Seiyuu’s Life! | Episode 1
Buckeye: Futaba sure is having a hard time, but as a rookie that’s to be expected seeing that she’s nervous about everything. Anyway, that’s a nice way to get introduced as to what goes on in the life of a seiyu, and Korori’s commentary is nicely done being highly informative. Having watched Shirobako, I certainly learned a few things about what goes on during voice acting sessions seeing that Shriobako only gives an overview of the process while this show explains the actual process and what kinds of challenges seiyus face while recording. I think I’m going to like this show seeing that the girls are great, all while it’s a great way to learn about what goes on in the studio.
EmperorBrandon: Haha, recognized Nozawa Masako’s voice right away, and then noticed it looked like her. Sure enough later on it’s confirmed that character is herself.
Futaba is so absolutely adorable throughout her little mishaps, between the rather daunting phase of introducing herself to everybody, the scramble to get her seat, and so on. Nice to see how she starts to strike up a friendship with Ichigo (despite getting her fruits mixed up on saying her name, much to Ichigo’s chagrin) who also has some difficulties with the recording session. Also cool to see the middle school seiyuu is quite impressive playing a role that’s probably unexpected for someone her age.
While they were initially designed by Hata, it definitely seems the character aesthetic is more of the anime designer Sasaki Masakatsu (certainly reminded of Saki and A Channel looking at them).
Has some informative moments in there like Shirobako, too. I’m rather enjoying this one so far.
bctaris: Couldn’t help thinking of Shizuka’s tale (especially the darker sides I sincerely doubt they’ll delve too earnestly into with this series) in the opening minutes, and thinking this could only be a pale, lighter version of the same. But, you know, by the half-way point this established itself more on its own footing, and I didn’t think of Shirobako much at all (at least not in comparison; just points that mirrored it). It’s taking a light and funny perspective on what in reality is not so goofy when you find yourself overwhelmed or lost in this kind of profession, but that’s alright, mostly because it highlights a known and predictable path (helpful veterans, unhelpful veterans, cruel veterans, sink-or-swim directors–and, well, Futuba just has to navigate them all). Futaba’s charming, Ichigo, for her type, is too (liked the comment that she fell “out of character” so quickly), and the show is in its own way sincere. So it’s a little candy-colored about the whole thing and will have to make up with cheap melodrama to demonstrate the downsides. At least I know that from the start.
And while not that informative to myself, maybe, I’m sure for plenty of other fans (even those who have seen Shirobako, which showed but did not as thoroughly explain this process) it could be pretty worthwhile and a fun enough way to get into following this scene. (The radio drama is next, looks like, which is a whole different and unpredictable vibe. Don’t think we’ve ever had a look at how one of those is put together, even in featurette.)
TheKawaiiTrain: Apparently, I’m expecting Seiyu’s Life to be like “Hayate the Combat Butler meets Koe de Oshigoto!” (Koe de Oshigoto! is another niche manga with an anime adaptation about voice acting) where the series has the typical quirky humor like Hayate the Combat Butler, but referencing other voice actors (the first epsiode even reference Masako Nozawa, the official Japanese voice actress of Goku, both child and adult versions). I’m going to expect characters from the Hayate series making cameos left and right with a few speaking roles and few well-known voice actors and voice actresses making cameos and have a few speaking parts as well. …
Hitsugi Amachi: I wasn’t that impressed. Much of what they told us…has been discussed in Japanese seiyuu commentary tracks (yes, there are a few rare releases here where they have been subbed) or in featurette extras (the few rare ones that have been subbed) over the years. That’s not to say there weren’t a few new things noted, but I think I’d rather just watch an actual documentary than see this cringe-inducing not-very-funny comedy. It has time to improve, but it was not a great start.