TV Anime “Gachiakuta” Episode 5 Synopsis & Preview Stills Released! Official Cast Interview Featuring the All-Star Lineup Also Unveiled

Official Interview with the Four Main Cast Members Released

★Interviewees★
・Aoi Ichikawa as Rudo
・Katsuyuki Konishi as Enjin
・Yoshitsugu Matsuoka as Zanka
・Yumiri Hanamori as Riyo

──What were your impressions after reading the original manga?

Ichikawa: When I was given the chance to audition via recorded tape, I read the original manga, and above all, I was drawn to the sheer power of the artwork, especially the expressiveness of the eyes. Just a single glance from a character’s furious eyes was powerful enough to overwhelm the reader, delivering a strong message. That was a striking impression, very impactful. On top of that, the freedom and charm with which the characters are depicted bring out their humanity, reality, and individuality. I thought this was a work where that becomes clearly visible.

Konishi: I’ve been reading it since the release of Volume 1. As Ichikawa-kun mentioned, the characters are interesting, and the story is fascinating. But above all else, Kei Urana-sensei’s artwork is truly incredible. Even though the drawings are static, there’s an intense sense of movement—the impression that they are truly alive. There are many over-the-top characters, and the dialogue is interesting. The story starts with the descent from the Heavenly Realm into the Lower World, and at first, I wasn’t sure what kind of tale it would become. But by the time I finished the first volume, I was hooked and couldn’t stop reading.

Matsuoka: Honestly, I can sum up my impression as “astonishing.” I’d really love to take a look inside Sensei’s mind and see how these ideas come to life. Now I’ve read up to the latest volume, and every time I can’t help but wonder, “What’s going to happen next?” I imagine people following the weekly serialization must feel that suspense every week, which is why I buy the collected volumes—I don’t want to be left hanging each week. That’s how much this work sticks in my mind. So, much respect to Urana-sensei.

Hanamori: I also read up to Volume 4 during the tape audition phase. The speed of the drawings and the intricately drawn backgrounds are both unique and delicate, with an overwhelming energy. From the manga itself, I felt like images formed in my mind, as if I were already watching scenes unfold. Rudo doesn’t know anything about the Heavenly Realm because he was cast into the Abyss, but as the story progresses, both he and the reader gradually learn more about this world, always piquing our curiosity for what’s next. It’s a story that constantly stimulates your curiosity. As we discover what the supposedly reliable companions are thinking and how they live, you realize, “We didn’t really know anything about this kid.” You want to learn more but are also apprehensive… I got caught up in that ambiguous feeling. While turning that into my performance for the anime, I kept thinking about “which direction” to take it. As we proceed with recording, I feel everyone has an idea of the approach they want for their own character, but the script always surprises us. For those reading the weekly serialization, I think they must experience dramatic surprises every time—and I believe that sort of fast-paced excitement will be a major appeal of the anime.

──Please tell us about the appeal of your own character.

Ichikawa: Rudo is a very straightforward character. He’s not the best at communication at first, but he is never afraid to express his emotions directly. His impulsiveness and the way he dashes forward true to his feelings is what makes him appealing. He’s stubborn, but it’s not that he rejects others; through his interactions with the Cleaning Crew members, he gradually becomes softer. As he gets involved with others, he starts absorbing, and grows a desire to help the people around him. It’s about acquiring the ability to rely on others, not just his own strength, and that really defines Rudo. Instead of making you want to “help him,” he’s the kind of character you want to “watch over and witness how he lives” —that’s his charm, I feel.

—But Rudo does seem quite clumsy, doesn’t he?

Ichikawa: Yes, absolutely. But that clumsiness is part of his charm. As adults, we get better at navigating social interactions, but he hasn't learned that yet, so it’s intriguing to see how he’ll move forward. I think that honest awkwardness can inspire us, and that’s truly his appeal.

Konishi: Enjin is a member of the Cleaning Crew, and he’s really the one responsible for bringing Rudo into the group. He’s a hard-to-pin-down character, but in reality, he observes those around him closely and takes good care of them. Like assigning Zanka as the caretaker. As for why Enjin is a Cleaner, what he wants to do there, and how he wants to live as one—none of that has been revealed yet. That makes him very compelling. Though he seems to go through life casually, he steps up when it counts, and always steals the show whenever something cool happens. He’s a character with a lot of facets; he can be funny in a gag scene, then tie things up seriously. Which is his true self, I wonder. Even when he’s joking around, there are moments his eyes become serious—I hope I can gradually bring out those details in my performance.

—Enjin bursts out laughing after hearing about Rudo and Zanka’s “shocking encounter.”

Konishi: I think he’s just a guy who wants to enjoy life to the fullest. After all, they don’t live in a world of abundance. The environment is polluted, and their range of movement is limited. But in a sense, I think these people aren’t really repressed. They live each day to the fullest, not knowing if they’ll die tomorrow—or even today. That probably makes them want to cherish everyone they become involved with, and also gives them the drive to find what they want to do and pursue it. I think that’s the kind of group they are. That’s what makes the people living in the Abyss so cool, in my opinion.
Ichikawa: For better or worse, everyone lives as equals. That’s why their individual freedom, each way of life, looks so cool and comes through clearly.
Konishi: That’s probably why Rudo was so shocked at first—it’s a totally different world from the Heavenly Realm.

—How do you perceive Zanka’s appeal?

Matsuoka: My first impression was that Zanka seemed pretty rough around the edges, but there was also something off about the way he used words, or how he talked, that I couldn’t quite pinpoint. As I read further into the manga, it clicked for me—“Ah, it’s because of what he’s experienced, that he became who he is now.” At first, even reading the script, something in my head would scream, “That’s not right!” His word choice and speaking style just felt off—like doing it that way would make him seem shallow. Usually, if I can read the source material, I can grow together with the character even if I don’t know what happens next, but this work wasn’t like that. But as I kept reading the manga and gained context, I felt like the engine finally kicked in. Even if Zanka comes across as rough, I tried to convey his underlying conviction in my performance.

—One interesting aspect is Zanka’s relationship with Rudo.

Matsuoka: Their initial encounter is just wild—it’s the worst meeting you could imagine. But despite “that incident,” Zanka can’t help but keep an eye on Rudo. If they had just welcomed Rudo into the Cleaners’ organization like any other member, Zanka probably wouldn’t have gotten so attached. It’s because of their “worst encounter” that things turned out this way. Just the sight of Rudo reminds him of “that thing.”
Hanamori: The worst… (laughs).
Matsuoka: Like, “You little brat!” (laughs).

—How about Riyo?

Hanamori: Going back to the audition, I wanted to focus on portraying her elusive qualities. Even during the actual dubbing, I got the direction, “Don’t put too much expression into the voice, but let the emotion subtly waver instead.” I tried to process that within myself. Like a black cat—she slips into others’ hearts but never lets anyone into her own. I aim to act her as someone with both a dangerous air and a sort of magical allure, who might slip away if you try to grasp her. But even after reading the original, I still feel like I don’t know her at all—and I want to know more. I hope people watching the anime—and Rudo, too—feel that way. I want to make sure she never comes off as “scary” despite her mysteriousness, and that the audience is drawn to her instead. Honestly, I think even as her performer, I’m slowly becoming a captive of Riyo’s.

—Riyo’s combat abilities are part of her appeal too, aren’t they?

That’s right. I think that aspect will become a key element in the future. But there’s a scene coming up where both the viewers and I may be stunned at how much we didn’t know about her. As an actor, I feel it’s a challenge to convey her appeal and make people like her even then, when those moments arrive. I’m going to give it my best.

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