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At AnimagiC 2024, we had the pleasure of talking to Japanese voice actor Ryo Horikawa! In an interview with MAnime, he reveals, among other things, his favorite scene from “Detective Conan” and gives insights into the recording process…
Soon the already 27. “Detective Conan” Moviewhich has the title «The 1 million dollar pentagram» The publisher Crunchyroll took this opportunity last weekend to welcome two very special guests of honour in the Mannheim Rose Garden: Kappei Yamaguchi, the original voice of Shinichi Kudo and Kaito Kid, as well as Ryo Horikawawhich in the Japanese version Heiji Hattori lends his voice.
We had the great honor of conducting an interview with Mr. Horikawa about his role in “Detective Conan”. We hope you enjoy reading it!
Interview with Ryo Horikawa:
When the anime series first aired in 1996, no one could have imagined that it would continue for several decades. At what point did you realize that you would be working on this dubbing project for many years to come?
It just went on and on and on… But this is very exciting and I’m very happy about this job, about this program, about being involved in the films and the TV series, in so many things… I’m very happy to be here.
I didn’t think the series would go on for so long at first. The point I realised was maybe three or four years after it started. At that point I thought, “Oh, it goes on forever,” then it went on for ten years and more and more and more… (laughs) I don’t know, but… I just want to enjoy it.
How did you experience the casting process for Heiji?
The Osaka dialect certainly played a role in the casting. It’s not standard Japanese, but the language of the Osaka region. I think it was seen this way: I was able to take on the role of Heiji Hattori probably because I’m from Kansai, more specifically Osaka, and so the accent is very close.
I have previously worked with Mr. Aoyama (Anm. d. Red.: Gosho Aoyama, author of «Detective Conan»). When a character who speaks the Osaka dialect came along, they might have thought, “Oh! Wait a minute. Wasn’t he from Osaka?” And that might be how I ended up being chosen.
(Short break) Perhaps. (laughs)
Has the dubbing process for Detective Conan changed over time? For example, did the transition from cel animation to digital production in 2002 affect the recording sessions in any way?
No, that didn’t affect us. For us actors, it was the same job. In Detective Conan, I just live the life of Heiji Hattori as best I can.
Unlike in the US, where the voices are recorded first and then the animations are created, in Japan the visuals are produced first. The actors then dub to this finished image. That’s why it’s very challenging for me, because I not only have to lip-sync the dialogue, but also adapt my acting to that of the character on the screen. And that’s a very important point when dubbing.
How many months before the theatrical release are the films dubbed? When did you see the finished version of the current film?
The recordings took place at the end of last year. I saw the finished production this year… Yes, I went to a preview. What month was that, maybe May or something like that?
(Comment from someone present:) In March.
Yes, in March. When we were filming, I only saw parts of the film, and then I saw the finished film in March.
When you read the script for the new film, were there any scenes that surprised you?
Hmm, surprising scenes… Since the film hasn’t been released here yet, it’s difficult, but… There’s a thrilling and nerve-wracking action scene with Heiji in a situation that would normally be unthinkable. On a… (Spoilers removed 
)! (laughs)
As I said, I have to adapt my acting to the character, so I have to move like the character on the screen. This is very important.
What was your favorite scene or episode you shot as Heiji and why?
As for the movies, there is a scene at the end of The Crimson Love Letter where Heiji jumps on the motorcycle with Kazuha behind him: “Kazuha! If you let go, I’ll kill you!” That line of dialogue has stuck in my mind to this day.
Heiji has tried to confess his love to Kazuha several times throughout the series, but so far he has been unsuccessful. How did you feel when you were filming these scenes?
Frustration builds up. (laughs) For example, even though they both have the same feelings for each other, the timing is bad so he can’t confess his love to her… In these scenes, I feel exactly like Heiji.
God, don’t get in our way! (laughs)
Do you have a message for the German “Detective Conan” fans?
The film will be released here on August 27th and I hope you go and see it not just once but three, four or five times because you forget a lot if you only watch it once.
Thank you very much for the interview, Mr. Horikawa!
I have to thank!
We would like to thank Crunchyroll and Mr. Sahin from the Cosmocover agency for organizing the interview!
The article Heiji voice actor Ryo Horikawa in an interview with MAnime! first appeared on BuradaBiliyorum.Com.
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