An Interview with TOUGEN ANKI voice actor Hiroshi Kamiya

Written by Ross Locksley on 16 Aug 2024

Hiroshi Kamiya is a Japanese voice actor, singer and narrator. A prolific voice actor, he's known for playing Levi Ackerman in Attack on Titan, Koyomi Araragi in the Monogatari series and Trafalgar Law in One Piece among many, many others. 

We were fortunate to be granted access to this industry legend to talk about his work on the upcoming TOUGEN ANKI anime adaptation, where he plays instructor Naito Mudano.

Did you know anything about TOUGEN ANKI before being cast?

Unfortunately, I was not familiar with this work and learned about it for the first time at the audition.

TOUGEN ANKI is an action-heavy series, does this sort of project require any special preparation? I imagine there will be a lot of shouting!

From his standpoint, I think he has to keep the organization in mind. He is a member of the organization. Therefore, he is in a position to raise students as a means to survive so that the organization and the existence of demons do not disappear from this world or be exterminated. However, each student we raise has his or her own individuality, and if we understand their personal aspects before we deal with them, I think we will not be able to treat them all in the same way. So, I think that we will have to be aware of what will happen to him when he stops thinking and acting in a very lean and efficient way, and I think that it is important to make him a human being, an accurate machine-like character to be looked at by others, so that such a time may come. It is a little difficult for me to make him into an accurate machine-like character, so I think I have to cherish the moments when I gradually fall in love with him or am moved by him.

You’re a very experienced voice actor for many iconic and popular characters – you’re playing a harsh instructor (who really cares for his students) in this role, in real life do you find yourself offering advice to younger actors too?

If asked, I may give an answer, but everyone has his or her own ideas on how to play a role or acting theory, and I believe that the individual who plays the role has the best understanding of the role. So I do not often give advice on the work or the play. 

That said, there are some moments that I feel I may be able to contribute in supporting younger actors. For example, during the recording, the director or sound director tends to tell the actors directly what to do such as to raise their voice without telling the reason why they want you to do so. This is because the recording takes place under strict time constraints.

I believe that the quality of the performance will change whether you do it with or without knowing why the director requested that. So if I feel the actor is doing what is requested without understanding why, then that might be a moment that I can support and think together why he/she needs to do so.

What would you like to say to the foreign fans eagerly awaiting this anime and experiencing your performance?

Tougen Anki is a story based on a very well-known Japanese folktale called Momotaro.

Basically, it is a work made up of elements to entertain everyone so I think it is best to enjoy it in a very simple way, without thinking too deeply, like how cool or cute the characters are.

I think that entertainment can give you energy for tomorrow, and I hope Tougen Anki becomes an anime like that for you.

Once it starts airing, we will be able to bring it to you every week. We will make Tougen Aniki an anime that you will be motivated to work hard for the rest of the week to see next week's Tougen Anki. So please look forward to it and wait for it.

We'd like to thank Hiroshi Kamiya for generously sharing his time with us, and wish both himself and his co-stars the best of luck with the upcoming anime! Check out the TOUGEN ANKI website for all the information and to keep track of the project.

TOUGEN ANKI is slated for a 2025 release.
© Yura Urushibara (AKITASHOTEN) /TOUGEN ANKI PROJECT