Kendo Kobayashi Voices Senior Comedian Ken-san in 'Jujutsu Kaisen': "I Was Convinced It Would Absolutely Be Me"

■Kendo Kobayashi's Official Interview

――Please tell us your impressions when you were confirmed to appear in the TV anime 'Jujutsu Kaisen'.

I've been experiencing sleepless nights from fear. From the moment Ken-san appeared in the manga, I thought "that's absolutely me." With the anime being this popular and the "Culling Game" being depicted, I kept telling people around me that "the role of Ken-san will absolutely come to me!", but when the offer actually came, I started getting anxious (lol). My honest feeling is that things have gotten serious.

――The fact that Ken-san resembles Kencoba (Kendo Kobayashi's nickname) became a topic among fans. What impression did you have of the character when you first saw him?

Gege Akutami-sensei really observes me well. Ken-san is basically "me personified." I often give abstract advice like that to juniors who are struggling, which makes them worry even more. The juniors who overcome that are truly amazing. Though there are more who can't overcome it (lol).

――As an unsuccessful comedian, a new character named Fumihiko Takaba appears. What impression do you personally have about his talent as a comedian, Kencoba-san?

He's worried about not being successful, but if he had continued as he was, I think he would have become successful normally. People who know "defeat" and have experienced losing battles are strong. There are also those like superstars who keep rising without knowing defeat, but they only appear once every few years. Among those who accumulate a history of defeats, the ones who become determined that "I must make it!" are the ones who succeed. Takaba, who can use all that self-deprecation to get laughs after losing that much, will definitely make it someday. ...I don't usually say such specific things. To actual juniors, I give much more abstract advice (lol).

(C)Gege Akutami/Shueisha