Spoon.2di vol.117 Issue — Slam Days Cast Interview Translation
I see them as a class that maintains a perfect balance. Not too close, but not overly distant either.
Interviewer: — What kind of person do you see Rui as, how do you approach in portraying him? Are there any traits you’ve grown fond of or surprising sides of him you’ve discovered while portraying him?
Kumagai: He seems like the type of person who hates being tied down and just wants to live life on his own terms. He’s not the easiest person to get close to, but he’s definitely not cold, and he can be guided by his emotions at times. That being said, he tends to put little energy into things he doesn’t care about and can be quite lazy. I also love how his fun side shows when he’s provoked or teased.
Interviewer: — What kind of input did you get from the staff when you were voicing the character? Are there any fun or memorable moments from recording, or something you make sure to focus on when voicing him?
Kumagai: They gave me a detailed explanation of Rui’s character before we began recording, and I feel like they adopted a lot of my ideas in the portrayal. I focused on making him sound laid-back, not projecting his voice too much, while also capturing that childlike excitement he shows when he gets fired up about games or competitions. Of course, there were moments when my delivery or emotions got a little too intense, but the team helped me keep everything balanced.
Interviewer: — What are your thoughts on Lance Tendo (Q) and Shizuru Kaiba, the members of Slam Days? How do you view their dynamic with Rui?
Kumagai: Shizuru is well, as Rui says, he’s fine as long as he doesn’t overdo it with the alcohol... (laughs). He’s sort of the one who balances the class out, or maybe the one who acts as a cushion for everyone. His dynamic with Tendo is really unique, they share the same body but their natures are completely different, even down to their strengths and weaknesses. As for his relationship with Rui, I think it has this nice, relaxed vibe to it. No unnecessary tension, which is refreshing. [1]
Interviewer: — Could you tell us what you think makes Slam Days as a class so appealing and what are their strengths? What stands out to you about them?
Kumagai: I see them as a class that maintains a perfect balance. Not too close, but not overly distant either. When they all bring their nearly pro-level strengths together towards a shared goal, the power they make is truly impressive. And, to be honest, I think their greatest strength lies in their "freedom."
Interviewer: — Are there any characters from other classes that you find interesting or that you’d like to see have more interactions with Rui?
Kumagai: I would say Hayate. Rui’s feelings and thoughts toward him… Honestly, there are parts I still don’t fully understand, which only makes me more intrigued.
Interviewer: — What’s something you’re excited to try or challenge yourself with in Ride Kamens in the future? as well as what you’re looking forward to?
Kumagai: I’d say it’s definitely the new (Rider) form. Just thinking about the riders gaining new power, the situations they’ll face, and the emotions they’ll experience in those moments, it really gets me excited. It might be a bit early to say this, but I really hope we get to see a new form soon.
Slam Days is filled with unique personalities brought together in the name of ‘freedom.’ When their ideas of ‘justice’ align and they combine their strengths together, the energy they create is unmatched from any other class.
Interviewer: — What kind of person do you see Shizuru as, how do you approach portraying him? What do you like most about his character, or have any unexpected sides of him stood out to you as you’ve played him through (Main Story) part 2?
Azakami: He might seem playful and carefree, but it’s hard to tell what he’s really thinking deep down. There’s definitely a mature charm to him. However, if I played him as too mysterious, he might come across as too vague. So, I focused on portraying the quiet, burning fire of a hero deep inside him.
Interviewer: — What kind of input did you get from the staff when you were voicing the character? Are there any fun or memorable moments from recording, or something you make sure to focus on when voicing him?
Azakami: I remember being directed to make him feel very "adult-like." There’s also a line where he’s struggling with a hangover. As a fellow drinker, I could really relate to that pain, so I think I was able to portray it pretty realistically (laughs).
Interviewer: — What are your thoughts on Lance Tendo (Q) and Rui, the members of Slam Days? How do you view their dynamic with Shizuru?
Azakami: It’s like they’ve built a mature relationship, maintaining a proper distance without overstepping each other’s boundaries. It’s definitely not a cold relationship, though. There’s a sense of trust between them that doesn’t need to be said.
Interviewer: — Could you tell us what you think makes Slam Days as a class so appealing and what are their strengths? What stands out to you about them?
Azakami: Slam Days is filled with unique personalities brought together in the name of ‘freedom.’ When their ideas of ‘justice’ align and they combine their strengths together, the energy they create is unmatched from any other class. What’s really appealing about them is how each member has their own kind of charm, especially when it’s time to get serious.
Interviewer: — Are there any characters from other classes that you find interesting or that you’d like to see have more interactions with Shizuru?
Azakami: I feel like Shizuru-san would get along well with the two members of Gambitwin. He would probably vibe with Kushiro over their philosophies and ways of living while with Fralio, they could delve into topics about art and creativity. I imagine Shizuru listening to both of them, with a drink in hand and enjoying the atmosphere.
Interviewer: — What’s something you’re excited to try or challenge yourself with in Ride Kamens in the future? As well as what you’re looking forward to?
Azakami: Since Shizuru-san loves music, I’d really like to try doing a character song. I keep daydreaming about what kind of track would fit him or what sort of song he’d sing. To everyone (In the development team) involved, I would love it if you could consider it!
Being free is amazing, and the fact that they can still be together while having that freedom feels like a really special and precious bond.
Interviewer: — What kind of person do you see Lance and Q as, how do you approach portraying him? Are there any traits you’ve grown fond of or surprising sides of him you’ve discovered while portraying them?
Amasaki: Lance Tendo and Q both go back and forth between being smart and childlike, and I think that’s one of the hard-to-understand aspects of them that’s part of their charm. For Q specifically, I try to keep his speech unpredictable to highlight that mysterious and hard-to-understand vibe. They're not your typical straight-to-the-point heroes; those quirks are exactly what make them so appealing. Personally, I prefer heroes with unique traits over those who are straightforward, so I’m really happy to have the chance to portray them.
Interviewer: — What kind of input did you get from the staff when you were voicing the character? Are there any fun or memorable moments from recording, or something you make sure to focus on when voicing them?
Amasaki: When I portray the characters, I always try to enjoy them as much as I can. For Q, I try to capture the excitement he feels when he gives a challenge to Lance, and for Lance, I focus on how much fun he has when figuring out the mystery and solving it. They approach things differently, but I always try to keep that childlike excitement in both roles. The recording itself went pretty smoothly because I had received really detailed directions in advance.
Interviewer: — What are your thoughts on Rui and Shizuru Kaiba, the members of Slam Days? How do you view their dynamic with Lance Tendo (Q)?
Amasaki: Both of them are free in their own ways, but for Lance, they are irreplaceable friends of his, and the same goes for them. They complement each other’s weaknesses, making them a really great class. To be honest, I kinda envy the way they live. I feel a sense of brotherhood or family from them.
Interviewer: — Could you tell us what you think makes Slam Days as a class so appealing and what are their strengths? What stands out to you about them?
Amasaki: Being free is amazing, and the fact that they can still be together while having that freedom feels like a really special and precious bond. Being a huge fan of gaming and subculture myself, I’ve always wanted to visit places like the Entertainment District. The Slam Days base is like the dream room for me like having arcade machines inside. I also rent a garage, so I’m planning to get my own arcade machine someday.
Interviewer: — Are there any characters from other classes that you find interesting or that you’d like to see have more interactions with Lance Tendo (Q) ?
Amasaki: It would be fun to shuffle everyone around. it’d be really interesting to see them all in different dynamics. I’d love for Lance and Q to act like famous detectives, solving mysteries across all the different districts. For me personally, I think it’d be great if there was a story where Lance and Q balance their time between the Commercial and Old Town districts, living the best of both worlds.
Interviewer: — What’s something you’re excited to try or challenge yourself with in Ride Kamens in the future? As well as what you’re looking forward to?
Amasaki: I’d love to try a live reading event. And of course, an anime adaptation! I’d love to see the transformation sequences every week animated! A summer movie like Kamen Rider would be so great too! I have high hopes for this.
Translation Note:
[1] 緩衝材 is a metaphor for someone who mitigates in situations to avoid making things worse, in short he breaks the fights. He’s basically describing Shizuru as a safety packaging for the class.