Point Zero: Redefining Otaku

In the recent EOY 09, PZportal is very fortunate to be granted a chance to speak with Yui Makino personally.

Yui Makino, well known for her voice acting role of Sakura in Tsubasa Chronicle, held performances during the recently concluded EOY 09. She made similar appearances around the world since July 2009, performing in France and USA before arriving in Singapore. A mini concert open to public was held in the afternoon, followed by her main concert later in the evening at the Drama Center in National Library.

The following are several questions that we posted to Yui Makino during the short interview session:

PZportal: You debuted as a seiyuu in 2005 as Sakura from Tsubasa Chronicle, what got you started as a seiyuu?

Yui Makino: I know a friend who knows the seiyuu auditions and she told me an audition is coming up. I thought that it’s very interesting to be a seiyuu and I went to the audition for Sakura’s role.

PZportal: How did you prepare yourself for the role of Sakura and if you where to describe Sakura, what kind of person would she be?

Yui Makino: It was my first seiyuu role. I don’t really know what to expect, to train or how to prepare myself for. In the end I don’t really prepare myself for the role. Sakura lost her fathers and search for herself during the journey. As Sakura grows I feel that I grow with Sakura as well

PZportal: In most of the anime productions you where casted in, you have performed for its character song as well. Does being involved in the character acting aided in your expression of the songs?

Yui Makino: It’s tough to do (character song) but I still try my best to do it

PZportal: What is the most memorable scene out of all the (anime) productions you have been casted in?

Yuo Makino: (Thinking for a long time)(Laughs) There is too many that I have done so it’s hard for me to come out with just one scene.

PZportal: You have worked with many famous music producers and music professionals. How has this affect both your study and approach to music?

Yui Makino: Everybody does different kind and genere of music. Whatever I know and whatever they come with me with new songs is very different. Working with so many different people I’ve expanded my world of music and how much I can do with music and it has been very inspirational to learn new things along the way.

PZportal: Lastly what would you like to say to your fans in Singapore?

Yui Makino: I want to thank all my fans for supporting me for so long. it’s basically you guys that have been able to come so far to do all of these. Thank you for listening to all my song all this time, not only my old songs but also my new songs that are coming out. I really wish that you can enjoy all my new songs

The short interview was held just before any of her performance begin. We appreciate the time Yui Makino and her managers gave to us out of their tight schedule (They were yet to have their meals when we conducted the interview). We would like to thank the EOY committee for granting us this opportunity, and a very big thank you as well to Ferlyn, who is the acting translator during the interview.

Yui Makino performed her theme songs in Tsubasa Chronicle and Aria, along with some of her yet-to-debut new songs including Fuwa Fuwa. A live recording of her new song performed in concert can be found here.