小林 裕介

Back during the days when he suffered from his corona misfortune and tried to reconstruct his own play, Yuusuke Kobayashi-san smiled wryly, saying, “There are really no times when voice acting is easy.” Even though he struggles now, he continues to strive to move forward.

The last time you appeared was exactly one year ago. Kobayashi: It’s been a year since then… I’ve continued to appear in various works, and I’ve also had the opportunity to participate in a recitation drama. Event-related events have gradually returned to having audiences, and I think I have been blessed with my activities as a voice actor.

You mentioned that you are currently working on an independent production project, but you were referring to the independent sound drama “God is lying.” Kobayashi: It was the first time I made a public statement at Voice Newtype, and it also gave me the opportunity to pat myself on the buttocks, saying, “I have to do what I said.” I’m a person who gets hot and cold easily(laughs), so I’ve tried it for a while and then stopped thinking, “Oh, that’s not what I thought.” There are quite a few. But this time, I wanted to share the passion of Atsumi Tanezaki, who I worked with. The amount was also large, and it was professed in the magazine. In a situation where you have to do something, so I didn’t have those two. Did I end up with just my mouth? Maybe, but I’ll do it. When humans become desperate, I can do it.

Starting from planning, casting, securing a studio, directing, editing, considering the release method, etc. Kobayashi: I think it was all a new experience. I didn’t have any know-how, and there was a lot more to do than I expected, so it was really tough, but I was able to make what I wanted. I received a lot of good feedback from the people who listened to it, and I also received words of appreciation from Kaori Ozaki-sensei (the author of the original work). I think I was able to grow as well.

What was your biggest realization? Kobayashi: It’s important to rely on people. I thought, “I can do it myself if I want to.” I was kind of like that, but Tanezaki-sensei kept asking me, “Are you sure you’re okay?” I came to be able to rely on them and say, “Okay, maybe I should ask.” Until then, it wasn’t that I was underestimating people, but that I was overestimating myself. Realizing that was a big deal.

What did you notice while appearing in various works as a voice actor? Kobayashi: It’s not just this one year, but I feel once again that I’m starting to move forward my position as a “supporting person”. During “The Heroic Legend of Arslan” and “Re:ZERO – Starting Life in Another World”, I was supported by everyone around me, and as a character, I was in a position where the characters around me supported me. However, since I was a freshman in “Dr. Stone”, I started to play more and more of the leading characters, and there were more juniors and newcomers around me.

Even the way you hold your feelings has changed? Kobayashi: I agree. I’ve come to think that it’s a little different if I’m mentally thinking, “I just have to do it recklessly” like I used to. Kazuya Soma in “Reconstruction of the Kingdom of the Realist Hero” is the main character who takes the initiative and guides everyone, and Kazuyuki Okitsu-san has always supported me since “Higehiro: After Being Rejected, I Shaved and Took in a High School Runaway”. However, I was surprised that I was going to play the role of supporting Okitsu-san’s character. But when I listen to my own voice I feel that it has a depth and calmness to it.

The fact that the nature of the role you play changes is also a turning point for you as a voice actor. Can you say that? Kobayashi: I think so. That is why we are currently struggling in some areas. As a result of trying a new approach, I failed the audition… Instead of searching for new things from the methods that I was able to do before, I tried to make it possible to do things that I couldn’t do before, and we are struggling with the double difficulty of finding something new among them.

If a new attempt doesn’t go well, you may want to return to the old way of doing things, but to change yourself, keep trying? Kobayashi: I think we have to keep trying. One of the challenges is to go back to the basics, and recently I have started to imitate others again. I also do basic training, but in the end, unless I go to the field and hone my skills, I won’t be able to help myself, so I have to be greedier to say, “I’ll get the role at the audition.” I felt that.

Did you get any hints from appearing in the recitation drama? Kobayashi: It was a hint, or rather, a stimulus. In particular, “What they likes are similar, but it’s not me.’ However, I felt that everyone was able to bring out their own character as much as possible, and we were able to interact with each other at the last minute.

Taku Yashiro-san, who played Yusuke Ono, was quite a hit. Kobayashi: I think that Yashiro-kun’s goodness shines through in a slightly delinquent and foul-mouthed role like Yusuke. Moreover, since it is a live performance on stage the pressure of Yashiro-kun’s voice is immediate. The persuasive power increases as it reverbates. Should I give back to him so that I don’t get caught in such a play, or should I just parry it? Of course, there is a correct answer in the script, but I don’t want to act in such a way that I just trace that correct answer. The tension of spinning the next word was very stimulating.

Whether it’s on the set of an anime or on the stage of a recitation play, you can guide the people around you and draw out their good points. Kobayashi: “Pull out” has a slightly different nuance, doesn’t it? But if you don’t see it yourself, you won’t be able to see it. So, I set it myself. If I were to call it “pulling out”, I would say that, but I think I just want to enjoy the conversation in the play. It’s something that will never change.

What kind of year will 2022 be? Kobayashi: As an actor, I’m at the stage where I’m going back to the starting point and rebuilding, so I don’t have a vision, but I want to enjoy my private life a little more. I’ve been feeling short of breath ever since the corona crisis, and my vision is getting narrower so I’d be happy if I could travel afield. I would like to broaden my horizons and work on acting with an open mind.

Column: Happy Holidays

It depends on the corona situation, but I would like to get together at the end of the year. I’m sure everyone is frustrated, so I would like to have an opportunity to have a drink and talk without thinking about the next day.