"Another Wonderland in the UK" is a series of interviews in which Kotobuki Minako, a voice actress who is currently living in the UK, talks about her daily life in the UK. In the last interview, she was enjoying her life in England, overcoming her stay home period, enjoying her long-cherished "Victoria & Albert Museum" and celebrating her friend's birthday. In the theme talk, she revealed the person for whom she has been longing for 10 years. In this part 16, we will take a look back on her last month in England with photos taken by Kotobuki-san. She tells about what she learned from this experience and her impressions of the "Wimbledon Tennis Championships", which was her first challenge as a reporter. Also, as Japan is in the middle of the "Tokyo Olympics 2020", I asked Kotobuki-san about her memories of "sports". [Interview / text = Yoneda Kaori] ■ The first challenge as a reporter at Wimbledon Tennis! ――Congratulations on your reporter's job for the Wimbledon Tennis Championships! Fans were excited to see Kotobuki-san's everyday reports. Kotobuki: Thank you to everyone who watched it! This was my first time working as a reporter, so I was very nervous. My knowledge of tennis was a little bit ignorant when I was playing "Baby Steps" (* an anime about tennis in which Kotobuki-san played Takasaki Natsu). I was even asked, "Maybe you'll be interviewed in English." I was happy when I heard that, but as time went on, I was worried, "Can I handle it?" ――In the first place, Kotobuki-san, how have you been assigned to a reporter? Kotobuki: Previously, I was in charge of narration for a program that introduced the Lake District in England, and the person who took care of me recommended me for the position. After the recommendation, I was asked, "I recommended you, but, Kotobuki-san, are you interested in tennis?" (Laughs). At that time, I thought, "The order is reversed (laughs)!" But now I'm thinking, "I'm glad I checked after the fact!" Because, I would have declined the offer because "It might be difficult because I don't have knowledge of tennis...". Earlier, I said, "There were times when I was struck by anxiety," but I've had a lot of fun every day since it started. I am grateful to those who recommended me. ――I was watching the broadcast on WOWOW every day, but most of the people there didn't wear masks. Please tell us about the recent situation in England. Kotobuki: Looking at the current number of infected people in the UK, you will be scared. It's a nightmare for me, like last year's third lockdown. However, compared to that time, the number of seriously sick people has decreased considerably. So, by the time this article comes out, I think the regulations will have been completely lifted, and the day commonly known as "Freedom Day," will have arrived. ――In the last interview, you mentioned that you made a reservation for the vaccine, but on YouTube, you introduced in detail the physical condition after the vaccination. Kotobuki: I received only one shot. In the UK, you have to wait at least 6 weeks till the second shot, so I'll receive it next month (August). Up to that point, I cannot neglect the rules. In the UK, there was news that the cases are increasing in which people who received the first shot, get too relaxed, and tend to be infected after. ――Let's take a look back at the state of England and the precious Wimbledon with photos. ■ Memories of Wimbledon, what I learned from an unfamiliar field ――It's Strawberry & Cream, which was introduced on YouTube. It looks pretty good, so I'm really curious about the taste. Kotobuki: I imagined eating a strawberry with condensed milk, so I thought it was a little lacking in sweetness. However, the strawberries themselves are delicious enough to compensate for that! I've never eaten such a delicious strawberry in England. They use strawberries that were just picked in the morning in Kent. ――You also enjoyed shopping for tennis and children's clothing. Kotobuki: I'm addicted to collecting Wimbledon goods (laughs). What I wear in this photo is the wear for the ball person (* the person who manages the ball) on the tennis court. It is by Ralph Lauren and it is so cute that I needed to buy it. ――What was your favorite thing to buy, and what do you recommend to those who will come to Wimbledon in the future? Kotobuki: you can buy the used ball, the one that players actually used in the game, and I think it is something good to buy. It's valuable, it can be used as a souvenir, and it's cheaper than a new one! Although you never know who used it (laughs). ――Are there any people or things that you referred to during your reporter's job? Kotobuki: Regarding the interview, I just remembered my interviews, in aspects such as "This was easy to answer", and "I was happy with this question." I'm interviewed by Anime!Anime! every month, so I thought, "I should have asked about things the interviewers are being careful of! " (Laughs). Regarding the reports, I asked my good friend Kae Hiromi (a talent who is active in multiple fields such as actress and radio personality) over the phone. When I asked, "What do you value in reporting?", she said, "You have to talk with your face!" (Laughs). Of all the advice I received, the most memorable one was, "It's enough to think that live broadcasts and broadcasts will not go as planned." I usually work with a script, so I think I would have panicked if I didn't have it. ■ "Visit my brother's memories" in Cambridge ――This is Cambridge! It's a wonderful photo with flowers. Kotobuki: I also like this one! But it is out of focus (laughs). My brother used to live in Cambridge, and I had been there at that time, but it was winter then, so no blooming flowers, and even no shopping during the New Year holidays. I'm glad I was able to visit Cambridge again at a right time. ――It was the long-awaited Cambridge. Where did you go for sightseeing? Kotobuki: The photo shows a famous place called King's College Chapel, but other than this, it was a "visit my brother's memories". When I called my brother and asked, "Where should I go?", he said "I want to see Lloyds (bank)" and burst into laughter (laughs). When I arrived at the bank, we talked "I couldn't open an account at this bank", and added "What kind of tour is this !?" (laughs). But I'm glad I was able to do it for my brother. ■ How Kotobuki Minako enjoys sports ――You said you started playing tennis after Wimbledon tennis. How are you doing now? Kotobuki: When I am asked how I'm doing, I feel as if I were a player (laughs). Before Wimbledon started, I went practicing there three times a week and was training thoroughly. I wanted to know what people like about tennis and knowing that I wanted to challenge Wimbledon. I wanted to learn early, so I asked a lot of questions about Japanese coaches, such as "What should I answer when asked?" and "What kind of ball is this?" ――Will you continue playing tennis after you return to Japan? Kotobuki: I want to continue! I would like to prepare for next year's Wimbledon! (For sure!) ――Japan is currently in the midst of the Tokyo Olympics. Please tell us if there are any competitions that you are interested in or "how you enjoy sports" after going through Wimbledon. Kotobuki: I like water sports, so I'm interested in surfing, which is a competition from this year. Also, since I used to be a swimmer, I always pay attention to swimming. What I thought because I experienced Wimbledon this time is that the more I know about the players, the more interesting it becomes. I think you will be deeply moved when you know what kind of feelings they have when they are fighting. ■ The first-ever voice actors' unit! Sphere's VR live concert ――It was announced that the first "VR live" will be held on August 22nd. Kotobuki: It seems that this is the first attempt in history for a voice actors' unit to become 3D models and perform at a virtual live concert. Perhaps fans were thinking, "What will they do after the live event to perform all the songs!?" There is a full virtual debut! Once again, I was very grateful that I had to do it for the first time even after more than 10 years of activity. ――I'm very curious about what kind of live it will be. Kotobuki: The girls drawn in the key visual will be singing and dancing in 3D. I'm really looking forward to it too! Moreover, I think one of the highlights is that everyone can enjoy in the front row. I would like you to to enjoy the fresh feeling of the virtual live, and if you have experienced real Sphere live, I would like you to enjoy the difference. I would like you to feel the "Sphere circle" that we have created together in virtual space. The new songs released by Sphere this year have not been performed live yet, so please look forward to what kind of setlist it will be. Also, there may be a new choreography by the dance leader Minako-sensei!! So check out it too! ――I'm looking forward to it!

The voice actress Kotobuki Minako is currently living in the UK and she tells her daily life in England through her real words in the serialized interview, “Kotobuki Minako’s Another Wonderland in the UK”. In the previous interview, she talked about her thoughts and learning through her first job as a reporter at “Wimbledon Tennis Championships”. Also, we also asked her episode related to sports, since Japan was in the middle of “Tokyo Olympic 2020”. This interview (#17) also reviews her days in the UK for the previous month together with pictures taken by Kotobuki. The UK is currently in the middle of summer holidays. Kotobuki-san travels around multiple locations as “the last run” and what she saw on her journey was... [Interview and article written by: Yoneda Kaori] ■ Finally visiting Edinburgh Festival! Currently enjoying her vacation ---Your background seems different this time, isn’t it? Kotobuki: Well, I am actually in Scotland! Edinburgh Festival Fringe will finally be held this year, which I have admired for a long time, and I am here to participate! ※Edinburgh Festival Fringe: The largest art (stage play, music, dance, etc.) festival held at Edinburgh in August for 3 to 4 consecutive weeks. Anyone, from amateur to professionals, can participate. The system allows anyone to perform after paying registration and participation fee, while finding the location for themselves. ---I knew well that you wanted to visit Edinburgh Festival Fringe, so I am happy as well! Kotobuki: I thought this is my last chance, so I am visiting many places. Because Scotland gets very cold after September, so I am lucky that I could be here in August. ---I apologize for making you work right before the festival... Kotobuki: It’s okay because I was not in rush! It took me an hour and a half with an airplane from London departing at 7 AM. Honestly, I don’t have a clear target which “I desire to see”, so I don’t have a ticket yet. It’s because there are fliers of each performance are posted around the town and I am planning to visit the performance that I got interested in. ---I see! Do you have a particular interest in themes in which “you wish to see”? Kotobuki: I want to see the performance by Drag Queen! It7s because Burlesque performance costs a lot of money in London. I wanted to enjoy it there. ---Can you take photos for the next interview if you don’t mind? Kotobuki: Certainly! I can’t take pictures during the performance, but I will take good pictures for scenes that I can shoot. ---I have received your pictures enjoying other spots other than Edinburgh. I want to review the pictures with your episodes. ■ Brighton, the location appeared in the movie “Keion!” ---You also visited Brighton, the famous spot for spending holidays. Kotobuki: It is easy to access from London. . It only takes an hour from Victoria Station. I was happy because I could eat tasty seafood. What’s in the picture is cooked lobster with cheese. A white sauce cream was so tasty! Other than this, I also enjoyed oysters and scallops with garlic. ---I also see a picture of a beautiful ocean. Kotobuki: Brighton is the location for the “Keion!” movie’s ending. Because I wanted to introduce it to my fans through YouTube, so I visited there. ---It was Brighton, where Houkago Tea Time members running and playing instruments!? Kotobuki: You are correct! Luckily, the weather was great, and it was a wonderful day for photo shooting. Please take a look at pictures of a building that looked like an amusement park appearing little in the movie. ---What is on the next picture? Kotobuki: A person suddenly begins to place plants on the top of the bus stop when I was waiting for a bus. I asked the staff, “What is he doing?” and he replied, “because many buses in the UK have 2 stories, so it is for enjoyment for users sitting on the upper level” and I took a photo of it because I felt it so wonderful. It is unique for the UK, a place is known for its popularity in gardening. ---How wonderful is it! It is unique for England, where promoting environmental care. Kotobuki: I had another chance to think about the environment since there was a kitchen van with vegan burgers. Buns are gluten-free and the burger was meatless. But the taste was wonderful. I couldn’t eat all the french fries because it was too many on plates. I took it home and ate it the next day. (laughter) →Next Page: Eating miso soup at the hotel in the UK!? Enjoying fashionable Japanese restaurants. ---Your next picture is of you wearing a formal outfit. Where did you go? Kotobuki: I went to eat lunch at the hotel together with my friends. Because it was expensive, I dressed up well. ---The next picture is after lunch? Latte art is very cute! Kotobuki: You think this is latte art? It’s actually a miso soup! A white moose on the top is a foam-type tofu and what’s in an airplane shape is burned soy sauce. I also ate sushi and gelidium jelly. ---I cannot imagine from the appearance of the hotel. (laughter) Kotobuki: Where I actually went was a Japanese restaurant inside the hotel. (laughter). The payment method was very fashionable; the bill often comes with a leather holder, but this restaurant handed me a bill with a Japanese novel. ■ What do you want to do first after coming back to Japan? ---There was an episode of you eating Japanese food, and you recently said, “I want to eat shaved ice and baked corn!” in your radio show. I believe your “what-to-do list” after coming to Japan is created, and what comes first? Kotobuki: I want to bathe in hot spring! This is the definitely 1st place. The 2nd place is putting a raw egg on rice. The 3rd place is visiting Tsurutontan. (laughter) Marukame Noodles opened in England recently, so I visited the restaurant. I enjoyed it, but it made me crave thin noodles and a kind taste of Tsurutontan. (laughter) ---Marukame Noodles in England became news in Japan as well. Kotobuki: It was big news in the UK! I waited in a long line and now you have to wait up to 90 minutes. It is popular for tasty Japanese food at a low price. ---It may be a cruel question, but do you want to go back to Japan now? Or do you want to stay? Kotobuki: It is a difficult question… but I prefer to stay. (laughter) However, the lockdown period, which was one of the difficult times, made me wish for going back to Japan. I have more freedom compared to that time and I want to do things that only can be done in the UK. It is not realistic to be in a condition of “I did everything I wanted to do in the UK”, so I will do my best to fully enjoy my life in the UK to make “my task” as little as possible. ---Thank you for your time! Kotobuki Minako Profile “TIGER & BUNNY” Karina Lyle/Blue Rose She is a member of “Sphere”, the group of singers made up of her colleagues, Takagaki Ayahi, Tomatsu Haruka, and Toyosaki Aki