“I Wrote Down Everything Myself…” Shūichirō Umeda’s Stunning Ad-lib?! Interview with Voice Actors from the Anime "The Banished Court Magician Aims to Become the Strongest"

――In the early episodes, the story’s key point is how Alec regains his self-confidence through interacting with the other three, right?

Umeda: He wasn’t really in a state where he could speak confidently with the three yet. While Alec is kind and considerate, he also seemed somewhat reserved at first, I think.

――He couldn’t quite shake off his habits from his time at the court, as depicted in the story.

Umeda: That’s exactly what Ornest and the others helped him to break free from.

――Personally, I was drawn to Ornest’s passionate spirit.

Kubo: Oh!

Mizunaka: He really is a great guy, isn’t he?

――When the three welcomed Alec back into the party, did you approach it as if you were encouraging an old friend who had lost his confidence?

Mizunaka: Ornest has that kind of personality, so I played him breezily without overthinking. There wasn’t really any complex motivation behind his actions.

Everyone: (laughs)

――That’s what makes him so likable.

Mizunaka: His emotions are straightforward and his reasons for acting are clear. Like aiming to be the strongest because his old friends are there, or directly confronting Alec when he isn’t honest—he never does anything underhanded, just asks things straight out. That’s what I focused on.

――Those words really capture Ornest’s character.

Kubo: I think the three hadn’t changed at all, in a good way. Even after being apart, it was the same, so maybe that’s why they could be together with Alec again. If things had grown awkwardly or changed too much, maybe they couldn’t have reached out to Alec.

Mizunaka: It was only Alec who felt inferior.

Kubo: Of course, it’s not as if they hadn’t grown at all, but I think the three spent their time after school just as they always had. So when Alec rejoined, it felt like all three of them were able to start anew as adventurers together with Alec.

Tazawa: Even that first conversation felt just like, “Long time no see!”—as if we were simply continuing our school days’ conversations.

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