Every year, a large number of newcomers emerge in the Japanese voice actor industry, and for this reason, the Japanese media specially produced a program called "New Voice Actor Illustrated Guide". The show interviews and reports on some of the most promising rookie voice actors, to understand the behind-the-scenes stories of their entry into the industry, and their prospects for the future. In the latest issue of "New Voice Actor Guide", we will introduce those who have appeared in "WakeUp, Girls! (Minoru Katayama) and "Flower Dancing Girl" (Hana (WeChat-Bo), N. Fontaine Stein, etc., have an excellent expression of Mikai Tanaka.

Q: Ms. Tanaka made her debut work "WakeUp, Girls! played the role of Minoru Katayama's younger sister. So could you please introduce this corner again**.

Tanaka: I think Minoru Katayama-chan is a very energetic, cheerful, natural, and floating child. But at the same time, it also has the ability to change the atmosphere. When it comes to doing things, they do their best and take all aspects into account.

Q: The famous line "Meow Good Times" should also be something that Shiba-chan came up with with all her might.

Tanaka: That's right! That line was first written in the line book of an online game. At that time, I was thinking, "What, this meow is a good time......" and the staff told me: "This sentence will be used more often in the future." "I'm still screaming. As a result, in the third episode of the work, this line is simply abused (laughs).

Q: The kind of cute action that matches the lines is unstoppable! And is this way of speaking also smooth from the beginning?

Tanaka: In the beginning, I had to repeat the line "Meow Good Times" many times in order to record it. The sound director said to me, "This meow is a good time, it is Shiba-chan who thinks hard, desperately, and desperately thinks about it, and finally comes up with it", so I came up with a "meow good time" that reached the limit. I think if it's Shiba-chan, then in this case, I'll say it in a cat-like motion. As a result, everyone said, "This is the moment when Meow was born." And in my heart, this line is also very important!

Q: Did you encounter any difficulties when you started dubbing?

Tanaka: At first, I didn't really understand what the director and sound director were saying. When I say my lines, I don't know what kind of feelings I should have. And they said, "That's not right." But as the number of times it increases, even if it needs to be corrected drastically, I can understand that "if you do this, it's OK." ”

Q: What's your favorite episode?

Tanaka: Episode 7 is something I really liked. In this episode, the scattered WUG unites for the first time. And looking at WUG's appearance, I cried for the first time. Shiba-chan is also very active, which makes me sigh again: this kid is really amazing. It should be said that this part of the plot impressed me deeply.

Q: WUG was selected through an audition. And you're also participating in anime for the first time as a voice actor, so how did you feel after the dubbing work?

Tanaka: I've wanted to be a voice actor since I was a child, and the first thing I want to say is that the moment I became a voice actor, I couldn't believe the facts in front of me. And when my voice first appeared in the anime, I thought, "I'm going to have to work harder." "Over the course of 12 episodes, all of the WUG members have grown, and we, the voice actors, feel like we have to work hard. That's why I was very serious when I performed.

Q: Where do you feel you have grown?

Tanaka: I understand myself. Understand that you are a person who treats voice acting as a job. So I consciously changed myself from "the person who watched the animation" to "the person who was watched"!

Q: Before she passed the audition and started acting, Ms. Tanaka also received a lot of training.

Tanaka: We all gathered in Tokyo on the weekends, and we all had classes together. Last year's (2013) spring break, Golden Week, and summer were all held for the night. To perform on stage, we need to be physically fit enough to do it, so we have to go for a morning jog in the morning. Of course, the practice of singing and dancing is also necessary. For about 10 days, we had a full schedule every day.

Q: Do you also have acting classes?

Tanaka: Yes. In the acting class, I had a hard time with the topic of "emotional outbursts...... I'm not a person who gets angry. Sometimes I just want to be angry, but I am still told that I am very gentle. In the end, I put all my energy into practicing anger no matter what the line book was, and finally found the trick.

Q: Are there any other difficulties?

Tanaka: I don't have any strength and I don't have abs. Then there is no body, no muscle, so it will be very difficult in muscle building and running. In this case, you won't be able to practice dancing. You can keep up with the music, but if you don't have the strength, you can only feel disconnected when you jump. At first, I felt like I couldn't keep up with everyone, and some of the songs with a lot of movement all made me feel exhausted. It made me wonder: can I really sing while dancing? But if it's us now, then I think it's okay! Whether it's a concert tour or an ASL2014 appearance, we can do it well.

Q: By the way, what's your favorite song?

Tanaka: I love Cheer Up! 》。 No matter how many times I listen to it, even if I hear the intro, I get goosebumps. After all, this is the first piece I learned, and the movements are very difficult. Now I can proudly say, "This is one of the best songs I have ever written!" (laughs)

Q: WUG's Gaiden short anime "WakeUp, GirlZOO! What kind of Shibo sauce are you going to show us?

Tanaka: It's a zoo-themed work, and Minami-chan is a tiger. However, I will also keep saying "meow good times", and list the characteristics of foodies to the end! Even if I become a tiger, I still have to shout "meat meat~" (laughs) as always. Although the tiger looks fierce and powerful, it also makes people feel energetic and cute.

Q: So, you're playing the role of Hana N. Fontaine Stein in "The Dancing Girl". Can you introduce her to us again now?

Tanaka: Hana-chan is a girl from the United States, but no matter how you look at it, she is full of vitality and has a high spirit. She is also very fond of "Night Dancing". Because of her obsession with Japan, she started to dance "Night Dance", but she was able to bring all the characters around her into the rhythm of Night Dance. In short, he is a combative and indomitable character. I'm still relatively free when I play this role, sometimes I laugh like an evil officer, sometimes I become a samurai and a ninja, and I often do something very happy anyway (laughs).

Q: Because the emotions of this character are too high, don't you feel hard when dubbing?

Tanaka: No problem! After all, I turned on the switch and fired on all the power. And I'm usually in love with Hana-chan (laughs).

Q: Then ask Ms. Tanaka about herself! Name three of your favorite foods.

Tanaka: First of all, chocolate (quick answer)! The rice category is omelet rice. I really like the dishes where the eggs look like they're dangling.

Also, I can't resist waffles! If you go to a coffee shop, you should definitely order this. Anyway, whether it's a cookie with chocolate and blueberries, or a cookie with berries, I love it! Truth be told, I have a sweet tooth, so it doesn't matter if all the toppings are on the biscuits. And the snacks are all packed in the other stomach, so even after eating the omelet rice, I can still eat a lot of waffles!

Q: Do you also go to the cake buffet?

Tanaka: It's pretty easy (laughs)! When it comes to cakes, I can eat any type of cake, and all varieties dominate. And for some particularly delicious varieties, I will ask for another one. After that, it's time to clean up all the chocolate meringue pastry...... That's about the feeling (laughs).

Q: So how do you spend your vacation?

Tanaka: Most of them are playing with friends. When I go out, I like to have a good time with karaoke. My hobby is karaoke, so sometimes I sing alone. Of course, I also like to go out to dinner with my friends, and sometimes I talk to my friends for hours at the family restaurant (laughs). At home, I play with the computer and watch recorded animations. Also, if I go to an amusement park, I'll make a big fuss with the highest interest!

Q: Do you even dare to ride a roller coaster?

Tanaka: I like it so much!! Fly! Fly a little higher! …… I feel like I'm playing with that mindset (laughs).

Q: What is the best casino you've experienced so far?

Tanaka: It's definitely Disneyland. It's a happy dream country, and everyone can find satisfaction in it.

Q: By the way, which of the screaming entertainment do you think is the most fun?

Tanaka: There's a sky swing called Fujikyu's Iron Bone Fancho, and it's amazing that it can rise to a very high height. And there is no foothold under his feet, as if the whole person flies into the air! You can also see the beautiful Mt. Fuji, which makes you sigh "super beautiful~!" "I'm screaming (laughs). The friend sitting next to me was actually a child who was very afraid of this type of project, and when she cried "I've had enough~!" I would comfort her, "It's okay," and go back to playing (laughs). If you have a timid child around, it will be even more fun (laughs)!

Q: Hey, could it be that you are a super S person?

Tanaka: Hahaha! How do you say this (laughs)? I don't understand, but I'm happy anyway (laughs).

Q: Are you not afraid of haunted houses or anything?

Tanaka: Yes! Actually, when we recorded the DVD before, we WUG members went to Fuji-Q's most terrifying shivering maze! At that time, first of all, (Okuno) Kaya immediately shrank, and MAYUSHI (Yoshioka Moyu) also ...... Anyway, many members are afraid of this. Miyu and I were fine, so I took the lead, holding a flashlight, while Miyu carried a camera in the back, and we all walked side by side, screaming "ah" from time to time (laughs). Everyone was scared, and Miyo and I were laughing (laughs). I'm so happy~

Q: Is there anything else in the DVD?

Tanaka: Yakiniku meat. This is the first time I've cooked with everyone. I'm in charge of making zuò curry, so I cut and boil vegetables there. It's not easy to make zuò curry in the wild, we have to make our own fire. In terms of taste, it was refreshing at first, but it turned out to be very strong, like a thick soup curry. But at some point, it changed into a very delicious curry (laughs). It's probably the local magic (laughs). All in all, the curry is delicious!

Q: Have you had any recent failures?

Tanaka: When I changed trains, I jumped off the platform with a scream because of the tight schedule, and then I got into the stopped train. However, the train runs in the opposite direction, and it is a limited express train that does not stop at every stop. But in the end, I wasn't late! Just started an unexpected trip (laughs). Also, it's too late to get home. I obviously wanted to go back early, but I got in the opposite car, which made people smile bitterly...... (laughs). It's really put on a good set.

Ah, to talk about other troubles...... When I went to see a stage play by Mr. Shintaro Asamima (the voice actor of Matsuda's agent in WUG), I felt very good and wrote to him. But a few days later, Mr. Asunuma said to me, "Mimi, you didn't put anything in your envelope" (laughs). It seems that only the letter paper does not know where it went. It's a shame that this matter has been brought up in various places...... But it's nice to be able to make everyone happy!

Q: How do you plan to continue your voice actor work in the future?

Tanaka: I want to try out a variety of characters! Most of the current characters are Genki characters, but I want to try the characters who are a little quieter, the cold characters, the boys, and the big sisters. And at the same time, I love singing, so it would be nice if I could perform in front of a lot of people.

Q: Finally, what would you like to say to the readers who read this interview?

Tanaka: I'm still an immature newcomer, but I'm still going straight to my goal as a voice actor. I would be very happy if you could support me! Please advise!

Q: Thank you for your time today!