What are your thoughts now that recording is complete?
What struck me first was the huge response on social media when the project was announced. And while the story is serious for the most part, it’s filled with tense, thrilling moments that kept me on the edge of my seat. I also felt that its immersive world and the rich emotional landscape of its characters are a big part of why it’s so beloved. As I performed, I spent a lot of time thinking about how to balance Til’s brightness and his ability to ease the tension within that world.
Tell us about the character you played.
Rather than overwhelming others with sheer charisma, I saw him as a lovable, charming sort who also knows when to step back. I performed the role hoping those qualities would come through. He’s the type who keeps serious moments from becoming too serious - at least, that was the image I had of him.
Are there any scenes or parts of the game that stood out in your mind?
I guess the fact that he's able to make his blood permeate everything around him. It felt like something never seen before, the way he uses his Gift of blood - an ability granted to him by the enemy - to keep an eye on the protagonist. In a sense, he has her under house arrest (lol) but whether you see this as madness or just really intense love is up to you...
Were there any other characters that left an impression on you other than your own?
Personally, I found Orsem’s route the most emotional. The bad ending was a bit heartbreaking, though…
And then there’s Kanoa. Amid all the gloom of that world, he struck me as someone refreshingly grounded. He's the kind of person you could talk to easily, almost like a high school boy.
Finally, please leave a message here for fans excited about the release.
The story has a rich, layered feel to it, full of secrets waiting to be uncovered. Once those secrets come to light, the way you see each character changes completely. Discovering those hidden sides for yourself makes the experience even more compelling, so I truly hope you explore every character to the fullest.
Kanoa
Kohei Amasaki
What are your thoughts now that recording is complete?
When I finished recording, what I thought was, "What a wonderful place. They have so much love for this game."
They were very polite and listened to all my questions and corrections, which put me at ease.
I'm sure all that will make for an entertaining finished product, so I'm looking forward to seeing it when it's done.
Tell us about the character you played.
My first impression of Kanoa was, "He's so calm and collected, and his visuals look great"!
I was happy because I don't often get to play characters who look like him.
What I kept in mind while playing him was, "Keep some cuteness in with the cool, but don't make him too sly!"
I also felt that he showed a lot of different sides to his personality in each scene - everything from confident and charismatic to mature and worldly.
Are there any scenes or parts of the game that stood out in your mind?
Without giving away any spoilers, the scene that left the biggest impression on me was the one in which Kanoa felt extremely embarrassed. In this one route, Kanoa... Ah! I can't say it, it would give way too much away! Anyway, please play it and see for yourself. That, and I really loved the casual, everyday scenes with Yolca.
Were there any other characters that left an impression on you other than your own?
I guess I'd say "Yolca's strength."
As I played the role of Kanoa, I found myself naturally drawn to that strength.
And at the same time, she's the kind of character that you want to root for and protect, which makes for a truly amazing script.
Finally, please leave a message here for fans excited about the release.
So many moments naturally captivated me as a performer, even during recording, that I couldn't wait for people to play it. I'm excited for the day when you can get your hands on it. The producers put a lot of love into this game and I really came to respect the team.
Hope you're looking forward to the release! And please support Kanoa!!
Heath
Hikaru Midorikawa
What are your thoughts now that recording is complete?
I'm glad we finally reached our goal. (I say this because of the volume.) It was a lot of work what with the complicated branching and timelines, but the more lines of dialogue there are, the more there is for players to enjoy, which is a good thing.
Tell us about the character you played.
I was skeptical when I first saw his appearance, but as I got to the heart of his character I thought, "Ah, I see." I'd never played a character like that before, so it was an interesting experience. Upon further reading, things about him that mystified me at first made me think, "Well, yeah. That makes sense." Rather than finding him difficult, I found him fascinating, and I think he has a really wonderful way of seeing the world.
Are there any scenes or parts of the game that stood out in your mind?
The protagonist is quite a character, isn't she? She's remarkably active. Some scenes made me go, "Wait, what? Yikes." Some of that can be put down to circumstance, but even that was a breath of fresh air.
Were there any other characters that left an impression on you other than your own?
The character I played hasn't always lived a life blessed with love, so I don't think he would be that emotionally expressive with the others. There were notes on how he should interact with younger characters such as Kanoa, though, so I kept that in mind, but generally I played him as cool, calm, and collected. Oh, but then there's Eugene. If you want to know why, you'll have to play the game...
Finally, please leave a message here for fans excited about the release.
There's a lot happening in the various routes, and it's designed so that you can keep playing without getting bored, so play it over a few times and take things at your own pace. Plus, there are sides to Heath that you can only see by playing other character's routes. He comes off like a bit of comic relief at first, but when you really understand him, the truth hits surprisingly hard. He deserves a happy ending, so by all means, please play through all the routes and enjoy everything this story has in store.
Eugene
Takuya Sato
What are your thoughts now that recording is complete?
I'm very interested to see how this story will take root in the moments that make up players' lives.
Tell us about the character you played.
He was kind, considerate - the sort who would listen to what you had to say, but someone you could never quite get a read on.
Having played this role through to the end, I think I might say... he, too, was simply a human being.
Are there any scenes or parts of the game that stood out in your mind?
Personally, I think the highlight of the game is the balance between a vague sense of resignation and obsession that lurks in every line of Eugene's dialogue. Overall, I would like people to play the game over and over again, because the fun of it - the flavor of it - changes every time.
Were there any other characters that left an impression on you other than your own?
Heath, I would have to say. I worry about him. You should read his story.
Finally, please leave a message here for fans excited about the release.
It's a curiously enchanting story, full of characters that won't yield to easy interpretation. Still, if you look into their emotional roots, you'll find that they're all lovable, pure-hearted souls deep down. I hope you enjoy it.
Orsem
Tomoaki Maeno
What are your thoughts now that recording is complete?
The story was constantly unfolding in a way that kept me guessing what would happen next. Plus, there are a variety of endings depending on the route, so I made sure to always emotionally reset before I kept reading the script.
The recording took quite a while, but it was done carefully and professionally, so I found it very easy to concentrate on set.
Tell us about the character you played.
My first impression of him was that he's a man of mystery. He's sophisticated and put-together enough to see through everything that's going on around him, but with a dangerous air that always makes it unclear whether he's friend or foe.
When I actually got to play him and came to understand him more deeply, I discovered many unexpected sides to him, many different expressions like sweetness and seduction.
He's said to have the power of precognition, too, so I get the impression he's the one doing the most work behind the scenes.
Are there any scenes or parts of the game that stood out in your mind?
There are lots of scenes in which Orsem uses his experiences of "seeing the future" and reflects on them in different ways. I put a lot of effort into them, as I think they're unique to his character.
I also sensed a strong will within him, which is shown in the way he faces these "futures" rather than run away, even when he knows they're not necessarily going to turn out well.
This game has a lot of "hidden twists" built in, so I hope you enjoy those parts as well.
Were there any other characters that left an impression on you other than your own?
Orsem's emotions often come out around Tilkett, so I sense some kind of connection there. Orsem also seems to find Heath difficult to handle because a straightforward approach doesn't work on him, and that complexity makes him all the more interesting to me.
Oh, and the protagonist, of course.
Finally, please leave a message here for fans excited about the release.
Beyond its striking world, this is a story that opens up in new ways as you get to know each character. I hope each of you will play it yourselves and discover their unique charms firsthand. Thank you very much.
Tilkett Nobuhiko Okamoto
And then there’s Kanoa. Amid all the gloom of that world, he struck me as someone refreshingly grounded. He's the kind of person you could talk to easily, almost like a high school boy.