Sore ga Seiyuu – Early Thoughts

I almost forgot this existed, but luckily I didn’t because it’s kind of great. Unlike a certain shitfest that spread massive factually incorrect information about the industry and how anime is produced in every way from recording audio, animation, key frame work, etc (that of course being Shirobako), this is actually much more accurate even though it only focuses on one aspect; voice acting, along with the various work tasks and lifestyles that ends up giving those in the field.

There are some more played up because it’s an anime elements, like the character designs, one being so young (not that high school seiyuu are unheard of or even super rare – but this girl is in middle school), and various fun silliness – but the overall seiyuu stuff is solid and pretty accurately portrayed. I also liked that it covers a lot of small real world details that are important yet aren’t something you’d think about not being part of the business, let alone not a seiyuu (for example an obvious one that just doesn’t cross your mind – wearing clothes that don’t make noise when you move around, or going around doing the monotonous chore of greeting absolutely everyone one by one), and it’s actually really cool, very interesting even to someone like me who admittedly knows a lot about all aspects of the industry as a whole so especially cool to anyone less versed in that stuff, and on top of it all real fun.

We even get a view at all the details of this side of the industry – not just the seiyuu work itself. Some interesting things would include, for example, the control room as well as the ‘control surface’ (unless I’m putting too much faith in Vinny and Drew at GB calling the tricaster that) and such which is pretty cool.

Most interestingly, and importantly if you ask me, is that all three main characters are in real life voiced by completely new seiyuu – none having more than 2 bullshit “supporting” character roles in their histories so far and only one having a main role this season in Gakkou Gurashi. I think this is the best way they could have done it and it really helps both bring that fresh sound new seiyuu have to the table to fit the characters more and showcase their job more (the characters are also new to the industry, and vets can’t really fake that natural authentic sound of new seiyuu very well), but also serving as a way to showcase three new seiyuu to the industry, show off their range and abilities, and help build a future for them.

For those who simply don’t know it’s worth pointing out – most dubs in languages aside Japanese when dubbing audio for games and anime are typically done asynchronously and completely differently than this, so while it’s common knowledge if you aren’t aware, don’t take this as how dubbing (or most voice acting in general) is done outside of Japan. As far as seiyuu work there goes though, this is pretty spot on and presented here in a really fascinating and enjoyable way, so this is very much worth checking out no matter who you are if you have any interest in the ‘behind the scenes’ aspect of anime. Don’t get me wrong though, as a series even aside that this seems enjoyable as well, so I don’t think it’s a requirement that you be interested in this stuff at all either – just a huge bonus if you are.

The ED is super fucking cute too, plus a cool addition that I hope does what it seems to – they’ll mix in a random anime OP into it as well. This time around? Fucking Evangelion!