『KONOSUBA: God’s Blessing on this Wonderful World!』(KONOSUBA) is back as a movie! Leading to its release in theaters on August 30 (Friday), Da Vinci News gathered the 5 main cast members to talk about their passion and deep love for KONOSUBA. The novel has now sold more than 8.5 million copies, with the anime doing well. Through these interviews, we get to the bottom of how the staff and cast get together, the wonderful laughter, the wonderful energy that KONOSUBA brings to everyone who’s watching.
“Let’s get teased by Takagi-san together!” – Takahashi Rie & Ōhara Yuiko who were immersed in their middle school club activities
In a certain middle school, there is a girl named Takagi-san, who sits beside a boy named Nishikata, this story is Skilled Teaser Takagi-san, where Nishikata tries to get back at Takagi-san’s teases. With the change of seasons, they are now 2nd year students, and the “battle of teasing” continues in the 2nd season which will be aired on AT-X and other platforms. Today, we got the voice actor for Takagi-san, Takahashi Rie and the opening theme performer, Ōhara Yuiko for an interview regarding the series and the song.
Kohara Konomi does a Q&A on IG every now and then. Do check out the previous ones here! Also, she answers some questions that are written in foreign languages. For those questions and answers, I did not translate them and left them as they are. They are indicated in MAROON.
Q: You will be reprising your role as Mina in season 2 of Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san, so I’m looking forward to your injection of enthusiasm!
A: I’m getting pumped up! It’s really fun to play Mina, whose behavior is the exact opposite of those kyunkyun (heart fluttering) stories in between! (Eh? Sounds like secretary Fujiwara lol) Please look forward to it!
Q: Do you receive our fan letters?
A: Of course. The feelings behind all the effort and time spent by everyone to write them motivate me to put in my best at work, and I have nothing but gratitude for everyone. I’m sorry that I couldn’t announce the receipt of all these mails, but rest assure that they are previously kept in a box in my room. (●´人｀●) Thank you.
Q: I love Lala! I’ll be glad to hear your stories about acting as her!
A: I’m glad to hear that!! Thank you lun~ ❤️ From her curiosity of wanting acquire knowledge from touching and experiencing, to her serious moments, I drill all these characteristics into my mind and act. Also, I keep it in my mind to incorporate her “~lun” and “oyo~” feelings.
Q: I got to know Kohara-san from your voice as Shiroha in Summer Pockets. The game was really enjoyable ✨ Can you share some with us how the recording was like?
A: Thank you. I’m really happy I got to be involved in a key production. Shiroha is a girl of few words, someone whose emotions are always changing and a girl you feel comfortable to get close to. I did the recording alone with the staff, so I’m really grateful to them for getting this out. In the later half of the game, she goes through various experiences that makes her grow. For those who haven’t played the game, please definitely try it out.
Q: How do you decide on how to do your nails each time?
A: I always end up deciding them on a hunch 💅 Like for an event, I’d excitedly head to the salon with that event as a theme in my mind. I always go to my regular stylist, Kano-san, who always seems to work magic around my intended theme! It feels like I’m labeling her as my personal stylist out of my own whims lol. I wanna go back soon… Do check them out.
Q: Udon? Soba? Or ramen?
A: Eh! What a difficult question! Lol. But I like all of them… But if I have to choose, then ramen maybe ( *´艸｀)✨ Now I’m hungry already. Lol.
Q: I saw spring onion at the place where I parked my bicycle, what was that about?
A: I saw the photo… Lol. I’m sure that was an important message as part of your life lol. Spring onions are delicious. Boil them together with some chicken and you’ll get some nice and delicious soup, so eat them up! Lol.
Q: I’m a 3rd year college student and my student ID is 0628, so I feel a certain affinity with you.
A: Wow! I’m happy to hear that!! I’ll convey that affinity to you and hope for something good to happen to you ＾＾Heh-heh-heh
Q: Recently, I can’t seem to enjoy anything at all. How do I regain back the pure feelings from back then…
A: It’s inevitable we lose some of these feelings little by little when we become adults. Some of this can be attributed to us viewing the things we have seen and the experiences we have gone through as something mundane. This may be a little stretching but when we view something as mundane, then it will be mundane. I feel that our lives will change depending on what we do in this limited time that we get. When something sad happens, we may think about excessive things. As with anything, broadening your horizons is an important thing. I felt the same a while back too. No matter what I do, I could not seem to enjoy acting, and that was really painful. However, if we don’t move, those feelings will not change. Take a breather and go outside for a change of pace, maybe that will help out. I do the same too. Even if it’s just a minor hint, try to search for it within yourself. But, don’t overload yourself and make it difficult for yourself. Everyone goes through a phase like this.
Q: I love hot springs, how about Kohara-san?
A: I love them too. I wanna go if time permits ✨ Do you have any recommendations? Please share them with me!
Q: My Adam’s apple hasn’t developed. Of course, that means that my voice hasn’t changed. I’m 21 this year. I want to become a voice actor, what should I do about this?
A: No! On the contrary, that gives you a character. Also, I feel that there are many things you wouldn’t find out if people don’t hear your voice. I also hated my voice back in school, but I’m using this voice to work as a voice actor now. You never know what happens! I think you should act while you have the fighting spirit. It starts from within yourself ＾＾Fight on.
Q: I wanna see Koko-chan again!|
A: Ahh that makes me happy! Truly. I hope that becomes a reality! Hope that we can meet again.
This Q&A was first published on 6 April 2019 on Instagram. All images and videos you see here belong to their respective owners.
Q: Will you come back to Kawagoe?
A: Sounds good!! Lol
Q: What do you do to avoid getting upset when you discover that the person you like have been bad-mouthing you?
A: Since we live in a time where everyone can speak their minds, it may be out of our hands, but it sure feels sad. When I think about getting angry, I calm down by telling myself that it’ll be a waste of time getting angry at them. Although rumours are unavoidable, I’ll tell myself that I won’t know unless I witness it for myself. That still doesn’t the fact that they said those bad things though. I think it might make yourself feel better if you just tell yourself that there are many kinds of people in this word.
Q: What is the key to happiness?
A: Don’t take things for granted. Never forget gratitude. Also, reminding yourself that life is not a bed of roses, and when you run into hard times, remember to face forward and remind yourself often. While I was doing this Q&A, I also reminded myself while telling everyone to be positive. “I can’t face forwards!” – There will be times like that for sure, but remember, no one is going to do anything for you. Unless it’s by your own hands, nothing will move, so even if you stopped, get up and move again. By your own pace. Smiles are important too.
〇The following questions are from overseas readers〇
Q: Hello. I dont understand Japanese but I hope you have a great day koko chan!(こんにちは。日本語は分からないのですが,ココちゃんが素晴らしい1日だといいですね!)
A: Thank you for commenting on me even though I don’t understand Japanese. I’m so happy!Let’s try to make each day more fulfilling.(日本語が分からないのにコメントして下さってありがとう。とても嬉しいです！それぞれ充実した日々になるよう過ごしましょうね。
Q: Ganbatte Kohara-san.Say hi for me to Koga-san.Thank you. Keep up the good work.
A: Thank you very much.I’ll tell her.I’ll do my best in the future!(ありがとうございます。あおちゃんにも伝えますね。これからも頑張るぞ！
Q: Yeah I don’t speak Japanese but your Instagram is cool , and your voice acting is amazing.
A: Thank you for watching anime and Instagram.I’m really impressed that people from overseas supported me.I was happy with the message.Thank you.
Q: Is it ok for you to read English comments? Sorry for not able to speak in Japanese.
A: Of course I’m reading! I’m so happy.Look at it and even comment on it. Thank you very much.
Q: How do you feel when you got the role of chika? Love from Malaysia.
A: I’m glad that the Malaysian people are happy with it.Thank you! Chika is always playing happily.I look forward to your continued support!
Q:ここちゃんhello！Would you be interested in coming to the U.S. for a con or otherwise?
A: Hello！I have never been abroad!I would love to go if I had the chance!
Q: こはら-さん がんばれ！ PS🇺🇸人です。ありがとう！
A: こちらこそありがとう！嬉しいです！！また声を届けられるよう頑張ります。(Thank you very much!I will do my best to deliver my voice again.
Q: 會不會來台灣 (TN: will you come to Taiwan?)
A: 太想去了! (TN: I really wanna go!)
Thank you for sending in so many questions. I’m sorry that I couldn’t answer all of them. (Cries) Maybe I’ll do this again someday (●´人｀●) I’d love it if you can get to know various facets of me from my solo radio show.
Once again, a big thank you to everyone! It’s all thanks to all of you that I get to be this happy. Truly. I look forward to your continued support.
Kohara Konomi does a Q&A on IG every now and then. Do check out the previous ones here! Also, she answers some questions that are written in foreign languages. For those questions and answers, I did not translate them and left them as they are. They are indicated in MAROON.
Q: Did you do the voice-over for the rabbit in that CM for My Number? What other CMs were you involved in?
A: Yes, I voiced the white rabbit in that CM. Maina-chan is really cute heh. Her eyes are drawn using the number “1” and her face looks really cute “1U1” ♡ . I also did voiced Kanpo-kun in the JP Insurance CM, as well as last year’s CM for Tokyo Mode Gakuen. I love doing narrations.
Q: Recently, what do you feel an affinity with?
A: Because of my roles, I feel an affinity with these 3 things, “Moon”, “Kaguya”, “Literature”. Some of you might get what I’m referring to here ✨
Q: I really like your singing voice!
A: I don’t deserve such kind words. I’m not doing any music-related activities, and don’t go to the Karaoke to sing. I wanna get better at it… But, I did enjoy singing Lala’s transformation song as well as Secretary Fujiwara’s Chikatto Chika Chika lol.
Q: Your long messages on your IG story moved me and inspired me to work hard! Thank you!
A: They really are nothing much. If everyone likes reading them, I’ll continue to talk. As long as we are alive, the stories never end. I like the cheerful ones. But! Overthinking about worries and gloomy stuff makes you tired, and chasing after perfection makes you lose track of yourself. Negotiate with your heart and go about doing things at your own pace okay?
Q: I’ll be going on a job hunt this year, but what do I do if I don’t have confidence in myself?
A: Everyone’s the same, so it’s fine! I believe self confidence comes with experience. But yeah, it’s a fact that the job will often go to a person with confidence overflowing over someone without… That’s why even though I get nervous to the point that I feel like vomiting each time, I’ll try to bear with it and pretend I’m not nervous lol. We’re all the same! Don’t worry.
Q: Job search is just around the corner but I’m troubled over not knowing my strengths.
A: I don’t think there are many people who live each day thinking that “Ah, I’m good at this!” lol. I too, don’t know what are my strengths lol. Even if you are able to judge someone’s strengths and weaknesses objectively, it’s difficult to do the same for yourself. But, I think if you sit down and face yourself properly, you might discover them bit by bit. Also, if you see your strengths and weaknesses as both sides of a coin, your thinking might change. I’m sure the other party wants to hire someone who they want to work with, so it might be beneficial to prepare for the interview by looking up their good points. I’m rooting for you! All the best!
Q: What do you sing at the Karaoke? What songs do you like?
A: ELT-san’s (Every Little Thing) nostalgia and Shiawase no Fuukei(Scenery of Happiness). I also like fragile, so I was really surprised to hear it play in Tsuki ga Kirei. Other than that, I like Kimura Kaela-san’s chocolate. Give it a listen okay?
Q: To what extent can you do “an activity” alone?
A: I have done solo karaoke, ate gyudon by myself! The other day, I was feeling hungry, so I went into a gyudon place by myself. I ate alongside salarymen ( *´艸｀) fufufu. I wanna try eating yakiniku alone too ✨ Also, this goes back some time ago, I was okay with shopping for clothes alone, but not glasses and hats. I felt embarrassed about trying them on… lol. I wonder why. Anyone out there share this same sentiment? Lol.
Q: How does your goal of “Returning back to zero” help you out?
A: I think it’s a good goal. “Returning back to zero” = “Not forgetting my initial resolution” = “Always remember gratitude”, I hope to keep these words in my heart and work hard!
Q: Can you describe each of the StarPre members in a sentence?
A: Naruse Eimi-san = The chosen star | I think there’s no one as cheerful as her. She’s a wonderful person. She’s the one who loves PreCure the most, doesn’t build a wall around others and treats everyone equally. She treasures everyone deeply and is our precious leader.
Yasuno Kiyono-san: An elder sister with an abundance of kindness | Yasuno-san is a kind person with overflowing traits of a mum. I hope to become someone like her. I feel that she resembles Kayano-san (Ai).
Komatsu Mikako-san: The most reliable elder sister | When the 4 of us talks, she always chips in with advice. When she breaks into a grin from her serious expression, I die a little inside. Lol.
Kino Hina-chan: Hanako (Asobi Asobase) hahaha. Sorry that’s a joke. The soothing factor in the studio | She voices a character called Fuwa in the show, and her voice is just so cute! She always looks at everyone’s acting with glistening eye. She sits next to me in the studio and I always feel like an elder sis to her when she talks to me “That’s amazing! ✨”, “Koko-chan ^ ^” “Ah ah ^ ^”.
Q: Did you have any lingering regrets of things you should have done back in school?
A: Yeah, there is. The first one would be, not studying harder than I should have been. Can I reclaim that back in the future? Lol. There are also others. But if I look back at them, I’ll be drowning in them, so I feel that I should be looking forward to do things so I don’t leave any regrets in the future.
Q: You will be reprising your role as Mina in season 2 of Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san, so I’m looking forward to your injection of enthusiasm! 
Q: Will you come back to Kawagoe?
Q: Did you do the voice-over for the rabbit in that CM for My Number? What other CMs were you involved in?