Full Comments
Comment from Gen Sato, voice of Miyamoto Musashi
Q1. Please tell us about the appeal of this work.
Warriors whose paths could never actually have crossed: if they fought one another with everything they had, who would be the strongest? Alongside that purely combative strength, there is also strength of heart, in what each of them pursues and how each of them wants to grow stronger. You can feel these similar yet distinct forms of "strength" through characters who each live in their own way, and
being able to feel the "excitement that cannot be put into words" deep within the soul is extremely compelling.
Q2. Please tell us anything you kept in mind while playing Miyamoto Musashi.
I traveled to Kumamoto Prefecture, put my hands together in prayer at Miyamoto Musashi's grave, studied his early life at a museum, and visited Reigando Cave, where he is said to have written The Book of Five Rings. I also lost about 15 kilograms, adjusting so that my body and mind would peak at the time of recording, and I kept telling myself that I was the actor with the greatest passion in the land, spurring myself on so that I could perform without hesitation, all so that I could fully express Miyamoto Musashi's innate gift as it appears in Tenkaichi.
Q3. Could we ask for a word for the readers of the original manga?
It is truly an honor to be involved in a work of such overwhelming passion, and to play Miyamoto Musashi, a great figure of history. I performed with the utmost respect and every bit of my own ability, holding nothing back. It will shake you to the soul, without a doubt. Please look forward to Tenkaichi, a work that stands supreme.
Comment from Kenichirō Matsuda, voice of Honda Tadakatsu
Q1. Please tell us about the appeal of this work.
I think the appeal of Tenkaichi is its world brimming with romance, one that depicts serious duels between warriors that could never have happened in history but that everyone has imagined at least once. I also find it very appealing that historical figures are designed and drawn through the bold interpretations that only Tenkaichi could offer.
Q2. Please tell us anything you kept in mind while playing Honda Tadakatsu.
Playing Honda Tadakatsu, known even in real history as a fierce general who never took a wound, I felt that a half-hearted performance would not do, so I acted with the feeling that "this is a battlefield, and I do not mind if I wreck my throat today." Gen Sato's Miyamoto Musashi was also so tremendous that I performed with all my might in order to answer his acting. I believe we were able to perform by competing with each other, each pushing the other higher.
Q3. Could we ask for a word for the readers of the original manga?
I am deeply grateful to be able to take part in the Tenkaichi anime. I am a reader of the original manga myself, so I performed with all my might to draw out its appeal without harming the world of the work. I can hardly wait for the broadcast. I would be delighted if you enjoy the Tenkaichi anime along with us. Thank you for your support.
Comment from Kenyū Horiuchi, voice of Oda Nobunaga
Q1. Please tell us about the appeal of this work.
On Nobunaga's final order, power is to be handed over to the greatest warrior in Japan. What an idea that is. For the generals who failed to seize the realm, this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime chance to take it. A death struggle among generals whose names are recorded in history. Even during recording, I was constantly moved by the passionate performances of the actors.
Q2. Please tell us anything you kept in mind while playing Oda Nobunaga.
Oda Nobunaga in his final years. Physically he has weakened and is in a considerably frail state, yet he is still the man who seized the realm. An overwhelming presence. I performed with an awareness of that, and of an eeriness that could in a sense be called madness. For the scenes of Nobunaga in his youth, I played him with dignity from beginning to end.
Q3. Could we ask for a word for the readers of the original manga?
Recording has finished for all episodes. Just as in the original manga's excitement, the studio too saw battles unfold through passionate performances. I hope you will all cheer us on through to the final battle. Thank you for your support.
Comment from Yōsuke Nakamaru, original story
Ever since the news of the anime adaptation arrived, I too have been looking forward to seeing what kind of visuals it will become. Let us wait excitedly for the finished work, looking forward to the flashy action and the rampaging of the incredibly cool characters that Azuma drew in the manga.
Comment from Kyōtarō Azuma, manga artist
Thank you to everyone at the production studio Fugaku, and to all those involved who worked so hard to bring about the anime adaptation. I cannot wait to see how the characters I created together with Nakamaru will be expressed in the anime.
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