“When I look at Nagi who can’t speak and Reio who can’t be honest, I think, “I wish I could just say it…” (lol)”
“Blue Rock the Movie -EPISODE Nagi-”(Released on April 19, 2024)Yuma Uchida, the voice actor who plays Reio MikageMr. Miss. With a soft smile, he talks about the main character of this work, Seishiro Nagi, and Reio Mikage, who he plays.
The TV anime “Blue Rock” was broadcast from October 2022 to March 2023 and became a huge hit. The 300 high school students gathered at “Blue Rock (Blue Prison)” compete to become the world’s best egoistic striker, with a death game-like style and unique character. The characters attracted attention, and it was decided that a second season and “Blue Rock the Movie -EPISODE Nagi-” (hereinafter referred to as EPISODE Nagi) would be produced by the end of the TV anime broadcast.
That kind of thingThe number 1 swamp point of “Blue Rock”“Human relationships”says Mr. Uchida. Therefore, we asked him to talk about the relationship between Nagi and Reio, which is the focus of “EPISODE Nagi” among human relationships, from the perspective of someone who plays the characters.
In addition, I was conscious of Reiou’s humanity as “He looks friendly and glamorous, but he is actually an immature man” and that he “didn’t think too hard about it and just honestly translated Reiou’s words.” We bring you an interview where we were surprised by Mr. Uchida’s high resolution of Reio, including what he did.
The key point of “Blue Rock” is “human relationships.” “It’s interesting to follow the feelings of any character.”
–First of all, please tell us about the point in “Blue Rock” that makes you feel, “This is a swamp…”
Yuma Uchida (hereinafter referred to as Uchida):
The number one swamp point of “Blue Rock” is“Human relationships between characters”is not it.
Of course, the depiction of soccer with its intense movements is very cool, and I think it’s fun just to look at it. However, more than that, the individuality and humanity of each character is depicted in great detail, and the human drama is very strong.
In particular, “Episode Nagi,” starring Seishiro Nagi, depicts the details of his humanity and the human drama more deeply. There is so much depth in the backbone of each character and their relationships that it becomes a theatrical work.It’s interesting to follow the feelings of any character.However, I feel that the charm of “Blue Rock” is that it is a swamp.
— Reio Mikage, played by Mr. Uchida, is the heir of the Mikage Corporation with assets of over 700 billion yen, and is a character with a clear mind and outstanding athleticism. While playing the role, what kind of humanity did you feel towards Reo?
Uchida:
Hmm…she seems friendly and gorgeous, butActually an “immature man”Is that so? This may not be a very good word, but…
–An immature man?
Uchida:
Because they have received a solid education and have acquired knowledge and skills, they are able to do anything with a certain degree of dexterity. Small and calculating. I feel that he is an immature person who believes that things will go his way.
I look more mature than my other classmates because I can handle myself well, but my heart has yet to fully mature.
The parts of him that said, “I’m the strongest,” and “I feel like I can do anything with Nagi,” were there in everyone’s teenage years.I think.
–It’s like “baseless confidence”, isn’t it?
Uchida:
that’s right. I think everyone has baseless self-confidence when they are young, but in Reio’s case, he had a predetermined path set in him from the time he was born, and I think his self-confidence had a basis in it. If you have parents who run a large company, have learned imperial studies, and are able to get or be given whatever you want…then I think you probably have less experience of failure and setbacks than other people.
However, I believe that humans are able to grow and change only after failure and setbacks break their hearts. Thinking, “What should I do to avoid failure next time?” can be the trigger for growth and change.
Reio, who has never experienced failure or setbacks, enters the world of “Blue Rock” (Blue Prison), and his heart is suddenly broken, revealing his immaturity.theThe way you grow and change little by little through experience makes me think, “Do your best,” and many people can empathize with it themselves.I wonder what it is. I think that’s what makes “Blue Rock” so interesting.
“For Reo, Nagi is not just an ‘item’ for winning the World Cup, but an important ‘friend’.”
――I feel that Mr. Uchida’s resolution of Reio is too high, but did you have any talk with the original author, Muneyuki Kinjo, before or during the dubbing?
Uchida:
In fact, we have hardly ever talked directly. Before the recording, I was able to say hello remotely. Actually, I’m not sure if this interpretation is correct. I hope it’s right… (bitter smile).
I felt like I was able to read Reio’s feelings in my own way, interpret them, and perform the play while receiving direction and adjustments from the director, sound director, and other staff members.
――So, Mr. Uchida, please tell us what you were conscious of when playing Reio.
Uchida:
II think that Reiou is not a difficult person.That’s right. Having a lot of knowledge makes me clumsy, but on the other hand, that knowledge gets in the way of my failures and setbacks. I think this is connected to the “immaturity” I mentioned earlier… If his personality seems tough or negative, it’s not because he’s malicious or because he takes pleasure in his arrogance. It’s simply due to immaturity.
Looking at that aspect, I feel like Reio lives his life in a simple way of thinking. So don’t think too hard,I went into the dubbing with the feeling that I was honestly trying to internalize the words Reo was saying.. Particularly in “Episode Nagi,” I felt like “that aspect is slowly being revealed…” as I played the character.
–In “Episode Nagi”, Reio’s feelings when Nagi chooses to team up with Kiyoshi and Hiraku before the second selection are depicted as a monologue. I couldn’t help but wonder, “Actually, that’s what I was thinking.”
Uchida:
Monologue = my own spiritual world, so I feel like I can see my true self. What you can see in that scene is that of course he has the goal of winning the World Cup, but most of all he wants to win with Nagi…For Reio, Seishiro Nagi is not just an “item” to win the World Cup, but an important “friend”.That’s right.
So originally,Reio’s true feelings are that he’s happy that Nagi is enjoying soccer, even if it’s because of someone other than himself, and at the same time, he still wants to be with Nagi.I think it is. However, because she couldn’t be honest with her feelings, she couldn’t convey to him well, “You should do your best!” I guess he didn’t have his back.
–If you had honestly told him what you were thinking, you wouldn’t have gotten so depressed…I don’t think so.
Uchida:
That’s right. You’re more mature than them, so you know that sometimes things can be solved with just a few words. “I wish I could say it right then and there…” you think to yourself (lol).
Reo wants to play soccer with Nagi, but she insists, “Do whatever you want.” I could just say, “Why are you going there?” and express how lonely I felt at that moment, and I wish I could have encouraged her and said, “Let’s do our best and see each other again,” but I can’t.
Things might have gone better if we had communicated properly. EPISODE Nagi depicts what Reio felt when he said those words and took actions, which makes me think, “I wish I could just say that!” (lol).
Nagi is also Nagi, not forgetting her promise to King Rei, and is moving forward for the promise, but she is at a loss for words. That’s why there are discrepancies.That kind of thingWhen I look at the two of them, I feel really irritated..
――The misunderstanding between Nagi and Reio is due to the fact that they are both immature…
Uchida:
That’s right. However, by experiencing failure and setbacks for the first time at Blue Rock, I believe that there have been many changes, such as being able to accept my own weaknesses and gradually opening up my heart that I had never been able to be honest with. I am thinking.
Reiou should be able to grow even more from here.I think if you become honest about your feelings and show your real Rei-o, instead of the fake Rei-o created by the knowledge you’ve gained up until now, I think you’ll grow even more.I also feel that I want Reio to change from this experience.
The swamp of the relationship between Nagi and Reio: “They are the ones who gave each other their first impulses.”
–As Mr. Uchida mentioned in Numa Point, “Blue Rock” depicts a variety of human relationships. Above all, “Episode Nagi” mainly depicts the relationship between Nagi and Reio, but where do you feel the “swamp” of the relationship between these two lies?
Uchida:
I feel like everyone watching the show understands that more than I do… (lol)Nagi and Reio are friends who gave each other their first impulses, and they care deeply for each other. That’s why,Trying to keep a promiseThat’s niceI think.
I think Nagi is a person who is very clear about herself. It would be nice if you could avoid her troubles and live a leisurely life. I think the reason he came up with that idea is because he didn’t have any inspiration in his life. However, Reio pulled him out into a troublesome world, saying, “Let’s play soccer together.”
Reo, on the other hand, has been given a lot of things before he became clear about who he is, and perhaps because he hasn’t found much of a sense of “himself,” he hasn’t felt satisfied. However, when he discovered soccer and met Nagi, he was able to find his ego for the first time and say, “I want to be the best in the world at the World Cup with this guy.”
――It means that we both give and receive inspiration from each other.
Uchida:
However, what I really think is that, as I said earlier, Reio doesn’t need Nagi as an item to win the World Cup.For Reio, playing soccer with Nagi is fun, and winning the World Cup with Nagi is important.That’s right.
And I’m sure Nagi thinks the same way. Her promise to Reio is deeply rooted in her heart, and Nagi values that promise as well, which is why I think she can persevere despite the trouble.
“I guess that’s why they care so much about each other because they are the ones who gave them what they lacked…”That’s what I think.
–Thank you for your wonderful story. Finally, are there any relationships between the characters that you would like to draw particular attention to in “Episode Nagi”?
Uchida:
Yeah! It’s difficult…I think it’s better to leave it up to the people watching, so I can’t say it easily (bitter smile).
just,alsoSeiichi Kiyoshibecome involved in the human relationships surroundinghey. Kiyoshi has such a strong presence. “Blue Rock” depicts how one person’s big ego changes the soccer field and the surrounding environment, but just one person, Kiyoshi, changes everything like a whirlpool. It’s going to change. I feel a sense of fear in that, and at the same time, I also feel Seiichi Kiyoshi’s tremendous presence.
In the same way, with “EPISODE Nagi”, you will be able to keep your eyes peeled to see how this story will progress. I hope that people will enjoy the various interpretations of this work based on the relationships and connections between the various characters, mainly Kiyoshi and Nagi.
(Written by Kohaku Haga, Interviewed and edited by Hiroka Abe)
“Blue Rock the Movie -EPISODE Nagi-” work information
“Blue Rock the Movie -EPISODE Nagi-”
April 19th (Friday) Nationwide roadshow
【cast】
Seishiro Nagi: Nobunaga Shimazaki
Rei Mikage: Yuma Uchida
Kenjo Zantetsu: Kazuyuki Okitsu
Seiichi Kiyoshi: Kazuki Ura
Haraku Kai: Tsubasa Kaito
Rensuke Kunigami: Yuki Ono
Shredded Leopard Horse: Souma Saito
Teruhide Marou: Junichi Suwabe
Threadmaker Rin: Koki Uchiyama
Ryo Numeoka: Akira Kimura
Eshin Jinpachi: Hiroshi Kamiya
【staff】
Original work: Muneyuki Kinjo Manga: Kota Sannomiya Character design: Yusuke Nomura (serialized in Kodansha’s “Bessatsu Shonen Magazine”)
Director: Shunsuke Ishikawa
Composition/Screenplay: Takashi Kishimoto
Story supervision: Muneyuki Kinjo
Music: Jun Murayama
Animation production: Eightbit
Distribution: Bandai Namco Film Works
Official website: https://bluelock-pr.com/
Official X (old Twitter):https://twitter.com/BLUELOCK_PR
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bluelock_anime
©Muneyuki Kinjo, Kota Sannomiya, Yusuke Nomura, Kodansha/“Blue Rock the Movie” Production Committee
Signed instax gift campaign
“Numan” official X (formerly Twitter) is running a campaign to give away Yuma Uchida’s autographed colored paper!
Tags: Yuma Uchida Nagi Reio feel pain teeth .. swamp relationships depicted Blue Rock Movie EPISODE Nagi numan
-
