CATDOLL: Interview with "Beauty, Rich and Beautiful" Voice Actor Suzuko Mimori: Anime Changed Her Life

Suzuko Mimori, a new voice actress known as a white, rich and beautiful woman on the Internet, released her second album "Fantastic Funfair" this month. She has perfectly performed roles such as Sherlock Sherryford in "Detective Opera: Young Sherlock Holmes", Himawari Furutani in "Yuri Yuri", Nanami Momozono in "Kamisama Kiss", and Umi Sonoda in "LoveLive!". What surprises will she bring us this time? Recently, a Japanese media conducted an exclusive interview with her, from which we can not only learn about the production insider, but also know Mimori's views on animation.

Q: The theme of this album is "Amusement Park, Fantasy", so is this Ms. Sanmori's idea?

Mimori: That's right! When the fourth single "せいいっぱい、つたえたい！" was released, considering that it was also the theme song of the TV animation "Shugyo Witch Lulu Moe", a slightly magical world view was created in the MV. Then I thought, if I can incorporate fantasy elements into the new album, it would be great to further expand the magical world view. This is the opportunity for the concept of this album. Because there are many things I want to express, I planned to make a lot of information from the beginning.

Q: What do you mean by “something you want to express”?

Mimori: Since the theme is "amusement park", I wanted to have songs about sitting on the attractions, songs in the style of "Alice in Wonderland", etc. I thought about a lot of things. As a result, the things I wanted to express increased. In the end, I felt that the content was enough to fill an album, so I decided, "Oh, let's make a second album!"

Q: Ms. Sanmori's first album was called "Like", which gave us a feeling of POP style + energetic. This time, the album has everything from POP style to quiet style songs, which makes people feel that your expressiveness is also increasing. So compared with a year ago, how has Ms. Sanmori's state of mind changed?

Mimori: The first album I released a year ago actually included things I wanted to try. This time, I further incorporated my ideas into the album. For example, I challenged many things, such as "this sound should be expressed by piano" and so on... For example, the song "Spinning Star" also replaced the original string instrument part with piano. In this way, the overall style is more refreshing and handsome.

Q: So is there anything you are more persistent about this time?

Mimori: Because it is a fantasy theme, I hope that the melody and tone can make people feel that it lingers in their ears for a long time. In terms of singing style, for some parts that should have been sung directly, I added some of my own characteristics, or thought of singing in other ways. In short, I kept making mistakes.

Q: Is it because you have made good use of your experience as a voice actor and in your personal life that you have been able to enrich your expressiveness?

Mimori: I play different roles depending on the tune. For example, when I first started recording "Tokimeite Dory", the director was a typical Spartan, so he brought out the personality that was dormant in my heart. At that time, I had just started recording this album, so when I started recording other tracks later, I felt that I got a lot of inspiration. Things like "Since the director said that at that time, I should do this."

Q: What does the so-called Sparta feel like?

Mimori: It was probably like this: "It's too early to vibrato here. Right! Here it is!" (laughs)

Q: So you also gained confidence?

Sansen: I feel like my potential is constantly being developed.

Q: This album even includes a narrative song, which feels very difficult.

Mimori: Yes. Ballads require delicate expression of emotions, but the singing voice has to become more powerful. I feel like a dam about to collapse, and the flood has reached the critical point of overflowing (laughs).

Q: So in this album, are there any highlights that you hope everyone will listen to?

Mimori: I recommend all the songs, but I feel that there are a lot of new tunes added this time. There are rock tunes like "ROLLERCOASTER?" and dark fantasy songs like "Heart Collection". In addition, "Spinning Star" is also very cool, and it feels like a song that you can sing while dancing. This disc allows you to see a side of me that you have never shown before, so I hope everyone will listen to it.

Q: Ms. Mimori played the role of Sherlock Shirleyford in "Detective Opera: Young Sherlock Holmes" brilliantly as a voice actor, but I seem to have heard you say before that you didn't watch much anime before you became a voice actor.

Mimori: That’s right. I hardly ever watch anime, but my anime life has only just begun since I started dubbing.

Q: But you don’t have any objection to appearing in animation.

Mimori: It was precisely because I knew nothing that I participated in the filming while being completely confused. However, there was one thing that bothered me: the character's hair color was actually pink, and the size of the eyes almost took up half of the face, etc., which surprised me. During the first year of becoming a voice actor, I felt the cultural shock every day, and I was amazed, "Japan actually has such a world!? Why didn't I know about it until now!?"

Q: So when you chose to play a role in the animation, were people around you also surprised?

Mimori: That's right, I think the people around me are quite surprised. But the fans I cultivated when I was singing in the past still support me as always, and when they see me in an exclusive event after a long time, they will say things like "I've been following you", which makes me very happy!

Q: Because of "Detective Opera", Ms. Mimori was able to perform at Budokan as a group, and as a musician, it is a sacred place that you admire. So did you feel any resistance to performing at Budokan?

Mimori: I was very scared. I was timid until the performance started. It was about the second year of dubbing for "Detective Opera", so I was thinking, "Is it really okay to come here?" I didn't feel confident at all. At that time, I couldn't find the sense of reality standing in the Budokan. Later, when I thought about it, I slowly realized, "We did such an incredible thing at that time. We actually stood in the Budokan." But during the performance, I was still confused and only focused on the performance.

Q: So Ms. Mimori will move towards Budokan as a solo singer next?

Mimori: Of course I want to go to a solo concert. I once sang alone with the band at the RISUANI concert at the Budokan. I felt very comfortable at the time, especially because the audience seats at the Budokan are very close to the stage. If you stand at the edge of the stage, you can really touch the hands of the audience. I hope to feel everyone up close, so I am looking forward to the solo performance. And it is also a historic stage. One day...

Q: Do you think there are subtle differences in the performance methods of voice actors and singers?

Mimori: I basically never paid attention to this aspect. When I perform as a voice actor, I am in a relatively neutral position. Anyway, no matter how I perform, I need to maintain the mental state of the role. When I stand on the stage as a singer, I will have a strong sense of self-consciousness and think "I am Mimori Suzuko!"

Q: Voice actors are responsible for the performance, while singers need to express themselves. This is Ms. Mimori's feeling, right? Doesn't this contrast make you feel very difficult?

Mimori: Of course it was difficult. I was used to playing a role, so when people said, "Okay, do whatever you want," I was very confused at first. Although I have been able to communicate happily with fans in some personal MCs during this period, I was completely confused at the beginning (laughs).

Q: Is it the same on MC?

Mimori: I was thinking at first: What should I say? What should I do when I am alone? (laughs)

Q: If you were to describe singer Suzuko Mimori in words, how would they feel?

Mimori: How should I put it... Depending on the song, I feel like I play various roles. For example, I filmed the MVs for "Heart Collection" and "Wonderland Love" before, and I really felt like I played many roles in them. Is this a kind of multiple personality? (laughs) Ah, chameleon. It seems like I have gradually become a chameleon-like person (laughs).

Q: In other words, you incorporate different ideas into different songs, right?

Mimori: That's right. Depending on the song, I always think about how to express the lyrics.

Q: If you were asked to promote this album to your fans, what would you say?

Mimori: Yes. I would recommend it this way: "Come and taste the unknown Mimori Suzuko!" Rock is a new style for me to try, and the same is true for ballads. There are also very cool songs, and there are also cute songs. It feels like a lot of things have been incorporated, and the album cover also uses great colors, so the content is also "colorful".

Q: In other words, this album is full of a new Mimori Suzuko?

Mimori: Also, if you listen to the songs from beginning to end in order, it will feel like a date at an amusement park, so I hope everyone can enjoy this aspect of the fun.

Q: Finally, Ms. Mimori, please tell us about your future ambitions.

Mimori: My goal this year is to "work harder", but I was originally looking for the unknown self, and I hope to turn this form into reality. If I can release another album because of this opportunity, then it would be great.

The second album "Fantastic Funfair" released on April 8th

(1) Fantasic Funfair

Lyrics: Hata Aki Composition: Ota Masatomo Arrangement: EFFY (First Call)

(2) "ときめいてDream"

Lyrics: Kobayashi Azusa, Junlong Composition: Junlong Arrangement: Yupa

(3) "Pure Love DaDandan"

Lyricist: Hikari Composer/Arranger: Komatsu Kazuya

(4) ROLLERCOASTER

Lyrics: YADAKO (Myu) Composition and arrangement: Masse (Myu)

（5）《TravelingKit》

Lyrics and music: Watanabe Sho Arrangement: Masuda Takeshi

(6) "せいいっぱい、つたえたい!" 》

Lyricist: Shoko Omori Composer and Arranger: Souto

(7) Heart Collection

Lyrics: Kanata Nakamura Composition: Hajime Mitsumasu (First Call) Arrangement: EFFY (First Call)

(8) Spinning Star

Lyricist: Hikari Composer/Arranger: Komatsu Kazuya

(9) Harmonia

Lyrics: Shilo Composition: Endo Naoya Arrangement: Nakanishi Ryosuke

(10) "ちいさな手と観覧车"

Lyricist, composer, and arranger: ふわりP

(11) Wonderland Love

Lyrics, Composition, Arrangement: Kz (livetune)

Comes with a limited edition Blu-ray disc for 4,500 yen (excluding tax)

Comes with a DVD first edition 3800 yen (same)

Regular version 3000 yen (same)