Just before Sagrada Reset enters its second cour, an advance screening and talk show by the cast members took place at Shinjuku Wald 9 in Tokyo on 20 June 2017. Here is the report on the talk show in which Kaito Ishikawa (Kei Asai), Kana Hanazawa (Misora Haruki), Takahiro Sakurai (Masamune Urachi) and Kengo Kawanishi (Chiruchiru) appeared on stage!
First, Sakurai and Kawanishi, who both play new characters in the second cour, were asked about their impressions on the anime. Sakurai replied referring the unique point of the anime, ‘At the beginning, I thought it was a difficult and dense anime, as these special abilities were put together like a puzzle and difficult to understand at a glance. However, as the story progresses, I felt overwhelming excitement that I myself was becoming a piece of puzzle that will complete the full story. I now am honored to be a part of this great anime.’ Kawanishi talked about the character he plays, Chiruchiru, and explained the difficulty he experienced while playing the role, ‘the character I played is an omnipotent, godlike existence in the dream land (the simulated space of the town of Sagrada). It’s a difficult role to play as I have to talk as if I know more about the world than Hanasawa and the others. It was a fulfilling role to play, though.’
For the question of the memorable scenes in Episodes 12 and 13, Ishikawa picked up the scene with Kawanishi’s role, Chiruchiru, saying, ‘it has to be the scene of a bird talking. [laugh] It’s got a nice voice! The talking bird symbolizes a dream land where an inconceivable being is in fact a godlike existence. It symbolizes a strange world where the abnormality becomes the norm. I hope viewers notice the significance of the bird.’ Hanasawa selected the scene in which a character shows their unknown side as, ‘my memorable scene is that on entering the Stray Cat House, Kei is embarrassed because Haruki and Nonoo nearly showed their underwear, so he gave them a warning. I wasn’t expecting such a facial expression on him at that moment.’
The next topic was what they would wish for if they were allowed to make one wish to Chiruchiru, the almighty godlike existence. The cast members’ wishes were quite disparate. Kawanishi broke the ice saying, ‘as Chiruchiru is a bird, I wish to eradicate boiled eggs from the world.’ Sakurai confessed, ‘I wish to fly like a bird, and other than that I only can think of bad things.’ [laugh] Hanazawa told, ‘I wish I could dance brilliantly! I’d love to become a ninja who can move swiftly as well.’ Ishikawa answered, ‘I wish a house for me. A house which doesn’t need to pay a tax, if possible.’
Since he is the voice of Chiruchiru, Kawanishi was asked to choose one wish to be granted and he choose Hanazawa’s wish.
The last part of the show was a game to find who is telling a lie, which is based on one of the characters, Sakuin, who can ferret out any lie. Each of them said the truth about a given topic, except one person who picked the liar’s role.
On the topic ‘Things I’m into now’, Ishikawa answered, ‘I’m into getting various licenses.’ Hanazawa said, ‘I don’t know why I didn’t listen before, but now I’m addicted to radiko, an internet radio. I’m listening all kinds of radio programs now.’ Sakurai’s answer was, ‘I’m collecting Japanese traditional sandals. There are lots of stylish designs and materials including wood and leather nowadays.’ Kawanishi stated, ‘I’m collecting goods with the character called Gaspard and Lisa.’
Although the MC guessed that Sakurai was telling a lie, it was announced that Ishikawa was in fact lying. One of the audience members who found out he was the one telling a lie, pointed out that the reaction of Ishikawa when he drew his lot was suspicious.
To finish the show, the key visual of the second season was released, and they also announced the new opening theme song ‘Dakara Boku wa Boku wo Tebanasu’ by Weaver. There is also going to be a collaboration event with Shirobaco, which is entitled ‘Café Sagrada@Shirobaco’, at Asagaya Anime Street from 19 July. Original novelty goods will be produced for the collaboration event, so Sagrada fans must check them out!
The first season of the new year is just one month away from its finale. It was a great start with many amazing titles that made these past months worth the extra hours we put in front of our sets. Now, it is time for the cold wind to give way to the pink hues of the sakura tree and for the Winter 2018 season to give the anime baton to Spring 2018.
