榎木 淳弥

There is no rule. That’s why you can take on the challenge. Junya Enoki, who has appeared in numerous works this spring, has been keeping an eye on his success. We asked him about his passion for the role he cherishes through the works that are currently on air and the notable works that he has decided to appear in.

I want to do my best without being satisfied with a play that I truly enjoy. What kind of work is, “Hachi-nan tte, Sore wa Nai deshou!”, where the main character, Shingo, is played? Enoki: It is a story in which the main character, who used to be an office worker, is reincarnated as a noble in a different world from the present. However, he was reincarnated as a 5-year-old child. Moreover, the feature of this work is that it is not a very blessed environment as the eighth son of a poor aristocrat. The highlight is how the hero grows from there and how he rises. It also depicts family estate issues unique to aristocrats and the part where they get involved in political matters. It’s a work with many female characters, but it’s not just a romantic comedy. The way the characters gradually deepen their bond is clearly depicted, so I think that both men and women will enjoy it.

It seems that there are many ad-libs.  Enoki: That’s right. I look at the picture and if the character’s mouth is open even a little, I try to add a word ad-lib. It was a scene where such playfulness of the actors was allowed, so I was able to enjoy the recording. Rather than simply ad-libbing. I hate ordinary things. For some reason, I have a feeling that I want to break through, so I just want to try it. If the staff approves of it, I will continue to try. I have a strong desire to challenge myself with that kind of stance, so I’m not afraid of ad-libs. I would be happy if everyone laughed.

What kind of ad-libs are you thinking about? Enoki: At the stage of checking the script at home in advance, I don’t think about ad-libs. On the day of dubbing, I feel like I’m going to try it if I come up with an idea in the studio, so it’s pretty easy. Some of the co-stars will ad-lib together.

The attitude of the chairman trying to attack is also transmitted to the co-stars. Enoki: I try not to do half-baked plays. Anyway, I decided to put out the energy for the play. Of course, what kind of play is “good play” depends on the person watching it. In that case, first of all, I want to do a play that I think is really fun. also, in “Shadowverse”, you played Lucia Yonazuki, the main character’s rival. This work has a lot of young actors in the main cast, so the scene is full of young people. If anything, I’m the older one in the cast, so I try to be concerned if there’s anything I can do to help. If someone seems to be having a hard time, I’ll tell them, “Drink this,” and draw some tea for them, or give them candy. In particular, Gakuto Kajiwara-kun, who plays the role of Hiro Ryugazaki, plays a lot of the main characters and has the impression that he has a lot of shouting roles, so I think it’s hard to manage his physical condition. That’s why I wish I could at least say something to them so that they wouldn’t be mentally distressed.

It has been decided to star in the topical work “Jujutsu Kaisen”, which will broadcasting in October. What do you want to emphasize in this work? Enoki: The dubbing hasn’t started yet, but since it’s a popular work, I think it would be interesting if I could stick to my own acting. As long as each fan of the work has an image of the voice, I think there are various options. But there’s no right answer, so without being influenced by strange things or being too conscious of it, I think it would be great if I could create the kind of play, I wanted. Co-stars have also been announced. Asami Seto, who plays Nobara Kugisaki, who is a classmate of the main character. It’s almost the first time I’ve worked with her in a regular work, so I’m really looking forward to seeing what kind of dialogue she can do.

When she co-stars with an actor for the first time, is there anything she keeps in mind? Enoki: It’s nothing special, but I try to keep a close eye on my partner. Just like a normal conversation, if you look the other person in the eye and talk to her, she will know roughly what the person is thinking. It’s the same with acting. That’s why I don’t really look at the screen when I’m dubbing.

So, how do you stand in front of the mic? Enoki: I often perform while looking at the actor next to me with my body at an angle. Sometimes I memorize my lines and acts without a script. It’s natural to act according to the picture, but I don’t think there’s a rule that you have to act only by looking at the screen. Besides, I don’t think it’s necessary to have a script if it’s just one word or two. That’s how I want to get rid of cliches as much as possible. There is the problem of directivity of the microphone, but I don’t think it’s necessary to perform in a horizontal line. I wish I could try more methods to improve the play. “I don’t want to be on the defensive” in post-recording and acting, and an anime adaption of “Cells at Work! Black” has been announced.

So, how do you stand in front of the mic? Enoki: I often perform while looking at the actor next to me with my body at an angle. Sometimes I memorize my lines and acts without a script. It’s natural to act according to the picture, but I don’t think there’s a rule that you have to act only by looking at the screen. Besides, I don’t think it’s necessary to have a script if it’s just one word or two. That’s how I want to get rid of cliches as much as possible. There is the problem of directivity of the microphone, but I don’t think it’s necessary to perform in a horizontal line. I wish I could try more methods to improve the play. “I don’t want to be on the defensive” in post-recording and acting, and an anime adaption of “Cells at Work! Black” has been announced.

Young voice actor project 8P will soon be 4 years old. What did you feel through the activity? Enoki: I was happiest when I became friends with the members who had been with me all this time. Now that each of us has gained experience, we have started to have serious discussions about what we should do to become voice actors who are in demand, and how we can bring out our own value in the future. I think it’s important to be an actor who has something that only that person can do.

Enoki-san, what kind of actor do you want to be in the future? Enoki: I think it’s more interesting to have a work that strongly expresses someone’s preference for “I want to do this” rather than an averaged one. I know it’s difficult, but that’s why I want to be a creator as much as possible. If I don’t have that kind of feeling, I feel like I’ll end up being a boring person who won’t be loved by anyone. So, I want to do it without worrying too much about what other people think. Many actors have a strong desire for approval, and I am no exception. But it’s not fun to be caught up in just filling it. Rather than acting just to be approved by someone, I think it would be nice if I could accept myself and be convinced.