People usually get the impression that a post recording session equals an opportunity to meet with the voice actors. While that is definitely true, I would like to point the spotlight to the director of audiography and the sound mixer. Due to sitting at the very back of the recording room, I usually have a good view of the audio equipment. Let me tell you, the machinery looks something that a NASA employee might use! By having the opportunity to visit the post recording session every week, I feel that the staff renders “words” solely as sound and not contextual information. For example, even if the dialogue may look proper on paper, it may not sound as expected once read out loud. When this happens, the director would give instructions to better the flow for the specific cut. Sometimes, this may take several hours! By visiting numerous post recording sessions, I understood that the voice actors are required to provide a lot of enthusiasm and attention to their lines, perhaps as much as stage actors. (HIGUCHI)

The ninth episode of INOU-Battle has finally aired! I’m dying to find out what Jurai’s Dark and Dark has evolved into! It seems like this week’s episode has reverted back to the usual slice of life style. Summer break is about to start for the literary club members and they seem to be getting along quite well judging by their activities. However, the girls are starting to make their move on Jurai. Hatoko seems to be giving warnings to Tomoyo; Sayumi may take Sagami’s offer; and Chifuyu is perplexed about her new found emotions toward Jurai. The love comedy elements are starting to become intense. Our protagonist is in for quite a predicament!

I love how Chifuyu’s grades are at both extremities - either 0 or 100, and how she has no idea that she is in love with Jurai. How adorable! The one scene that left the biggest impression in this episode was when Hatoko declared that she likes Jurai to Tomoyo. She looks very determined, and quite bold. I am very curious about how Sayumi and Tomoyo will respond to Hatoko’s confession, but I want Chifuyu to remain the way she is. Please stay tuned for the 10th episode of INOU-Battle.(TRIGGER Nagai)