like I enjoy the time I spend thinking about the situations and lines.

Nakahata We have a two-month period between the start of the order and the deadline for submitting lines. Many people think about it until the very last minute before the deadline and place their orders. I feel that women think especially carefully about their orders. On the other hand, men are quick to order, but they tend to change the lines they thought of at the beginning of the process. You can change your lines up to two times before the deadline, so there are not many people who change them.

-- I saw a "?" in the design on the order page. mark" on the design on the order screen?

Nakahata The designs are basically thought up by the voice actors. Since the product bears his/her name, he/she is very particular about it while having fun with it. One of the voice actors actually gave a product she designed as a gift to her family.

-- How do you choose the voice actors?

Nakahata: I read popular voice-over magazines, check the number of followers on SNS based on voice-over actor directories, and check the works they have appeared in. Everyone writes very interesting comments, which I really appreciate (laughs).

-- With the series continuing so smoothly, it seems like you don't have any hardships to talk about. ......

Nakahata Everyone is very busy, so it is a matter of scheduling. Many of them are busy appearing at events on weekends and recording on weekdays!　So many of them are ....... But since this series is original, it requires a certain amount of time to record. I really appreciate all the help I get from my manager (laughs). I am grateful that the voice actors enjoy doing this. When it was first released, we received some harsh comments like, "You are preying on voice actor fans by selling them such an expensive product! But judging by the response after the release, they seem to be pleased with the product, and now I am truly glad that we did it.

-- How long does it take for the product to be delivered?

Nakahata: It takes about three months from the time the order is placed. After the order is placed, it takes about two months for the customer to enjoy the time to think about the lines, and then three months for the order to arrive. The surprise is that it arrives just when they have forgotten about it, so they are even more pleased with the product.

-- Do you feel that the series will continue, including revivals?

Nakahata: That is the plan. We get a lot of requests from people who say, "I want his/her series! I would like to make it happen as much as possible.

-- I see. So it will be fun to wait for the reappearance of people from the past lineup, or the first appearance of someone who is not here.

Nakahata That's right!　Since they are made to order, they may not be available for purchase if the timing is not right, so if there is a series you want, we hope you will check back often.

-- Do you have any plans to release other collaborative products in the future?

Nakahata Actually, we are planning to collaborate on accessories to great acclaim, although it will probably be next year. We would like to make it an original collaboration that is unique to our company. It may be a challenge at first, but we want to have fun while doing it.

-- I am looking forward to it!　Thank you very much.

(Interview and text by Shinobu Tanaka)

Product Information

Voice-over original PC [Type:YOU -Type-YOU-]"

Basically, there are 4 types in total: 1 tablet and 3 notebook PCs.

<8-inch Windows tablet: 115,500 yen (tax included)

Main specifications

Windows OS : Windows 10 Pro 64-bit

CPU ： Intel Atom x5-Z8350

　　　　　　(Quad-core / Rated 1.44GHz / Cache 2MB)

Memory ：4GB DDR3L

SSD ： 64GB (eMMC)

Built-in camera : Front: approx. 2 megapixels, Rear: approx. 2 megapixels

Wireless LAN ：IEEE802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.0

Includes protective case with integrated Bluetooth keyboard

＜14-inch notebook PC: 199,980 yen (tax incl.)

Main specs

Windows OS ： Windows 10 Home 64 bit

CPU ： Intel Core i5-8250U processor

　　　　　　　(1.60-3.90GHz/4 cores/8 threads)

Memory ：8GB DDR4 SO-DIMM (PC4-19200/8GBx1)

SSD ： 256GB NVMe SSD

Resolution ：14.1" non-glare wide LED-backlit LCD (1920 x 1080 pixels display)

Optical drive: None (If required, please purchase an external drive separately)

＜15.6" notebook PC [Standard model] incl. tax: 242,000 yen

Main specifications

Windows OS ： Windows 10 Home 64 bit

CPU ： Intel Core i7-8565U processor

　　　　　　　(Quad-core/HT-compatible/rated 1.80GHz/max 4.00GHz at TB/L3 cache 8MB)

Memory: 8GB (4GB x 2) (DDR4 SO-DIMM)

SSD ： 512GB 【Equivalent

Resolution ：15.6-inch Full-HD (1920 x 1080 pixels)

Optical Drive ：None (If necessary, please purchase an external drive separately)

＜15.6" notebook computer [High-end model] incl. tax: 319,000 yen

Main specifications

Windows OS ： Windows 10 Home 64 bit

CPU ： Intel Core i7-9750H processor

　　　　　　　(2.60-4.50GHz/6 cores/12 threads)

Memory ：16GB DDR4 SO-DIMM (PC4-21300/8GBx2/2 channels)

SSD ： 512GB NVMe SSD

Resolution ：15.6" non-glare wide (1920 x 1080),

　　　　　　　Refresh rate 144Hz

Optical Drive ：None (If necessary, please purchase an external drive separately)

Readers' Giveaway

<Prize

Sogo Nakamura Ver. 8-inch Windows tablet will be given away!

When applying for the present, please state the name and lines you would like Sogo Nakamura to say.

We will give away a tablet containing "two" voice data for new mail notifications to one lucky winner!

<Prize details

Product: 8-inch Windows tablet

OS: Windows 10 Pro 64bit

Processor: Intel Atom x5-Z8350 processor (Quad-core / Rated 1.44GHz / Cache 2MB)

Resolution: 8-inch LCD (1280 x 800)

SSD: 64GB eMMC

Built-in CCD camera: Front: approx. 2 megapixels, Rear: approx. 2 megapixels

Weight: Main body: approx. 380 g

Included: Protective case with integrated Bluetooth keyboard

＜Notes on the lines

1. Due to copyright restrictions, it is not possible to play specific characters. 2.

2. Dialects are not allowed regardless of the voice actor's hometown. 3.

3. If a name or line is deemed inappropriate for the content of the "e-mail notification," please correct it again.

4. Since the entire dialogue is to be specified, you may also specify an atmosphere such as (gentle) or (energetic).

Please note that we cannot specify anything other than the mood of the message.

5. Both of the two lines you specify must be within 20 kana characters, including the name!

Punctuation marks and exclamation points do not count.

(Example: "Oh? Miliyah, it looks like you got my email."　(Cheerfully) [18 characters].

(Example) "Michi. From someone other than me... a letter."　(fleetingly) [18 letters] (e.g.) "Michi..." [18 letters] (e.g.) "Michi...

6. We do not allow kissing sounds or personal names of voice actors (including nicknames) to be included in lines.

7. Normally, you can change your lines up to twice, but since this is a gift, you cannot change your lines. Please understand this in advance.

The editorial staff may contact you if it is necessary to change the lines.

＜Application Guidelines

Entry period: December 12, 2019 (Thu) - December 19, 2019 (Thu) 23:59

Number of winners: 1 person

Winners will be notified by e-mail.

　　　　　　Winners will be notified by e-mail.

Prize delivery: March 2020 or later.

How to apply: Please fill out the application form below.

Depending on the settings of your e-mail service, the e-mail notifying you of your prize may be treated as spam.

　Depending on the settings of the e-mail service you use, there is a possibility that the winning e-mail may be treated as spam.

　Please make sure that your e-mail service is set to receive e-mails from the domain "@kakaku.com" in advance.

　Please check your e-mail service settings in advance to ensure that you can receive e-mails from the domain "@kakaku.com".

<Note

Registration (free of charge) is required to apply.

Only one entry per person is allowed.

We will not be able to respond to inquiries regarding the results of the drawing or shipping status.

Transfer or resale of the winning prize or rights 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

　If we fail to contact you by the deadline (within 2 days of notification) when we contact you by e-mail.

　If there is any fraudulent activity related to your application.