A new TV anime series, "Ascendance of a Bookworm: The Lord's Adopted Daughter," based on the light novel "Ascendance of a Bookworm: I'll Do Anything to Become a Librarian" (TO Books), written by Miya Katsuki and illustrated by Yu Shiina, will begin airing on Yomiuri TV and the Nippon TV network nationwide every Saturday at 5:30 PM starting April 4th. This new installment in the "Ascendance of a Bookworm" series, which began in 2019, sees the protagonist, Myne, stepping into a new environment as Rosemaine, the adopted daughter of a lord. We spoke with Yuka Iguchi, who has voiced Myne and Rosemaine for approximately seven years, about her thoughts on the series.
◇Overthrowing the established order on Saturday evenings
"Ascendance of a Bookworm" tells the story of Urano Motosu, who, after achieving her dream of working at a library in modern Japan, dies and regains consciousness as Myne, a girl in Ehrenfest, a city ruled by magical nobles, and struggles to obtain books. The series has sold over 13 million copies. The first season of the TV anime aired from October to December 2019, the second season from April to June 2020, and the third season from April to June 2022.
Iguchi has appeared in "Ascendance of a Bookworm" for about seven years. This will be the first new episode in about four years, and it will be broadcast on Saturday evenings on a nationwide network.
"Seven years...it goes by so fast! This is our first new work in four years, so we've really kept everyone waiting. As a performer, I've had opportunities to act in drama CDs and stage readings, so I'm surprised that it's been four years. I'm also surprised that it's on Saturday evenings. It's a real upset! It's a time when not only adults but also children can watch it, so it's a really pleasant surprise."
"Ascendance of a Bookworm" is a beloved work for people of all ages. Iguchi says that its appeal is "really numerous..."
"The story is interesting, of course, but there are also surprises like, 'Wow, they tie up all the loose ends here!' The characters are also charming. Rosemaine has grown as well. At first, she was a bit arrogant and just went ahead and dragged everyone into it (laughs). But little by little, she develops self-control and grows as she gains experience. The characters with attractive voices are also appealing. Your children might even be awakened by watching them. All the elements are intertwined and it's really interesting."
What does the series "Ascendance of a Bookworm" mean to Ms. Iguchi?
"I'm so happy to have been able to appear in this one work for such a long time, and to be involved in it in various forms, not just the anime, but also drama CDs, audiobooks, and stage readings. I'm really enjoying playing the role. I've been able to understand the work deeply and I've gained a lot of valuable experience. The more I play the role, the more I feel that there are similarities between Rosemaine and myself. I'm also quite the headstrong type, after all. Rosemaine's single-mindedness motivates me, and I'm really enjoying playing the role. It's a very important work and character that I'm glad to have encountered."
◇The reassuring presence of Show Hayami
Iguchi has been working with Rosemaine through trial and error.
"Originally, she was an adult, but after being reincarnated, she had a hard time adjusting to this world, and I think she became the Rozemyne we know today through trial and error. I myself was also experiencing this world for the first time, and at first I was trying to figure out how to play the role, so there are some similarities. In the beginning, she talks to herself a lot, and I was thinking, 'I want to convey something, but just reading it won't do.' The director also told me to 'make it more comedic,' so I tried various things and threw myself into it. Just as Rozemyne gradually grasps the feeling of this world, I feel that I myself deepened the character of Rozemyne and the distance between her and Ferdinand. Ferdinand, and the voice actor, Show Hayami, have become really important to both Rozemyne and me. Just having Mr. Hayami there gives me a sense of security, and even without saying much, his words are overflowing with love and kindness, and the character and the actor seem to become one."
Besides the anime, she has also voiced Rosemaine in drama CDs, audiobooks, and stage readings.
"The drama CDs and audiobooks go further than the anime. The audiobooks are designed to give an overview of the whole story rather than focusing solely on Rozemyne's perspective, so you can also understand the feelings of the other characters, deepen your understanding, and deepen your love for Rozemyne. I hope everyone will enjoy the work from various angles, such as the original novels and audiobooks, in addition to the anime."
In the new series, "Ascendance of a Bookworm: The Lord's Adopted Daughter," Rosemaine forges ahead in a noble society where common sense doesn't apply, driven by her passion for books and her love for her family.
"The feshpiel concert is a charming story that will make you chuckle even if you've read the original work, and the anime depicts the part where you might have wondered, 'How does Ferdinand sing?', so I hope you'll look forward to the wonderful duet between Ferdinand and Sylvester. Beyond that, there are battles that only the 'lord's adopted daughter' can face, and I think you'll enjoy the changes in pace. I hope you'll enjoy every scene! Don't miss a single episode and watch it together on Saturday evenings!"
From Myne to Rosemaine. Her journey into a new environment mirrors that of Iguchi herself, who has been immersed in the role for approximately seven years. Pay attention to the passionate performances of Iguchi and the other voice actors. (Man Animai/MANTANWEB)
