On May 16, the official One Piece website launched the first of a series of interviews with the Straw Hat voice actors to commemorate the forthcoming release of One Piece Film: Gold. The interview was posted in the Special section of the website as part of the「ウソップのこれはホントだ！ 」(“Usopp’s ‘This is Real!'”) column, where Kappei Yamaguchi, the Japanese voice actor of Usopp, shares an insider’s look on hot topics and events. He begins this new series of One Piece Film: Gold interviews with a very special guest — himself.

Kappei: Hey everyone, have you noticed!? “Usopp’s ‘This is Real!'” powered up to “Usopp’s ‘This is Real! GOLD” for a limited time! My 8,000 subordinates! Let’s all hype the release of One Piece Film: Gold with as much splendor and magnificence as we can!

Kappei: This time, our segment will be conducting a series of interviews with the voice actors of the Straw Hat crew to celebrate the upcoming movie. No one’s sitting next to me yet, but who’s the first guest supposed to be again?

(Voice from Heaven): It is you, Kappei.

Kappei: Wha-, me!? Am I going to have to be the interviewer as well? *laughs* …oh wait, we do have a separate interviewer. Phew… Well then, let’s get this started!

Please share with us any anecdotes or how you felt when it was decided that you will be voicing Usopp.

Kappei: To tell the truth, I actually auditioned for Luffy’s role, but I didn’t meet the cut. But I later received an offer to voice Usopp, so I was surprised. I’d been reading the original manga since the beginning of its serialization and was a huge fan of it, so I was very happy upon hearing the news, but… I did have some hesitation. “Really, Usopp!?” I asked myself. At the time, I hadn’t played many roles like Usopp’s, and even as I was reading the manga, Usopp was the only character I couldn’t imagine the right voice for. So, I guess I began building up his character as I played his role. Now, I can naturally tap into Usopp’s character without a problem.

So, you gradually achieved the ideal Usopp as you played his character over these many years.

Kappei: Yes, but in a sense, also no. After all, One Piece has been around for a long time. I once heard from Oda that when he thinks of lines for Usopp, he’d imagine how I would say it. I think we both have an effect on each other.

For you, what would you say is Usopp’s charm?

Kappei: He’s the most human character. One Piece is a series with tons of superhuman characters, but Usopp is the most “normal” and most relatable character amidst that crazy crowd. Kids will look up to strong characters like Luffy and Zoro, but Usopp is the character that you can project yourself onto the most. He’s the bridge that connects the One Piece world and the real world.

What is your favorite quote from Usopp?

Kappei: Hmm… There are so many that it’s hard to pick just one, but I have to go with the one from Water 7, where he told Franky:

I already knew all of that stuff. I knew!!! I knew the Merry Go was done for!!!

It has left a strong impression on me to this day. Just thinking about how Usopp knew that Merry couldn’t go out to sea anymore…it’s very heartbreaking, I love it.

What is your favorite Usopp-attack?

Kappei: This is another hard one… It keeps changing depending on the times. Before, I liked “Usopp’s Rubber Band of Doom!” It’s just an attack for show. *laughs* Recently though, I thought the “Green Star: Impact Wolf” was neat. It’s in the current anime opening as well, and it looks really cool! I love all of Usopp’s attacks though, since they’re a reflection of his character at the time. Like, when he used a cheap move like the Ketchup Star when fighting Luffy and said, “This…is how I fight!!” It sure is, and it reflected the state of his character at the time.

He does have a lot of attacks.

Kappei: He’s got tons! They’re all stuffed in Usopp’s bag with his dreams ♪ Mostly seeds and rotten eggs. *laughs*

Is there a character you would like to play besides Usopp?

Kappei: Whether it’s possible or not aside, looking at Fujitora recently made me wish I could play such mature and cool characters someday, too. This strays from the question a bit, but watching Furuya play as Sabo made me wish I could take his kind of approach to acting. And along that line, I like how Kamiya plays Law, too. Oh! There is a role I want to play! Like, a very obscure side character.

By which you mean…?

Kappei: He’s not in the anime yet, but a character like Bariete from the Zou arc? *laughs* Even in episodes where Usopp isn’t around, I fully intend on subtly staying in the show! *smug*

Now, we’d like to ask you about One Piece Film: Gold. What were your thoughts upon reading the script?

Kappei: Strong World and Film: Z had an atmosphere to them that were very close to the original manga, but Film: Gold feels rather…unique? I think it’s a story very strong in originality. The modern and sophisticated setting makes it feel like a Hollywood movie, and it doesn’t fit the pattern of any of the preceding films, so it was a refreshing read.

We rarely see all members of the Straw Hats together in the anime these days, so how was the dubbing process with everyone together again?

Kappei: It’s tons of fun with everyone around! It made me realize that we all have our own unique positions when it comes to working on One Piece. But you can also say that with the anime splitting the crew into two groups, it’s interesting to watch how each group tries to make up for their missing members — the empty positions — with the members that they do have. For Film: Gold, I felt that having all nine Straw Hats together helps cover for the team’s weaknesses somewhat. As for the movie’s dubbing, it went so smoothly and naturally that you wouldn’t believe that we’d been apart for so long. But as we’d chat casually I’d think to myself every once in a while that this is it — this moment feels like we’re the Straw Hat crew again.

This movie has an incredible lineup of guest voice actors.

Kappei: It does! I wasn’t able to be a part of the dubbing process with everyone, so I hope to watch the finished movie and enjoy it genuinely.

What would you say is the highlight of the movie for Usopp?

Kappei: In previous movies and in the anime, each member of the Straw Hat would typically take on each member of the opponent’s team until Luffy faced the final boss. Things will be different this time around. I think the tactful team battle should be satisfying to watch.

Please share how you feel about the movie.

Kappei: With each episode of the anime being as long as they are, both the cast and the fans have been dealing with the Dressrosa arc for over two and a half years. But that may make this movie feel all the more refreshing. With Doflamingo being so overpowered, I’m sure the viewers have been feeling as if they’re suffocating inside his Bird Cage for a while now. Film: Gold, gorgeous in several layers, should be the perfect outlet to flamboyantly unleash this frustration. *laughs*

Lastly, how do you feel about this column?

Kappei: I was able to go to so many different places and have lots of fun thanks to this column. It’s been a great pleasure. When I think about how it’s probably thanks to Usopp’s character that I was given the opportunity to work on this column, it makes me all the more glad that I’ve been voicing Usopp.

Is there any coverage in particular that left an impression on you?

Kappei: Tons of them. I was able to see USJ’s One Piece Premier Show early, and I’ve been able to visit both Baratie and the Tokyo One Piece Tower multiple times. I think I was most surprised when I received an offer about creating an ad for the Tokyo One Piece Tower. I also love models, so I had fun with 裏造形王 (“Ura Zoukei Ou”, one of the Banpresto Figure Colosseums), too.

Is there anything in particular you’d like to cover in the future?

Kappei: Let’s see… I’d like to continue covering figures. But to be honest, I’d like to be taught how to make one. Maybe a more experience-based, hands-on coverage!

Thank you for all of your comments, Kappei!

Please took forward to One Piece Film: Gold, set to hit theaters on July 23 (Sat), and more “Usopp’s ‘This is Real! GOLD'”!

Be sure to check out the original post on the official website for more photos and visuals from this interview! You can even send a message of encouragement to Kappei Yamaguchi by pressing the 応援メッセージを送る (send a message of encouragement) button at the bottom of the page! And very special thanks to my friend Jo for helping me match Usopp’s quotes from the manga with the VIZ translations!

SOURCE: One-Piece.com