Template:Interview 7

Interview with Kino Hina (Miri Unasaka's Voice Actor)


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

Kino Hina: The first time I received and read the script for episode 1 was at the audition. In the script, a 4-year-old girl turned up in the middle of an intense gunfight - I remember it was quite the shocking encounter. As for the character design, it ranged from a natural smiling face to more comical looks; I thought it was very expressive. "I might have to give a more exaggerated performance, if I'm going to live up to these faces...!" I thought, and let my imagination run away with me.


 * '—— Now that you've actually acted as Miri, what do you think makes her appealing and interesting?

Kino Hina: Plenty of people with actual parenting experience were involved in the series production, and so Miri's speech and behaviour are very close to those of a real child. Everyone is continuously at the mercy of her unpredictable actions and dialogue, and I think that's her charm. They all get jerked around big-time! But the way she's so straightforward and earnest about everything makes it endearing. I really enjoyed giving such a free and unrestrained performance!


 * '—— Miri is the only source of solace in this hard-boiled world, and singlehandedly brings all the coziness to the series. When acting as her, was there anything you kept in mind?

Kino Hina: Ever since the audition, I was directed to give a realistic portrayal, without the sort of theatrical exaggeration that is usually used when playing a small child. I was very conscious of this the whole time I was acting. And so, in the recording sessions, I constantly aimed to let the words slip out without thinking about them, but it was really difficult. During the practice takes, I figured that since she was a child, I would try letting the emotions run wild without worrying about my volume, but I was directed to cut back on that a little. The series alternates between serious scenes and cozy scenes, and I recorded almost all my scenes together with Toyonaga-san and Uchiyama-san; their acting really drew me in and made every scene a delight to perform.


 * '—— Please tell us your impressions of Kurusu Kazuki and Suwa Rei, and what you find appealing about each of them.

Kino Hina: Kazuki is a cheerful man of the world. But deep in his heart, he also harbours lingering scars from his past, and so he's a character who flees from love. Rei lacks energy and doesn't really know how to smile, but he's a highly skilled assassin; due to his childhood and upbringing, he's a character who still doesn't know what love is. I really love those scenes where they're talking not as assassins, and not in front of Miri - those occasional conversations where you can glimpse both of their true selves. The "I won't ask" "I wouldn't tell" scene, and the "For three…?" "For three" scene - those scenes so meticulously show their emotional development and growth as the story progresses. They're a must-see.


 * '—— 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?

Kino Hina: The episode 1 scene where Kazuki becomes Papa Kazuki - "I'm your papa!" - and the episode 3 scene where Rei becomes Papa Rei - "I am... her papa." - were both incredibly memorable. When we were recording the lines for both of those scenes, actually hearing those words was much more impactful than I'd imagined. I felt myself getting goosebumps from sheer joy. My favourite scene is from episode 5, when Miri and Kyu-chan (Kugi Kyutaro) split into one group, and Kazuki and Rei into another. Kyu-chan has been shrouded in mystery until that point, but he unexpectedly ends up watching over Miri, and when she asks about their jobs, Kyu-chan tells her in his usual tone that Kazuki and Rei are a comedian and an oil baron. Those fake jobs are so unexpected, it really lightens the mood. And I love the scenes where Kazuki is in a tricky situation and getting even more worked-up than usual; I always giggle to myself when watching them. Oh, and I also adore the scenes where Rei makes his deadpan quips; when we were recording, there were so many times I had to hold in my laughter, thinking, "That's how you're delivering it?! Brilliant!"


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

Kino Hina: The interactions at the government office, the conversations when preparing to enrol in daycare, Miri throwing a tantrum and yelling "I'm boooored~!" as she kicks the car seat - all those are realistic elements that aren't featured in other stories. But at the same time, there are plenty of heavily fictional aspects; the fact that you can enjoy both these things makes it a very captivating series. The story blends realism, comedy, and serious drama, and moves along at a fast pace; I feel like every episode goes by in the blink of an eye. Besides Kazuki, Rei, and Miri, the other characters are really charming, and will be important in future. There are many characters I'd like you to look out for, but personally, I love Anna-sensei and Miri's friends, so I hope you enjoy what happens at the daycare!


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

Kino Hina: Thank you so much for watching "Buddy Daddies"! No matter whether watching it makes you nostalgic for your own childhood days, or you're currently raising a child, or you're thinking your own parents must have had a really tough time. I think this is a series that can be enjoyed by a wide variety of people, all with their own different perspectives. Acting as Miri has brought up a lot of events from my own childhood that I'd totally forgotten. Since it's an original series, there's no way to know what will unfold from now on; please do keep watching to the end!