When Crunchyroll announced that the anime adaptation of Demons of the Shadow Realm It was coming to the transmitter, it was a must see. How could it not be? saw Full Metal Alchemist Hiromu Arakawa manga They join the animation studio Bones Film once again (gachiakuta) to bring his new epic to life. In professional wrestling terms, that’s basically the equivalent of the animation megapowers that spin the block in the animation industry. And with his first show in the history books and his second show now airing, the show more than lived up to fans’ high expectations.
It turns out that everyone’s GOATs, Arakawa and Bones Film, are still an animation dream team with our new hero brothers, Yuru and Asa, as they were when they defined the anime landscape back in the aughts (twice!) with the Elric brothers.
io9 was able to chat with Kensho Ono and Yume Miyamoto, the Japanese voice actors for Yuru and Asa, on the show’s first episode’s shocking twist, how they brought the estranged brothers’ tumultuous relationship to life, and the pressure of living up to the production studio and the mangaka’s joint legacy as stars of their latest anime.
Isaiah Colbert, io9: Episode one delivers a big surprise when the story reveals that it’s not a historical period piece, but is actually set in the present day. Were you as surprised as viewers were by that revelation when you first found out?
Kensho Ono: I think I had the exact same reaction as a lot of fans when they first saw that reveal. Due to the nature of my work, of course, I read the manga before acting in the anime. But I imagine readers felt that some anime fans would feel this way. I also think before the anime came out, we were doing a little promotional tour and a lot of media outlets were asking the same question: “What kind of anime is this?” And I couldn’t talk much about it because I knew that revelation would be a huge spoiler. I remember it was difficult to talk about the anime without directly addressing the fact that it won’t be some kind of period piece.
Yume Miyamoto: Again, with the manga and different eras coexisting, I think it was a big shock for me. When that was adapted into the anime, I think I found the sound design effects very interesting because you’re thinking about these people cutting wheat with their sickles. At the same time shots and planes are heard. So I think the fact that those two sound designs can coexist in an anime also wasn’t as jarring as I thought it would be. But it was very different from what you expected to see.
io9: The bond between Yuru and Asa is central to the anime’s emotional core and its couple themes. When acting out their scenes together, what aspects of the sibling dynamic did you focus on to highlight the warmth, tension, and unspoken history between them?
Miyamoto: (laughs) I feel like a lot of that was watching and listening to how Kensho played Yuru, trying to download that rhythm and those vibes, and then use them in my own performance to mimic certain areas that I think could bridge the gap between that bond and that couple.
Ono: Thinking about how Yuru grew up in this village and only had one… there is a kind of support system of family and blood connection. But after coming into contact with the real Asa, all that changed and I think he can’t really accept her as his sister. Watching the character from episode one to episode twelve, I think we see that kind of evolution. I know Asa also has this blood relationship with Yuru, and she’s much quicker to accept it. He then continues to close the distance with Yuru. I think that helps overcome that.
While Yuru has a hard time accepting that suddenly he now has a different brother. I think Asa’s constant approach is a little embarrassing for Yuru. But at the same time it shows us a different side of the character. Because he’s normally very calm and collected, but just with Asa, you can see his age and what kind of teenager he is.
io9: Of the demons we’ve met so far in the anime, which one stands out as your favorite and why?
Ono: Of the many demons that exist, Tenaga-Ashinaga (long arm and long leg) It comes to mind right now because they are truly inherently evil demons. And until that moment, I didn’t think that something pure evil could exist. And the two actors who play them have an enormous amount of power and energy in their performances. It is transmitted through the characters. For me, it is very worthy of my character to face it.
Miyamoto: I play Asa, so of course, Yin and Yang comes to mind. I think it was also the first time (the anime) taught us and the audience that demons have hearts too. They are not just tools that must be used constantly. When we fought together, I think we were able to show it to the audience for the first time. That was my reaction to Yin and Yang-chan.
io9: Demons of the Shadow Realm It marks an important meeting of behind-the-scenes creative forces: Bones and Hiromu Arakawa. How does it feel to be part of a project that has generated so much excitement and seems destined to become another breakout success? Does that ever add any sense of pressure or excitement for you as the show’s leads?
Ono: When we record episode one in the booth (and this happens in many projects), in addition to the director, many so-called adults come to watch the recording of episode one. They’re all greeting each other, we’re going to start this production, and it’s going to be great, etc. But, as regards Demons of the Shadow RealmI saw more adults greeting each other and exchanging business cards than on any other project.
I think that speaks to the level and caliber of the people involved in the project. And for me, more than the pressure, it was more due to the fact that I got to work on a project written by Arakawa-sensei.
Miyamoto: Everything you mentioned about the first day and greetings is all true. But for recording sessions of this nature, people of similar age and vocal tone often show up for the same auditions. So there’s kind of a guessing game: “Okay, they probably got the part because they’re starting to fade away a little bit these days.”
Before the cast was officially announced, and more so than any audition or product I’ve ever worked on, a lot of my peers were asking me, “Hey, what’s the set like? What’s it like working with them?” So I think that’s something that says the weight or caliber of what this project represents.
For me, what I tell you is, because I’m in the recording sessions, I can say, “The performances by many of these very talented, veteran actors are top-notch.” There’s a lot to be excited about and I respond by saying it’s going to be a really cool project.
io9: Looking back on the first season, do you have a favorite quirk of your character, or a funny scene, that still sticks out to you as an especially memorable or enjoyable recording session?
Ono: For me, it’s a scene where Asa puts his hand on my back. I think this is the first time my character realizes she has a little sister. Given Yuru and Yuru’s circumstances, it’s hard to know what’s real and what’s not. So he’s questioning everything. But for the first time there is some relationship, something he can believe in. I think it was a very important moment for Yuru, so that left an impression on me.
Miyamoto: For me, it’s episode seven where my character dies once to gain even greater power so I can help my brother. I think it was a big turning point for my character, where it was almost like a moment of not looking back anymore, constantly looking forward. And we can really see Asa’s determination.
Every time I lose sight of the character and want to refocus, I’ll watch episode seven to remember that determination Asa now has. That you can face other situations and circumstances with the same type of determination.
Demons of the Shadow Realm streams on Crunchyroll and Netflix.
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