<From left, Miina Tominaga, Sho Karino, and Daisuke Namikawa>

Report of a talk event featuring Miina Tominaga, Daisuke Namikawa, and Sho Karino

On June 26 (Wed.), the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Association of Japanese Animations held the first independent event “Evening of Voice Actor Talks” presented by Anime Tokyo Station at the Anime Tokyo Station opened on October 31, 2023, a new Japanese anime facility.

Miina Tominaga moderated the event and two guests, Daisuke Namikawa and Sho Karino, showed up in summery yukata outfits. Using AnimeTaizen, a comprehensive anime database with a terminal installed in the building, the guests talked about their passion for anime in the past, present, and future during the guest talk. Following the inclusion of the Anime Tokyo Station in the 2024 Japanese Anime 88-Spots by the Anime Tourism Association, there was also talk about anime pilgrimage. A special program and QA session with event applicants further boosted excitement among everyone.

Karino showed up as the first guest and started his talk saying “I have been enthusiastic about anime since I was a child. When I was little, a lot of anime programs were aired on TV. I used to schedule what to watch every week.”

During the talk about anime spots, questions like “Where are your favorite anime spots?” and “Have you ever been to any anime spots?” also came up. Karino answered first, “Shibuya, because I play Chifuyu Matsuno in the Tokyo Revengers.” He also told the participants “In the future, I want to visit Hyogo, the hometown of Yukihiro Kamiya of THE IDOLM@STER SideM. He is the character I played the longest. I have been to Hyogo for business but never toured around sightseeing spots there. I also want to visit the sacred place of the SPACE BROTHERS, space!”

Next, Namikawa, who has experience of working with the moderator Tominaga, showed up as the second guest. He started speaking in a friendly manner saying “This is the 40th anniversary of my career as a voice actor. I have plenty of anime topics to talk about!” To the question “Which one was the most difficult among the characters you have played?” he answered “When I take on the role of a character from another actor, I often feel under pressure and still commit to focus. There are also some characters where I find it hard to understand their mind.”

As his answer to the question “Which anime spots do you want to visit?” he answered “I played the main character of the Please Twins. Its sacred place is Lake Kizaki in Nagano Prefecture and pilgrimage events have been organized to visit there. To tell the truth, however, I have never been there. Although I was repeatedly offered to join these events, I have not been able to make it so far due to my schedule. So, I really want to visit Lake Kizaki.”

In the following special program to learn the history of anime, participants watched The Dull Sword, called the pioneer of animated films in Japan (supported by the Japanese Animated Film Classics of the National Film Archive of Japan and the original edition recovery supported by Natsuki Matsumoto. The Dull Sword was produced in 1917 and is said to be the oldest animated film made in Japan accessible at present. Films at that time were silent, without voices and sounds. Since the Meiji era, an occupation named Katsudo-Shashin-Benshi (moving picture narrator) has existed in Japan to provide explanations of movie scenes and read out lines standing next to the screen. As a surprise, Namikawa and Karino were asked to do this role for the Dull Sword. Fans enjoyed this rare opportunity.

In closing, the guests gave messages to anime fans. Karino commented “This is my first visit to the Anime Tokyo Station. It was fun to learn the history of anime in such a wonderful place. I am greatly thankful for the anime history and my seniors. I hope to continue to do my best as a voice actor.” Namikawa shared his impression and opinion saying “I think that places like the Anime Tokyo Station may make connections among anime fans stronger. The anime industry and the voice actor industry, and anime and anime fans also, should further coordinate with each other to produce better programs. We, voice actors, will strive to make this a reality. So, please continue to support us!”

The Anime Tokyo Station archives approximately 50,000 items of rare documents related to anime production from the past. As the enjoyable facility functioning as an entrance to the anime world where visitors from all over the world can meet past masterpieces and latest popular works, the Anime Tokyo Station spreads the appeal of anime and Tokyo to a wide range of anime fans in and out of Japan. Toward the upcoming first anniversary of its opening in the fall, various events are to be held at the Anime Tokyo Station.