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Aired: October 21st, 2010
Minori Chihara, born in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture in Japan, debuted in the anime world in 2004 as the voice Aya Natsume in the series Tenjho Tenge. Since then, she’s tackled over 40 anime series, lending her voice both to characters as well as to theme songs. Notable roles include Minami Iwasaki in Lucky Star, Toa in Dragonaut, Raquel Mayol in My-Otome 0~S.ifr~, Chiaki Minami in Minami-ke, Nanaka Shirakawa in Da Capo II, Coopa in Tower of Druaga, Kagura Tsuchimiya in Ga-Rei -Zero-, Toka Ryumonbuchi in Saki, and Ekitoku Chouhi in Ikkitousen. She is most known as Yuki Nagato in the popular Melancholy of Haruhi Suzyumiya anime series, and in addition to voicing Yuki Nagato in the new Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya film, Ms. Chihara also performs its theme song, “Yasashii Boukyaku”. ~NYAF guest info
Turns out, one of the fans made a large (1000 pieces?) puzzle of Nagato Yuki to present to Chihara Minori-san. People have been signing the puzzle so I wrote something as well. (I think it was ‘We love you, Chihara-san!’ Didn’t want to make it too complicated since it’s in English. ^_^)
There was a no photographing policy with a 5 min. photo op for all at the end of the panel. The panel opened with them talking about the various events that will be going on. Bandai had TONS of Suzumiya Haruhi and K-on! events throughout the con. Chihara-san was introduced followed by a Q&A given by the moderator.
Chihara: Hello, everyone! Nice to meet you! My name is Minori Chihara. Um, yoroshiku onegaishimasu!
Q: This is Chihara-san’s very first time in NY. So what are her impressions so far and experience been like?
A: So I arrived yesterday evening and first thing when I got here, I didn’t feel like this was any different. But when I saw all the streets and I feel this is so amazing and I’m really happy to be here.
Q: I wonder if you had any opportunity to dine anywhere?
A: Last night, we went to an Italian restaurant. There was very good olive oil there. I ate alot of bread dipped in olive oil. That was what I ate last night. It was very good bread. The bread they served in the airplane was very good too. Today we ate alot of breads too.
Q: So the bread was good?
A: *in English* Yes!
Q: So this is Chihara-san’s first convention in the United States. I was wondering if you can talk about how does it compare being here and being in Japan?
A: I’ve been in a lot foreign countries for events. So I went to Taiwan and Malaysia and now New York and we can see the cons in Japan. During the concerts in Japan, we can see everyone united, everyone is dancing…they have penlights, so I guess that is a difference maybe? When I see outside of Japan, everybody has a different reaction, cheering style so I feel very free. So it makes me feel free too.
Q: I want to ask about The Disappearance of Suzumiya Haruhi the movie, her character Nagato Yuki is very central and interesting. Can you talk about your experience, how it was different from the tv series?
A: So when I was playing Yuki for the whole series, there was no expressions, no emotions. I try so hard to be very monotone. That is how she is throughout the series, but in the movie, Yuki is a normal girl. So I try to find out what Yuki feels like, if I were her, that is what I try to do.
Q: Can you explain when you’re doing Yuki in the tv series? It must be very difficult to do that monotone voice, she has to be in character?
A: There was alot of pressure that I felt when I’m acting like this character. So when I was playing this Yuki character, she is such a popular character and she is an ultimate super girl. She has so many difficult Japanese words as my character and I stutter, slow down, I have to say it very fast to fit her mouth movements so it’s very hard. She was a very challenging character. It was very hard to breathe sometimes. I had my script all the time, at home and on the train.
Q: Did she at times unable to forget Yuki? She would hear Yuki all the time?
A: You’re right…sometimes I felt that Yuki was beside me. She is always with me.
Q: Can you talk about the song and the process of making the song?
A: The theme song of the movie is called ‘Yasahii Boukyaku’. The producer for the Suzumiya movie said that Yuki will the key person so they gave us the original track of the song. So once I got the song, I felt overwhelmed. It made me cry. Even if I didn’t have the lyrics, just the music overwhelmed me. That was how I felt.
Q: Was the song difficult to record because it was so emotional?
A: You’re right. I recorded the song after the movie recording. So I could hold on to the sentimental feelings from the movie…how Yuki felt. So I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. After I finished recording, I couldn’t stand up: I just sat on the floor and just drowned in the music.
Q: I’m sure everyone is looking forward to hearing the song at the concert. *audience applauds*
A: I’m glad you’re looking forward to it. I’m looking forward to singing for you guys.
Q: Since you’re in NY which is sort of the center of music, what are some bands that you listen to?
A: I see…Britney.
Q: Britney? Wow…. *audience laughs*
A: Why?
Q: No, I’m just surprised.
A: I like her voice.
Q: She has a great voice. Anybody else?
A: Aerosmith, Bon Jovi….
Q: Awesome. *audience applauds*
Now comes the audience questions:
Q: Out of all the characters you voice, who is your favorite and why?
A: This is hard question. Of course, I love every character that I play. If you must insist for me to choose one, I must say Yuki. The reason is because the Yuki character gave me alot of great opportunities. Being in Suzumiya Haruhi is a great opportunity for me, and as a voice actress its difficult to get a good spot. Also, I love singing, but the opportunity is very difficult to find. Suzumiya Haruhi is such a great title and I was super happy when I got the Yuki character and I always wanted to sing. Now, I can release albums, I can have the music parts of my career. As a voice actress, this is a very good turning point and a great character for me. So I feel that she is a very important character to me in my life.
Q: There are alot of Asian actors that are gaining popularity and touring the US. I want to know are you going to tour the US at all? Because that would be awesome.
A: Wow! I’m so happy! Really? That will be really awesome to hold a concert and tour the US. That would be really great and I’ll try to keep it up so I come back.
Q: Please do! *audience applauds*
Q: What is it like working in the cast of Haruhi?
A: Everyone had a great character and it was very exciting to work with the whole cast. It was also a great opportunity to learn. Especially Tomokazu Sugita [Kyon.] He had alot of ad-libs. Sometimes if it is not on the script, he would add in a word and it was great. I don’t have the skills, but I’m looking at him.
Q: What is your feeling about the beginning and the end of Occult Academy?
A: Nakagawa Mikaze from Occult Academy is a very cute and sweet character. Then she turns evil…. I’m wondering if it’s okay to talk about the ending of the show? *audience resounds ‘no’* You guys want to watch it right? *audience resounds ‘yeah’* I can’t really say how I felt…without giving away the ending. But basically, I was very surprised that I got the villan character. But I had a great time playing the character.
Q: What is your favorite line and can we hear it in the voice of Yuki?
A: My favorite moment would be when the whole world changes to-you don’t want to hear it? I guess you guys can watch the movie tonight and see. *to the one who asked the question* You watched the movie already? Then I’ll tell you later.
Q: I have two questions. What food do you like in NY? How is voice acting? Is it tough? Is it hard?
A: Since it’s my first time in NY, there are alot of good food. Can you recommend anything? *audience starts calling out restaurants* Is NY cheesecake really good? *audience resounds with ‘yes’* So voice acting job is not too busy, but acting is very hard since I have to really understand what the character feels. So I have concentrate. I go to other people and see what they do. I watch it, I experience it, I ask some questions so I learn more. So when the director asks me something, I am ready.
Q: Your version of ‘Hare Hare Yukai’ is very different than your normal voice as Yuki. What was your inspiration to sing it like that?
A: I still remember very clearly the recording day. In all the other character songs, we try to use Yuki’s character alot. But for the ‘Hare Hare Yukai’, it’s almost like it doesn’t match. And we talked alot with the producer, so we thought to keep the feelings of the song upbeat.
Q: The Chihara-san fanclub in Japan is Japan-only.
A: *interpretor replies* You want to join in the fanclub…I’ll talk to the management.
Q: In episode 6, she sings ‘Paradise Lost’. Was this a decision by you or the studio?
A: Yes, it was a studio decision. They asked me to sing and perform.
Q: There are parts of the Haruhi series that are very funny. Was it very hard to stay in the deadpan voice during those scenes?
A: It was very difficult. Other cast members are playing around, but Nagato Yuki has to keep everything in check and it was frustrating too.
Q: How do you do your voice training?
A: I worked with a voice trainer before my debut and even now, I still take lessons.
Q: What are some new characters you are doing?
A: In, Yumeiro Patissiere, I’m a character named Maize and it’ll be my first time on this tv show. While in NY, my character Maize will be airing.
Last words….
Chihara: Thank you, everyone! I will have a live tomorrow, I hope you will enjoy it. I will try my best and I hope you enjoy the concert! *audience cheers*
Time for pics!
Watch this Episode Now
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