Anime Anime Global

The first in the history of the industry the original seiyuu regular program “Say You to Yoasobi”, which is being distributed on the anime channel of the new future TV “ABEMA”, celebrated its 4th anniversary on April 2, 2021.

Here at Anime!Anime!, to commemorate the 4th anniversary and start the new season, we interviewed voice actors who are MCs of each day of the week. We asked them about their journey and their enthusiasm for the fourth year for “Say You to Yoasobi”.

This time we interviewed Namikawa Daisuke, Thursday MC. We asked Namikawa-san, who has been an MC for 4 years, what he thinks of “Thursday”.
[Interview / text = Mori Motoyuki]

――Since you remain as an MC of “Say You to Yoasobi 2021”, what was your impression when you first heard about it?

Namikawa: I was grateful. At first, it was a live broadcast every week, which I thought was difficult, but after three years, I gradually got used to it. However, since it is a live broadcast, I always keep in mind, “I have to find something to talk about”, and I have to be more careful about my health in the future.

In 2020, we started with remote work and gradually got used to our new lifestyles, including program making. There is pressure to do my best to provide something interesting, but on the other hand, I am very comfortable doing it.

――It seems that there are some unique things typical only for “Say You to Yoasobi”.

Namikawa: There are a lot of free talks, and I talk about things that happened around me without hiding them. It feels like I’ll let you know if something happens in my daily life.

――Are there any episodes of “Say You to Yoasobi 2020” that left an impression on you?

Namikawa: I received the grand prize of the “Yarakashi Grand Prize” at the special episode, and that time left an impression on me.
On the birthday project for Kaito (Ishikawa Kaito), I did everything that Kaito wanted to do. I’ve been an actor for over 30 years, but I haven’t experienced any musicals, so I made my musical debut at that time.

――How do you feel looking back on last year’s “Say You to Yoasobi 2020” Thursday?

Namikawa: I have the impression that in 2020, I risked a lot. Kaito is very well trained and can do many things, so I tried to catch up with him in the deep hours of the night, but I’m 45 years old (laughs).
However, I think I was able to create a fan image.

――You will be in charge of Thursday again on “Say You to Yoasobu 2021”, but what kind of day do you want to have with Ishikawa Kaito?

Namikawa: Kaito is very shy, but it was nice to see him meeting new people as guests. So I want to meet more people.
Also, since Kaito is very knowledgeable, I would like to dare him to do something he doesn’t know.

――The staff’s unreasonable challenges have become a habit, and seems that they will continue in the future, but do you want to complain?

Namikawa: No, not at all. It’s overflowing (laughs). At first, the viewers were worried, but I wondered if they would get used to watching it every week. I got the impression that the viewers finally turned to the side of the staff (laughs). Even in “Seiyuu to Yoruasobi 2021”, I would like to continue fighting in that area, and I want to take on various challenges with my body.

――Do you have a project that you would like to say “please let me do this”?

Namikawa: I want to do open things such as events, locations, and camping. At this moment, it is difficult to go somewhere with many people, so I would like to do such a thing with a few people around.
I want to eat the best ramen in Japan, and I also want to try hot spring locations. Kaito is also good at games, so I would like to do game-related projects as well. I’ve become unfamiliar with the latest games, so I’d like to learn about them from people in the world.

I also want to try survival games and try field athletics like “SASUKE”. Make a plan where I clear full-scale field athletics over the course of a year.

――Seems you, Namikawa-san, are thinking about the project seriously.

Namikawa: When I was in my twenties, I really wanted to appear in “SASUKE” and was doing muscle training. But I couldn’t get it… When I met Kobayashi Kiyoshi, who was narrating the program at the same office at that time, I asked him, “I want to go to SASUKE, so please tell the staff” and after receiving a reply, “I understand”, that was all. As expected, “SASUKE” is tough, but I want to do that kind of thing. Because I like to take risks.
I also want to play ball games. I would like to have the producer participate in the dodgeball project and go for it seriously (laughs).

――Many guests have come to the program so far, but is there anyone you would like to call?

Namikawa: I think the people who have succeeded at things are amazing, so I would like to invite people who are champions or who are doing their best in some competitions. How about people who represented Japan in a sporting competition called “Mölkky” in Finland a few years ago? I have been invited to meet such enthusiastic sports players.
The project “People with a profession I don’t know much about” that was carried out in the previous program was also interesting, so I would like to do it again.

――Is there anything you would like to say to your partner, Ishikawa Kaito?

Namikawa: I want him to stay as he is. It’s great because he always challenges me with anything, keeps up with what I want to do, and does things I can’t do.
If I force too much, he would say “Don’t risk so much”. He is very kind and welcoming, saying, “I have to tell you more” and “I’ll say something more interesting”, but sometimes he goes harshly, and as a result, he goes ahead (laughs).

Also, in 2020, he often acted as the moderator, so I think it’s okay to have episodes to make Kaito feel comfortable saying, “Sometimes you need a break.” In a good way, I want you to emulate Seki-san (Seki Tomokazu).

――What kind of day is Thursday for you, Namikawa-san?

Namikawa: Maybe because there is a live broadcast, Thursday is a day of the week when I can sleep well. In the last three years, it has become commonplace to go to “Say You to Yoasobi” on Thursdays, and due to the organization, there are also holidays, but it is very strange to be at home on Thursday nights.
I can’t imagine what would happen if Thursday’s “Say You to Yoasobi” disappeared.

――It’s a special day, isn’t it?

Namikawa: When I do events and broadcasts on Saturdays and Sundays and continue to work from Monday, I sometimes get stuck on Thursday in the middle of the week, but I feel like I can overcome anything. I hope that the program will be like that for the viewers as well. You may be tired or stressed, but it’s a program that makes you feel better when you watch it. “Say You to Yoasobi” is distributed every day, so there are various faces for each day of the week, but for Thursday I would like to send an ale saying “Let’s do our best for just a little longer (until the weekend)”.

――The program is about “night fun”. On the contrary, do you have a morning routine?

Namikawa: I don’t have a routine every morning, but I can make it a routine only on Thursday night.
After the show, I go home, take a bath, and drink beer. I post a “thank you” message to my fans on SNS, watch TV, read a book, and sleep. I also check the script in advance on Thursday, so I feel like I’m resetting for a new week there.

――Finally, is there something you want to say to your fans?

Namikawa: It’s been two years in a row with Kaito, but I’d like to see you power up in a different way from 2020. We aim to create a program that will make you feel better when you watch it.
I am encouraged by the number of views and comments of everyone, so I would like to receive a lot of comments. I will do my best to make Thursday’s “Say You to Yoasobi” a routine for everyone, so please support us.