Template:Interview 6

Interview with Koki Uchiyama (Rei Suwa's Voice Actor)


 * '—— When you first saw the character design, description, and other information about Suwa Rei, what impression did you have?


 * Koki Uchiyama: He had a chilly air, and his personality didn't seem cheery at all. I had a very strong impression of coldness, as if he'd closed off his heart. The description said that "he was raised in an unusual environment, and works as an assassin", but since it was an original series, I had no idea what future development he would go through. So I figured he must still have plenty of hidden depths in store.


 * '—— And how did it feel to actually act as him?


 * Koki Uchiyama: (Kurusu) Kazuki and (Unasaka) Miri have lots of lighthearted interactions which roll along at a brisk pace, but when Rei joins in, he can't really keep up with that pace and energy; I was often reminded to convey that during the recording sessions. There are a lot of conversation scenes among the three members of the household, and I was told not to fall into their rhythm. When you're talking to someone, it's natural to get emotionally caught up in the conversation, and to be mindful of the other person when choosing your words. But when it came to Rei, it was very important to keep that tendency in check.


 * '—— You were essentially playing the dual roles of father to Miri, and a professional assassin. Was there anything you kept in mind at those times?


 * Koki Uchiyama: In Rei's case - first of all, when his hairstyle changes, he leaves a very distinct visual impression, and so I figured that had to make some difference. During the recording sessions, I was asked to give him a slightly different vibe whenever he entered assassin mode. And as for the parts where he's being a father to Miri, I felt like that aspect developed bit by bit as the story progressed - early on, he doesn't have the sort of concern or feelings for her that Kazuki does. Rei's fatherly feelings build up through various incidents, and it made sense that it would be a gradual development.


 * '—— Please tell us your impressions of Kazuki and Miri, as well as what you find appealing about each of them.


 * Koki Uchiyama: I think Kazuki is an essentially cheerful person, and takes an interest in all sorts of things. Unlike Rei, he has very strong life skills; he can cook and clean and do laundry to perfection, and he can communicate smoothly with others. No matter whether he's dealing with the job or the housework, he tackles it proactively. It sounds strange to say that he "enjoys" his job as an assassin, but on the whole, I do get the impression that he really revels in life in general. That's his charm. Miri is as bright as the sun, and chatters away cheerfully in a loud voice. I think she has a natural ability to lift the spirits of the people around her, with her laughing and singing. Plus she has quite a wealth of different expressions, and not just childishly adorable ones - her goofy faces and wicked smirks are also drawn in fine detail. That level of expressiveness and variation is also charming. I think it's good that she has traits beyond just cuteness.


 * '—— From the episodes that have aired so far, are there any scenes that left an impression on you, or that you're especially fond of?


 * Koki Uchiyama: There's a scene where they're struggling to balance their life with Miri and their job, and so they head to the government office, but what I really found memorable was how we begin to see all the aspects of "parenting" from there. Part of the process is that they have to write her name on all her belongings for daycare; I thought that little detail was very effective. And in the scene where they go shopping for high-end children's clothing, it was interesting to see Kazuki go on about how, when you're entering a group environment, you have to try to look cool right from the start. I've spotted designer children's clothing in department stores, and I've always wondered what sort of parent would buy such expensive stuff. Turns out Kazuki does. (laughs) That was on my mind as well.


 * '—— Please tell us what you think are the selling points of this series "Buddy Daddies".


 * Koki Uchiyama: I think it really is the feeling you only get from an original anime, that you have no way to tell where things are going from here. I also recorded every episode with no idea how it would all turn out in the end. From the midpoint onwards, Miri's mother is an important character as well, and various dramas are playing out in parallel, including each character's past. In that way, every episode brings a sense of freshness, and I think you can enjoy that without ever getting bored.


 * '—— Finally, please give a message to everyone who is enjoying this series.


 * Koki Uchiyama: When it comes to Rei, his past and background are still a mystery in many ways. We get a few glimpses from his conversations with Kazuki, but the series will delve more deeply into that from now on. Please pay close attention to the story of the Rei, Kazuki, and Miri trio, as well as to each character's life until now. And this one is a minor detail, but I'd like to note that there are a lot of homages to legendary movies scattered throughout. The scene of making French toast is reminiscent of "Kramer vs. Kramer" [1979 legal drama], and Ogino Ryo is a lot like Chigurh from "No Country for Old Men" [2007 thriller by the Coen brothers]. I think it would be wonderful if you could appreciate those hidden references as well. I hope you will follow this series all the way to the finale.