Interview with the voice actors (1994)
Source: Yu Yu Hakusho Anime Comics, Meikai Shito Hen - Honoo no Kizuna, volume 2 (October, 1994). More info: Anime Comics.
This may be a long interview, but it’s interesting to learn more about the japanese voice actors’ point of view about the characters and YYH in general.
Nozomu Sasaki (佐々木 望) – Yusuke Urameshi
- Birthday: January 25 (Aquarius);
- Freelancer voice actor;
- Other roles: Tetsuo (Akira), Shin no Suiko (Samurai Troopers).
Note: he was a freelancer when this interview was conducted in 1994. For more info, visit Nozomu Sasaki‘s Official Site.
How did you react when you found out you were going to play Yusuke?
Even though he was a character I really wanted to play, I knew it would be very hard being chosen, so I tried not to worry about the results of the audition. When I got the news, my motivation was renewed.
What are your impressions of Yusuke after playing him?
Hum…I can’t say I know him thoroughly. Despite what he may look like, he’s not an ordinary guy, he’s someone who goes deep in his thoughts. When I think I am finally able to understand him, in the next scene he says and does things I could never imagine.
Which Yusuke’s episode was a moment to remember?
I always end up forgetting about my favorite scenes (laughs). For example, I can’t fully express in words everything I felt during the dialogues exchanged between Yusuke and Sensui at the time anymore. If feels like all of this has already become a part of me.
And which episode in general was one to remember?
When Master Genkai died. It was tough and sad. Even knowing she would resurrect later, it was impossible to not be moved. It was like my own grandma had passed away.
Apart from Yusuke, who’s your favorite character?
Yusuke (laughs). But I also like Genkai.
What’s your opinion about Yu Yu Hakusho?
I think YYH has something different from the other traditional fighting animes. It doesn’t betray itself. If feels like it has its own purpose that no other anime has.
Don’t you think YYH differs from the traditional animes with beautiful characters? Of course, YYH has its heartthrobs (laughs). But the same old rule that separates the hero from the villain doesn’t apply here. Both Younger Toguro and Sensui had their own goals that went against others. So, if you put yourself in their shoes, you will understand their motives and what led them to act the way they did.
How would you describe Yusuke in one word?
Every time I am asked this question, I answer that he is stupid (laughs). But he can’t be boiled down to that…What about someone who pretends very well to be stupid?
Shigeru Chiba (千葉 繁) – Kazuma Kuwabara
- Birthday: February 4 (Aquarius);
- Affiliated with the talent management enterprise Eighty-One Produce;
- Other roles: Chief Shigeo Chiba (Patlabor).
For more info, visit Shigeru Chiba’s Official Twitter
Did you take any precautions while playing Kuwabara?
I’ve always taken good care to not make him sound like a heartthrob. I tried to dub him as a normal guy for what he really is, so people would be able to identify themselves in him. If there is an exception to the rule, it’s when he shows his feelings without reservation.
Note: It’s also interesting to have a look on this interview (2011). Togashi praised Shigeru’s work twice: “the acting skills of the voice actor of Kuwabara Kazuma, Chiba Shigeru, motivated me greatly. He understood the character of Kuwabara even better than me. Therefore, when I watch the anime, I also had something to take away from it. That is the best result” and “The person who can act out the right voice, not only merges with the original work, but also investigates the character in their own way, just like Chiba Shigeru whom I mentioned earlier, he understands the character better than I do. ‘So you can interpret the character that way too’, I was surprised that way before. Because I know this is a good learning point for me, I would consciously avoid the sound”.
Are there any unforgettable Kuwabara’s scenes or lines to you?
When Kuwabara saved Yukina and said: “I’d like you to know that not all the humans are bad. For that reason, please, don’t hate all human beings”. Or in the movie when he was losing badly, he didn’t quit the fight and said: “in a matter of stubbornness I’ve never lost to anyone¹”. Through this line, I found out the real meaning of the word “quit”.
Note¹: In the english dub version of the Poltergeist Report movie, Kuwabara says: “in a true contest of guts I have never been beaten”.
Normally, this word carries a negative sense, for example, “to quit your efforts”. But in reality it means “facing the reality as it is and move forward”. For that reason, it’s beautiful when someone fights with all his might even knowing he will die. That’s the way Kuwabara has always fought.
Which episode of the anime was unforgettable to you?
Sensui’s Arc. Even in daily life, people tend to eliminate what they fear. For that reason, I think humans are the most fearful race of all. Sensui claimed he wanted to be killed in the Demon World (Makai) by the hands of a youkai. Even though this act would not erase his sins, that feeling really moved me. In the end, love, hate, envy and sorrow are originated from the same kind of energy. Depending on how it is used, a person can hurt others and eventually can destroy oneself. Using this energy in a positive way, it becomes love; in a negative way, grudge.
What’s your opinion about Yu Yu Hakusho?
I think YYH tries to unveil what it is being human. Evil also exists within us and that’s exactly why Yusuke and Kuwabara fight. The goal of this story is to make them realize the existence of this evil in order to destroy it.
Do you mean it’s not a traditional story about good and evil?
Normally good overcomes evil and we’re proud of that. But here, the “evil” also has its motives and if you delve deeper you may find out it could exist within you. That’s what Sensui’s saga was about.
Nobuyuki Hiyama (檜山 修之) – Hiei
- Birthday: August 25 (Virgo);
- Affiliated with the talent management enterprise Art Vision;
- Other roles: Pedro Kazmaier (Jungle King Tar-chan), Maito Senpuuji (The Brave Express Might Gaine - Yuusha Tokkyu Maitogain) etc.
For more info, visit Hiyama’s Official Twitter
What was your first impression of Hiei?
At the beginning, he was an enemy, then I thought: “the stronger the enemy, the cooler he is”. So, I thought about playing him in a way that intimidated Yusuke.
But he ended up becoming an ally…
That’s right, that’s when I felt flat on my face.
What kind of guy is Hiei?
He’s a character in which strength, sincerity and bad mood coexist. It’s natural for some people to refrain their desires due to other people’s opinions, but he is free of modesty. He comes and goes as he pleases. It’s not like he doesn’t think of others, but keeping his own rhythm is more important to him.
Do you mean he is only sincere with himself?
Yes, even though I receive lots of letters saying he’s a “contrarian” (laughs). He seems to be this way because the story is told by Yusuke’s point of view. If it was Hiei’s perspective, you would see that he is just unable to lie to himself.
Which episode of the anime was unforgettable to you?
It’s not about “one episode”, I like when Hiei loses a little bit of his composure when Yukina is around. Shortly thereafter, Yusuke and Kurama show up to mock him. What a pain in the ass those guys (laughs).
What are Hiei’s best lines?
Those three: “Humph”( フン), “tsk” and “idiot” (laughs).
What’s your opinion about Yu Yu Hakusho?
Even though it’s a fighting anime, the way the story is written is unique.
The enemies are interesting, don’t you think?
I agree. I don’t think Yusuke and the others have any goals in mind to fight but the enemies do. I know Hiei and Kurama are very dear and popular characters, but personally, I see many interesting things about the enemies as well.
Who is your favorite villain?
Sensui. He’s a character who had been worried about several events and that led him to desire the destruction of the entire human race. I know it would be impossible at the moment, but he’s the character I’d like to play one day, like in 10 or 20 years.
Note: Mr. Hiyama, more than 20 years later (February 20, 2020), gave an interview alongside Shohei Hashimoto, Hiei’s actor in the Stage Play, commenting about playing Sensui. The question was about if there were any scenes they wanted to see on the stage. Hiyama’s answer: “what I personally want to see is the Sensui’s Arc. I’ve loved it since then. Hiei doesn’t get much of a chance to appear, though (laughs). Even though he passed away, Sensui was a really cool character with the performance of Naya Rokuro (he died in 2014, R.I.P). I was reading an interview from back then in which I said “I want to be an actor who could play the role of Sensui in 10 or 20 years” but I'’m not used to it yet (laughs)”.
Megumi Ogata (緒方 恵美) – Kurama
- Birthday: June 6 (Gemini);
- Affiliated with Aoni Production;
- Other roles: Sailor Uranus (Sailor Moon), Hiryu (Ginga Sengoku Gun Yuuden Rai) etc.
For more info, visit Megumi’s Official Twitter
What was your first impression of Kurama?
When I asked the producers what kind of character was Kurama, I got this answer: “he’s human but also a youkai; has a human form but is fox; looks like a girl but he is a boy; looks 16 but is hundreds years old…” (laughs). Confused, I turned to the manga and saw for the first time his appearance as Youko. So, my impression was: “what? such a complex character!?” (laughs).
How would you describe Kurama in one word?
Lately, I am not able to answer that. The same way it is hard to describe a real person, he’s almost indescribable.He’s a character that seems to be always walking a fine line.
What are Kurama’s best lines?
What he said when Yusuke was about to die in the Irima’s cave (Sensui’s Arc): “I couldn’t stand it if any of us four weren’t here”. Due to his real age, he already has a refined mind and rarely externalizes his true feelings. But, at that time, he spoke from the bottom of his heart.
I have the impression that you natural voice and Kurama’s voice are very different.
Really? I don’t need to create a voice for him. The voice simply comes out of my mouth when I think about him. After finding out I had a high-pitched voice, I tried to make it sound deeper, my focus was solely on my voice. Then, I started to dedicate more to acting and trained a lot to increase my vigor. Paying more attention to intonation helped me to expand my vocal capacity.
Apart from Kurama, who’s your favorite character?
Sincerely, it’s Yusuke. He has a big heart and is able to accept people just as they are. No matter who, everyone ends up liking him. The guys gathered together thanks to Yusuke and, in the end, even Toguro and Sensui were attracted by his charisma.
What’s your opinion about Yu Yu Hakusho?
It’s a story free from hypocrisies. It addresses several themes, but never pushes you to agree with any of them. That’s its attractiveness. When I play Kurama, I always try to convey this lack of pretense from the story itself! Please, keep on watching Yu Yu Hakusho!
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