“I have to raise my voice”: Castlevania Became Momo Voice Actor’s Least Helpful Anime After Joining Dandadan
Voice acting is a profession that often demands versatility, adaptability, and resilience. Particularly when it comes to Japanese anime, the voice actors have shown tremendous versatility in each role they play. Similarly, Shion Wakayama, the voice actress of Momo Ayase, has experienced an immense level of dynamism in her journey in Dandadan, however, it also required her to step out of her own comfort zone.
Shion Wakayama, previously known for her work in projects like Lycoris Recoil, Castlevania, and Her Blue Sky, has been assigned to a role in Dandadan that shares no similarity to her previous characters. Thus, in an interview, Wakayama reflected on her previous roles, the intense demands of voicing Momo, and the process of adapting to such a drastically different character providing fascinating insights into her growth as a voice actress.
The Challenges of Voicing Momo Ayase from Dandadan
Momo Ayase’s high-energy personality required Shion Wakayama to use a much broader vocal range than she had in her previous roles. The constant need to shout, bicker, and express intense emotions posed significant challenges, especially given Wakayama’s past experience with more subdued characters.
Recalling her journey in Dandadan, Wakayama revealed the extreme physical toll of voicing Momo in an interview with MyAnimeList. She reflected,
Momo is a woman with high self-esteem, who treats everyone equally, and can work hard for someone else—she’s my ideal woman. There are many lines where I have to raise my voice, so it was difficult to speak clearly enough that it would be understood even just by listening. When I open my mouth wide, there are times when I struggle to pronounce words correctly, so I practiced a lot.
Additionally, she also revealed pronouncing the word “Turbo Granny” was the most difficult for her. Despite these difficulties, Wakayama embraced the challenge, viewing it as an opportunity for growth.
Dandadan is a series that thrives on its unpredictable mix of genres, seamlessly transitioning from supernatural action to heartfelt drama to slapstick comedy. For Wakayama, this tonal balancing act was both a challenge and a thrill. She particularly enjoyed voicing the fast-paced bickering between Momo and Okarun, describing it as a “sense of accomplishment” to keep up with the rapid-fire dialogue and witty exchanges.
The Contrast Between Momo Ayase and Shion Wakayama’s Previous Roles
Shion Wakayama’s career has been defined by characters who are subtle and understated in their emotional expressions. Her portrayal of Maria Renard in Castlevania demonstrates this pattern, with Maria’s soft-spoken demeanor and restrained dialogue perfectly complementing the gothic atmosphere in the series.
Similarly, Takina Inoue in Lycoris Recoil is characterized by her monotone voice and minimalistic approach to communication, while Aoi Aoi in Her Blue Sky depicts a calm and introspective personality. Thus, for Wakayama, voicing Momo Ayase from Dandadan meant pushing herself out of her comfort zone, which posed great challenges for her, as she stated,
In Dandadan, there are many scenes where you have to shout or scream, which was a big challenge for me since I hadn’t had much experience with that before.
Momo Ayase is everything but subtle. Her fiery personality, quick wit, and propensity for shouting make her a standout character in Dandadan. Wakayama’s previous roles rarely required her to express extreme emotions or engage in high-energy scenes, making the transition to Momo a steep learning curve.
However, despite the initial struggles, Wakayama found joy in voicing Momo Ayase. She gradually grew to appreciate the character’s confidence and emotional expressiveness in Dandadan, traits that are vastly different from her previous roles. Through determination, resilience, and a willingness to adapt, Wakayama has delivered a performance that not only brings Momo Ayase to life but also showcases her growth as a voice actress.
Dandadan is currently available to watch on Crunchyroll.
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