#act guide

Akana (Kageyama): Out of nowhere, he’s already praising me. (laughs)  The very first time I met Kotarou-kun, he said, “I got suntanned just from a photoshoot.”  And something about how straightforward he was drew me to him, I remember that.

Daigo: I said that? (laughs)

Akana: We’re both 18 and we’re the same age, but this is my very first venture into a 2.5D play, so I have a lot of respect for him.*

*Although this is Akana’s acting debut, Daigo has already been the lead (Onoda) in the Yowamushi Pedal stage plays as well as being in movies, a drama, and now as a voice actor in the recent animated film, “Weathering with You.”

What impression do you have of Engeki Haikyuu?

Daigo: The high quality of it within the entertainment industry, for sure.  Even though you think the story’s just sports, it’s so dynamic and passionate.  When I watched it, I thought of it as a type of production that really moves you, your emotions, in a positive direction.  

Akana: I fell into it just before this.  I can’t get enough of the dancing, the acting, the matches; I didn’t close my eyes even once. (laughs)

That’s almost like audience participation in a way.

Akana: Absolutely. To everyone who comes to see it, please make sure you get a good night’s sleep the day before.  

Daigo: Stop that! (laughs)

Akana: I’m serious, we’re going to get you guys really excited!

Daigo-san, you said you’ve been reading the manga throughout?

Daigo: When I have a day off, I like to read manga nonstop from morning until night.  I read Shounen Jump from cover to cover, I read every single publication inside.  And of course, Haikyuu is one of those.  I love it.

Akana: Oh I see. I didn’t know about the manga originally.  I actually read the manga properly for the very first time in my life only recently. Mostly because I prefer to read novels.

Daigo: Oh, so you’re really smart.

Akana: No no.  I usually read novels after they get turned into movies.  Then I like to read the book, compare it to the movie, and find what the differences are, I think that’s really fun.  With Haikyuu, you have this really passionate main character (Hinata), and next to him you have this genius-like character (Kageyama), that’s a pretty standard setting. It’s a story that makes you curious to see what’ll happen next and their development from there is just simple and fun. So I understood pretty quickly why it’s so popular.  

Daigo: It is really easy to read.  

Since these characters are originally from a manga, how do you plan on personalizing them to you?

Daigo: First, whenever you have a 2.5D play, I think that fans already have a very strong impression based on the manga or the anime about that character’s signature phrases or their voices.  But as living, 3D actors, we have our own way of bringing out those emotions or those expressions.  So right now I’m thinking about how best to dig down into that.  After that, there’s the fact that Suga Kenta-san, who played Hinata Shouyou up through “The Strongest Team,” he was so true-to-life in his acting that he really pulled everyone up and lead them so well.  

His presence as cast captain really was outstanding, wasn’t it?  

Daigo: With our new generation of Karasuno members, we have actually 11 people this time, and if we can just find a new way to create a dialogue between all of us, then I think that will probably open up a new direction for this production.  Of course we’ll be discussing things with Worry Kinoshita-san, and I want us to really think about how to present something that’s going to really impact the audience.

Akana: I can already sort of imagine how Kotarou-kun will play Hinata.  

Daigo: Even though we’re not that similar?  I can be bright and fun when talking, but my core personality is more detached.  

Akana: But when it comes to your enthusiasm when you ‘like’ something, that’s when Hinata shines through. Listening to you talk throughout this interview, I keep thinking that you really like your work as an actor.  

Daigo: I’m embarrassed now...  But I’m trying to work on putting my feelings into words and seeing things differently. Because if I can’t reply to people, it’s the same as just not thinking.  

What’s it like for you to inherit or take over this story and these characters?

Daigo: I feel it’s going to be quite difficult to take over this role, and I don’t necessarily want to enjoy myself with it.  When creating a play, everyone has a part, between the producer and the director, and my part as an actor is simply to carry out their directions.  I can’t personally do much more beyond that.  I think that playing the part sincerely and honestly while taking into consideration everyone’s expectations is ultimately the fastest way to best results.  What I mean is that I’m trying not to throw in anything unnecessary into my acting.  

Akana: Oh, that’s so cool.  I’m a little bit different from Kotarou-kun.  Specifically, I hate to lose. (laughs)  That’s why I want to evaluate various things about the production and how Kageyama Tobio has been played so far, and then steal the good parts from those portrayals.  If that mish-mash becomes my original version of Kageyama, that’s fine.  I’m constantly considering, ‘why’ they did what they did when looking at the other actors, and then I take notes and do research.

Daigo: That’s because you’re taking it seriously.

Akana: I don’t like taking risks, I’m excessively cautious.  But if maybe that leads to a slightly fresh take on Kageyama, I think that’d be great.

Daigo: So you’re really dependable. (laughs)

Akana: The differences between the two of us might be similar to our characters.  

I know you haven’t started rehearsals yet, but please give us some final thoughts as you face this new leap forward.

Akana: For me, this will be my very first 2.5D production.  I have a long way to go and have no particular skills, but if seeing me take on this strange new world can inspire someone else on their own path, then I’ll be happy.  That being said, I have high goals, and I plan on slipping into the rankings just below the 2.5D “Heavenly Seven.”*

*”Heavenly Seven” rankings originated with AKB48, but the term is used for other popularity ranking systems in entertainment.  In 2017, a ranking of popular 2.5D actors did include Kimura Tatsunari (1st Kageyama) in 7th place.  

Daigo: Seriously!?  Thaaat’s amazing.  (laughs) For me, I would like for everyone who comes to see th show to leave thinking, “Man, why don’t I work a little harder tomorrow,” or “I’ll try a little harder in school,” or for anything, if you can just get a little more energy and motivation from seeing us, I think that will be our reward.  I want to work really hard so that everyone can really take in our passion and enthusiasm from atop the stage, and get some spirit and energy out of it.  

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Translated by @nimbus-cloud Please do not repost my translations

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