"I’ve been hearing people say it feels 'very Umeda-like' more often" — Interview with Shuichiro Umeda, Voice Actor for the TV Anime Kill Blue

— Looking at him again, what are your impressions of Kotatsu, and do you feel you have any commonalities with him?

Umeda: (After reading the manga) I felt he was a crucial character for supporting "Aniki" (Juzo), who turned back into a middle schooler, in aspects of life beyond just combat. I’m not as young as Kotatsu, but I often work alongside many seniors in the industry, so I feel like Kotatsu’s ability to provide a solid "straight man" retort is one of his best qualities (laughs).

— Kotatsu strikes me as the "straight man" in this series, primarily interacting with Juzo. How has the recording been going so far? (Note: At the time of the interview, five episodes had been recorded.)

Umeda: Since most of my dialogue is part of a back-and-forth with Aniki—where I’m reacting to him or the situation around us—I’ve been hoping to get into a good rhythm with Yuko Sanpei (who plays Juzo).

Aniki calls Kotatsu a "Gen Z youth," and while he can be a bit of a jokester, he actually thinks deeply about the life and missions of Aniki, who is stuck in a middle schooler’s body.

Aniki is a legendary hitman with plenty of experience, so he stays calm even in a pinch, but Kotatsu does his own part by researching things in advance to ensure they are ready for anything. I play the role while keeping that "partner" side of him in mind.

— As you said, Kotatsu is a multifaceted character: a partner, a motherly figure, the "straight man," and a Gen Z youth. How did you balance those elements while performing? Did you get any direction like "be more like a nagging mom here"?

Umeda: Yes, sometimes I’m directed to go all out with the retorts even in serious scenes because it adds a nice accent to the moment.

The original manga and the anime’s direction both strike a great balance between Kotatsu’s funny side as the "straight man" and his "surprisingly reliable" side. I generally focus on how I can expand upon that in each scene.

— Even while being dragged along, he clearly states when he can't do something. I personally think that's where Kotatsu shows his reliability.

Umeda: He clearly says, "No way, I can't do that!" (laughs). I think that’s definitely a sign of how solid he is as a support character.

— Also, when Kotatsu supports Juzo’s missions, they communicate via voice through a glasses device, right? In the manga, his dialogue appears in speech bubbles with a cat icon.

Umeda: That appears in the anime too.

— As a character, you're often not in the same physical space as Juzo even during your interactions. Were you in the studio with Ms. Sanpei during the recording?

Umeda: Yes. I’m often at the microphone right next to Ms. Sanpei while she’s fighting or running as Aniki, so we’re able to share the same atmosphere and energy while I deliver my retorts. I hope that provides a good accent to the scenes.

How will Kotatsu support Juzo? Please look forward to the broadcast and keep an eye on Umeda’s performance, which brilliantly captures Kotatsu’s essence as a partner, a "mom," and a Gen Z youth.

Interview, Photography, and Text: kato
(C) 藤巻忠俊／集英社・「キルアオ」製作委員会

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