[JO1] AR 220712

Talk theme:
The whereabouts of passion

What is the power source of the artist and the voice actor, each one shining in their respective fields?
We asked the uncompromising powerful two about their driving force that keeps moving forward, how they face each of their works, the feelings that inspired them and their determinations.

Shosei -> Yuki
I have loved anime for a long time and since I was a child I listened to Kaji-san’s voice. When this crosstalk had been decided I was so happy that I could not even believe it was happening… I have been fidgeting with anticipation and excitement until today! This talk is really like a dream. Also during the shooting, I thought “His voice is like ‘Meliodas’ from ‘Seven Deadly Sins’.” or “That’s ‘Mikumo-kun’ from ‘World Trigger’ now!” which left quite some impression on me. I will be happy if we can talk a lot during this opportunity.

Yuki -> Shosei
I was really happy to hear that you watched a lot of anime I was involved with and that you have supported me for a long time. Let’s talk about what we like about anime! There are rarely chances for artists of different generations to talk with each other, so I also hope to receive new motivation from JO1-san. I feel this is a place for me to learn something new. I also would like to see one of your concerts.

The “voice” is the treasure trove of one’s personality

Ohira: Thank you very much for today! The first time I came across your works was “Magi” and I can’t count how many animes with you I watched! I especially liked you as ‘Meliodas’ in ‘Seven Deadly Sins’!!
Kaji: Thank you very much. This means you know me for more than 10 years, right? Manga and anime are something familiar that transcends ages and generations. In fact, I am very happy that after all these years I am able to meet you on this schedule and share my thoughts with you.
Ohira: It is embarrassing to say this right in front of you, but I like your voice too much, so sometimes I rewatch just my favorite scenes or the ones with “sweet talk” from your anime on streaming services (embarrassed). I am practicing to sound like this, but sure enough it is difficult.
Kaji: The sweet talk! That makes me a little embarrassed (laughs). You mentioned practice, do you also have voice actor jobs?
Ohira: I participated in the movie “Poupelle of Chimney Town” and the anime “Gunjou no Fanfare” as a voice actor. I admired the work of the voice actors, but it is so difficult… I struggled a lot to create a voicetone that fits anime.
Kaji: I also kept in mind that I have to do this so-called “anime-like voice” in the past. However, even if I was only vaguely aiming for this “so-called” atmosphere, I felt something was off and I worried a lot about how to reach a 120% performance. And, after being a part of countless anime.. At some point I realized that acting is about “faithfully reproducing the real emotions that flow throughout your role”. I am sorry for being so abstract, but.. Well,I believe it is best not to get caught up in the so-called voice actor techniques and bring out your very own “character” through your role, Ohira-kun.
Ohira: I learnt something new from you! By the way, are you taking special care of your throat? I keep in mind to sleep well for my voice.
Kaji: Indeed! Sleeping is important. But I am the type of person who has a hard time falling asleep (laughs). In the past, there was a time when I took medicine out of worry once I felt the slightest discomfort in my throat. But nowadays, instead of such temporary measures, I try to be careful on a daily basis so that it doesn’t get into a bad condition. Besides, your mental state is also very important. Do you take special care of your throat, Ohira-kun?
Ohira: When I feel that my throat is dry on set for example, I make sure to eat candies with Manuka honey. Also, I make sure to drink “Throat Coat”, a herbal tea that is good for your throat!
Kaji: Ah! I have drank that one too! There are also people who say that apple juice is good for the throat and I guess everyone is looking for the best care for their throats.

Thinking of their dream collaboration

Ohira: As there was this wonderful opportunity, I would be happy if we could work on something together again!
Kaji: I could say the same! Let’s meet again. What should we do next time?
Ohira: Some time ago we performed the song “YOLO-konde” with makeup I made matching to each member and actually I am the one in charge of beauty in the group.
Kaji: Well… How about you do my makeup? (laughs)
Ohira: Yes! Please let me give you a JO1 makeup!
Kaji: Please do so (laughs). And now… Actually, since you also worked as a voice actor, what do you think about reciting something together? As recitating has no pictures or video footage, I think you can express everything just as you feel it in your heart, you can listen to your partner's lines, think about how to respond to them and you can do voice acting naturally by catching up with each other’s feelings. Perhaps this experience will help you in your future voice acting career.
Ohira: (with his eyes shining): This is just too awesome… 🤍 I will train even more! I am really happy when I am watching anime, so I was really happy to be able to talk with Kaji-san who gives me this happy feeling. Thank you very much for today!!
Kaji: Let’s go for dinner next time. Just tell me what you want to eat.
Ohira: Ah! This is really… Something that makes me beyond excited (moved). Please let me contact you about this!

I am happy when you start to like some anime because of me.
Apart from my own being, I put my heart and soul into “voice acting”, so I would be more than happy if someone gets more into an anime by the voice of the character I am voicing. Or to put it another way, it is also fine when someone thinks “He is an actor who makes a good work” even when they dislike me for example. The messages from the fans of the anime who support and love the characters I am voicing, are truly the source of my strength.

My current me exists thanks to the fans.
My current self exists exactly because the fans voted for me during “PRODUCE 101 JAPAN” and supported me the whole time. I feel nothing but gratitude. Even though we were unable to meet in person because of the corona pandemic, I felt supported the whole time. There are still a lot of people I was unable to meet, so I want to continue to convey our feelings through our songs and performances. I want to hear everyone’s voices when we can do call & response games during our lives one day again!

Bitter experiences and frustration lead to inspirations

Ohira: It is the third year since we as JO1 made our debut, but how was your third year?
Kaji: My third year was a period of “Being able to take a step out of the days filled with nothing but part time jobs”. After years of failing auditions, I made it to the final list for the role of the protagonist of a new anime and it was the extreme situation that either me or someone else would get the role (laughs). I waited for them to contact me with the anticipation of “Finally my dream might come true” as it was my first big chance. It was right at the end of the year, so right in the moment I thought “I guess they won’t tell me this year, so I will wait for the next year to start.”... the rejection came to the answering machine of my phone. This made me beyond frustrated. I was at rock bottom. I thought “Doing it like now does not work, I have to change myself completely” and I started smoking despite not doing so before and I styled my hair in a Mohawk even though that did not suit me at all (laughs). That the winds suddenly changed… was surely not because of that (laughs), but somehow I was able to pass the audition I took right after! It was my first time as a main character, my first regular role and I remember the happiness I felt by going to the set every week for half a year and I was just happy.
Ohira: I understand this! Before becoming a member of JO1 I was a trainee at another agency, but when my contract ended, my schedules became empty, but from the feeling “I don’t wanna lose here!” I took the audition for JO1. Because of the frustration back then, I want to work hard to make it better now!
Kaji: The more you want to do something, the bigger the shock is when you lose it, right? But because I made the experience of “I want this job so bad”, I never had the feeling of “I hate my job” even when the stressful days continue. I am just grateful for this.
Ohira: You are one of the top leaders of the voice acting world and yet you are always humble and full of ambitions, which makes me respect you more and more.

When you are busy, stay in a fighting stance

Ohira: What are you doing on your free days? I play games with the other members and watch anime. Also, I would like to go camping or to an outdoor sauna.
Kaji: You are really close, as you are always with your members during the day and have fun with them after work, too. It seems fun because you seem like a family! I also love games and I guess I travel if I have the time for it.
Ohira: I watched you playing games on YouTube!
Kaji: You watch my content a lot, don’t you (laughs). Thank you! Also, while I have fun and rest, I actually think a lot about work also on my free days. My hobbies are like my job nowadays (laughs).
Ohira: But is it okay not to rest your throat and body?
Kaji: I don’t like losing my sensation by taking a break. Isn’t it the same for your throat? If you take a break too long, it is like your vocal cords will fall asleep and your voice cannot sound well anymore. Hence, when I am busy, I try to keep my schedule as tight as possible so there are as few gaps as possible and try to keep myself in a fighting stance. And, once I finish all these jobs, I relax, letting go of the tension all at once. How do you spend your time when there are lives and such?
Ohira: Resting also makes it hard for my voice to sound well, so during the periods we have lives, I often try to talk with the members or sing lightly during the breaks, too.
Kaji: Even though our work is different, there are similar things after all. By the way, when I was in my 20s, people tended to think “Anime = otaku culture” and actually the word “otaku” had a negative connotation, but nowadays the image has made a huge change to “that person has a deep knowledge about anime”, right? I am deeply moved that an era has come in which young artists like you say “I watch anime on my free days”. I feel there was a shift in values and the fact that the art of anime has become something more ordinary and familiar makes me really really happy.