野津山 幸宏

The only thing I can do with a short career is hone my rap skills. The important thing in communication is to like the other person. Yukihiro Nozuyama says that he wants to steadily move forward while accepting the “now.” Curiosity is packed in the body.

This is the first appearance alone since No. 069 of this magazine. This time, how was the shooting outside? Nozuyama: I was 20 years old when I was interviewed by Ryuichi Kijima-san for the last “Hypnosis Mic Division Rap Battle” feature, so two years have already passed. I haven’t taken pictures outside since the photo book “Meccha no zuyanen” was released in April of this year, but being in a park made me feel fresh, like I remembered my childhood.

What kind of year was it? Nozuyama: It’s been a long time since I’ve been in the middle of a long time. Time passes differently after becoming an adult.

Why do you feel that way? Nozuyama: I think it’s because there are so many new stimuli in the work of a voice actor. In my case, I’ve been given the chance to try new things like rapping, and since I record TV anime once a week, it’s always fresh and tense rather than getting used to it. For example, today’s interview is only one time today, isn’t it? It’s a series of things that are only for one day, so I think it’s going to pass in no time.

This year was impressive. What happened? Nozuyama: After all, the number one thing is participating in the M-1 Grand Prix Preliminaries (laughs). I was eliminated in the second round, but I did not expect such a reaction. By the time this issue goes on sale, the M-1 champion will be decided, I wonder what’s going on…? Before I entered the contest, I thought that comedy and voice acting were completely different, but there’s no difference in terms of fluency, valuing tempo, and being an expressive artist.

Was it challenging as a comedian? Nozuyama: In high school and at vocational school, I love comedy so much that I do it, and the duo with Sho Hayami-san was unveiled for the first time at the office’s 5^th anniversary recital. So, from my point of view, it was as if the comedy activities that we showed at the recital became M-1 this year. Even so, I was happy that our fans and people who came to see our comedy were able to see it. I had a great experience.

You can look forward to the comedy duo “Rush Style” in the future. Nozuyama: It’s a duo that I put a lot of effort into, and I really wanted to make it to the third round even in the M-1 qualifiers. So, if I have another chance, I would like to try again. Even if it’s not so, as a combination, I want to do it again.

“Hypnosis Mic” also developed significantly this year. Nozuyama: That’s an incredible leap. Come to think of it, my year may have started to feel early after “Hypnosis Mic” became popular. Recording, rapping, standing in front of people, the presence of all the fans, all of them were the first experiences that “Hypnosis Mic” gave me.

Nozuyama-san’s rap skills would surprise anyone if they heard about it. Nozuyama: In “Hypnosis Mic”, I was the only one with a short career as a voice actor, but with the exception of Subaru Kimura-san, I thought that everyone else would be on the same starting line. I thought I’d aim for No.1 here, and as I practised SKY-HI’s high-speed raps, I became able to do most of the raps!

As well as rapping, the work of a voice actor is wide-ranging. Where do you find your enjoyment? Nozuyama: It’s a place where you can know the world you don’t know. As for rap, it all started when I participated in the audition for “Hypnosis Mic,” and now I love it so much that I listen to it every day. If it’s a work that has an original, I read the original and know that there is such an interesting work! The continuation of that kind of thing is what I find most appealing right now.

On the other hand, what do you find difficult? Nozuyama: Rather than saying it is difficult, in the sense that it is a challenge, it is about brushing yourself up. Play, of course, body building and food, I have to take care of my life too. In order to deliver my voice to everyone who supports me, I will not forget to be conscious of my health, and I would like to tackle the issues in front of me one by one.

The topic of “Rush Style” came up earlier, but is Hayami-san your father in Tokyo? Nozuyama: Well, he is like father figure in Tokyo. He talks openly to newcomers like me, and Hayami-san likes everyone in the office and thinks they’re cute. However, I feel that my relationship with him stands out in particular (laughs). Even on holidays, he takes me out for drives, and we are often together. Kent Itou-san, although he is a senior, is the person I would like to ask to casually hang out with. Even if I send him a karaoke invite on LINE late at night, he will reply right away (laughs). He is kind, elegant, and cool.

I heard that collecting hourglasses is your hobby. Nozuyama: I like that I can see the hourglass time. I can cherish my time. It’s not even in the pattern (laughs). It’s fashionable as an interior decoration, and I’m healed by collecting various kinds. It’s efficient because you only have to watch it for about three minutes (laughs). Also, recently, after taking a bath, I even went to the vending machine in my neighbourhood. Taking a walk and going home drinking Coco-Cola Zero is a nice change of pace. In the future, if I can take a well-deserved break, I would like to invite my friends over for a barbeque, or spend the night at a hot spring.

What kind of year do you want next year to be? Nozuyama: In 2020, on January 18^th and 19^th, it has been decided that I will appear in the recitation drama “Shinjuku Rumble Fish” planned and directed by Hayami-san. After that, I hope to send out various things to everyone and make it a year full of surprises, but after all, my goal is to be able to deliver my voice to everyone as the main character of a TV anime.

Finally, please give a message to your fans. Nozuyama: Thanks to you, I was able to reach the age of 23. I would like to continue to challenge various things with a positive attitude and greediness, so please continue to support me. And have a wonderful Christmas!

Column: My Christmas!

I want to go to Santa Claus Village in Finland and meet Santa Claus. Also, December 24^th is my birthday, so it would be ideal for all the fans to congratulate me. I hope it’s snowing. I don’t have any problems with transportation (laughs).