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animate Times interview 03/31/2020

No matter it is joy or sadness, Kudo Haruka’s “strength” will continue to affirm everything—— A interview with seiyuu(voice actress) Kudo Haruka about her debut mini album KDHR

Having  a seiyuu career as Hikawa Sayo of Roselia in “Bang Dream!” and Hanamoto Hagumi in “Honey and Clover”,  had been an exclusive model  for fashion magazine “Seventeen”, Kudo Haruka has a quiet broad experience as an active seiyuu.

On March 25th, her mini solo debut album “KDHR”(Pronounce: kudoharu), which she wrote all lyrics on her own, was released. There were total of 6 songs, including the title song “MY VOICE”. It is a piece of work that you can feel a small scale of Kudo san ‘s new talent.

This time, Kudo san is at animate Times to talk about her feeling about  singer debut, the songs from the mini album, and her goal that she is aiming for in the future as an artist.

—— I started play guitar out of the admiration of Kurt Cobain of Nirvana

—— Kudo san has been active in many fields, from being a model to some other face-to-face works to now mainly being a seiyuu, have you ever considered to make debut as an artist (musician), or at least have you ever been longing for it?

Kudo Haruka (hereinafter Kudo): I have a lot of things I wanted to do, one of them is to make solo debut as a singer. So starting solo singing activity was my goal. When the decision was made about solo debut, I was happy, I just frankly felt [Yeah].

—— So you have achieved your long cherished dream. Have you felt uneasy before the debut?

Kudo: I was anxious, but meanwhile my happiness outweighs that. I was also looking forward to have fun. And I am a person that collapses only when I start to think “What’s wrong?” So when I feel a sign hinting that, I tried to cut off the feeling early so I will not be stuck in worries.

—— How did people around you react to your debut?

Kudo: My friends were quiet happy for me. My family just reacted in a dry way “Ah, debut” (laughs)

—— That’s unexpected cold reaction (laughs)

Kudo: But the staffs, who were working with me and taking care of me, were very happy. I think that is a good part.

—— As an audience, what music have you been listening to?

Kudo: When I was a child it was Morning Musume. I have also listened to Hamasaki Ayumi’s song. However, when I went to junior high, I really liked  ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION and Bump of Chicken. From there I become interested in band music and gradually into western music till now.

—— What attracted you to western music?

Kudo: It was time for female artists, such as Avril Lavigne and t.A.T.u., to make their debut, because of that , I started to listen to western music.

—— By the way, what are your favorite artists?

Kudo: I was really into Nirvana when I was listening to a lot of western music. I started play guitar because of my admiration to Kurt Cobain. Now I still do (admire).

In addition, now I have the chance to be a band guitarist at work. When performing on stage as a guitarist, I have looked up to LUNASEA and X-JAPAN’s guitarist since I was a child. I really think they are so cool.

—— So when did you first start as vocalist (*doing job relate to voice), including seiyuu?

Kudo: It was a song called “Paper Kikoki” sung by a character named Pasca Kannon from “Tales of the World Radiant Mythology". At that time, I didn't even know what a character was like, so I was very confused.

By the way,  “Paper Kikoki” was first sang in public at the "Tales of Orchestra Concert 2019-BRASS BAND EDITION-" held last fall.

—— It was the first time you were able to perform it.

Kudo: After more than 10 years, I was finally able to perform the song on stage that I sang when I was 16 or 17 years old. I felt fantastic when I sang it. I'm very grateful to be able to sing my very first song on stage.

—— How do you see the differences between seiyuu activities of being a character (or in a group) and being a solo artist?

Kudo: After all, for activities as characters or being in a group project, you are basically just playing that character role on stage. But in solo, Kudo Haruka comes out as an individual, so in that aspect, the difference is clear.

—— Do you think your seiyuu work made any contribution to the preparation of your solo debut?

Kudo: Because this time I sang songs with different intensity that requires different expression, I think my seiyuu experience was alive in terms of me being able to control that.

When recording, I can respond immediately when there is a direction such as "be more cool" or "be more cute", my director says “This is amazing” (to my response). For people to say that, I am glad that I am working as a seiyuu.

—— On the other hand, what has influenced your seiyuu career from your solo activities?

Kudo: After finishing this time’s recording, when watching it, I was able to catch a few moments “Ah, here feels a little strange”, I think my way of acting out a character’s emotion becomes smoother.

Also, because now I have a better feeling of small emotional fluctuations, I can say the solo experience is helpful towards performance of complex emotional phrases(lines).

(Finished)