EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Turkey! Time to Strike's Hana Hishikawa and Noriko Hidaka

On August 21, fans of Turkey!-Time to Strike- gathered at the Loft Plus One bar in Shinjuku for a talk show with voice actors Hana Hishikawa (voice of Mai Otonashi) and Noriko Hidaka (Sumomo), Yutaka Ōmatsu and Gen Ōishi from animation studio Bakken Record, and Pony Canyon's Toshiya Kitabayashi. The nearly 90-minute event was full of insightful stories, behind-the-scenes retrospectives, and a few questions from the audience. However, following the event, Anime News Network had the opportunity to speak with Hishikawa and Hidaka about their work on Turkey!-Time to Strike- and their thoughts on bowling, time travel stories, and the Sengoku (Warring States) Period of Japan.

Bowling and time travel are a rare combination for an anime series. What were some of your thoughts when you heard the scenario?

Hana Hishikawa: When I was first dubbing the pilot PV to be shared within the company, I was shown materials featuring high school girls and bowling, and then scenes from the Sengoku [Warring States] Period came on. Bowling and high school girls were already a new genre, but when the Sengoku Period was mixed in, I was totally surprised and thought, "This is going to be a very intense story," and "This is no ordinary anime."

Noriko Hidaka: Bowling was hugely popular in Japan when I was around elementary school age, and it made such a strong impression that, although it wasn't made into an anime at the time, it was an era when bowling was made into live-action dramas, bowling tournaments were broadcast on TV, and professional bowlers appeared in TV commercials. Because I have that strong impression of bowling, I was surprised to hear it was being used today.

When I heard the series would be set in the Sengoku period, I thought, "I really can't imagine that at all." However, the Sengoku team consisted of voice actors from my generation, including myself. I thought, "This is quite a wonderful casting." I was really attracted to the casting, as they wanted us to play princesses from the Sengoku Period, and I was looking forward to it.

Regarding the casting, when I saw Rei Sakuma, with whom you have shared your career, was on the Sengoku team, I was drawn to the series.

HIDAKA: Rei-chan and Kikuko-chan both. There really isn't any anime today, in this Reiwa era, where voice actors of the same generation appear regularly every week. Usually, in anime starring young people, we're cast as teachers or mothers, so I thought it was like a dream that all five of us [Rei Sakuma, Kikuko Inoue, Miki Itō, and Yūko Minaguchi] would be able to appear together.

What has been a standout moment in the series for you thus far? Are there any developments you are looking forward to seeing or hearing the fans talk about in the back half of the series?

HISHIKAWA: My favorite scenes are Sayuri's lines, no matter what episode it is. When I thought about why, I realized it's the words [scriptwriter] Hiruta-san, or rather, the way Sayuri embodies Hiruta-san's personality. Whenever I speak with Hiruta-san at dinner parties and screenings, I feel Sayuri's character the most, so I think that's why there are lines that really move me. That's why I really like Sayuri's lines.

Something I'm looking forward to? Well, Turkey! starts with worries within the club, then time-travels to the Sengoku Period and grapples with the weight of life—those kinds of larger-scale concerns. But later, the story moves on to a larger set of worries. So, I'm really excited to see the audience's reactions when that happens, and how they'll feel watching it.

HIDAKA: I mentioned my favorite scene is the one where all the high school girls toast with ramune at today's event, and the reason for that is that I felt a whole page of youth was packed into that single scene.

But when I thought about the drama that is Turkey! earlier, each episode was so amazing, like the story about Sayuri and Suguri discussing which lives to save and which not to save. And then there's the scene where Rei-chan, whom I mentioned earlier, finally appears and has a serious discussion with Nanase about how she wants this country to live, and whether there is a way for the country to grow strong without being judged by others. Then there's the scene where Natsume apologizes when she's accused of being irresponsible, but she lives honestly according to her heart's desire to go her own way. I really think it would be great to live like that.

HIDAKA: While I live that way in some respects, I also end up overthinking things and holding back, or giving up on things. So, deep down, I have this little bit of longing, wishing I could live like Natsume. But my character, Sumomo, thinks about the responsibility she has towards everyone. That's why she can't really narrow it down to just one thing. The appeal of Turkey! lies in how it delves into the feelings of each princess, and the high school girls are the ones providing that catalyst. I hope fans will see how the Tokura family, who are currently at a standstill, will change because of meeting the high school girls. I would also like fans to pay attention to the changes in the hearts of the high school girls after meeting the Sengoku Period princesses. I can't go into detail about this, but the story unfolds so quickly that you'll really want to blink, so I really hope that everyone will see this story through to the end.

What approaches did you take when crafting the voice and personality of Sumomo and Mai Otonashi?

HISHIKAWA: Mai is not only quite cheerful but also has a bit of a resigned side to her. And she's not truly enjoying herself, but rather, there is a part of her forcing herself to have fun because she wants to. So, it was difficult expressing this inner side of her, and I felt the role of Mai would not have depth unless she faced the parts of her past she doesn't want to face. So, I created the role while remembering the unpleasant things from my past and my life.

Were there any experiences from your life that you included in your portrayal of Mai?

HISHIKAWA: I don't really like to remember unpleasant things and want to forget them as quickly as possible. I think Mai is probably the same—she thinks it's best to just focus on the fun stuff, so she's the one pulling everyone to face life head-on. And to bring that out, I had to remember some painful things, so I worked hard with that feeling in mind.

HIDAKA: As a princess of the Sengoku Period, [Sumomo] is close in age to Mai and the others. But the first thing I was careful about was [Sumomo] had to tone down her lively and cheerful nature that modern children have. Sumomo is gentle, but also a little absent-minded. But deep down, I felt she possessed a profound sense of conviction. So while she's bright, curious, friendly, and quickly grows close with Mai, I wanted her to retain a hint of a Sengoku princess's reserved grace even when she's happy or excited. So I created the character with that in mind.

The principal cast, the girls of the Ikkokukan High School Bowling Club, is paired with cast members for the Sengoku period characters. What were your thoughts or feelings when you saw who your character is paired with and their associated voice actor?

HISHIKAWA: I was so surprised at first, I thought I must have heard it wrong. Of course, I knew about Sumomo-chan, and I was first told "A major senpai will voice her," but when I looked at the cast list, I was so surprised I thought "Huh?! Maybe this is a typo." I have been listening to Hidaka-san's voice since I was a child, so to play a role the same age as her character and having such an intense dialogue with her gave me a mixture of excitement and nervousness. I felt like my mind was completely overwhelmed.

HIDAKA: When I was offered the role of Sumomo, I read the entire script all the way to the final episode, and I really understood what it meant for me to play this character. With that in mind, when I was paired with Mai, and when I first heard Hana-chan's voice, it was an incredibly clear, bright, energetic, and positive voice. I felt a sense of joy being pulled along by that voice to play Sumomo. And this is the first time I've voiced a young character in a while, and the interest Sumomo has in Mai, which I picked up from Hana-chan, the feeling I love her voice, really overlapped, and I felt like her voice was really pulling me along.

How do you feel hearing this?

HISHIKAWA: I'm so happy I could cry.

What is a detail about your performance and character you love? What is a detail about your partner's performance and character you love?

HISHIKAWA: What I like about Mai is that she has both playful and serious sides, so she is a character that doesn't fit into a typical "this character is like this" format. And you never know what kind of expression she'll show, so there were a lot of different ways to approach her, which is why I was able to play her with a lot of fun and freedom.

What I like about Sumomo-chan is that she shows all her emotions in her gestures, voice, and expressions. She's a character who expresses that so clearly and honestly, so I feel she's a lovable character to watch.

HIDAKA: What I like about Mai's character is that she is very positive and cheerful. And although she can be a bit clumsy, as the story progresses, Mai herself grows and shows us different sides of herself, which is very interesting. It was a fun and happy moment to be able to see that up close.

What I like about Sumomo is that even when something difficult happens, she doesn't get too upset. She's a little calm for her age, but she also has an innocent side, and I thought it was fun to play her as she goes back and forth between being an adult and a child.

Do you have any messages for your fans and fans of Turkey!?

HISHIKAWA: For those who started watching thinking Turkey! is a sports anime, the ending of the first episode was probably shocking. And I'm sure everyone wondered when they first learned about the plot, why it's set in the Sengoku Period, and why it's about high school girls. But as you watch, I think you'll get a sense of what the creators were trying to communicate. So for Turkey!, I think it's perfect if you watch it frame by frame, analyzing every shot—even if you worry you might be overthinking it. I'd be happy if you continue to watch it while cherishing that odd feeling.

HIDAKA: People who watch Turkey! thinking it's a bowling anime are probably wondering when bowling comes in. But the bowling balls are used to help people in various ways, so I hope you'll think, "I never knew bowling balls could be used like that."

Turkey! is also an animation that features serious moments that suddenly turn into heartwarming scenes, with high school girls chatting, making you burst out laughing. I think it's a work that really speaks to a wide range of emotions, and I feel like it's okay to laugh at the parts where you think you're supposed to laugh, even though the plot is so serious. I hope everyone will watch it and continue to enjoy the story, allowing their own emotional reactions to unfold. The end is also an incredible whirlwind of developments, but I believe by the end, you will feel very warm and will come to appreciate the greatness of Turkey!. So, I hope that you will enjoy it until the end. And if anything feels uncertain, please watch it again and again.

Given the time travel and sports premise of the series, what are some of your favorite time travel media (movies, games, TV shows, and so on) and sports media?

HISHIKAWA: For me, it's definitely Back to the Future.

HIDAKA: Me too! Me too! Me too!

It's a classic.

HISHIKAWA: It is.

Back to the Future is a three-part series. Is it specifically Back to the Future you enjoy?

HISHIKAWA and HIDAKA: (thinking) Yes.

HIDAKA: But I like all the Back to the Future movies. I like Michael J. Fox. I really like him.

HISHIKAWA: The quality of the movie is high, and although I don't have a long attention span, it's a film that keeps me thinking "Wow" the whole time. So it's a film I really love.

If you watch Back to the Future and other time travel stories closely, you can see how things change. Is there something similar in Turkey!-Time to Strike-?

HIDAKA: That's true. In Back to the Future, there are people who intentionally try to change history, but in Turkey!, they try to avoid changing history as much as possible.

HISHIKAWA: That's right.

HIDAKA: Right. Mai and the others are living in the Sengoku Period, anxious that if they don't protect the history, they won't be able to return to their own time. However, they dig a hot spring, claiming it will be beneficial to the country. But I think they're doing it because they know there will be a hot spring there in the future, and they think it might be okay for a hot spring to appear at any time. So, maybe they're looking at it in that sense. In Back to the Future Marty tries to avoid the future he's never been born in, so I think they're similar in that respect.

HISHIKAWA: For me, my first impression of Doc Brown and Nanase was rather strong—that they are both strange doctor types–knowledgeable but a little different from other people in some way. I think without someone with a little strange knowledge, the characters would never be able to return to their original time. So I'm glad they're both in each of the works.

Bowling and the Sengoku period are prominent parts of the series. What experience do you have with bowling? In the same vein, what events during the Sengoku period interest you the most?

HIDAKA: The Sengoku Period was a time of war, with warlords fighting each other, so there were probably a lot of challenging moments. But this time, with Mai and the others having come to the Sengoku period, there is still war. I think one thing to look forward to is whether there will be any changes in the way those battles are fought. As for who my favorite Sengoku warlord is, I really love Taiga dramas [Japanese period drama], and have been watching them for a long time, so I can't pick one right now. But one I always find scary is Nobunaga Oda. I always thought he was the kind of person who, no matter how much you think you understand him, in the end, you just can't. I'm sure he had some wonderful qualities, but I always thought it would be scary to be close to him in real life. So, I'm glad Turkey! is set in Nagano Prefecture, because Nobunaga isn't there. In a sense, it was a bit of a relief.

HISHIKAWA: For bowling, before I started recording for Turkey!, my score was 53, which is a super low score. However, I've recently been working on a project where a professional bowler is teaching me.

HIDAKA: Really?!

HISHIKAWA: That's right. I had an intensive 3-hour course, and the other day I attended the Round One Tukey collaboration and got one strike.

HIDAKA: Amazing

HISHIKAWA: But my goal is to get a triple-digit score while Turkey! is airing, so I'll keep doing my best.

Interest in the Sengoku Period… I was a big fan of Masamune Date when I was in middle school. So, when I heard Turkey! would be going to the Sengoku period, I had a moment of hope, thinking "What!? Maybe Masamune will appear!"

HIDAKA: I see. (laughs) It's Nagano Prefecture after all.

HISHIKAWA: He hasn't appeared, though.

What about Masamune Date do you like?

HISHIKAWA: It all started with me falling in love with Masamune Date through a romance game, and while I was studying history, I learned about his bravery and I liked the way he led the group and was so cool, so that's what got me into it. It was a bit of an otaku thing to start with.

HIDAKA: When I used to bowl, if I remember correctly, I used to bowl without getting a gutter,

HISHIKAWA: Really?!

HIDAKA: And got a score of 97, which I think is quite amazing.

HISHIKAWA: Amazing!

HIDAKA: I've had a record where I'd knock down at least one pin and get a score just under 100 points with no gutter balls.

HISHIKAWA: Wow.

HIDAKA: At that time, I realized I didn't have a talent for bowling, but maybe I had a talent for comedy. But I haven't bowled in a long time, so I'm curious to see what my score is if I bowled now.

Maybe bowling together?

HIDAKA: If possible. I'd like to have a competition with Hana-chan and see who wins.

HISHIKAWA: Whoa!?

Maybe there's a plan in the works?

HIDAKA: What do you think?

HISHIKAWA: I'll do it.