I mean if I am voicing a character which you have learned that they will die working at night exorcising curses at a certain place I would be traumatised too

[Translation] Murase Ayumu & Furukawa Makoto: Any similarities with the character you voiced? ‘Shoukoku no Altair’ Special Interview

“Shoukoku no Altair” is based on the battle between the two major countries, the main topic this July that depicts a magnificent view of the world.

“Shoukoku no Altair” Starting from July 7 (Friday) weekly Animation broadcast at 2.25AM ~ MBS · TBS · BS-TBS http://project-altair.com/ Twitter @pj_altair

STAFF Original - Katou Kotono (Kodansha’s “Monthly Shounen” series) Director - Furuhashi Kazuhiro Series configuration - Takagi Noboru Character design · Chief animation director - Kanno Toshiyuki Deputy Director = Igari Takashi Animation production = MAPPA CAST Mahmut - Murase Ayumu Zaganos - Furukawa Makoto Cyrus - KENN Abiriga - Suwabe Junichi Suleyman - Konishi Katsuyuki Louis - Tsuda Kenjiro © Katou Kotono · Kodansha / Shoukoku no Altair Production Committee

Photographer: Fukuoka Ryouhokora Writer: Arakawa Youko

This is what we thought since we’re originally a fan

Since this is the first talk, I think with both of your performance and roles (as your character) appears to have an impression with each other. First of all, Murase-san, what’s your impression of Furukawa-san’s performance as Zaganos?

Murase: When I read the manga, my impression of Zaganos is when I thought how arrogant is he. He’s fearless and handsome, although he’s still young, he’s two or three times better (about skills) than Mahmut. I thought it would be very difficult to make Zaganos convincing. However, it’s a monthly expression (he means how to voice the character for a month or so), Furukawa-kun is perfect! His voice have a persuasive power, there’s a presence of a ‘strong feeling’ coming out with just one word. At the time of the first recording for the PV, I thought "I see, that’s why Furukawa-kun is Zaganos”, and I was convinced. Furukawa: Thank you very much……!

Then how about Furukawa-san, what’s your impression of Murase-san’s performance as Mahmut?

Furukawa: Mahmut will grow, I think that growth is one of his attractions. And the same as me, at the recording for the PV, I thought "It’s perfect for Murase-san!”. Furthermore, as the dubbing begins and carefully drawn it in the story, Mahmut is shaking, but he will gradually mature, together with Murasa-san’s acting, I think that Mahmut will become more attractive. Murase: hehe (bashful) Furukawa: How much will Mahmut bring up his mind level in the future? I am looking forward to that from now on until it ends! Murase: Uwah, the hurdle has risen (lol)! Furukawa: (lol) Murase: …Anyway, saying things like this, isn’t it embarrassing? Furukawa: That’s right (lol).

What’s the impression for playing two scenes?

Murase: Um…… It made me angry! Furukawa: Eeehh!? Murase: Of course with my role. At first, I didn’t understand anything because whatever Mahmut is, he’s still in the same position of a general. There’s a scene where Zaganos really denied me at Zugan. At that time Zaganos, doesn’t see it in his eyes, like you’re not even stupid that there’s a cut feeling for being "zero” to him feels great…… But that got me angry (lol). I’m grateful though, because the emotion born on negotiations, in that sense I threw a very good ball (unexpected surprise). Furukawa: Ever since I was born, I never hear people talk like that in my life (lol). Murase: It feels like a test when you hear someone talk a little story, like you were instructed "Please don’t listen to the production at all”. Furukawa: I got shiver like "Eh, is that okay?” Certainly, the relationship between two people will parallel in a scene, and I guess that’s okay. Because it will be interesting if the distance gradually decreases. Murase: Yeah. Furukawa: Against Mahmut, it’s too straight! Murase: That’s true (lol). Furukawa: There’s a scene to give it straight (opinion) to the smart people, and I even thought "That’s what Mahmut does!!”. Personally, it’s because it’s close to Mahmut. So, in fact, the scene with Mahmut, I also wanted to throw the ball properly. Murase: I see. It may be more frustrating when you play as Zaganos. Furukawa: Because I’m the man on Mahmut’s side. So, I was relieved when you said that "Zaganos has persuasive power” earlier. Murase: I guess it’s more like Zaganos. I will cut it like a slap if I’m not interested. Furukawa: The mind and the role are the opposite! Murase: It’s interesting, huh.

Does it mean that Murase-san feels like Mahmut or Furukawa-san feels like Zaganos?

Murase: Yes, he does. Furukawa-kun’s seriousness is passed through the core, that it looks very much as Zaganos. Being skeptical is just a big front. When Furukawa-kun states "Is this okay?” is very Zaganos-like. Furukawa: No, it’s because I was in "Zaganos filter”……! Murase: Eh, really? Then the real person said it himself, it was a filter (lol). Furukawa: That’s how it really is…… But if you look closely, Mahmut is not the type of protagonist will have a lot of friends. I think that sort of thing is similar to Murase-san. With Murase-san, the communication is really smooth, like when I talk about Polo (shirts) he casually picks up (what I’m talking about). It made me really grateful. By deepening our bonds, I think that Mahmut will improve to his works for wearing a charismatic and natural communication skill/ability. Murase: I said this myself, but even though I didn’t do anything from my childhood, my friends have increased randomly. I try not to think about it, but it will make you think. Furukawa: I’m envious to Zaganos!! Murase: Even so, you sure do noticed that. It’s surprising! If it’s like this, I want you to praise me more like this. Hey, are you a manager? ……wait, the manager is not here! At a time like this (lol)! Furukawa: Let’s read this interview and praise it. Murase: It will be cut roughly. "Murase isn’t like that” (lol).

I hope I won’t cut it (lol). Well, what kind of story you two talk about in dubbing?

Murase: Recently, we were together at the stage for "THE IDOLM@STER Side M”. I sent a one-sided love call, "That was good!”, because I love Furukawa-kun’s performance. Furukawa: It's not one-sided! I also like Murase-san’s performance, I love it! Murase: Thanks! The distance has shrunk because of the relationship where we can talk comfortably, that’s why I’m very thankful to have this role. Furukawa: That’s true. Also, since both of us are originally a fan, we will talk about the story as well. Like I’ll talk passionately about "This directing of the original is really cool” or "my hand won’t stop turning the pages” and Murase-san will agree with me. Although it’s fun to talk to Murase-san, once the "AT field’ is fully open, I have to put out an aura to talk with him……. It’s frustrating when I switch (means they need to focus on their work mode).

Although as an original fan, what do you think about the charm of the work that you feel again when you act?

Murase: I read the original and received the theme of "How can a boy become an adult?”. Some people said there’s a message that the boy gets intelligent and smart through various experiences. It made me wonder how to make it by voice, but since MAPPA-san’s visuals is so beautiful that I can get on with the world view. Then, the generation between Ogata (Kenichi)-san and other veteran people is very human. Even though it’s a fantasy, it’s fresh. There are a lot of newly discovered charms through dubbing. Furukawa: Although I got a word that it’s fresh, I think that it’s a work that secretly shows the charm that can be shown like a historical fact that was really fiction even though it is fiction. From the international situation to the enemy’s setting, it was a tremendously thought-out original. In the animation, for example, using the original language of the story named Araba, we’re setting out an atmosphere of exchanges and devising it. Also as a fan, I’m very happy that I can do different ways of enjoying "Altair” by visualizing it!

By the way, Mahmut has a golden eagle called Iskandar, what about the two of you?

Murase: It’s iPad mini 4. The image quality of the camera is good, LINE can also do research with eating logs, and also playing app games! Furukawa: It looks comfortable on a big screen. Murase: I have a smartphone too, but I just use it to receive calls from work. Furukawa: As for me, I’m still into smartphone after all. You can check the script data first, because it’s convenient. I also bought the original of "Altair” at Kindle and I’m reading it on a smartphone. Ah, I’d like to emphasize this, but when I’m on the worksite where you see me with a smartphone, I’m checking the original (the series), I’m not playing a game, I wanted to make it clear…… I’m so relieved to say that (lol). Murase: You don’t need to worry about that, it’s okay (lol).

Anyway, please tell us the last highlight of your role.

Murase: Mahmut has a strong expression of anguish. I’m also gaining power when I play as him, like when everyone draws a painting with a brush is exciting. I’m conscious of my acting so I try not to feel ashamed with a beautiful movement for a beautiful Mahmut, so please look forward to it! Furukawa: Zaganos is really a hard character to understand in one word. It’s difficult to read from the original, so when Katou (Kotono)-sensei, the original author, was at the recording site, when I heard "How do you feel about Zaganos?”, I thought that he’s delicate and difficult. Therefore, it’s nothing different to Zaganos from the manga, rather, it’s what do we think of Zaganos from the manga can be easier to understand by voice. Also, please pay attention to the relationship with Mahmut!

★YAY!! I translated Ayumu and Makonyan’s special interview from kiki-voice since I’m really looking forward to shoukoku no altair anime m(_ _)m I hope you guys enjoy it and if you did, I hope you guys could leave a donation as I try my best to translate seiyuu interviews from now on 〆(・∀・＠)