this ghost will haunt you

Seiyuu JUNON November 2014 issue, Mamoru Miyano spotlight. (translated by me)

“When I can make someone laugh, that is the proof of my existence.”

That spirit that shines with the brightest light—the “superstar.”

It’s easy to think that word—and that easy, carefree smile—suit Mamoru Miyano better than anyone else, but in person he’s actually timid and sensitive. But for this very reason, he has the power to touch people, and brighten their hearts.

As a voice actor, as an actor, and as an artist, new doors have been constantly opening up before him. Although there are times when he hits a big wall that pushes against him endlessly, or fights with his past self, he never gives up. He never once utters a complaint. What is it that makes Mamoru Miyano tick? What keeps him going?

On His First Overseas Recording and Being Away from Japan

I think “Input Time” is extremely important.

Last year, my music producer Jin Nakamura, who has been taking care of me since my debut, gave me this advice.

He said, “If your output becomes too much, your mind and body can’t work together as well. If you don’t make time to sit back and take in what’s around you.”

Of course, I was always trying to put my all into everything all the time, ignoring my limits.

Hmm…About that time…Jin-san said, “Miyano-kun, come to LA. Let’s do a recording together.”

And of course I didn’t think there was any way I could go, but my staff continued to talk about it behind my back and lo, and behold, it became a reality! We went to LA! No, it’s amazing I was able to go! The things I saw and the things I heard were really invigorating. Of course, the recording was also very invigorating.

The single being released on 11/12, “BREAK IT!”, has four songs included, but we did the recording of the coupled song, “Magic,” in LA. It’s very extravagant for a coupled song. (laughs)

On the Sights and Sounds of LA and Tokyo

Since we were able to stay for such an incredibly long time this time, various things…Well, many things that I can’t talk about happened too (laughs), but I was able to see many breathtaking and unforgettable sights. Inside the city, there’s a beautiful observatory filled with history called the Griffith Observatory. Since it’s so high up, you have an unbroken view of the city from there. The night view I saw from there was, I think, the most amazing out of all the amazing night views I’ve seen in my life up to now, it really was beautiful.

Like Manhattan, NY, which is also in America, there aren’t just skyscrapers lining the streets, there are smaller buildings too. Along that line, the lights of the city don’t shine like neon. How do I say this…It’s a gentler, orange light that warms your heart. It’s a light that makes you feel like, “All these people are going about their lives beneath that light.” That view spread out before me farther than the eye could see. It seemed to go on forever…That view is something that I’ll never forget, no matter how much time goes by.

The tone of the interview suddenly changed (laughs), but there are of course some incredible views to be found in Tokyo as well.

“This summer, too, I have to take some time to go to summer festivals and the like.” I was feeling lonely, thinking that.

When I was talking about that with my staff, I got in a taxi to head to my next job…And then! Suddenly, right before my eyes, fireworks burst! I wonder if it was outside the outer gardens of the Meiji Shrine? But it’s like, if I hadn’t have been right in that place, right at that moment, I couldn’t have seen those fireworks. It was just an insignificant little moment, but I was flooded with the feeling of being at a summer festival.

A Chat about Mamoru Miyano’s Upcoming Work

There is of course my experience in LA, but the everyday sights and events I experience one by one in my daily life might be important input to me as well.

Because I was given the opportunity to go to LA, I was able to face new challenges and have new and wonderful encounters. Inside myself, I was able to turn those experiences into many new ideas. So now, I say, “I want to try that,” and, “Let’s try this too,” and let all my desires gush out. Now, my assignment is to figure out how to make those ideas take form.

Among these inputted ideas are some that take form immediately, as well as some that sleep forever in my mind until a time when they suddenly gush out of me all at once. “Oh, now’s the time!” “This timing is perfect!” Kind of like that.

More than just deciding everything by myself, my surrounding environment, my staff, and what we can prepare at the time all support the decision…That kind of thing, you know?

On How Other People’s Smiles Make Him Smile

When our inputted ideas quickly become reality, I want to see everyone’s smiling faces.

Making everyone laugh is so important to me.

The truth is, I’m actually a very timid person. If I can’t see for certain that people are smiling, I think, “I wonder if this is alright…” and get anxious.

I guess I’m saying that people laughing with me allows me to accept my own existence?

If I just act like an idiot people will laugh, and of course that’s fine (laughs), but I think the various strong feelings borne from good entertainment are what bring out a true smile, from the heart.

Occasionally, if I act like an idiot too much, I have to sit back and reflect on myself. (laughs) But as long as it makes everyone happy…