Mimorin's Town Work Interview (March 14, 2018)

Voice Actress: Suzuko Mimori Interview

“Even if you take a detour, believe that you will reach that place someday."

- You just finished recording a Town Work CM, how was it?

Mimo: I was able to be apart of a CM I see all the time on TV. I’m very happy about that. I was given the role of voicing many AI’s, but this time just before Matsumoto Hitoshi-San makes an appearance, I will get to say the phrase “Town Work!” I unexpectedly got really pumped. (laughs)

- You’re not only a voice actress, but you are also singing actively for both your solo career and unit. You also make appearances and do extensive work in theater. But what kind of dream did you have when you were younger?

Mimo: It all started when I began watching musicals. I also wanted to sing and dance in public, so I wanted to go to musicals! I believe I was in kindergarten, and I was probably just being a big show-off. (laughs)

- With that in mind, your first aim was at theater, right?

Mimo: That’s right. I got my first start being mainly active in theater and musicals. I became a voice actress in anime and games knowing very little about them.

- From there, what kind of opportunities came up for you to proceed in being a voice actress?

Mimo: While playing my first ever leading role in theater, the president of Bushiroad made an unexpected appearance and watched me. “I’m thinking about creating a Milky Holmes voice acting unit. Why not become a voice actress?” and so I was scouted.

- Did this cause you any confusion?

Mimo: Honestly, because I lived my life never really coming into much contact with anime and games, I wondered if I could even do it. However, as a long admirer of Toda Keiko-San, who is also an actress and voice actress, I thought that I, too, could pull off doing both at the same time. So, because of my curiosity and how interesting the work seemed, I jumped boldly into the voice acting world.

- When you jumped in, did you experience anything unexpected?

Mimo: At first, I was told, “Your public exposure will decrease when you become a voice actress, are you sure this is ok?” With that in mind, I decided to prepare myself for it. But a few months later, “taking measurements,” were mentioned.

- Were the measurements for the live costumes?

Mimo: That’s right, they were making costumes for our Milky Holmes live. I was so surprised already! (laughs) But I had already had a lot of experience dancing; I think I was very lucky.

- Your original dreams of wanting to sing and dance have finally come true. But wasn’t there anything that left you heartbroken while doing voice acting work?

Mimo: I believe that it is a lot more difficult to act with only just your voice. There were times when I would get really depressed because my voice did not suit the image in the animation. I would get scared when I went in for dubbing, and got really nervous when I stood in front of the mic.

- How did you overcome that?

Up until then, I would watch the work while being heavily conscious of my own voice as I gave it to the character. But then when I played Umi Sonoda from “Love Live!” I began voicing her without consciousness, and I was able to see the work more purely. Because of that, I began to think, “There’s a part inside of me that has something in common with Umi-Chan.” And then I became very positive.

- Encountering “Love Live!” was a big turning point for you, wasn’t it?

More people became aware of my existence, and because of that I was able to gain more confidence. About the same thing happened to the other voice actresses gathered together at the time.

- The sense of unity was also powerful.

Exactly. Because there was a feeling of “Let’s do our best with everyone!” among the team. It also provided a lot of moral support, and I believe we were able to grow greatly while raising up one another.

- Is there anyone you have worked with that has influenced you?

Mimo: I have been able to work together with various seniors, but Kamiya Akira-San was very good to work with. Beginning with the behavior I had in the dubbing booth, and when it became impossible for me to do the screaming lines, he would say, “Do it in this way,” and would explain it to me from a technical point of view. I really care for him like a father.

- It is because you have such a talent for being loved that he warmly watched over you. Is there anything you keep in mind when you face a new role or field?

Mimo: In my case, I try to keep a “flat” state of mind so that I can see the images in the animation more precisely. This way I’m not too nervous when I enter into the studio.

- And for that to happen, you have to prepare properly in advance, right?

Mimo: Reading scripts, watching the VTR, these sort of exercises and preparations are of course very important.

- By the way, lately there seem to be a lot of people aiming to be voice actors. How would you seize such an opportunity?

Mimo: I feel like this has grown to be a major occupation from the time I was a child. To think that I have attained such an occupation as this is such a strange feeling. But basically, it’s just an indoor job when you go into a dubbing booth, and voice an anime.

Recently, my idol/talent-like activities are increasing, and I believe that’s the kind of image people are attracted to. It’s becoming a new era, and I think that it’s a wonderful kind of dream to have.

- Can you give some advice to any aspiring voice actors?

Mimo: I think people who like anime are more likely to aim at becoming voice actors. But maybe not just anime, they also hold a love for many other elements like film and books. Because of that, their field of vision and the way they express themselves will be broadened. I, myself, try to keep this in mind as well.

- Expressing yourself at your job, that is also some very important input. Now then, having such a broad range of activities, is there anything you would like to challenge yourself with in the future?

Mimo: I think that I am very blessed to be able to sing in both my solo and unit actives as well as performing in musicals, but what I want to cherish most is the very foundation of working with voice. Much like Kamiya Akira-San and Nozawa Masako-San, I would like to continue doing voice work for a long time. If it’s possible, I want to encounter many more works, and I’ll continue to do this even when I become a grandma.

- Do you have anything you would like to say to those who are working hard for their dreams, and those who are still searching for their dreams?

Mimo: I have also had various experiences with jobs, such as convenient stores, restaurants, and hamburgers shops. Looking back now, I had many wonderful encounters and hints about life. So if you still haven’t found your dream yet, the first thing you need to do is jump out into the world and find a job that you might be interested in, and this could possibly be the thing that sparks the beginning of your dream. As for the ones who are doing their best to reach a certain goal, to the ones who have absolutely no feelings of doubt in their chest; even if you take a detour, believe that you will reach that place someday. Please, make your dreams come true!

Original interview here.

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