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Voice acting is a profession that often demands versatility, adaptability, and resilience. Particularly when it comes to Japanese anime, the voice actors have shown tremendous versatility in each role they play. Similarly, Shion Wakayama, the voice actress of Momo Ayase, has experienced an immense level of dynamism in her journey in Dandadan, however, it also required her to step out of her own comfort zone.

Momo Ayase from Dandadan | Credit: Science Saru

Shion Wakayama, previously known for her work in projects like Lycoris Recoil, Castlevania, and Her Blue Sky, has been assigned to a role in Dandadan that shares no similarity to her previous characters. Thus, in an interview, Wakayama reflected on her previous roles, the intense demands of voicing Momo, and the process of adapting to such a drastically different character providing fascinating insights into her growth as a voice actress.

The Challenges of Voicing Momo Ayase from Dandadan...

With less than a month and a half remaining until the next annual New Year's Eve broadcast, the official website for Nhk's Kohaku Uta Gassen today unveiled the 41 artists who will form the long-running music show's 75th lineup. The accompanying number below indicates each artist's total selections for the program. Ten artists, three on Red Team (consisting of female artists) and seven on White Team (consisting of male artists), will be making their first appearance this year. Red Team aiko (15) Aimyon (6) Illit (Debut) Sayuri Ishikawa (47) Iruka (2) Hy (3) Fuyumi Sakamoto (36) Sakurazaka46 (4) Ringo Sheena (9) Superfly (8) Mariko Takahashi (6) tuki. (Debut) Yoshimi Tendo (28) Twice (5) Nogizaka46 (10) Me:i (Debut) Misia (9) Kaori Mizumori (22) Ryokuoushoku Shakai (3) Le Sserafim (3) White Team Omoinotake (Debut) Creepy Nuts (Debut) Glay (4) Hiromi Go (37) Kocchi no Kento (Debut) The Alfee (2) JO1 (3) Junretsu (7) Da-iCE (Debut) Tomorrow X Together (Debut) Number_i (Debut) Leon Niihama (Debut) Vaundy (2) Be:first (3) Masaharu Fukuyama (17) Fujii Kaze (3) Gen Hoshino (10) Mrs. Green Apple...

A-1 Pictures' hit 2011 series, Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day, is regarded by many as a masterpiece of supernatural fiction. However, according to the show's creative team, Anohana's story was originally thought to be too "plain" to garner attention from mainstream audiences.

In a recent interview conducted by Mantan Web, Anohana writer Mari Okada went into depth about the origin of the beloved anime series that marked the first creative partnership between herself and Anohana director Tatsuyuki Nagai. Anohana is a moving tale about a boy named Jinta Yadomi who meets the ghost of his deceased childhood companion, Meiko "Menma" Honma. After Menma asks Jinta to fulfill her deepest wish, he ends up reforging bonds with other childhood friends that he had grown distant from. "From the planning stage, our cast is expected to tell a coming-of-age story, a contemporary drama," Okada stated.

Related "I Myself Was Poor at...

Shonen Jump's latest hit anime, Dandadan, features a "gruff" yet compassionate female lead named Momo Ayase. In a recent interview, Shion Wakayama, who voices Momo in the series, explained how she prepared for the ultimate "dream" role.

In Dandadan, high school classmates "Okarun" and Momo Ayase discover that their world is full of chaotic paranormal and supernatural entities. In spite of their contrasting personalities, the two team up to help one another survive. Per Mantan Web, Wakayama describes how Momo often uses "abusive language" while interacting with Okarun. "Before I participated in Dandadan, I had never raised my voice or shouted in an episode," she admitted. "...I think this is the first time we've heard such a gruff voice, and I also get to say some abusive language and catchphrases that I could only say in this work."

Related "Until Then, I Didn't Believe in the Occult": Dandadan...

The Fureru anime film – from the Super Peace Busters creative team which includes director Tatsuyuki Nagai, writer Mari Okada and animator Masayoshi Tanaka – opened in Japan last Friday to 69,000 tickets sold. To celebrate its premiere, the film’s final trailer was released last night. The trailer includes some detailed plot points, so be warned of spoilers! Fureru Anime Film - Final Trailer Related: Fureru Anime Film Shares New Key Visual on Opening Day CloverWorks produced the Fureru anime movie from the Super Peace Busters creative team, who previously made Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day , The Anthem of the Heart and Her Blue Sky together. It opened in Japan on October 4 with no Western release confirmed as of writing. Fureru is described as a coming-of-age film set in present-day Tokyo surrounding the Shinjuku area. The movie centers on childhood friends who find a creature with mysterious powers that push...

The R15+ version of The Birth of Kitaro: The Mystery of GeGeGe (known as Kitaro Tanjou: GeGeGe no Nazo in Japan), subtitled Shinsei-ban ("genuine edition"), opened in 331 theaters across Japan on October 4, and earned 156 million yen (1.05 million Usd) on 97,700 admissions in its first three-day weekend, making its third place debut in the weekend box office ranking according to Kogyo Tsushinsha . The opening weekend performance was almost close to that of the original version, which made 160 million yen (1.09 million Usd) on 111,500 admission in the weekend of November 17-19, 2023 . To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the original GeGeGe no Kitaro manga author Shigeru Mizuki's birth, the original version of The Birth of Kitaro released in Japan on November 17, 2023, under the rating of "PG12" (Viewing by children under 12 years of age requires the advice and guidance of a parent or guardian). The 104-minute movie earned 2.79 billion yen (18.83 million Usd) on 1.95 million admissions from its initial domestic run.

Original anime film Fureru finally opens in Japan today on October 4. On its opening day, the film's official website posted a new key visual featuring the three main characters—Aki, Ryo and Yuta—and a mysterious creature known as “Fureru." The tagline reads: "We want to be together forever. So--" Additionally, a short video message from the three main voice cast members— Ren Nagase (Aki Onoda), Ryota Bando (Ryo Sobue) and Kentaro Maeda (Yuta inohara)—is now streamed on the film's official X (formerly Twitter) . They say, "'Fureru' opens today! The latest work from the creator team of 'Anohana,' 'Kokosake,' and 'Soraao.' This is a story that touches the hearts of three young men who live with a mysterious creature called Fureru. What is the ability hidden in Fureru? What will happen to the friendship between the three young men? Please see it at the theater!

The official YouTube channel for the two-member unit Yoasobi has started streaming a music video for their latest digital single song, "Monotone." The lyrical pop tune is featured as the theme song for the upcoming original anime feature film Fureru to release in Japan on October 4. " Monotone " is Yoasobi's first theme song work for an anime feature film. It is based on the novel Fureu. no, Zenya , ("The night before Fureru.") written by Mari Okada, who also wrote the screenplay for the movie. The music video is a completely original creation by the film's production team. It depicts new animation footage featuring the three childhood friends who are the main characters and the mysterious creature 'Fureru,' which was not depicted in the film. Yoasobi " Monotone" Music Video "Our newly-written song 'Monotone' was created while confronting the 'relationships between people' that we have felt through this film, as well as...

Fall is here, which means it’s time to bundle up on your couch and stream the weekend away. Let’s get into it: There’s plenty to enjoy in October on Netflix, from a new Ali Wong special to new seasons of shows like “Love Is Blind” and “Unsolved Mysteries.” The real unsolved mystery is how it feels like there is more “Love Is Blind” dropping every month, but I digress.

October also brings with it the chance to watch Season 1 of “Yellowjackets” (a Showtime hit) for the first time on the Netflix platform, as well as more “Outer Banks” and “The Lincoln Lawyer.” The best bet, however, is the return of Keri Russell.

Top Pick: “The Diplomat” Season 2

Russell returns as U.S. ambassador to the U.K. Kate Wyler in this “The Americans” meets “Homeland” Emmy-nominated hit. Season 1 ended with a massive cliffhanger, so the six-episode Season...

The upcoming anime film Fureru — from the creative group that includes director Tatsuyuki Nagai, writer/director Mari Okada and artist Masayoshi Tanaka — revealed a new visual today of the cute creature from the film that will introduce to audiences to the film's namesake: the spiky Fureru. Fureru (pictured above) is a creature that has been passed down for generations to people on the island where the three main male characters are from. The creature has the mysterious power of telepathy through the action of “fureru,” which while not specified what the action is, can translate to “touch” or “sway.” Related: Mari Okada, Tatsuyuki Nagai, Masayoshi Tanaka's Fureru Anime Film Teases Heartwarming Story in First Character Look CloverWorks will produce the Fureru. anime movie, scheduled for a fall 2024 release . The Super Peace Busters creative team previously made Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day , The Anthem of the Heart and Her Blue Sky together.

Roland Emmerich’s space action film “Moonfall” landed in South Korea at the top of the box office chart. But the country’s continuing Covid problems mean that “Moonfall” and all other titles operated at a desperately low orbit.

As the biggest new release of the week Moonfall pushed aside Korean-made “In Our Prime,” the previous weekend’s winner. Its opening score, however, was the lowest for any top-ranking film this year.

“Moonfall” scored just $880,000 over the weekend for distributor Noori Pictures, according to data from Kobis, the tracking service operated by the Korean Film Council (Kofic). Over the five days from its Wednesday release, the film managed $1.17 million.

“In Our Prime” dropped 32% week on week to come second with $750,000 over the weekend, giving it a 12-day cumulative of $3.04 million.

“The Batman” dropped from second to third position, earning $471,000 over the weekend. Since its March 1 debut, the superhero film has amassed $7.06 million.

Makoto Shinkai may have been recognized as the new Miyazaki, but he is not the only one carrying the torch of the Japanese master. Director Tatsuyuki Nagai, writer Mari Okada and chief animator and character designer Masayoshi Tanaka (aka Super Peace Busters) have also been sending significant ripples in the anime world, with titles like “Toradora”, the recent “Her Blue Sky” and this particular title, being on an equal level with the Shinkai’s blockbusters, at least contextually.

“Anthem of the Heart” is streaming on Screen Anime

As a child, Jun Naruse was excitable and talkative, to the point that the word “chatterbox” accompanied her quite frequently. One day, however, she saw her father exit a love hotel, accompanied by another woman, and not understanding the situation, she told her mother. Her actions resulted in their divorce, and her father blaming her for it. Her reaction to his rather despicable...