Haruhi Cast Interviews

Questions

1. Please give a comment about the 15^th anniversary of the Haruhi Suzumiya series.
2. What do you like most about the series?
3. Any scenes or lines from the series that left a lasting impression?
4. Tell us about the relationship between the character you voice for and Kyon.

Aya Hirano (Voicing Haruhi Suzumiya)

1. It’s been 15 years already since the shock of meeting Haruhi for the first time, and I’m surprised at how quickly time has flown. If I hadn’t met this work, if this work hadn’t been created, the me right now wouldn’t exist. I can’t imagine how my life would be if I hadn’t met Haruhi. Looking back on the role that was large as life for me back then, it’s packed with things that can only be expressed at that time, and it’s like a treasure in my heart. I’ve lived through my youth with this work, as well as with Haruhi, and I’m thankful for that. I feel really fortunate to be supported by everyone. Thank you all very much. And congratulations to the original work for having reached its 15^th anniversary!
2. I like how it’s about little adventures hiding in everyday life. Unknown to us, these little adventures expand into mysterious worlds, don’t they? Also, even while there are things that I cannot say out loud, Haruhi can represent me and cause me to think, “It’ll definitely be fine!” Thanks to this series, I now want to believe that is true. I really love the parts that make me think, “It’s great that each character is giving their all, trying their best to live.”
3. After the Cultural Festival in Live Alive, Haruhi revealed to Kyon, “I just felt like doing something for now.” That line was the key to the whole series, and I remember feeling quite a bit of pressure in the after-recording, since Haruhi’s true worth could be questioned based on whether I could say the line well. I think that was the time when the different Haruhis from the original work, from the anime and from within myself were unified, and that line became one that I can never forget. There’s also another line that I’ve never nailed, but naturally comes to mind when you mention Haruhi…… “I am here.”
4. I like their sense of distance. It’s quite difficult to attain their relationship of trust, and I think they are irreplaceable existences for each other. The same goes for the sense of security that doesn’t disappear as long as they are together. Even though I’m only acting out the role, I’m a little jealous of their relationship.

Tomokazu Sugita (Voicing Kyon)

1. Good grief. I told em’ all to get along, too.
2. I’m happy hearing people who grew up watching this work address themselves honestly.
3. My monologue in Disappearance.
4. About Kyon and Haruhi’s relationship: She’s an unpleasant girl, but if she’s the key to the world, as if I’m giving up.
   About Kyon and Mikuru’s relationship: She’s a great girl, but also scary since she never shows her true thoughts.
   About Kyon and Nagato’s relationship: She’s a highly observant girl, but she’ll occasionally attack out of jealousy, so you can’t let your guard down.
   About Kyon and Koizumi’s relationship: Your face is too close.

Daisuke Ono (Voicing Itsuki Koizumi)

1. Congratulations for the 15^th anniversary, and thank you! The number of people in the workplace saying that they started aiming to be a voice actor after watching Haruhi has increased. It’s a work that I’m proud to be associated with. This sentiment will probably not change in the foreseeable future.
2. I like how all the strange phenomena are created from the wishes of just one girl. It even called up a movement¹ that can be called a social phenomenon. There is no reason or logic to this; it is nothing but positive power. And that’s why everyone loves Haruhi.
3. The first episode, which opens with Koi no Mikuru Densetsu. That song is everything a character song should be. I was moved by how perfect Gotou-san’s approach to her role was. As expected of Gotouza-sama!² It left me in such a state of fascination and admiration!
4. I would consider the phrase “The friendship between wise men is light like water”, but they don’t cling to each other. They are close by each other’s sides, but they don’t interfere with one another. They are friends, but they don’t advocate forming a bond. That’s what it feels like to me. I like this kind of relationship.

Yuuko Gotou (Voicing Mikuru Asahina)

1. I was dragged into the movement right after coming across the series. The power of the work itself is uncanny. It’s amazing that everyone’s expectations haven’t faded for 15 years, even while the number of new readers continues to increase. I’m happy that I happened to encounter this series.
2. I like how even though it’s SF, the correlation diagrams are complicated, and the characters aren’t ordinary people, but it seems like a fun, everyday school slice-of-life at first glance. Well, each of them are in fact having fun in their own way.
3. “Don’t get too close to me.” That was the line that the older Mikuru said to Kyon. I don’t know if she was taking the circumstances of the world into consideration, or if she was being considerate of her younger self, but it was heart-rending.
4. Unable to leave her be, Kyon often helps out Mikuru while she looks to be in danger while working hard to carry out her mission. Every time that happens, Mikuru like Kyon even more. It really love this spiral, and hate it at the same time.

Minori Chihara (Voicing Yuki Nagato)

1. Once again, congratulations for the 15^th anniversary! Fortuitously meeting this work has largely changed my fate. I have a lot of gratitude towards Nagaru Tanigawa-san who created Haruhi!
2. I like the overwhelming existence that is Haruhi Suzumiya. There’s the thrill of not knowing what kind of incidents you’ll get mixed up in when you’re with her. I hold this feeling of aspiration exactly because I’m the exactly opposite type. Anyway, I’ve been charmed by her, and strangely, I want her to always be smiling.
3. It would be the “Thank you” Nagato said to Kyon at the end of The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya. Looking back at that after-recording session, I remember that that one line was packed with a lot of my own feelings.
4. I really like how the two of them may be silent, but there’s a “gentle atmosphere” between them.

1. He’s referring to Haruhiism, I believe.
2. A reference to the character of the same name (also voiced by Yuuko Gotou) in Lucky Star.