The TV anime "Yani Neko," based on the manga by Nyannyan Factory currently serialized in "Young Magazine" (Kodansha), will begin airing on TOKYO MX and BS11 every Thursday at 12:30 AM starting July 2nd. The original manga depicts the daily life of "the most worthless cat." Ahead of the broadcast, Yurie Funato, who plays Hame Neko, spoke about behind-the-scenes stories from the recording.
--What were your feelings when you found out you were cast?
I was genuinely thrilled at the thought of "Becoming a resident of the world of Yani Neko!" I had read the original work during the audition, so I was excited to see how that unique atmosphere and energy would translate into film, but at the same time, I was also wondering, "Can this really be made into a film!?" (laughs).
--What are your impressions of the work?
Despite its chaotic, nicotine-stained world, it's strangely warm and endearing; the term "heartwarming comedy" perfectly describes it. On set, all the actors were thinking hard about "how to make it even funnier," and I think that passion is what makes the work so appealing.
--What is the appeal of Hame Neko?
Hame-chan is incredibly expressive, and her charm lies in how her expressions and moods change like a rollercoaster. One moment she's full of confidence, the next she's in a terrible predicament, and sometimes she loses all restraint and makes a devilish face (lol). She's an adorable character that you'll never get tired of watching.
--What influences have you received from Hameneko?
I've always loved video games, and my friends have told me I have big reactions, but I think it's gotten even more pronounced since I started playing Hame-chan. I tried yelling "Aaaaaaah!!" at the top of my lungs when I lost a competitive game, and I was surprised at how much better I felt (laughs). I'm not sure if this is a good change or not.
--Which character is your favorite?
Of course, Hame-chan is special. But if I had to choose another, it would be Alneko! I personally love alcohol, especially sake, so I really like the idea that she would drink with me in that laid-back atmosphere. I feel like we could have a fun time drinking together for a long time.
--What are your thoughts on the recording?
I'm confident that I'm making the dirtiest noises of my life while doing the voiceover (laughs). The set is always filled with laughter, and I often find myself almost bursting out laughing at other people's acting. I'm trying my best to enjoy myself while acting so that I don't get overshadowed by the energy of the work!
--What preparations did you make beforehand for the role?
Since Hame-chan is a streamer, I studied by watching videos and streams from various streamers across different genres. Her character is quite cutesy during live streams, but during recording, I received even more unexpected directions (laughs). I myself had a lot of fun playing the role.
--What aspects of the other cast members' performances were particularly impressive?
I was very impressed by how skillfully Nacchan (Yuko Natsuyoshi, who played the role of Yanineko) recreated the sound of a fart with her hands! It was so realistic that it felt like you could actually smell the fart... I still remember how moved I was.
--What was the most memorable thing that happened during the voice recording?
Many of the main cast members are from the Kansai region, and after Kansai Neko spoke in the Kansai dialect, everyone's intonation would briefly shift towards Kansai (laughs). That kind of friendly atmosphere was very characteristic of this work, and I loved being on set.
--What were some memorable scenes or scenes you'd like viewers to pay attention to?
There's a scene in one of the stories where someone bungee jumps, and I really hope you'll pay attention to it. I can't quite put my finger on why, but it's just so beautiful (laughs). I recorded the voiceover while consulting closely with sound director Hamano (Takatoshi), and it's a scene I'm personally very particular about, so I hope you'll look forward to it.
--Please give a message to those who are looking forward to the broadcast.
The story features many characters with incredibly strong personalities, including Hame-chan. Not only is it hilarious, but seeing each character trying their best to live their lives in their own way gives me energy and makes me want to try harder myself. It's a crazy world, but before you know it, you'll be completely hooked (lol). I hope you'll laugh a lot and have a great time!
