"I was doing it with a face I couldn't show to anyone (lol)" Takeo Ōtsuka and Shion Wakayama look back on the behind-the-scenes recording stories of "The Exiled Heavy Knight Knows How to Game the System"

——Could you also tell us about anything else that left an impression during the recording, or any directions given by the staff?

Ōtsuka: Basically, we recorded two episodes at a time, so we were able to follow the flow smoothly and concentrate on the story.

Wakayama: Actually, since we started recording from 10:00 AM, during the test runs we were almost always told, "Everyone, let's bring it up one more level of energy!" (lol).

Ōtsuka: That's true, we did get told that (lol).

——It must be quite difficult to project your voice first thing in the morning.

Wakayama: Especially since I play Luce, I was often told, "One more level of energy!" I would try to give it as much energy as possible during the test, but when they still told me that, I'd reflect on it like, "Aw, it wasn't enough!" Then I'd shift into another gear to perform at full power.

Ōtsuka: We were frequently directed to "go over the top even more" than we thought we should. Also, because the visuals were already complete, you might think there was no room left for ad-libbing, but that wasn't the case at all.

For example, if there were drawn sound effects or visual text representing the bubbly aura floating around Luce, I would try to express that through my voice as well. Furthermore, regarding the battles, so as not to lose to the impact of the visuals, we basically put reactions into every single moving part.

I don't know how much of that was actually used in the final footage, but since the artwork was complete, we built our characters along with the visuals first. My memory is that while adapting on-site, it was challenging but a lot of fun doing all kinds of reactions (lol).

Wakayama: As you will see when you watch it, this is a work spun continuously through Elma-san's lines. He is constantly talking even in monologues, and he talks to Luce as well. Elma-san delivers lines that draw out Luce's reactions, so he guided me the entire time.

Ōtsuka: Elma really does talk non-stop, though (lol). But the reactions from Luce and the others that come into play feel incredibly good, or rather, because of them, Elma gets carried along and has a lot drawn out of him in return. If anything, I was the one who was guided.

Wakayama: No, no, no, not at all! Thank you so much.

Ōtsuka: Especially for Luce, the contrast in Ms. Wakayama's acting was incredible. The cute parts are extremely cute, and though she isn't trying to be silly, there are times when the artwork gives her these amazing, extreme facial expressions (lol). Looking at Ms. Wakayama, I felt like, "Wow, it's okay to go this far" (lol).

Wakayama: Ahaha (lol). I think I was making an unbelievable face while standing in front of the microphone. After all, with Luce opening her mouth that wide, if I don't open my mouth just as wide, that voice won't come out! I think I was doing it with a face I couldn't show to anyone. How embarrassing.

We hope you will check out the broadcast to see what kind of performances Ōtsuka and Wakayama used to color the world of "The Exiled Heavy Knight".

Interview, Photography, and Text by kato
(C)猫子・武六甲理衣・じゃいあん・講談社／「追放された転生重騎士はゲーム知識で無双する」製作委員会

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