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The first in history the original voice actor 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 the voice actors, 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 Ishikawa Kaito, who is Thursday’s MC. He is in charge of the project with Namikawa Daisuke. We talked with Ishikawa-san about his thoughts on Thursday, and about, “Dressing in various clothes everytime…”
[Interview / text = Mori Motoyuki Photographed = Fujita Ayumi]

――Since you will continue your work as an MC on “SAY YOU TO YOASOBI 2021”, what did you feel when you heard about it?

Ishikawa: Honestly, I was happy. On the contrary, I thought it was surprising. Before me, Namikawa-san (Namikawa Daisuke) was MC with Kisho (Taniyama Kisho), and I used to work as an MC with various people as a monthly personality, but I haven’t been the same MC for the whole year and next season. I wondered if someone other than me would come in, but I’m glad that it’s a continuous throw.

――What do you think is the reason for saving the pair?

Ishikawa: I can’t say myself “I think it is interesting” (laughs). I don’t know.
However, I think Thursday of “SAY YOU TO YOASOBI 2020” was a day when many guests came to. A day of the week when you can call various people. I myself learned a lot about how to ask questions to Namikawa-san’s guests and how to proceed with conversations.
The presence of Namikawa-san is a big force on Thursday, and I myself asked Namikawa-san to find a new character called “Positive Ishikawa”.

Moreover, I challenged the program with the spirit of doing everything on “SAY YOU TO YOASOBI 2020”. I don’t know what kind of work I will do next, so I’m doing my best all the time.
Until now, I haven’t done regular video programs, so in that sense, I don’t know what to do, so maybe I was thinking, “I’ll do my best!”

――Are there any episodes that left an impression on you in 2020?

Ishikawa: There are so many things, seems everything was impressive… My birthday party, the episode when I learned the nose flute, and when Kamiya (Hiroshi) became a regular, left me with the impression that I’m sorry… Everything is an important memory.
But after all, the transvestite may be particularly impressive. At my office (Pro-Fit), clothes are strict.
But in “SAY YOU TO YOASOBI” I wore various clothes, and among them, the transvestite was extremely surprised. When I appeared on the stage called “AD-LIVE”, I once appeared in a sailor suit (laughs), but this is my first time since then.
At that time, I was very impressed in the sense that I can break the stereotypes of the office. The range of my own work has also expanded.

――It’s a powerful word that “I wore various clothes” (laughs). What kind of day do you want Thursday of “SAY YOU TO YOASOBI 2021″ to be?

Ishikawa: we haven’t discussed that much. All the staff is interesting and trustworthy, so my way is to get along with what they suggested. I may not be able to be”I want to do this” or “I want to do that”.

――However, the staff around you seem to want to know Ishikawa-san’s request.

Ishikawa: Well… I want to continue to risk, and even though it’s midnight, I want to have fun with Namikawa-san. I’m desperate while I’m doing it, and of course, I don’t like the moment I’m told, but when I look back, I often think that it was fun, so I’d like to continue forever…

Also, I want to go out to many places and do many things. For example, can I do a vaulting box with Namikawa-san, or can I stop the shot of an experienced handball player? I think both Namikawa and I are can shake ourselves.

――What guests would you like to call in the future?

Ishikawa: Although it is titled “SAY YOU TO YOASOBI” (lit. voice actors late-night fun) I would like to invite people from outside the industry. People from other industries who play become voice actors for a night.
In 2020, we had people from various industries, such as professional nose flute players, hosts, and demonstration sellers. Above all, I would like to call VTubers. Although it is a live-action shooting, and VTuber lives in a two-dimensional world, but I’m wondering if a conversation can be established. It’s just I love VTubers (laughs).
Also, it seems interesting to have people who are making TV content appear, so I would like creators “SAY YOU TO YOASOBI” to appear as well.

――Are there any days you want to go?

Ishikawa: It’s the new “Weeken!” (WEEKEND). While saying “Weekend!”, I want to hear the good music playing.

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

Ishikawa: I had tried to shoot a video of the morning routine, but my life is too irregular… Sometimes I go to bed in the morning and sometimes I wake up early in the morning, so I don’t have much of a routine. Or rather, there is none at all. I’m just getting ready to go out, but it’s not a routine (laughs).

――Is there anything you want to say to Namikawa-san before the program starts?

Ishikawa: I really respect you from the bottom of my heart. I don’t have much to say, just this (laughs).

――Are there any new challenges you would like to take in 2021 as you enter the new season?

Ishikawa: In 2020, I couldn’t go outside much because I was refraining from moving outside the prefecture or outside the city, so I have a desire to walk around inns that I have never been to. Of course, depends on the circumstances.

――Finally, do you have a message for your fans?

Ishikawa: I will continue to cast as the MC in charge of Thursday for “SAY YOU TO YOASOBI 2021”. Thank you for reading this far. In the interview, there were many serious answers, and I think I showed a different nuance from the program.
In 2021, I will continue to do my best to be energetic, cheerful, fun, and respectful for Namikawa-san, so please take a look. If you would like to appear on the program, please contact ABEMA and we will be welcoming you on Thursday, so please feel free to contact us. Thank you.