CATDOLL: Interview with Rie Murakawa, a new voice actor

The Japanese voice actor industry is full of talented people, and many newcomers emerge every year. For this reason, a Japanese media has specially produced a program called "New Voice Actor Picture Book". The program interviews and reports on some new voice actors with great potential, and understands the behind-the-scenes stories of their entry into the industry and their prospects for the future. In the latest issue of "New Voice Actor Picture Book", we will introduce Murakawa Rie, who has played roles such as Futaba Aoi in "Vividred Operation", Hotaru Ichijo in "Nichijou Nichirano", and Esca Marie in "Atelier Esca & Logy: Alchemist of the Dusk Sky".

Q: The TV animation of "Kanzhi Soul" will be broadcasted from April. Ms. Murakawa plays the heroine, Meow, so what kind of girl is she?

Murakawa: Although Meow is a zodiac girl, she is also working hard to become a member of the 12 zodiacs, which is higher than the zodiac girls and is called the zodiac god. Meow is such a girl! She is always energetic and forward-looking. It can be said that she is a character that fits the word "innocent". However, in order to become a zodiac god, she sometimes uses some shameful methods (laughs). Oh, but she has no ill intentions and has never thought of doing bad things!

Q: In other words, you give people the feeling that you like playing pranks! ?

Murakawa: For example, in order to win the first place in the bread-eating competition at the sports meet, she would smear glue on the bread of the contestant next to her so that they couldn't take it down. Once someone yelled at her, "Hey, look at what you've done!", she would immediately shriek and run away (laughs). But I should say that she is very likable, so people don't hate her behavior. She is a popular character! There is also a crazy side to her. In short, she is very much like a cat.

Q: So how did Ms. Murakawa feel when you were cast in the role of Miaomiao?

Murakawa: I'm so, so happy!!! Actually, during the audition, I also dubbed other characters, but I put the most emotion into Meow. So I was very touched and thought: It's great to be able to play Meow...Ah, the part where Meow goes too crazy was not reflected in the script during the audition (laughs).

Q: So you were also surprised when you started dubbing (laughs).

Murakawa: Once her true identity is revealed, Meowth gives people the feeling that she is doing various activities with a smile on her face! (laughs) It seems that she is not just "moving forward towards her dream!" (laughs). However, I discovered that she would desperately want to play pranks, so I liked Meowth even more, and I also felt like performing well.

Q: Including Xiao Miao, all the characters in the work will change their height in daily life and combat situations.

Murakawa: They are just normal size at ordinary times, but when they fight, they will enter a mode called "cute mode" and become smaller. But although they are petite and cute, their fighting movements are very intense. They will attack with a "bang bang" sound, and their weapons will constantly collide, which gives people a lot of pressure. The battle scenes are made in 3D, which makes people feel that they can achieve this level. And the movements are also very delicate.

Q: Compared to the intense battle scenes, the daily scenes are full of funny jokes.

Murakawa: That's right. And during this, the little cat often screams "meow" and wants to get rid of the restraints. This scene made me express it instinctively! If you calculate the ratio of "cute" and "funny", then in most cases, fun comes first. It may be my first time to play such a role in a TV animation!

Q: In other words, your emotions were also extremely high when you were dubbing?

Murakawa: I was so excited! There were often some improvisations. First, we would perform freely during the audition, and then if we thought it was too much, we would think about making it cuter, but basically it was similar to the audition, and it didn't matter if it went too far, so I was very happy to dub! I felt so happy that I couldn't stop smiling (laughs).

Q: During the Niconico live broadcast, Mr. Hiroshi Shimono, who played the role of Mt. Amado, once said, "There is also a bit of Riki Kuma in Meowth" (laughs).

Murakawa: Mr. Shimono once complained about me like this during the dubbing scene (laughs). "Did you say this line as Xiao Miao? Or did you say it as Murakawa Rii?" (laughs)

Q: Nico Nico Live’s slogan is “Japan’s noisiest Nico Nico Live”, so does that mean the dubbing scene is also the noisiest in Japan…!?

Murakawa: Oh, let's be a little quieter (laughs). Ah, but it's really noisy basically. How should I put it, I'm the one who's making the most noise! ​​(laughs) Everyone is really kind and they never ignore me, so I'm very happy!

Q: On the radio, you co-hosted with Ms. Matsui Eriko and Ms. Hanamori Yumiri! What was the atmosphere like?

Murakawa: Ms. Matsui would make noises and complaints with me, but sometimes she would just act silly. And although Yumiri also made noises with us, the youngest girl gave us the feeling of protecting us. It was very fun.

Q: Your solo song is also the theme song "リトライ☆ランデヴー". In it, Meow keeps making mistakes in order to become one of the twelve zodiac signs, and the character is thus shaped. So in this case, how should she express her charm? After thinking about it, I finally used "tsundere girl" to express it... All of the above reflect the delicateness of the setting.

Murakawa: Yes. The lyrics are also related to the plot of the first episode, so please be sure to pay attention! I love singing, and I was very happy to be able to perform freely this time! So I sang with great enthusiasm!

Q: On the other hand, the ending song "blue moment" sung by Xiao Miao and the Twelve Branches gives people a more calm feeling.

Murakawa: That's right, it's more sedate than the main story. But when we perform at exclusive events, we will also provide a concert version of the song, and then give everyone a "dance!!!" feeling.

Q: That's right, in terms of dance moves, the theme song is done by Denpa-gumi, and the ending song is choreographed by Perfume's teacher. I heard that this time they are also going to show the characteristics of animation that have never been seen before!

Murakawa: We, the voice actors, had practiced the ending song together before, and the moment I saw the teacher perform the movements, I was moved! There is no doubt that this is very beautiful, both in terms of form and angle. In this way, I also developed a fighting spirit of "I must dance out perfectly and brilliantly, and I must achieve the best effect!"

Q: So during the event, can we wave the glow sticks as we please?

Murakawa: I feel like this is a song that makes people dance to the rhythm easily! Ah, but before that, we once had a lecture on how to respond to the dance in the Nico Nico Douga live broadcast, and at that time, there was a comment saying that the theme song was difficult (laughs). But I will also work hard, so let's cheer together. Of course, don't force it too much, let's make the event lively together.

Q: I am also looking forward to the animation premiere in April!

Murakawa: Please look forward to it! Really, the world view of "Kanzhi Soul" is very attractive, and the characters are full of personality. It also reflects some human problems. In addition, there are wonderful comedies, oppressive battles, etc. There are too many highlights in the work.

In addition, I hope everyone will pay attention to Xiao Miao's growth. In the first episode, Xiao Miao muttered "My role has not been set yet~", but from the second episode, she exerted 200% of her evil power to become one of the twelve zodiac signs, and then worked tirelessly every day. And the gentle heart that cares about Xiao Yue will be more clearly reflected. Every time you watch an episode, you will feel Xiao Miao's growth!

Q: Speaking of which, since it’s April now, the 2nd LIVE of “The Idolmaster Million Live Concert!” will also start on April 5. Ms. Murakawa will also appear in it!

Murakawa: It's finally the second concert of the Million Live, and the venue is a place that is better than the first one and can attract more attention from the producers. Please look forward to it! From my personal point of view, I will also show a performance that exceeds the first one as Arisa Matsuda. I will work hard for this! Please wait for me~~!

Q: At the end of the interview, Ms. Murakawa, please tell us about yourself as a voice actor and what you want to work towards in the future!

Murakawa: Not only animation and games, but I also hope to get more types of work in songs because I love singing. I also hope to gradually challenge narration work, and if possible... I also hope to show my acting skills in video works. In short, I want to work hard in many fields!

Q: Thank you for accepting our interview today!