We had the opportunity to interview Shion Wakayama, the actress behind the voice of Momo in the animated series Dan Da Dan. She shared with us her greatest hurdle in translating the strong yet endearing character from the pages to the screen.
As one of the most highly anticipated anime releases of the Fall season, Dan Da Dan is already making waves. This supernatural action series centers around the unconventional duo of high school students Momo Ayase and Ken Takakura as they embark on various misadventures.
Despite their differences, Momo and Ken are complete opposites. Momo is a stylish and daring teenager who is never afraid to speak her mind or defend herself physically. Ken, on the other hand, is a shy and nerdy individual who is fascinated by aliens and conspiracy theories.
After a bet between the two of them goes awry, they are thrown together and their subsequent antics are heightened by their contrasting personalities.
Momo and Ken are about as polar opposite as can be – but their unlikely friendship leads to some hilarious moments in Dan Da Dan.
Caution: Minor spoilers ahead!
We had the opportunity to interview Shion Wakayama, the Japanese voice actress for Momo. During our conversation, Wakayama shared her insights on portraying the leading lady, Dan Da Dan. One aspect that made the role of Momo especially challenging for Wakayama was her portrayal as a ‘gyaru’.
“When we inquired about the most challenging aspect of voicing Momo, Wakayama replied, “It’s about portraying a gyaru!”I put in my best effort, so I hope you will pay attention to the authentic Japanese gyaru style.”
In case you are unfamiliar, ‘gyaru’ is a rebellious fashion trend that gained popularity in Japan during the 2000’s. It typically includes sporting a deep tan, vibrant hair, and a combination of cute and edgy fashion choices (similar to Paris Hilton during her peak fame in the early 2000’s).
Gyarus are popularly recognized for their boisterous characters, often earning the label of “provocative and flirtatious”partygoers.
Momo’s got an unmatched sense of style in Dan Da Dan.
Despite Momo’s determination to save herself for a celebrity resembling Takakura Ken (rather than the anime character), her bold personality results in comical interactions with other characters throughout the series.
We inquired with Wakayama about her favorite moment from the anime and she struggled to choose just one. She mentioned being caught off-guard by the spontaneous interjections and unscripted ad-libs from her fellow actors, which she found particularly amusing.
She explained, “I was able to resist laughing at the scripted lines, but it was when other characters started ad-libbing that I couldn’t help but burst out laughing!”
In a subsequent response, we also asked her about her favorite scene that she had recorded for the anime, and she echoed her answer from before.
“She expressed her enjoyment for recording the scenes where characters engage in rapid conversations. She found it amusing to capture the dialogue as it unfolded and always anticipated those moments with excitement.”
Momo and Ken’s friendship eventually blossoms into a tenuous romance – which Wakayama is excited for viewers to experience.
As time goes by, Momo and Ken’s friendship slowly evolves into a hesitant romance, finding moments to thrive amidst the hectic nature of their lives. When asked about her thoughts on their developing relationship, Wakayama expressed her hope that fans will relish in witnessing their deepening bond, just as much as she does.
Initially, Momo was uninterested in Okarun, but their relationship takes an unexpected turn and she finds herself drawn to him. Their romance is a delightful blend of cuteness and humor, making it highly entertaining to witness. Stay tuned to see how their bond progresses!
Audiences can catch Dan Da Dan on both Crunchyroll and Netflix beginning October 3, or they can also watch the first three episodes in theaters during the months of August and September.
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