"I was standing in front of the mic with my heart racing, too" — An interview with Yuto Uemura from the anime "Haibara's Teenage New Game+"

The TV anime Haibara's Teenage New Game+ (Haibara's New Game+ for a High School Reset) has been airing since April 2026. Based on the novel series of the same name by HJ Bunko (published by Hobby Japan), the story follows protagonist Natsuki Haibara, who failed his "high school debut" and lived through a lackluster, gray youth. After time-leaping to the moment just before his high school entrance, he decides to redo his student life as part of his Rainbow Youth Plan.

In his do-over high school life, he builds friendships with his former crush, the beautiful Hikari Hoshimiya, and the popular "top-tier" kids of the class. However, redoing life brings its own set of complications. It’s a relatable, life-sized youth story where Natsuki faces these challenges one by one.

Voicing the protagonist Natsuki is Yuto Uemura. In this article, we share highlights from our conversation with Uemura, including his first impressions of the work and the key points he focused on while playing Natsuki.

—— The introduction, where Natsuki Haibara time-leaps right before high school and works earnestly to redo his youth, was very striking.

Uemura: The pacing of his "do-over" school life is excellent. Even regarding the time leap itself, Natsuki just thinks, "I have to keep moving forward," and throws himself into everything right in front of him. It’s really refreshing to watch.

—— What was the first thing you found interesting about this series?

Uemura: As he interacts with the characters, the relationships change from how they were during his "gray youth." Seeing how everyone's behavior shifts because of Natsuki's actions—causing the story's "colors" to change—was exhilarating and fun.

—— Natsuki is redoing his high school life while technically having the experience of a college senior. What did you keep in mind while playing him?

Uemura: He starts off in an adult state at the beginning of Episode 1, but as he actually talks with the high schoolers, he "de-ages" a bit, so to speak. His mind is an adult, but I wanted his monologues to naturally soften in a subtle gradation as he went along. I discussed this with the staff and we kept it as a loose guideline for the performance.

However, I didn't set strict rules for how Natsuki "must" be. I focused on playing each moment sincerely and valuing the natural atmosphere of the recording booth, letting the vibe shift naturally alongside the other actors.

—— Natsuki is clearly working hard to redo his life, but in the beginning, he seems quite tense while trying to maintain his new friendships. He has a very earnest and serious personality, doesn't he?

Uemura: He definitely has the will to go all-out on things he couldn't do before, but what’s really lovely is how he faces everything with such sincerity and integrity.

Since the work is a youth ensemble drama, the dialogue has a very natural, organic feel. Because of that, I wanted to prioritize the tempo and the chemistry that emerges spontaneously during our exchanges in the booth.

—— Rather than building the character in total isolation, was it a recording process that emphasized the atmosphere on set?

Uemura: Yes, exactly. There were many cast members around the same age, so the "vibe" formed instantly when we performed together. Of course, I received direction on specific points, and I had my own ideas prepared, but everyone’s characters were so wonderful that there was a tacit understanding that it would be fun to let them evolve gradually as the story progressed.

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