Here’s a translation of Ai Kakuma’s interview with Animate.
Please tell us about any scenes, lines, or favorite scenes that grabbed your attention in The Final.
There’s a lot of moments in the Final that I love, but I really like that one scene where Yuki snapped the chalk for Machi. I love how he nonchalantly saves Machi. I also really like that scene where Kyo sees Tohru after she’s discharged from the hospital and says “I love you. I’m crazy in love with you.
I’ve loved that emotionally uplifting scene ever since I read the manga.
I know that the recording format was different from the previous seasons, but how was the post-recording process? How was the dubbing session? What did you pay attention to in terms of direction and acting throughout the entire season?
What left a deep impression on me was when I heard Yuki say, “you’ve worked hard,” after hearing Machi’s story in the recording of the episode titled “I Hope It Snows Soon.”
I felt the heaviness that had been in Machi for the longest time now become lighter. That feeling left a strong impression on me.
Also, my recording for session for the last episode lined up with Iwami’s (the voice of Tohru). It was very memorable to see her talk to the staff while bawling her eyes out. To me, it will always be a pleasant scene with a warm atmosphere.
Speaking of Machi, her relationship with Yuki is one of the highlights of the story and there are some exciting scenes between the two in The Final. What parts of Yuki do you think Machi finds attractive about? And what do you yourself find attractive about him?
The fact that he tries to find out what kind of person she is, despite the people around her treating her like someone who’s strange. He continues to have kind conversations with her and she experiences things she’s never felt before with him. Even though she thinks she’s nothing.
He listens to what you have to say without judging you and his sincerity of remembering things about you even after a long time passes is what’s attractive about him. He saved Machi.
My heart races are linked to Machi’s but I enjoy looking forward to how she responds to Yuki.
Please tell us what you have learned and what you have gained through the work of Fruits Basket and the role of Machi Kuragi. Also, what do you think is the most attractive point of Fruits Basket that is loved by people of all ages?
I’ve loved Fruba since I was in school, and some of the aspects I love have changed as I’ve grown older, while others have stayed the same.
What will never change is the warmth of the series. It’s a pleasant feeling and I’ll always want to bask in it. That’s what is appealing of the series, and it’s different with everyone. I also think it’s the charm of the fact that the experience is different for each person, and talking about it with different people deepens the enjoyment.
When you get to know the inside of a person you may find scary at first, you will find something you like about them. Also, the inside of a person you find wonderful is more than just beautiful. When you dig deeper into each person, you find many different sides, which is both scary and endearing.
This is a story that teaches us such important things. The experience of seeing this world as Machi, experiencing it, hurting with it, and being saved from it is very impactful.
Machi has been in full swing since the 2nd season, but now that The Final is here, please give us a message from yourself to the character you played.
Machi! You’ve worked toward the Final!
I’ve struggled for a long time trying to figure out how to deliver the delicate and fragile words and feelings of Machi with my voice but I was happy to have faced things with you. I’m glad we met.
I know you and Yuki will have a cute beautiful child…
I hope you and Yuki find happiness together!
Source: Animate
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