Kaji Yuki - Pick-up Voice [vol.125, June 2018]

Interview with Kaji Yuki (Eren’s Voice Actor) about Shingeki no Kyojin.

Translation: @yaboylevi

Beta/editing: @omglevixeren

Disclaimer: do not repost without my permission. I am not a professional translator so there might be mistakes.

It’s been 5 years of voicing Eren Yeager. What have you enjoyed the most when voicing him?

“In general, not just for this particular work, I focus on the things that I have in common with the characters I play, but I think the most important thing is to understand the characters’ feelings, the ability to have a genuine reaction inside myself, and to move hearts. In regards to Eren, he’s an individual defined by things such as his anger towards the titans who ate his family, and his hatred for them. I think the explosive energy of these emotions should always be there.”

Season 1, which started in April 2013, was a huge hit.

“It’s like this for every production, but yes, because of its success, after the recording of the first episode “To you, 2000 years from now”, I was really nervous. Especially because Eren had such an incredible energy since the beginning, so I still have really vivid memories of that period. I had to begin with scenes where I had to shape the person Eren was through emotions like anger and hate, and scenes like the one where his mother died… eaten by a titan, which can be considered Eren’s starting point. And right after that, after few episodes, Eren lost his life too, but the result of that was that he became a titan himself (Episode 8). This episode, where a titan suddenly became an ally, added one of the elements which makes Shingeki no Kyojin such a memorable and interesting story. Another point that left a big impression was the episode where Eren, in his titan form, found a purpose for the first time and tried to be helpful to humanity by closing up the breach in the walls with that massive boulder (Episode 13). The line “Fight!” appeared many times. Although everyone can relate to this universal emotion, that time I mentally connected to it altogether. In particular, I personally feel a word like “fight” holds more power than people do. And that’s why I chose to play Eren. There were scenes where I could literally synchronize with Eren while playing him. At the same time, as far as the series is concerned, that episode was a milestone for Shingeki no Kyojin.”

In Episode 31 of Season 2, “Warriors”, Reiner and Bertolt confess they’re titans. It had a great impact.

“Eren, while falling from the walls, remembers the time when he had just enrolled into the military…for example, he recalls that night they all talked about their dreams together, alongside other memories, and cries. (Actually, even if it wasn’t drawn in the anime or in the original work, the memories must have been even more, since they had spent a really long time together. I think Eren’s tears embodied all the sadness and grief that came with it). However, Eren effectively crushed those emotions and declared “You traitors!”. From then on, we can feel Eren’s growth caused by sorrow. While fighting against the Female Titan, every member of the Levi Squad ended up dying (Season 1, episode 21) and it traumatized Eren. After that, he overcame various trials, and when this moment arrived, in just mere seconds he could switch his feelings over and come to the conclusion that he had to kill the people he had considered comrades. I don’t think it was a wrong judgment, as a soldier. However, if we consider this from a human standpoint…it’s an emotionally difficult decision to make. Throughout the whole manga, this is probably one of the main themes, I know, but it still instills sadness.”

The casual way Reiner talked to Eren was memorable.

“Ever since I read the original work, I thought that a scene where such a shocking thing was said so nonchalantly was eerie and that’s why it’s so impactful. The way it was splendidly reenacted in the anime made me think “Amazing!”. With the images coming alive and the music added to the scene, I was reminded again of the power of animation. Compared to when I read the manga and the script or when we recorded the voices, the moment I watched the episode when it aired, for some reason I got really sad. I thought, “things can’t go back to the way they used to be anymore”.”

In regards to the recording, how did things go with Reiner’s voice actor, Hosoya Yoshimasa, and Bertolt’s, Hashizume Tomohisa?

“That time, there were no problems, I felt like we conveyed the emotions exactly the way we felt them when reading the manga. That said, I remember that our brainstormings for the recording of the following episodes, the one with the fight between titans (episode 32) and the one in the forest of the giant trees (episode 34), were a lot more difficult. Maybe it’s because Yoshimasa-san and I were really looking forward to those episodes, maybe it’s because there was a gap between the amount of passion we put into it as the voices of the characters and the instructions we received from the director and the music director. Even if it means we created the scene carefully through a lot of consultations, it was a truly memorable recording.”

With the Season 2 Compilation Movie “Roar of Awakening”, it was possible to make small changes on the various episodes. The limited edition also contains the Reading & Live Event Orchestra “Attack on Taikan 2”. It’s been video-recorded, right?

“The live performance was an amazing opportunity where we could experience Shingeki no Kyojin with everyone at the venue of the event. I could taste the sense of accomplishment and fulfillment, and us voice actors could listen to the amazing music composed by Hiroyuki Sawano, along with the people of the orchestra and all the artists. I feel really grateful. I have a peculiar relationship with Sawano-san, I had various chances to work with him (for example, Guilty Crown, Nanatsu no Taizai) and we’re on good terms even in our private life. It might be presumptuous of me, but I think we get along really well. Of course, we talk about work, like plays, music, etc., but we discuss many other things, as well. In the beginning, I worried I couldn’t hold conversations with a composer, but when I told him about it, he too said, “I was thinking just the same about you!” (laughs). “Well then, let’s not worry about it anymore,” we agreed, laughing, but this just proved that we are similar even when it comes to taking into consideration other people’s needs.”

Finally, Season 3 has been greenlit, did you receive particular instructions about Eren from the Director, Tetsurou Araki?

“As of now, the recordings have just started, so there’s not much. In Season 3 a lot of new characters are bound to appear, so I get the feeling the Director has been focusing on the voice actors for the new cast. But the one thing he said to the previous cast is, “Eren is the princess this time around, okay?” (laughs).”

Right, it’s about being kidnapped and rescued…(laughs). In regards to new characters we should keep an eye on, there is Kenny Ackerman, voiced by Kazuhiro Yamaji.

“In Shingeki no Kyojin, up until now he was a character I had no clear image of. Even if he’s just a human, he is an existence that instills dread [like a titan]. From Eren’s point of view, he absolutely can’t win, while for Captain Levi, who is unmatched when it comes to both physical and mental strength, Kenny is on par or even more capable. I could tell the story had reached a turning point then.”

Looking at the most recent visuals for Season 3, I’m curious about these new developments. It looks like the 104th division cadets were added to Levi’s squad.

“The members of the 104th, for Eren but also for me, are people who have always been there, together, since the beginning of the story. So, being able to be in the same place again and fight together is a pleasant and reassuring development.”

I also noticed Christa is the only one wearing different clothes.

“Rather than calling her Christa, she’s become “Historia” now. Based on the initial part of the story, about their training days, I think not many people guessed Christa would become a key character in the middle of the story. That’s just like Ymir. Initially, she didn’t even have a name, because in the credits of the ending song of the anime she was mentioned as “Freckles” (laughs). Christa’s voice actress, Shiori Mikami-chan, and Ymir’s, Saki Fujita-chan, while giving it their all, they still anxiously wondered if they could perform well enough. But in Season 2 they gave a splendid performance. I think that was possible because we all had worked really hard together in Season 1, putting so much effort into things we felt were beyond our own abilities, but still managed to work on. So, even in the following seasons, no matter what kind of development or challenge we’ll have to face, we must create good things, and I have every intention of doing so.”

Especially because you have piled up 5 years of experience.

“The other day, I was talking about this with Mikasa’s VA Yui Ishikawa-chan and Armin’s VA Marina Inoue-chan…I will become a grandpa fighting alongside Eren and I’m convinced it’s a good thing. Between Season 1 and 2 there have been various collaborations, things that let me keep voicing Eren. But the interval between Season 2 and Season 3 was short, and, on top of that, there aren’t even many years until the story ends. When I realized, I got really sad. If you think about Eren and the other characters’ lives, you can’t help but feel extremely sad considering the things they went through but, as a voice actor, the sense of accomplishment and the euphoria I felt because of this work of fiction and in my workplace are wonderful and irreplaceable feelings. As for my personal feelings, I am sad and I wish the story would never end, but…I think Isayama-sensei wants to eventually end it by drawing the best ending possible, and by animating the climax of the story, I’d like for Isayama-sensei to think “I’m glad I could watch it”.

At last, tell us a highlight of Season 3!

Season 3 might have a different kind of entertainment from Season 1 and 2, but you will get to see new sides of the story. Even if “titans” were to not make an appearance, I think Isayama captured the profound nature of the work nonetheless. Since it looks like the new developments will require scenes with more conversations compared to the past, we will try to give a more powerful performance. Eren, too, will have less straightforward ways of expressing himself, when compared, for example, to his past “screams”. As usual, I want to cherish the depth of Shingeki no Kyojin’s atmosphere. As Season 3 will be broadcasted by NHK, it means everyone in the country will be able to see the anime at the same time, and I hope this will connect even more people to Shingeki no Kyojin.”

KEYWORD INTERVIEW (Pick-Up Voice, vol.125)

Translation: @yaboylevi (unedited)

What type of person is Eren for you?

He’s the other me. I’ve come to think he’s someone I feel close to.

“Shingeki! Kyojin Chuugakkou” aired in 2015. What did you like about it?

It’s a cute series with deformed characters full of gags, and while I thought it was really fun, to tell you the truth I felt like my throat would collapse (laughs). It was hard since a lot of scenes used Eren’s “scream” as comedic effect.

Regarding the main series, what was the most difficult recording?

Almost everything. For Season 3 it’s not been so difficult, though (laughs).

What’s the most emotional one?

When it comes to Eren, I’d say the last episode of Season 2 (episode 37, “Scream”). I’m talking about Eren’s cry, when he feels powerless and helpless and he’s overcome by grief, after the titan who ate his mother ends up eating Hannes in front of his eyes. Then, after hearing Mikasa’s words, Eren still has the strength to get up again. That was really touching.

What was the recording that made you laugh the most?

I’d call it “Isayama-ism”… basically, sometimes there were some unexpected and surreal lines, and I am not sure I should have laughed at all. It happens to everyone on set. But yeah, I have the feeling we all end up laughing when Jean’s character is involved (laughs). Marina-chan (Armin’s VA, Marina Inoue) often makes fun of it and so Kisho-san (Jean’s VA, Kisho Taniyama) always sulks.

You’re broadcasting with Connie’s VA, Hiro Shimono, the series “Shingeki no Kyojin Radio! Kaji and Shimono no Susume! Denpa Heidan!”. What’s your favorite thing about it?

The episodes we got to talk with guests about the manga and the anime were the most refreshing and interesting, right? When we’re at work we can barely have this kind of talks. It’s nice that we get to talk about a variety of trivial matters in these DJCDs (laughs).

The preview at the end of Season 2 said, “And they will see the ocean.” Is there a place you yearn for as strongly as Eren&Co long for the ocean?

I want to see every place I’ve never been to. Whenever I get the chance, I always visit different places. What I want to do now is to take a round-the-world trip on a luxury liner. In order to do that someday, I have to study English, though.

Season 3 is about to begin, tell us the top three points of your acting!

There aren’t even that many! (laughs) Just one. Do everything to the best of your ability.