Interview with Sayaka Sembongi (Marcille from Delicious in Dungeon)

Written by Ross Locksley on 22 Feb 2024

Thanks to Kadokawa, we were able to send some questions to seasoned and popular voice actress Sayaka Sembongi, who you may know from That Time I Was Reincarnated as a Slime, Girlish Number and Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress to name but a few. 

Hi, can you introduce yourself to our readers?

Hello, my name is Sayaka Sembongi, and for this anime, Delicious in Dungeon, I will be playing the role of Marcille.

Did you know about the original manga? What was your first impression about the fantasy series Delicious in Dungeon?

For Delicious in Dungeon, I did know about the series before I auditioned. It was talked about since the first release of the manga volumes, and I heard from various people all around me, that it was a very popular series. And I heard that it was about taking down monsters and eating them.

So, I was aware of the story before auditioning. But once I tried out the role, I read through the manga, and it was so interesting. It was a really good balance between its serious story and comedic aspects. I read through it so quickly because I was so immersed.

What do you think makes the character voice in Delicious in Dungeon feel different in comparison to previous roles you have done?

In terms of the overall feel of the character, it’s not so different from the other roles that I usually take on. But the comedy aspect was very different and unique because the role of Marcille often has to retort to some of the airheaded aspects of the other characters’ comical relief moments.

I haven’t had much opportunity or experience in playing out those roles or characters. There are many scenes where Marcille has to jump in, or Marcille has to react or retort to the other characters acting a little bit weirder or airheaded. So, this was a new and refreshing experience.

What aspects of your character do you find most intriguing to portray? Or what did you like most about playing the character?

In order to portray the comical side of the character, it was quite a challenge because I’ve never really done it that much. But while I was acting out Marcille, I thought, how can I bring out her true nature and character, through these comical scenes?

Through her retorting or her reacting to these comedy moments, I would consider what is she thinking? How is she reacting at this moment? Other than that, I do enjoy the comical aspects, but outside of that as well, she also has a lot of cute moments. I think those are the moments that I also enjoy because there are so many facets of her character.

Despite being, in general, very focused, Marcille being very lively when it comes to food introduced in the series, and Laios’ crazy ideas can get Marcille out of control during their adventures. What are the challenges in accommodating these two opposite sides of her character? How did you channel that energy?

When you put it that way, I guess there are these two aspects of her. I think for Marcille, her number one goal is to save Falin. So, in order to reach that goal and accomplish this, she must survive the dungeon. And then, once she survives the dungeon, she’s able to reach Falin.

To reach that goal, and obviously in order to survive, you must eat. As a result, as part of that goal, Laios does say some crazy things like, “If you want to survive, you must eat.” I think her true feeling is that “I want to eat normal food,” but she also realizes the reality that she must eat to survive.

I feel like there wasn’t much difficulty in trying to portray those two sides, just because I feel like Marcille, at her core, is a very honest person in the way that she approaches these two aspects.

To viewers who have not read the manga, Where is the main appeal of the Delicious in Dungeon anime? Why should we watch it?

As human beings, one of the requirements to survive is to eat and take in food. I feel like that’s one of the appealing aspects of the series. The cooking and eating aspects are also really interesting, but more than that, after eating, there are relationships and bonds that strengthen. It’s beyond just the food itself. It’s also interesting to see how the process of cooking the food, eating together, and how that affects everyone’s relationships can also affect the adventures afterward.

Delicious in Dungeon has garnered significant anticipation with its manga's success. How does it feel to be part of the team bringing this beloved series to life as an anime, and what can viewers look forward to in the adaptation?

I was so very happy to hear about the manga being turned into anime and being able to take part in this effort was so exciting to me because it’s such a well-known and beloved manga, and I love the world-building in Delicious in Dungeon. Acting out the eating experience and being able to be part of this world was really exciting news for me.

When it was announced that I would be voicing Marcille, so many people reached out to me saying that they were so excited and happy for me. They cheered me on and they encouraged me. This is a manga I love myself, and so does everyone else also involved. So many people love Delicious in Dungeon! Although it makes me nervous, it gives me the energy and inspiration so that we can enjoy the series together and I’ll do my best.

For fans who are waiting for Delicious in Dungeon, what would you like them to pay attention to while watching Marcille?

I’ve already mentioned this before, but there are many sides to Marcille. She’s very human, and I think that’s one of the most charming aspects about her. When I’m acting out as Marcille, I wonder to myself, “If I were Marcille, would I be able to eat this? I think I could handle this.” So, as I think these thoughts, I hope that it’s able to come across as the genuine, real Marcille.

Any final comments to fans overseas as they watch the anime series?

With Delicious in Dungeon, I was able to visit America myself, and I got to see firsthand how passionate everyone feels and how excited everyone is. That really gave me a lot of inspiration and motivation to keep doing my best. I believe that the anime will be simulcasted in America as well, and I hope that everyone has fun and enjoys watching the anime.

As you watch, please post about it on X, Instagram, etc., so that we can all share our reactions and share our enjoyment of Delicious in Dungeon. Thank you so much, and I hope you all enjoy watching the anime.

Our sincere thanks to Sayaka Sembongi for her time and wish her the best with Delicious in Dungeon!

About Delicious in Dungeon:

Synopsis:

Delicious in Dungeon. That is, “to eat”, or “to be eaten” ―――
Within the depths of the dungeon, his younger sister was eaten by a Red Dragon – and adventurer Laios barely made it back to the surface with his life.
He attempts the dungeon again, but money and food are deep within its bowels…
Faced with the critical situation where his sister may be digested at any moment, Laios decides:
“Food shall be self-providing from within the dungeon!”
Slimes, basilisks, mimics and even dragons!
While eating those that attack you, aim to traverse the dungeons, adventurer!

Staff:
Author: Ryoko Kui (Delicious in Dungeon / KADOKAWA)
Director: Yoshihiro Miyajima
Story Editor: Kimiko Ueno
Character Design: Naoki Takeda
Monster Design: Yuto Kaneko
Concept Art: Sayaka Shimada
Food Design: Mao Momiji
Assistant Director: Hideyuki Satake
Art Director: Sachiko Nishiguchi　Yusuke Nishikimi (Inspired)
Art Supervisor: Osamu Masuyama (Inspired)
Color Design: Hitoki Takeda
Composition Director: Katsunori Shiradou (Graphinica)
Editor: Masato Yoshitake
Music Composer: Yasunori Mitsuda
Music Production: KADOKAWA
Sound Director: Kohei Yoshida
Sound Effects: Kenji Koyama (Sound Box)
Recording Adjustment: Daiki Yamaki (KlagClan)
Animation Producer: Shunsuke Shida
Animation Production: TRIGGER

Music:
Opening Song: BUMP OF CHICKEN “Sleep Walking Orchestra”
Ending Song: Ryokuoushoku Shakai "Party!!"

Cast:

Kentaro Kumagai as “Laios”
Sayaka Sembongi as “Marcille”
Asuna Tomari as “Chilchuck”
Hiroshi Naka as “Senshi”
Saori Hayami as “Falin”
Akira Miki as “Namari”
Shinji Kawada as “Shuro”
Wataru Katoh as "Kabru"
Rie Takahashi as "Rinsha"
Miyu Tomita as "Mickbell"
Toru Nara as "Kuro"
Yuya Hirose as "Holm"
Kei Kawamura as "Daya"

Official Platforms:
Japanese Website: https://delicious-in-dungeon.com/
English Webpage: https://delicious-in-dungeon.com/special-abroad/
English Twitter: https://twitter.com/dun_meshi_en

Streaming Information:

Streaming weekly on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81564899
Copyright: ©Ryoko Kui,KADOKAWA/Delicious in Dungeon PARTNERS