At Japan Expo 2002, Akadot writer Yoshiko Noda had the opportunity to meet and chat with Japanese voice actor Hiro Yuuki. As a junior high school student, Yuuki knew he wanted to become an actor. When Yuuki entered college, he also joined a local theater group which lead him into the world of voice acting. Yuuki has been featured in works such as Rurouni Kenshin, Gundam Dai 08 MS Shotai, and Dragon Ball Z. He has also worked on projects in TV, radio, animation theater, and U.S. Sitcoms (Japanese dub).

Akadot: How did you decide to be a voice actor?

Hiro Yuuki: Actually I wasn't planning to be a voice actor. It was kind of by accident. About 15 years ago, I wanted to be an actor, so I belonged to a local theater group. Then I joined a voice actor training school to study speech. One day, I had an audition for some characters. I thought that was a good idea for my speech training and to improve my acting. Also, I really wanted to make money! So I got a part-time job as a voice actor.

Akadot: So what types of characters did you voice when you first started voice acting?

HY: My characters were from non-domestic animation, such as Sherlock Holmes, etc.

Akadot: Were they main characters?

HY: No way. Just like "Character A" or something. Sometimes those characters didn't even have names.

Akadot: Even though your voiced small roles, can you make good money for that?

HY: Yes, I did. At that time, in general the wage for an hour was around 500~600 yen. However at that time in animation industry, my wage for three hours was 3,500 yen. Usually, it takes three hours to make a half an hour animation show. So my wage was pretty good. I was able to train in speech and make money!

Akadot: Eventually you did get a major job as a voice actor. That's why you became a voice actor, right? Were you interested in animation from the beginning?

HY: Umnn... Not much. I was watching Uchuu Senkan Yamato or something popular at that time, but not much. I like Tezuka animation though.

Akadot: What kind of characters have you voiced so far?

HY: A lot. My masterpieces are Taikoubou in Senkaiden, Mikel in Gundam MS 08 Shotai, Makoto Hyuga in Evangelion, Omi in Weis, Arc in Arc the Lad on Playstation, Stan in South Park (Japanese dub), the Gingerbread-man in Shrek (Japanese dub) and so on.

Akadot: Do you have any expectations as a voice actor? Is there anything you want to do?

HY: Umm... I want a challenge in English. Maybe, if possible. Umm... it sounds impossible because I can't speak English well.

Akadot: I don't think so. You can be a Japanese or foreigner in English animation, so you don't have to be worried about English. You can take advantage of your accent.

HY: That's great idea! I want to try it.

Akadot: Do you like American comics?

HY: Yes. I like American comics. I like Snoopy, X-Men, etc.

Akadot: Do you have any characters or works you want to do the voice for?

HY: Tezuka's works and umm... Star Wars?

Akadot: Your voice is really beautiful. Do you do the voice for female characters also?

HY: Not at all. It's really hard for guys to do women's voices.

Akadot: Really? But women can do the voice for the guys, such as Goku in Dragon ball.

HY: Yeah, that way is not hard, but the other way is hard. Oh, once I did the voice for old woman. Sometimes guys might be able to do the voice for woman if she is old, I think, because old women are almost same as an old guy.

Akadot: What do you think about America?

HY: It was good chance to reflect about the good parts in Japan actually. I feel I am supposed to look over Japan. There are good reasons to show Japanese things in America. So I just want to add the voice actors' culture. I'm really glad to join the Japan Expo so I can show Japanese culture as a voice actor.

Akadot: Do you have any expectations for the voice actor industry in the future?

HY: I just want to communicate with a lot of people including people of other countries. I think the style of Japanese Animation will be changed in the future. Of course, it should be changed. I want to see the change.

Akadot: Any message for American fans?

HY: Now I don't want to leave America. I enjoyed being in America a lot. I really want to come back to America again. I want to meet a lot of people and want people to have fun then. I want to have this kind of occasion to communicate with fans and want fans to enjoy it. I hope I would see everyone again soon.