In "Danmachi II," girls with even more heroine power than Hestia are featured prominently / Interview with Inori Minase, who plays Hestia.

The popular TV program "Dungeon II", also known as "Danmachi II", is currently airing on TV. It is the second series of this sometimes comical, sometimes serious fantasy work, which centers on a boy, Belle, who comes to Orario, a town with a huge dungeon, in search of adventure and meeting cute girls, and Hestia, a small goddess whom Belle adores.
Although it is just the two of them, Belle's remarkable activities have made her a celebrity in Orario, where she is nicknamed "the little rookie. With the increase in the number of reliable supporters such as Lili and Welf, and Familiars who are willing to lend a helping hand to Belle and Hestia whenever something happens, things are going well for them.　At this time, Apollo, who wants Belle to become a family member of his, has arranged a war game between the Familiars in Hestia. The first half of "Danmachi II" was a highlight of the drama that interweaves Lili's tragic past ties with the war against the powerful Apollo Familiars and her break with them.
In the sixth episode, the second half of the season, a new heroine, Haruhime, finally makes her appearance. A new story centered on Haruhime begins in the entertainment district ruled by the goddess Ishtar.
At this juncture in the series, we asked Inori Minase, who plays the role of Hestia, to look back on the first half of the series, and to tell us about the highlights of the second half - especially Haruhime.

Even in the second season, Hestia remains "the same" in a good way.

─ How do you feel about the second season of the series?

Mizuse: I am very happy to be able to see the story of Belle and Hestia again in the form of a TV anime. Between the first and second seasons, there was some recording related to "Danmachi" such as the social game and the movie version, so I don't think all the cast members feel that it has been a long time since they played the characters. Personally, I don't feel as if I'm enthusiastic about playing Hestia again, but rather, "Okay, I'm going to play her again! I am not so much enthusiastic about playing Hestia again, but rather I am recording with a sense of nostalgia for being able to play her again every week in the TV anime. For those of you who have been supporting us since the first season, I think you can feel "Oh, this is 'Danmachi'" through the moving Belle and Hestia on the screen. For those who have seen the show for the first time since the second season, I think it will be an opportunity for them to think, "Danmachi" is interesting.

──How do you feel about working with Sadayuki Matsuoka again every week?

Minase: Matsuoka-san is still giving his all to the play. In the first season, Belle was more like fighting against herself, but this time, in the war games and the upcoming Haruhime Arc, I feel that the purpose of the battle has become more specific. Bell has become stronger and tougher, and even though Hestia is not always around, there is a part of him that is getting stronger on his own.

─ ─ Now I would like to look back on the last 5 episodes, but the highlight of episode 1 was the party scene where all the regulars were gathered in a lively atmosphere while the trigger for the war play was being presented.

Mizuse: That's right. I love the atmosphere of the party (laughs). The interaction between the gods was quite intense, and the colorful new members of Apollo's Familia who appeared in the second season were all involved. Loki and Hestia continue to have a dog-monkey relationship (laughs). (Laughs.) The gods were more outlandish and emotional with each other, to the point where I thought the children were more mature than the gods. One would think that the gods would be quiet and steadfast, but that is not the case. The original author, Tono Omori, once said that he enjoyed portraying gods who are not merely respectful. It was a fun scene that showed that very human atmosphere.


─ Not only Hestia, but all gods are mundane in a good way, aren't they?

Mizuse: Yes, they are!　Mr. Omori also said, "I wanted to make them worldly. This god who is not too worldly is very "Danmachi" like, and when I was playing the role, I thought to myself, "Ah, I'm involved in "Danmachi"! I think that's what makes me feel like I'm involved in "Danmachi".

─ ─ In this episode, too, Hestia was explicitly jealous (laughs).

(Laughs) Mizuse: Yes!　When other girls approached Belle, her sensor and reaction were amazing. She would even get on Belle's horse and tell Freya, "Don't look at me! Don't look at me! When Loki and I saw Belle and Ize dancing in a good mood, Loki and I were ranting and raving, and then Asphy, one of Hermes Familia's dependents, took both of us out of the house in his arms. I wonder if such a rambunctious behavior controlled by children has not changed since the first season.


In the second episode, while Belle and Hestia are running away from the Apollo Familia, Belle asks Hestia, "Do you like me? was a memorable scene.

Mizuse: I myself was wondering how I should play the role of Hestia since she suddenly showed her girlishness. I remember facing the script thinking, "How should I play her? Hestia looks like she's being gung-ho, but she has a surprisingly tender side to her. She often says to Belle, "I like you," but I don't think I've ever asked her if she likes me. I think that is the ultimate question where you know the "answer," so to speak. So, she continues to give him her free love, but only he can know how she feels about him. I think that's what Hestia thinks. I think that's what makes her so god-like. I think Hestia's stance toward Belle is to continue to express her feelings of "I'll always love you," rather than wanting to know the other person's thoughts and feelings, and wanting to have a date with both of them. But because she was cornered and in a big pinch, she listens to that. I felt that Hestia must have tried her best to put her question into words, so I wanted to look her in the eye and say it without embarrassment. So I was conscious of that and played the role seriously, as if I was really asking him about his true intentions. But Bell's answer was "I respect you" (laughs). (Laughs.) I thought that was another "answer," or perhaps the relationship between Belle and Hestia.