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Author: ミーナ
[Serialization] VOICE Newtype No.063 – Kenkou de Bunkateki na Saitei Gendo no Seikatsu #6: Animals
Released: 2017/3/25
※This essay was also published in the book compilation of Saito Soma no Kenkou de Bunkateki na Saitei Gendo no Seikatsu.
I’m not good with animals, but I quite like going to the zoo. It has that unique, sluggish yet calm atmosphere. On this early afternoon, I saw a couple on a date, a boy reaching towards a lion, a flamingo standing on one leg and drinking water, and nocturnal beasts making displeased grunts.
Sitting on a bench, gazing absentmindedly at the sky, flipping through a paperback book I brought with me, and enjoying the peaceful time without anyone forcing me to do anything. It’s not a bad way to spend a day off.
…If only this really was a day off.
“Wait, it’s the zoo itself I like, not the animals!” I cried.
The editor, Enu-shi, ignored my pleas and smiled. “I bought animal food!”
But I never asked for it! I reluctantly accept the vegetables and glance at the enclosure, where a round-eyed elephant is waiting. I guess I have no choice but to be brave. Thus began my fun-filled animal interaction time.
It all started when I was told that I could spend a day photographing and acquiring writing material at a location of my choice. I answered with a quarry and the zoo. I’ll leave the quarry for another time, but it’s not like I was lying when I said I wanted to go to the zoo. I went there often when I was a child, and even after moving to Tokyo, I went to the zoo several times. It’s a laid-back place, and I have plenty of fun just having staring contests with lazy-looking lions. I’m not looking for a direct relationship; I just want something platonic, which was supposed to be fine.
Alas, as soon as we arrived, we found out that there was a limited-time event where you could feed the elephants, so we made a sudden dash for it. No, like I said, I don’t need any direct interaction!
And so, I had a face-to-face meeting with an elephant.
Whoa, it’s huge.
The elephant was very gentlemanly, though. It skillfully used the tip of its trunk to pluck the Chinese cabbage from my trembling fingers.
Thank you, Mr. Elephant. I somehow managed to complete my mission.
“Okay, next is the giraffe!”
Huh?
The giraffes could be fed at any time, unlike the elephants. To be honest, it’d been a long time since I’d seen very large animals like elephants and giraffes up close, so I hadn’t known what to expect. But since the elephants were much bigger than I’d imagined, I could guess what the giraffes would be like.
And so, I had a face-to-face meeting with the giraffes.
Whoa, they’re long.
There were four of them! Up close, they were quite intense, and uh, their teeth sure looked strong, haha. As I was thinking about them, the camera crew gave me the “go” sign. I knew that the elephant would use its trunk, but what about the giraffe? What do giraffes use?!
Their tongue. The answer is a thick, purple tongue, glistening with saliva. Unlike the elephant, from the way the giraffe licked me, it must’ve thought my fingertips were part of the food. I wonder if they tasted good. While I was looking at the giraffes, a young giraffe that wasn’t allowed to be fed yet glared at me. Sorry, but I can’t do anything for you! Get some yummy food from your caretaker!
“Okay, next is the amusement park!”
Huh?
I had successfully—albeit painfully—completed my mission, but I never imagined that there would be an even greater ordeal awaiting me. There was an amusement park next to the zoo, and the staff decided to take pictures at the attractions there as well. Now, I’m afraid of heights and I don’t like thrill rides. In other words, I wasn’t given the right parameters to enjoy amusement parks. So honestly, I wasn’t enthusiastic about this suggestion. But still, I didn’t often go to such places, and from the looks of it, I doubted there would be any fast rides there.
I was naive.
A ride that spun 360 degrees in every direction. A rollercoaster with a loose seatbelt. A creaky Ferris wheel that stopped when I reached the top for some reason. The cameraman was all smiles, but of course, I was utterly distressed. After it was all over, my one salvation was the familiar taste of the Pocari Sweat they were selling at a booth.
But, well, despite my complaints, it’s human nature to persevere. Apparently, I wasn’t as dissatisfied with the elephant and giraffe feeding experience as I’d thought: on a later day, I found myself going to another zoo. It was very windy that day, and most of the animals were huddling to try to brace themselves against the cold. It felt like the shoebills, Malayan tapirs, and giant pandas were giving me resentful looks, as if to say, “Hurry up and put us in the warm building.” Sorry, this is just how the zoo works. I felt bad for them as I walked around right before closing time.
Suddenly, I realized: this whole time, I thought I was looking at the animals, but if you think about it the other way around, weren’t they looking at us humans too? I could feel their eyes on me. Resentful looks? Is that really true? Do their eyes really have such by-the-book nuances? Who’s being watched; me or them?
Even though I should’ve been cold, a bead of sweat trickled down my forehead. I quickly left the zoo, too scared to look back.
Later on, I was having drinks with a friend from university who had returned to his hometown after graduation to find a job.
“You were at the zoo the other day, right?”
Huh?
“Right when it was closing.”
Huh?
“I went there too! I saw you from behind!”
Wait, it was you?!
@SomaStaff 2017/03/23 16:49
Hello everyone! This is Saito Soma, who will be debuting under SACRA MUSIC! I’m truly grateful for the fate that brought this about. I hope to bring you upbeat and unique music! Thank you for having me! -S
@Masayoshi_Oishi 2017/03/23 10:30
I had the opportunity to do the lyrics, composition, and arrangement for Saito Soma-kun’s debut single! The title is “Fish Story” and I personally like it a lot! It releases on 6/7, so please look forward to it!
@SomaStaff 2017/03/23 10:07
The staff will bring you the latest info on this Twitter account! Saito Soma himself will also tweet sometimes, so please check when you can☆
* There is also an email newsletter that you can sign up for here: http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/mailService/saitosoma/
@SomaStaff 2017/03/23 10:00
Saito Soma’s artist debut with SACRA MUSIC is set for June 7, 2017! He will be releasing his first single: “Fish Story”
See details here: http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/artist/saitosoma/info/479885
[Event] Hand Shakers: Festival & Carnival
Date: 2017/3/19 @ 12pm, 3:30pm
Event: Osaka Nipponbashi Street Festa 2017
Guests: Kanazawa Hiromitsu (Director), Saito Soma, Uesaka Sumire, OxT, Komatsu Mikako (2nd session only)
Event Reports Sourced: https://www.animatetimes.com/news/details.php?id=1490605106 https://note.com/shuhei_sa/n/n65114bf568a9 https://note.com/shuhei_sa/n/n446e0d79acca
The event consisted of a cast talk, live performance of the OP theme, an advance screening of Episode 11, as well as a surprise screening of the Episode 13 OVA.
Messages were received from all guests, but only Soma’s will be translated here:
“Thank you for coming to today’s event! For the previous advance screening (November 2016), I arrived in Osaka the day before and got to eat kushikatsu, but this time I arrived on the day of. I think this was the earliest I’ve ever woken up in my life haha. This was my third time in Osaka, and two of those times were for Hand Shakers events, so thank you Hand Shakers!
A cour is long, but it goes by so fast. Three months ago I was thinking “It’s finally beginning~”, but all of the crazy developments happened, and in Episode 9, Koyori was finally able to speak. After watching over her growth for so long, I was all “SHE SPOKEEEEE!!!” with the excitement of a certain hamburger shop’s commercials *laughs*. So this is what it feels like to be a guardian *laughs*. I’m glad that Tazuna and Koyori are “meshing” more than ever before.
In today’s event, we screened Episode 11, which explained Makihara and Nagaoka’s past. The story is finally reaching its climax, and the final episode is upon us. Please look forward to what awaits Tazuna and Koyori at the end of the battle.
…I don’t want to call Episode 12 the final episode. The broadcast of Tazuna and Koyori’s story will be ending for now, but their lives will go on, and Episode 12 gives hope for their future. So, please don’t think of it as the final episode, and enjoy it as Episode 12.
I hope this series will continue on in various forms. That way, I’ll be able to use it as an excuse to come back to Osaka and eat horumon-yaki! *laughs*”
A Sumipe fan compiled a detailed event report, and I’ll list the Soma highlights here:
- Soma apparently eats taiyaki from the tail side first.
- During the audition, the voice actors were not shown character visuals. The director was surprised by Soma’s performance, because it was in perfect sync with Tazuna. The staff chose him unanimously. In the second session, Soma responded by saying “Osaka’s a great place, huh~?!” “Please keep praising me. I’m the type that grows from praise.”
- Since it was an original work, they wanted everyone to create it together. The cast was also included in developing the characters.
- When Soma watched Episode 1, Tazuna looked cuter than what he expected, but he certainly wasn’t weak.
- In Episode 9 when Koyori finally speaks, Soma remarks that Morohoshi-san must’ve been happy to be able to use her vocal cords more. When he was talking to her at first, she said “Koyori doesn’t speak” and his reaction was “Huh?” According to the director, for the audition they used lines from after Koyori becomes able to speak. He apologizes for not telling the voice actors at the time that she wouldn’t be speaking at the start of the series.
- Soma points out Koyori’s enthusiastic breaths when playing Precious Memories, and says that he was happy to be able to exchange words with her.
- Tazuna’s “mesh” catchphrase was a result of the staff thinking it’d be nice if each character had their own keywords. “Mesh” was chosen for Tazuna because of the dual reference: his Nimrode being gears, and “hand holding” which corresponds to forming a new relationship and synchronizing feelings.
- Soma: “There was a line about ‘meshing’ at the audition. They didn’t provide any supporting materials at all, so I didn’t know what it meant, but saying things we don’t understand in a cool way is an important skill for us voice actors.” (Audience laughs)
- Regarding the scene in Episode 2 where Tazuna and Koyori go into the bath together, Soma said the director instructed him to make the monologue more passionate.
- Soma imitates Hayate a few times during the talk, and says he couldn’t understand him (and apologizes to Kaito).
- Many of the main cast were around the same age, but there were also respected veterans in the older range. Soma says “There was pressure. They wouldn’t show me what the character looked like, and my partner doesn’t even speak.” (Audience laughs)
- Soma drinks from his water, and the audience laughs (the writer didn’t see what he did to prompt that, but I imagine it was some kind of funny motion). Sumipe doesn’t know what’s going on and asks “What’re you doing? Shoplifting?” causing the audience to burst out laughing. Soma: “In those few seconds?!”
- Sumipe asks everyone to buy the blu-ray box, and Soma says “Please buy spare copies too.” Sumipe: “A businessman, I see… What do you use spare copies for?” Soma: “You know, one to appreciate, one to store…” Sumipe: “Do you use them for year-end gifts?” (Audience laughs) Soma: “The recipient will know how good it is *laughs*.”
- Soma: “The scene where Tazuna and Hayate are talking about bicycles was on a separate script that was around 5 pages long. But on the broadcast version, you couldn’t hear it at all.”
- Soma and Komatsu Mikako both did some background chatter as well.
- When talking about the hotel collab, Soma introduces the room’s features and:
- (Session 1)
Soma: “This… is amazing. When you enter the room, it’s like, BAM! Sky Tree! BAM! Character art!” - (Session 2)
Soma: “This… is amazing.”
Oishi: “…How so?”
Soma: “…Huh?”
Oishi: “How is it amazing?“
Soma: “Well… when you enter the room…”
Soma+Sumipe: “BAM! Sky Tree! BAM! Character art!”
(Audience roars with laughter)
Oishi: “If you enter the room and the Sky Tree goes BAM!, doesn’t that mean there was an accident?”
- (Session 1)
[Serialization] Saito Soma no Tsurezure naru mama ni #3: The Perfect Watch
Published: 2017/3/17
Original URL: https://kiki-voice.jp/journal/178
※This essay contains a bonus image that can be seen at the original URL above, past the paywall (KIKI-VOICE subscription required).
※This essay was also published in the book compilation of Saito Soma no Kenkou de Bunkateki na Saitei Gendo no Seikatsu.
#3: The Perfect Watch
In the past, I was never a fan of accessories, and I certainly never wore rings or necklaces. In fact, I felt uncomfortable having anything sticking to my neck or arms, so I didn’t even want to wear turtleneck sweaters.
But people change, and now I really like wearing silver accessories and mock turtlenecks. I used to have no interest in the accessories at variety stores, but lately I enjoy casually dropping in and browsing them.
I’m particularly into watches. I usually wear a simple black or brown one. Most of them have leather bands; one of them is an Ice-Watch. Ever since I was a kid, I had this vague impression that watches—especially ones with metal bands—were for adults. My father had strong wrists from playing baseball, and whenever I saw a watch wrapped around one of them, I’d think, “I’ll probably never wear a watch in my whole life.”
Nevertheless, after I started working, I had to appear in public and have my pictures taken more often, and my wrists and neck felt like they were missing something. Clothing-wise, I generally like simple shirts and cardigans, but they’re so plain that they don’t look attractive in magazines. So, I started collecting watches. But I wasn’t going to wear a luxury brand worth a thousand dollars—I wanted something simple but refined, with a not-too-busy face, a brass frame rather than gold, nice brand logo placement, and a leather band that felt nice against my skin; something that was easy to put on and take off, that was unisex rather than masculine, that would look tasteful when it peeked out from under my sleeve… and so my days of watch-hunting began.
From department stores to apps where you can talk directly to craftsmen, I kept searching and searching to no avail. Sure, “men’s FUDGE” had street snapshots of European men wearing watches that I thought were cool. There were even several occasions where I’d pass by a gentleman only to unnaturally turn around and observe the shining item on his right wrist. But no matter how many nice watches I saw, I could never find the perfect one. At this point, I don’t even care about the watch’s purpose anymore. I’m just looking for a perfectly-fitting partner for my left hand.
Even as I’m writing this essay, I still haven’t found it, and I’m checking the time on my smartphone. Then again, considering that it’s still too early to be looking back on my life, if I found the perfect watch now, I’d lose something to look forward to in the future. Perhaps it wouldn’t be such a bad idea to relax and enjoy the time spent in the search.
[Serialization] Saito Soma no Tsurezure naru mama ni #2: Hopi Synchronicity
Published: 2017/2/1
Original URL: https://kiki-voice.jp/journal/156
※This essay was also published in the book compilation of Saito Soma no Kenkou de Bunkateki na Saitei Gendo no Seikatsu.
#2: Hopi Synchronicity
I was absentmindedly watching TV at home after work, and as is typical for the changing of seasons, there was an occult special on air. The program was about the prophecy of the Hopi, a Native American tribe. Their name means “peace,” and they’re considered descendants of the Mayans. Their warnings and predictions are passed down through generations. They made a few waves when they presented their prophecies to the General Assembly of the United Nations.
I love urban legends and the occult, but if you asked me if I sincerely believed in them, I don’t think I could honestly say yes. It’s ultimately just a hobby for me—something to enjoy. So I didn’t take this program very seriously either, treating it as an accompaniment to my drink.
Several days later, I was reading Nakajima Ramo-san’s essays and the words “Ho-pi- tribe” came up again. Intrigued by the coincidence, I read the essay very carefully and found out that the Hopi tribe possesses a unique concept of time. Apparently they don’t perceive time as a continuous stream from past to present to future—instead it’s events being “shown.” There are various theories about this way of thinking, but when I read this, I thought about the Akashic records. To put it simply, the Akashic records are an account of everything to ever occur in the past, present, and future of the world. In other words, it’s the exact same concept of everything being “shown” from there. Time doesn’t flow; it simply “exists.”
My stance on the Akashic records is the same as occult things in general: I don’t believe they really exist. But I do believe that mysterious signs like the ones in that TV show and the essay must exist somewhere. For example, when I was writing my university graduation thesis, there were multiple occasions where events that I thought were unrelated suddenly got linked together. Going further back, when I was studying for entrance exams, things I learned in world history would appear as topics in English passages. It was one of the interesting things about studying.
These mysterious signs are called “synchronicity”—intriguing little coincidences and miracles in our daily lives.
I don’t know if everything in the world is predetermined like the Hopi prophecy and the Akashic records say, but at the very least, I want to live my life appreciating the synchronicity that happens around me, because it feels like every day is a bit more fun that way.
And with that, tonight I’d like to latch on to that synchronicity and have a drink—Hoppy, of course.
Misc notes:
- The essay referenced is 突かれていないビリヤード台 (Tsukareteinai Billiard-dai) from Nakajima Ramo’s 愛をひっかけるための釘 (Ai wo Hikkakeru tame no Kugi)
- Hoppy is a slightly alcoholic beer-flavoured drink, often added to shochu
[Event] Hand Shakers: Sunshine City Prince Hotel Collaboration Opening
Date: 2017/1/17
Guest: Saito Soma
Event Reports Sourced: https://www.animatetimes.com/news/details.php?id=1484812288 https://mantan-web.jp/article/20170117dog00m200018000c.html
※This was a private event with Soma going over the concept room.
The concept room had 18 life-sized/chibi designs of the characters, items decorating the whole room, original goods, and an original drink. It also had an exclusive Tazuna welcome voice.
At the debut event, Soma was moved, saying “I’ve never been to such a luxurious room before! There’s so much work put into it, and you can see the Sky Tree from the window.” He also commented that the living room area represents the normal world, while the bedroom area represents Ziggurat.
As for the exclusive welcome voice, he said “It was my first time being welcomed by a character I voiced myself, so it feels strange *laughs*. But I recorded it with sincerity.” “You can see Tazuna-kun’s considerateness as well as his cute side. It’s embarrassing to say this myself, but I hope you’ll enjoy it.”
To commemorate the concept room, Soma autographed the fabric panel in the living room area. There are actually two other “secret” Soma autographs hidden elsewhere in the room.
According to Soma, one of these secret autographs is located somewhere that he associates with Osaka, albeit based on his shallow knowledge of the city. The other is written on the character that made his heart race the most during the show.
He also talked about the show itself and the recording sessions. He said “When I saw the visuals for Tazuna, I thought he was going to be a cute type, but he was more proactive, confident, and lively than I expected. In the shouting scenes, I prioritize conveying his feelings directly rather than trying to sound cool.” When asked about what he has in common with Tazuna, he said “I think boys can likely relate to how he gets absorbed in tinkering with machines, ignoring everything around him. I like reading, and there were times when I’d start reading a book, and before I knew it, it’d be closing time for the library or cafe. Or I’d go for a walk and start reading a book in the park during the day, and then the sun starts setting… I think we resemble each other that way.”
“In this show, there are other pairs besides Tazuna-kun and Koyori-chan who have various different abilities, and their battles and emotions will be depicted in Episode 2 and beyond. Please look forward to them.”
