Corocoro Comic July 2024 Issue (コロコロコミック 2024年7月号) was published by Shogakukan on June 14th, 2024. There was a page dedicated to the recent anime episodes as well as summaries for this episode and episode 56.

DREAM MATCHES AGAINST THE PALDEA REGION'S ELITE FOUR BECOME REALITY!!
Believe it or not, it's been revealed that Liko and the others will team
up with Gym Leaders and battle the Paldea Elite Four! Make absolutely sure not to miss out!!!

LIKO & KAEDE VS CHILI, THE GROUND TYPE TRAINER:
*Liko and Kaede are a powerful team. Will Terastallizing be the key to victory?!
CHILI'S POKÉMON: DOOH
*It has thick spines hidden in its body.

DOT & NANJAMO VS POPPY, THE STEEL TYPE TRAINER:
*Popular content creators Dot and Nanjamo join forces!
POPPY'S POKÉMON: DEKANUCHAN
*The hammer tops 100 kilos, yet it gets swung around easily by

ROY & COLZA VS HASSAKU, THE DRAGON TYPE TRAINER:
*Roy and Colza have an extremely fierce fight against the skilled Hassaku!
HASSAKU'S POKÉMON: SEGLAIVE
* It unleashes cryogenic air that can instantly freeze even liquid-hot magma!

WHO COULD AOKI'S PARTNER POKÉMON BE...?
*The Elite Four are the top 4 in the Paldea Region's Pokémon League. When will we get a battle against the last one, Aoki...?!

The editorial board recommends these two episodes:

Scheduled for June 21st: "Showdown! The Paldea Elite Four"
After returning to Orange Academy, Liko and the others now have to team up with the Gym Leaders that handled the training and battle the Elite Four. Dot and Nanjamo's opponent is Poppy. Next in line is Roy and Colza, who will battle Hassaku!

Scheduled for June 28th: "Liko VS Chili! Beyond the Battle"
Liko teams up with Kaede and takes on Chili in a battle, and, having just realized how fun it is to battle for real, Terastallizes Nyarote. Chili counters by likewise Terastallizing Dooh. Who will win?!

The official Japanese Anime PR Twitter account posted news about PM2023 55 and 56 on June 14th, 2024.

Pokémon Anime Preview:
We're bringing you a preview of the next two weeks' worth of episodes, which will involve exhibition matches featuring Liko, Roy and Dot VS the Paldea Elite Four! Each member of the trio will team up with the Gym Leader that was in charge of their assessment test and challenge an Elite Four member! Special illustrations inspired by these exhibition matches are coming up!

アニポケ 大予告！！
次回から2週にわたってお届け予定
リコ、ロイ、ドットVSパルデア四天王交流戦
リコたち3人はそれぞれ基礎テストを担当した
ジムリーダーとタッグを組み、四天王に挑みます！
交流戦をイメージした特別イラストをこの後公開

The official Japanese Anime PR Twitter account posted a special illustration for this episode on June 14th, 2024 by Sanosuke Sakuma.

AniPoke Special Illustration released
In episode 55, airing Friday June 21st, we'll get battles featuring Dot & Nanjamo VS Poppy, then Roy & Colza VS Hassaku. We present a special illustration by Sanosuke Sakuma-san!

アニポケ 特別イラスト公開
6/21(金)放送の第55話ではドット＆ナンジャモ VS ポピー
ロイ＆コルサ VS ハッサク がバトル
佐久間さのすけ(@sakumasanosuke)さんによる
イメージイラストはこちら

To celebrate episode 55 and 56 of the new series of the anime Pocket Monsters (airs on the TV Tokyo Network every Friday at 6:55pm, officially abbreviated "Anipoke"), we present illustrations depicting the Paldea region's Elite Four with Liko and the others, drawn by Pokémon Card Game illustrators Sanosuke Sakuma and Akira Komayama.

Liko, Roy and Dot have been battling the Gym Leaders to learn Terastallization. Having successfully passed their assessment tests, the three are now facing the Paldea Elite Four. They will each team up with the Gym Leader that was in charge of their assessment test as battles against the absolute elite four representing the Paldea region will unfold.

In addition, everyone making a purchase at any Pokémon Center in Japan, or at the Pokémon Center Online, between June 21st and July 5th will receive a "Paldea Elite Four Photo Card-style Leaflet". Paldea Elite Four standees will also be present at the Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo, Pokémon Center Yokohama, Pokémon Center Kanazawa, Pokémon Center Osaka, and Pokémon Center Okinawa.

On June 21st, 2024, the official Japanese AniPoke Twitter account reminded that this episode was available to watch on the official Japanese YouTube channel. The video was region locked to Japan only. It was available from June 21st, 2024 to June 28th, 2024. This episode was specifically labeled as a missed-program webcast (見逃し配信).

The episode was also available on the TV Tokyo YouTube channel and the Official Corocoro Channel and were labeled as limited-time delivery (期間限定配信). The TV Tokyo version included the series trailer at the end of the episode where as the Corocoro version had beginning and ending bumpers promoting Corocoro.

AniPoke Episode 55 Showdown! The Paldea Elite Four
What did you think?
Sango and Onyx, who are undergoing basic testing while undercover, also participated in the Elite Four exhibition matches!
Check out their battle... in the missed stream!
The missed stream will be available for 1 week from today!

アニポケ 第55話「対決！パルデア四天王」
いかがでしたか？
潜入しつつ基礎テストを受けているサンゴとオニキスも四天王交流戦に参加！
2人のバトルの様子は…ぜひ見逃し配信でチェック
見逃し配信の公開期間は本日より1週間です

The official Japanese AniPoke Twitter account posted information about the Pokémon Anime Elite Four Exhibition Matches on June 20th, 2024.

Pokémon Anime Elite Four Exhibition Matches:
Dot and Nanjamo: During the assessment test, Dot struggled greatly against Harabarie, who was a poor type matchup for Kuwassu. It looks like we can expect an amazing social media collab of a battle from these two!

Roy and Colza: This time, Colza is battling with Olinyo! How will it work as a team with Hogator?

アニポケ 四天王交流戦
ドット＆ナンジャモ
基礎テストではクワッス とタイプ相性が悪い
ハラバリー に苦戦したドット
映えるコラボが期待できそうです！

そして、ロイ＆コルサ
今回はコルサがオリーニョ で挑みます
ホゲータ とどんな連携を見せるのでしょうか？

The official Japanese Anime PR Twitter account posted a Next Episode Featured Points on June 20th, 2024.

Lip and Haidai will also be making an appearance in episode 55! Lip is the Gym Leader of Bake Town, as well as an extremely busy makeup artist. Haidai is the owner and head chef of the restaurant "Haidai Club" in Carafe City. They'll be participating in the Elite Four exhibition matches, and the students they're teaming up with are...

アニポケ 次回注目ポイント
第55話ではリップとハイダイも登場！
多忙なメイクアップアーティストでもあるベイクタウンのジムリーダー・リップ
そして、カラフシティにある料理店「ハイダイ倶楽部」のオーナー兼料理長のハイダイ
四天王交流戦で、2人がタッグを組む生徒は…

The official Japanese Anime PR Twitter account posted a Pokémon Anime Day message on June 21st, 2024.

Friday is Pokémon Anime Day!
The rules for the Elite Four exhibition matches are as follows: The battle is over when the Terastal trainee's Pokémon is defeated. If at least one of the Elite Four member's Pokémon is defeated, the trainee wins.
Nemo, Zinnia and the others are spectating these fierce battles as well.

金曜日はアニポケの日
四天王交流戦のルール
テラスタル研修生のポケモンが倒れたらバトル終了
四天王のポケモンを1体でも倒せば、研修生の勝利
白熱のバトルをネモ、ジニアたちも観戦

The official Japanese Anime PR Twitter account posted a note about Poppy of the Elite Four.
Poppy from the Elite Four uses Steel type Pokémon, and has a lineup of super tough Pokémon that includes Daioudou and Dekanuchan! Kuwassu and Harabarie end up in big trouble...?!

四天王のポピーは、はがねタイプの使い手
ダイオウドウ、デカヌチャンとカッチカチのポケモンをそろえています
クワッスとハラバリー がピンチに…⁉

The official Japanese AniPoke Twitter account reminded viewers that a photocard of the Paldea Elite Four would be distributed at the Pokémon Centers in Japan and it had a link to the official Pokémon Center website with the details.

Anipoke: Commemorating the Elite Four Exhibition Tournament
Pokémon Center and Pokémon Center Online shoppers nationwide in Japan can receive a Paldea Elite Four photo card flyer as a present from today (June 21st, 2024) to Friday, July 5th, 2024.
In addition, Paldea Elite Four Stand-ups will also be available!

アニポケ 四天王交流戦記念
本日～7/5(金)まで全国のポケモンセンターとポケモンセンターオンラインでお買い物をされた方に
「パルデア四天王 フォトカード風告知チラシ」をプレゼント
さらに「パルデア四天王 スタンディ」も登場します！

Photo card style flyers of the Paldea Elite Four will be distributed at Pokemon Centers!

From Friday, June 21st, 2024 to Friday, July 5th, 2024, customers who shop at Pokémon Centers nationwide and Pokémon Center Online will receive a Photocard flyer of the Paldea Elite Four!

Episode 55 of the TV anime Pocket Monsters will air on Friday, June 21st, 2024 at 6:55 p.m.! The battles between Liko, Roy, and Dot and the Paldea region Elite Four will begin. How will these thrilling battles turn out?

To commemorate the holding of these matches, we will be distributing special promotional flyer that can be cut along the cutting lines to carry around like a photo card.

In addition, Paldea Elite Four Stand-ups will be available at some Pokémon Centers! Take photos with the Elite Four as if you were surrounded by them!

Participating stores:
- Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo
- Pokémon Center Yokohama
- Pokémon Center Kanazawa
- Pokémon Center Osaka
- Pokémon Center Okinawa

There are lots of attractive trainers and Pokémon in the Paldea region! If you find a trainer you like, be sure to check out the Pokémon Center original goods "POKÉMON TRAINERS ~Paldea Edition~".

*One flyer will be distributed per transaction.
*Flyer distribution may be changed or end without notice.
*Some products are not eligible for distribution. (e.g. pre-order, order, lottery products, etc.)
*Flyers are not for sale.

Source: https://voice.pokemon.co.jp/stv/zenten/2024/06/post-14606.html

CoroCoro Comic's Official website posted an article about this episode just before the original airing on June 21st, 2024.


Anipoke is just around the corner! Team up with a Gym Leader and battle! Their opponent is... the Paldea Elite Four!?


Broadcasting every week from 6:55 pm! The anime "Pocket Monsters" will start airing soon! In this article, we'll introduce you to the Pokémon and characters that will appear in today's episode, as well as comments from the voice actors and director, and other information you won't find anywhere else!

Liko, Roy, and Dot return to the Orange Academy after passing their Terastal training assessment tests. The three were relieved to have submitted their reports they worked on while heading back to the academy, but before starting their next assignment, they are gonig to have exhibition matches with special guests!

Then Omodaka, the president of the academy and chairman of the Pokémon League, appeared. Does that mean......!? The students' opponents in the exhibition matches are... none other than the Paldea Elite Four!!


▲ The students return to the Academy after a long absence and passing their assessment tests with the Gym Leaders.


▲ Principal Clavel then makes a shocking announcement about battles with the Paldea Elite Four!

For the exhibition matches, they'll team up with the Gym Leader who they took the assessment test with and take on the Elite Four! The first match of the exhibition matches is between Dot & Nanjamo VS Poppy, one of the Elite Four who uses Steel-type Pokémon!! What kind of battle will it be between the strongest trainers in the Paldea region...!? It's very exciting!!


▲ They are too much for students who have just barely learned how to Terastallize, but if a Gym Leader is with them, maybe they can......!?


▲ If the trainees can defeat just one of the Elite Four Pokémon, they win. Can they do it......!?


▲ Sango is an operative with the Explorers, but she has infiltrated the training under a false name. However, there is a scene where we get a glimpse of her actually taking part in the training.

Roy teams up with Colza to challenge Hassaku, a Dragon-type trainer! Roy's fighting spirit burns hot as he faces the same Pokémon type as his goal, Black Rayquaza! What will be the outcome of the battle...?


▲ Roy goes all out to learn more about Dragon types!


▲ The exhibition matches are getting more and more intense. Which of the Elite Four will Liko battle against......!?

The outcome of the battles will be revealed on the Pokémon anime starting at 6:55pm tonight! Pokémon battles are the best after all!

【アニポケまであとちょっと！】ジムリーダーとタッグを組んで交流戦!! バトルの相手はまさかの……パルデア四天王!?
ジムリーダーとタッグを組んで交流戦!!バトルの相手はまさかの……パルデア四天王!?
毎週金曜よる6時55分から放送中！
アニメ「ポケットモンスター」まもなく放送開始!!
この記事はアニメ放送前に、今日の放送回に登場するポケモンやキャラクターの紹介、声優さんや監督からのコメントなどなど、ほかでは聞けないアニポケ情報をお届けするコーナーだ!! テラスタル研修の基礎テストを終えてオレンジアカデミーに帰ってきたリコ、ロイ、ドット。アカデミーへの帰り道でまとめたレポートも提出してほっと一息な3人だったが、次の課題を始める前に特別ゲストと交流戦をすることに！
そこへ現れたのは、アカデミーの理事長にしてポケモンリーグの委員長であるオモダカ。ということは……!?　なんと生徒たちの交流戦の相手は……まさかのパルデア四天王!!
▲ジムリーダーとの基礎テストでテラスタルを学び、久しぶりにアカデミーに帰ってきた生徒たち。
▲そこへクラベル校長からパルデア四天王とのバトルを告げる衝撃の発表が！
交流戦は基礎テストを担当してくれたジムリーダーとタッグを組んで四天王に挑むぞ！　交流戦の初戦はドット＆ナンジャモVSはがねタイプの使い手である四天王、ポピー!!
パルデア地方で最強と言われるトレーナーたちのバトルとは……!?　なんだかワクワクするね!!
▲やっとテラスタルを覚えたばかりの生徒たちには荷が重すぎる相手だけど、ジムリーダーが一緒なら……!!?
▲四天王のポケモンを一体でも倒せば研修生の勝利だ。これならいける……!?
▲エクスプローラーズの幹部だが偽名で研修に潜入中（？）のサンゴ。しかし意外とちゃんと研修に参加していたことが垣間見られる一幕も。
ロイはコルサとタッグを組んでドラゴンタイプの使い手、ハッサクに挑む！　自身の目標である黒いレックウザと同じドラゴンタイプが相手ということで闘志を燃やすロイ!!　果たしてバトルの結末は……!?
▲ハッサクとコルサは普段から親交がある様子。お互いのバトルも知り尽くしている!?
▲ドラゴンタイプのことをもっと知るために全力で挑むロイ！
▲ますます激しさを増す交流戦、リコがバトルする四天王は……!?
ということでバトルの行方は今日よる6時55分からのアニポケで！　やっぱりポケモンバトルっていいね！

Inside-Games posted an interview with Yuka Terasaki on Friday, June 21st, 2024 and they also Tweeted about it to promote the interview and the official AniPoke Twitter account retweeted it.

The Pocket Monsters anime airs every Friday at 6:55pm on the TV Tokyo Network, and the adventures of the new protagonists Liko and Roy continue to attract lots of fans. Its "Terastal Debut" arc, which started in April 2024, is additionally set in the Paldea region known from the Pocket Monsters Scarlet/Violet video games, and puts the spotlight on characters video game fans are highly familiar with.

We've interviewed Yuka Terasaki-san, the voice actress who plays Roy in this anime, and can now present the lengthy heart-to-heart talk we had with her about subjects of interest to all, such as the future of Roy's Partner Hogator:

Q: It's been over a year since the new series that started over from scratch with Liko and Roy as protagonists began airing. What are your thoughts on Roy and Hogator's adventure thus far?
Terasaki: Pokémon had been part of Roy's life since before he set off on his adventure, but he had absolutely no idea what it was like to be a Pokémon Trainer; Things like commanding moves, battling and the like. As you know, there weren't any other Trainers on the remote island he lived on, so not only had he never battled, he hadn't even got a single Pokémon. This was a boy who treasured his Ancient Monster Ball and strongly desired to find the perfect Partner and thus become a Pokémon Trainer, but had no idea how to go about doing that.
He then ended up meeting Liko and Dot, and then later his soon-to-become-Partner-Pokémon Hogator and Kaiden… So much happened all at once for him, and I think he started interacting with Pokémon in a very different way than before, so I've really felt him grow as a person this past year.

Q: When they first started their adventure, Roy and Hogator still had a long way to go, but recently they've been starting to add moves like Disarming Voice and Flame Charge to their repertoire, haven't they?
Terasaki: Yes, at first they'd just do nothing but repeatedly go "Tackle!" or "Ember! Ember! Ember!" (laughs). Nowadays they come up with ideas and advance strategies for how to fight and how to respond to certain actions their opponents take.

Q: Indeed, in episode 48, "Shine! The Glimmer of Fire and Art", they saw through their opponent's move by looking at Usokkie's sweat, which earned them a gold star. Another good showcase of their potential is episode 56, where they put up a good fight against Hassaku from the Elite Four.
Terasaki: They're really capitalizing on what Roy's seniors like Colza-san and Kabu-san taught him in their battles now, wouldn't you say?

Q: While we're on the topic of a love for battling, back in the Pocket Monsters XY anime series you played the Kalos region Gym Leader Corni. Are there any differences between how you play these two characters?
Terasaki: While they both do share a love for battling, I feel like they're completely different characters as a whole. In the first place, Corni was a Gym Leader, so her main task wasn't to grow stronger through experiencing hardship, but rather to figure out how to build a relationship with her partner Lucario. She was agonising over how to calm it Down when it started running wild.

Q: Yes, they definitely served very different roles when they were introduced in the show.
Terasaki: In addition, back when I started playing Corni I was actually playing nothing but young boy roles, so I didn't feel all that confident about voicing a girl…... (laughs). Corni was constantly making all these cute gestures, so I initially tried to get across the girlishness I saw in her "exterior". However, the sound director told me straight out that that wasn't what he was going for, and that I should ignore the character's actions on the screen and instead focus entirely on the script, using that alone to get the feeling for the character. That completely changed the way I played Corni.

Q: A literal Mega Evolution!
Terasaki: And then a few years later, when I first had to play Roy in a battle situation, I got told that my initial Roy portrayal came across as if he was an experienced and skilled Trainer, even though he was actually supposed to be a complete rookie at the time. Apparently I had unconsciously channeled some of my Corni portrayal in that scene. Roy is a lot more frantic when he battles than Corni ever was, and it's an indispensable part of his character that he always gives his all whenever he attempts something new. Those are the biggest differences between the two.

Q: The new "Terastal Debut" Chapter features many characters from the Pocket Monsters Scarlet/Violet video games. Are there any characters you're personally looking forward to sharing an episode with Roy?
Terasaki: Lime-san, I guess. I have a feeling the two are going to battle soon.

Q: Personally I'm quite interested in Nemo, who's been interacting with the group a lot recently. I know I'm extrapolating here, but I feel like Roy's goal of getting the Black Rayquaza is just part of Liko's goal of gathering the Six Heroes and taking Terapagos to Rakua… or rather, that his goal just ends up drowning in hers. This leads me to believe that Nemo's presence in the story is going to lead to a new goal for Roy, one that's his alone and wholly unrelated to Liko's.
Terasaki: Wow, you're REALLY into this show, huh (laughs)? You just made my day. However, while you're right that the Black Rayquaza is a part of Liko's goal as well, Roy is the one that originally had its Ancient Monster Ball, so I think Roy just sees it as the two of them just happening to have partially shared goals.

Roy also has his own goals, namely to make Hogator as strong as Lizardon and then ride the Black Rayquaza to go meet "Grandpa". Before he can do that, however, he needs to become a stronger battler so that the Black Rayquaza will approve of him. Both he and Hogator are going to grow a lot as they pursue that approval, and I feel like he'll gain a new goal once he accomplishes this. Roy isn't the type of person to have multiple goals at the same time, but the one that stubbornly pursues a singular one, and I base my portrayal of him on that aspect of the character.

Q: Next I'd like to talk a bit about Roy's partner, Hogator. Liko's Nyahoja and Roy's own Pokémon Kaiden have accompanied Hogator on this entire adventure, and they've now evolved into respectively Nyarote and Taikaiden. Not only that, but in episode 52, "Storm Warning for Kaiden", the Ghost type Gym Leader Lime talked about how strong Hogator's passion was. This has lead fans to wonder when it's going to evolve. What are your personal thoughts on this?
Terasaki: Well… This is actually a question not only I, but ALL the cast members have been asking as well!! To be quite honest, Hogator is so cute that I don't WANT it to evolve, I want to travel with it as a Hogator forever… However, since Hogator dreams of eventually becoming as strong as Lizardon, it might actually HAVE to evolve into a Loudbone. I do wonder what's going to happen to the Hogator song if it evolves, though. "A-A-Achigator" has WAY too many syllables!

Q: The Pokémon themselves always get really happy when they evolve, though.
Terasaki: That's true! Evolution is obviously a happy moment, but it always carries very mixed feelings with it as well. That's something that's very unique to the Pokémon franchise.

Q: It's a happy moment, but there's something sad about it as well, huh?
Terasaki: If Hogator was to evolve, its name would obviously change as well. You wouldn't be able refer to it as "Hogator" any more. Nyahoja's evolution into Nyarote brought Liko's voice actress Minori Suzuki-chan to tears as she asked herself if she and Nyahoja didn't still have things left undone. So yeah, there IS a certain kind of sadness to evolution, isn't there?

Q: Do you ever get the opportunity to interact with the Pokémon franchise together With your children?
Terasaki: I have a son who's currently in elementary school and a daughter who attends nursery, and the three of us watch the anime together every week. Since you can watch the show online these days, we rewatch every episode many times, too.

Q: Do your children understand that you're the one playing Roy?
Terasaki: I really wanted to keep it a secret from them, but since I was there when they presented the show's cast on TV, they went all "That's you, mommy! Why are you there?" (laughs). They never actually talk about me playing Roy at home, but their teachers have told me that they apparently brag about it a lot in school and at the nursery.

Q: It's really cute how they don't talk about it at home (laughs).
Terasaki: It really is (laughs). I really appreciate how all of this lets me know that Liko and Roy's adventure has been received well, though. Since their adventure replaced the previous series, I was primarily anxious about whether or not children would accept it.
For a show to be enjoyable, the actors themselves need to enjoy themselves to the fullest, and I hope we get across just how much we love working on this show. It makes me really happy to hear my son and daughter talk about how much other children enjoy the current Pokémon anime, and that peace of mind helps me give the Roy role my all.
My son and daughter even decided to go as Liko and Roy last Halloween! Look at these photos.

Q: Wow, you put a lot of effort into both the clothes and the hair color!
Terasaki: We also go to Pokémon-related events and Pokémon Cafés together.

Q: One thing that's really great about Pokémon is that both the parents and the kids can get super into it, or what do you say?
Terasaki: Completely agreed. Current day fathers and mothers enjoy the Pokémon anime too, you know. I happen to be a big fan of TV personality Nozomi Tsuji-chan, and it made me really happy to learn that she makes Hogator-themed charaben!

Q: Finally, do you have something you want to tell the fans?
Terasaki: The new "Terastal Debut" chapter features a lot of battles, and one of its absolute highlights is how it depicts the different ways Liko, Roy and Dot have grown and developed and how they each put the things they've now learned to use. I'd also like to point out that a lot of the Pokémon from the video games appear in the anime, all with unique personalities and lots of gestures and movements you can't see in the games, so if you play the games you should absolutely watch the anime as well!

ずっと一緒に旅をしたい…「アニポケ」ロイ役・寺崎裕香が語るホゲータへの想いと、これまでのシリーズから引き継いだバトンへの本音【インタビュー】

「アニポケ」ロイ役・寺崎裕香さんに独占インタビュー！ホゲータへの愛もいっぱい語って頂きました。
テレ東系列にて、毎週金曜よる6時55分から放送されているテレビアニメ「ポケットモンスター（以下、アニポケ）」。新たな主人公である「リコ」と「ロイ」の冒険は、多くのファンを魅了してやみません。
さらに2024年4月からスタートした「テラスタルデビュー」編では、ゲーム『ポケットモンスター スカーレット・バイオレット』でもお馴染みのパルデア地方が舞台となり、ゲームファンに馴染み深いキャラクター達にもスポットが当たっています。

そんな「アニポケ」でロイ役を務める声優・寺崎裕香さんにインタビューを実施。誰もが気になっているロイのパートナー、ホゲータの今後についてなど、本音トーク満載でお届けします。

◆ロイを演じて見えてきた、コルニとの違い

―リコとロイを主人公に迎えて新たに始まった新シリーズの放映から1年以上が経過しました。これまでのロイとホゲータの冒険を振り返っていかがですか？
寺崎：ロイは冒険に出るまでポケモンと共存はしていましたけど、ポケモンに指示を出してバトルして……といったポケモントレーナーとしての領域はまったく知らなかったんですね。なにせ彼が暮らす離島には、他のトレーナーがいませんから、バトルどころかゲットすらしたことがない。最高の相棒を見つけてポケモントレーナーになりたいけど、なり方がわからない、「いにしえのモンスターボール」を宝物にしている少年でした。
そんな彼がリコやドット、のちにパートナーポケモンとなるホゲータやカイデンたちと出会って……本当に色々なことがあって、そこからポケモンとの関わり方が大きく変化したなって思います。その成長を凄く感じる一年でした。
―冒険当初はロイ、ホゲータ共にまだまだ荒削りでしたが、最近は「チャームボイス」「ニトロチャージ」といった技も増えてきましたね。
寺崎：最初は、ひたすら「たいあたり！」とか「ひのこ！ひのこ！ひのこ！」みたいにわざを連発するだけでしたね（笑）。今は「ああしてこうして……」「向こうがそう来るなら、こうだ」みたいな、バトルを有利に進めるための思考や戦略が備わってきています。
―確かに第48話「輝け！炎とアートのきらめき」では、ウソッキーの汗から相手の技を見抜いて金星を上げました。第56話でも四天王のハッサクに善戦するなど、伸びしろが見えてきています。
寺崎：コルサさんやカブさんといった、先輩トレーナーから教わったことをちゃんとバトルに活かしてますよね。
―バトル好きといえば、寺崎さんはアニメ「ポケットモンスター XY」シリーズでカロス地方のジムリーダー「コルニ」を演じていました。コルニとロイで、演じる部分に違いはありますか？
寺崎：バトルが好きという共通点はありますが、キャラクターとしては全然違うなって印象です。
そもそもコルニはジムリーダーなので苦戦しながら強くなるというよりは、相棒であるルカリオとの関係をいかに構築するかという課題がメインでした。暴走してしまうルカリオをどうにかして鎮めようと苦悩するというか。
―確かに物語スタート時点の立ち位置が、ロイとコルニで全く異なりますね。
寺崎：それと実は私、当時は少年役ばかり担当していたこともあって、女の子キャラを演じる自信が無くて……（笑）。
コルニは仕草が可愛く、そういった動きなどの“外側”で女の子っぽさを表現しようとしたのですが、音響監督さんから「そうじゃない」と一蹴されました。「キャラの動きを見るな。台本だけ見て感情だけ拾ってこい」という指導を受けて、そこからコルニの演じ方が変わりましたね。
―おお、まさにメガシンカ！
寺崎：その後数年経って、今回の「アニポケ」でロイのバトルシーンを初めて演じた時、今度は「ロイが（本当は初心者なのに）手練れのトレーナーみたいだ」なんて言われちゃいました。バトルに慣れているコルニの演技が、無意識に残っていたというか。
ロイのバトルはもっと必死で、初めてのことに一生懸命挑んでいるという姿勢が必要であり、そこがハッキリと違うなって思います。

◆1つの目標にガムシャラなのが、ロイの根底

―新章「テラスタルデビュー」では、ゲーム『ポケットモンスター スカーレット・バイオレット』のキャラクターが多く登場しています。寺崎さんから見て、ロイとの共演が楽しみなキャラクターはいますか？
寺崎：ライムさんですかね。バトルが近々に迫っている気がします。
―個人的には、最近やりとりが増えてきているネモに注目しています。これは穿った見方だとは思うのですが、ロイの「黒いレックウザをゲットする」という目標は、リコの「六英雄を集めてテラパゴスをラクアに連れていく」という目標の一部というか、呑まれてしまっているような印象があって……。だからこそネモの存在が、リコと被らないロイだけの新しい目標に繋がっていくんじゃないかなと。
寺崎：おぉ～、めちゃくちゃアニメを見てくれていますね（笑）。嬉しいです。そのお話でいうと、確かに黒いレックウザはリコの目標の一部でもありますが、元々ロイが「いにしえのモンスターボール」を持っていたというのもあり、ロイは「目標の一部がたまたま一緒」ぐらいにしか捉えていないと思います。
それとロイには、ホゲータをリザードンのように強くして、その先に黒いレックウザに乗って“じいちゃん”に会いに行くというロイだけの目標もしっかり持っています。
でもまずは、バトルに強くならないと黒いレックウザからは認めてもらえない。認めてもらうために、ホゲータも自分も成長していく。ロイに新たな目標が生まれるのは、それを果たしてからなのかなって気がしますね。ロイは目標を何個も持つよりも、1つのことに対してガムシャラに進むタイプで、私もそれを根底にして日々演じています。

◆「ずっと一緒に旅をしたい」現場でも愛されるホゲータ

―相棒のホゲータについてお聞きします。ずっと冒険を共にしているリコのニャオハや、ロイの手持ちであるカイデンがそれぞれニャローテやタイカイデンに進化したほか、第52話「カイデン、強風注意報！」ではゴーストタイプのジムリーダー「ライム」からも、熱い思いを持っていると声を掛けられていました。一連の流れにファンは「ホゲータはいつ進化するのか」と注目されているのですが、ロイを演じる寺崎さんの視点から見ていかがですか？
寺崎：これはですね……私はもちろん、出演者全員が注目しています！！
正直、あれほど可愛いのでずっとホゲータと一緒に旅をしたいなという気持ちです……。でも将来的にリザードンみたいに強くなるんだっていうホゲータの夢を考えると、ラウドボーンに進化しなくてはいけないのかなと。
進化したらホゲータの歌ってどうなるんだろう。「ア、ア、アチゲータ♪」って、すげー字余りだ！
―ポケモンが進化すること自体は、すごく嬉しいんですけどね。
寺崎：そう、そうなんです！もちろん、進化は嬉しいんです。でも、すっごい複雑。これってポケモンならではですよね。
―嬉しいけど、どこか寂しいといいますか。
寺崎：進化すると、当然名前も変わるじゃないですか。もうホゲータって呼べなくなっちゃう。
ニャオハがニャローテに進化した時も、リコ役の鈴木みのりちゃんが「ニャオハに対して私は何かを残したかな」って涙を流していました。やっぱり進化に対して、一種の寂しさはありますよね。
ホゲータが進化するかどうかは分かりませんが、少なくとも声優陣は皆さんと同様に注目していますよ。

◆「アニポケ」の主人公として、子供たちに受け入れられていることが嬉しい

―寺崎さんご自身は親子でポケモンに触れる機会はありますか？
寺崎：小学生の息子と保育園の娘がいて、毎週一緒にアニメの放送を見ています。最近はネットでも見れますから、何回も繰り返し見てますね。
―お子様は寺崎さんがロイを演じていることを理解されているのですか？
寺崎：本当は隠したかったんですけど、キャスト発表会に出ると「あれ、ママがいるー。何で？」とかなっちゃいますよね（笑）。子供たちは私がロイを演じていることについて、自宅では何も言ってきませんが、保育園や小学校ではいっぱい自慢しているようで、先生たちからそんな話が聞こえてきます。
―家では言わないってのが可愛いですね（笑）。
寺崎：本当に（笑）。それでも、リコとロイの冒険を楽しんでくれているんだなって分かるから、ありがたいなって思います。これまでのシリーズからバトンを引き継いでいますから、子供達に受け入れてもらえるかなというのが、一番気がかりでした。
作品を楽しんでもらえるように、まずは演者が全力で楽しむ。そんな気持ちが伝わるといいなって思っています。息子や娘を通して、他の子供たちも今の「アニポケ」を楽しんでいるという反応が伝わってくるので、嬉しいですね。今は安心してロイという役に全力で挑んでいます。
去年のハロウィンも息子と娘の希望で、リコとロイの仮装を楽しんだんですよ！
―（写真を拝見しながら）凄い、衣装や髪色までこだわってる！
寺崎：ほかにもポケモン関連のイベントや、ポケモンカフェ等にも一緒に行きます。
―親子で夢中になれるのも、ポケモンの大きな特徴ですよね。
寺崎：本当にそう思います。お父さん・お母さん世代も「アニポケ」を一緒に楽しんでくれますよね。実は私、タレントの辻希美ちゃんが大好きなんですけども、彼女がホゲータのキャラ弁を作ってくれたりしてるのが嬉しくて！
―最後にファンの方へ、メッセージをお願いします。
寺崎：新章「テラスタルデビュー」はバトルが多く、リコ・ロイ・ドットがこれまで学んだことをどう活かすのか、どう成長するのかが三者三様で描かれる点が見どころです。
それと「アニポケ」には、ゲームに出てくるポケモンたちがたくさん登場します。それぞれちゃんと個性があって、ゲームでは見られない動きもいっぱいあるので、ぜひゲームとあわせて「アニポケ」も楽しんでください！

On June 21st, 2024, animate Times and Famitsu both posted an interview with Miria Takagishi, who plays the Elite Four member Poppy and they promoted it on their respective Twitter accounts.

The "Terastal Debut" arc of the Pocket Monsters anime TV series premiered Friday April 12th. To commemorate the start of the Pokémon battles between Liko, Roy and Dot against the Paldea Elite Four, we bring you an interview with Miria Takagishi-san, who plays the Elite Four member Poppy. Here we asked Takagishi-san, who says that Pokémon is just as natural a part of her life as breathing is, lots of questions about subjects such as the Poppy character, the unique atmosphere of the Pokémon anime dubbing sessions, and her love for Pokémon in general.

Q: Takagishi-san, you had a role in the mobile game Pokémon Masters EX too, didn't you?
Takagishi: That's right, a year before I got cast as Poppy-chan, I got to play "Gokko-chan" (Eve the Pokémon Role Player)! It made me so happy that I got to be in a piece of Pocket Monsters media back then. And later getting to appear in the anime as well was just completely a dream come true! By the way, even though I don't play Poppy in that game, I did my best to get her and Dekanuchan on my team there (laughs).

Q: It's very clear from your social media posts that you really love this franchise. Let's talk a bit more about Pokémon, shall we? First off, how did you truly feel when you you got cast as Poppy in the Pocket Monsters Terastal Debut arc?
Takagishi: It made me really happy (laughs)! That's all I can say, really (laughs). I've always been a huge fan of Pokémon!
My father had actually been playing the video games ever since Pocket Monsters Red/Green, so even my earliest memories are of growing up in a family that had a Pikachu plushie even bigger than I was back then. This meant that Pokémon always been just as natural a part of my life as breathing is, and even when I first decided I wanted to become a voice actress, I'd always answer "Pokémon" whenever someone asked me what anime I would like to appear in. That's why I got so surprised my dream came true so soon (laughs)!
Not only that, but I got cast as one of the Elite Four as well! It really made me wonder to myself if I was truly worthy of playing someone as strong and cute as Poppy-chan.

Q: What were your initial impressions of Poppy-chan, and how did they change after you got to truly know the character by playing her?
Takagishi: My initial impression was something along the lines of "Oh my God she's so cute!!! How can such a cute little girl be an Elite Four member?! What's going on here?!" (laughs).
Q: (laughs)
Takagishi: When I learned I had been cast as a member of the Elite Four, I imagined her to be a strong, silent type with a commanding presence, so I got really shocked when I learned she was pretty much the exact opposite of that!
What I noticed as I kept playing her, though, was that behind that cuteness she had the exact kind of knowledge and passion for Pokémon battles and love for Pokémon that you'd expect from an Elite Four member. She became part of the Elite Four for a reason, and that reason is plain and simply because she loves Pokémon and battling so much. The show has lots of other characters, like Nemo, that likewise love Pokémon battles, and I truly feel that Poppy-chan is just as passionate about battling as them beyond all that cuteness. That contrast is what surprised me most of all, and that's why I wanted my portrayal of her to not only get across how cute she is, but also how much she loves Pokémon and how much fun she thinks it is to battle. That tiny little body contained enough passion to make that possible!

Q: Had you played the Pocket Monsters Scarlet/Violet games before you got cast as Poppy-chan? Were you familiar with the character from there?
Takagishi: I think I've played Pokémon games for a combined total of over 1000 hours, with Pocket Monsters Diamond/Pearl and Pocket Monsters Platinum accounting for more than 350 of those... (laughs).
When I decided I wanted to become a voice actor I realized that that would never happen if I kept playing video games so much, though. So since I got so busy with studying acting and the like, I decided to drop the Pokémon games until I got a role in the Pokémon anime.
Q: That's a good display of self control.
Takagishi: Isn't it? I dropped the Pokémon games when I started voice acting in my teens, and even though I ended up having lots of time to play video games during the Corona crisis, I still wanted to stay true to the decision I had made back then. So even though I got very tempted to a couple times, I didn't play any Pokémon even then.
Then I got cast as Poppy-chan, and I remember that in addition to being happy I got to appear in the Pokémon anime, I was also happy I finally got to play Pokémon again and immediately went to buy the game (laughs).
Q: Haha (laughs). Which game did you buy, Pocket Monsters Scarlet or Pocket Monsters Violet?
Takagishi: Pocket Monsters Scarlet! Normally I'd have bought Pocket Monsters Violet since violet is one of my favorite colors, but I was told that the Terastal Debut arc would be set in Orange Academy, so I went with the game that same location appears in! I've been playing it a bit now and then, and am currently hard at work completing the Paldea Zukan (laughs).

Q: I see! Did you audition for the role of Poppy-chan?
Takagishi: No, there was no audition for the role. That's what made it such a shock to me and made me wonder if it was just a dream.
Completely out of the blue, I got an email from my agency saying that a script for Pokémon had arrived for me, and it made me completely freeze in my tracks. The email didn't have any details on the role or the dubbing sessions at all, so I went to the agency while still in a state of shock to pick up the script, and it came with an illustration of the character I'd be playing tucked into it... And that was NOT what I expected it to be.
Q: What DID you expect?
Takagishi: I thought I'd be playing a student that had a single line of dialogue or something like that. That alone would've made me really happy, so I was really excited when I came to the agency to get the script. And then it turned out I¨d be playing one of the Paldea Elite Four! I was so shocked I almost thought they had put the wrong illustration into the script by mistake.
It really struck me like a bolt from the blue, and I was so worried it was all just a dream that I put the script next to my bed that night hoping it would still be there when I woke up (laughs).
Q: (laughs) So was your father the first person you told the happy news after the casting details were made public, then?
Takagishi: Indeed it was. I phoned him right away! The announcement was made at the AnimeJapan 2024 stage show, but I wasn't actually on stage myself; Instead, I was secretly watching from one of the edge seats. My father was actually watching the livestream of the stage show from Aichi too, so when I called him to tell him about my role, he just went "I know, I was watching!". He was super happy (laughs)!
By the way, after we had talked, he hung up by saying "All right, I have to play Pokémon Go now". Even when I'm actually there visiting, he always prioritizes Pokémon Go over his daughter (laughs).
Q: (laughs) The announcement got lots of reactions from fans, did you personally feel something at the time too? Takagishi: Even though I've been a huge Pokémon fan my entire life, it felt really touching to see just how many people out there love Pokémon even more than I myself do. The announcement was made at a time when these people were already familiar with Poppy-chan and the other characters through the video games and already had their own images of what she was like. Getting to hear such people talk about how excited they were made me feel a true sense of responsibility to do my best to get the appeal of a character as beloved as Poppy-chan across in the anime.

Q: What are your thoughts on the other Elite Four characters? Who is your favorite?
Takagishi: I love them all, but the one that my impression of changed the most after seeing them in the anime is "Chili-chan". While the video games do have you interact with characters outside of battles as well, it all just comes to a halt whenever a battle starts and the atmosphere turns really tense. This isn't the case in the anime, which depicts the characters properly continuing their conversations as the battle is taking place. I really felt how much Chili-chan was giving Liko-chan guidance sprinkled with love during their Pokémon battle, teaching her how much fun battling is, so I hope you'll look forward to next week's episode. It really made me rediscover how delightful a character she is!
Q: Let's talk about Pokémon next. Which of Poppy-chan's Pokémon is your favorite?
Takagishi: Dekanuchan! I went to the Pokémon Center the other day and bought a lot of Dekanuchan merch like metal key chains and plushies! I also have a life sized Dekanuchan blanket on my bed and a Dekanuchan paperweight in the display cabinet at home, that's how much I love it. I have one on my team in the game too, and got so eager to have a "Dekanuchan showdown" that I even used it against Poppy-chan (laughs).
Q: So while we're on that subject, are there any particular things you just "have to do" when you play these games? Takagishi: Yes, I really love cute Pokémon, so I've always made it a personal rule when I play Pokémon games that I'll always press the B button to prevent the first Pokémon I get in the game from evolving, so that it can enter the Hall of Fame in its cutest form (laughs).
Q: So you don't just give it an Everstone?
Takagishi: No, I want it to hold an Amulet Coin instead so I can get lots of money (laughs). In Pocket Monsters Scarlet I went with Hogator, since Roy's Hogator is so incredibly cute (laughs). Its absentmindedness is adorable. The battle in episode 55, "Showdown! The Paldea Elite Four", is another fantastic showcase of what makes it so appealing, so I hope you'll look forward to that episode as well! There's this scene where it gets enticed by an apple, so it starts drooling and its eyes start sparkling... even though it's in the middle of a battle! So super cute!

Q: What is your favorite Pokémon of all time?
Takagishi: I have two favorites, Pikachu and Pochama.
We had tons of huge Pikachu plushies at home ever since I was born, and I loved Pikachu so much I wanted to be one myself (laughs). I think the first video game I ever played was one called "Pikachu Genki Dechu", where you talk to Pikachu. My father let me play it since it was really child-friendly, with no battles or anything, and we had lots of fun playing it together and talking to Pikachu.
Our house was full of video games because of him, so after I got a bit older I followed that up with Pocket Monsters Pikachu; I actually played that and Pocket Monsters Emerald at the same time at one point. In that game Pikachu follows you around, and it looks super duper cute. I also used to carry around a pedometer called a "Pocket Pikachu" (laughs). Pikachu was in pretty much everything Pokémon related, so I got extremely attached to it.
As for Pochama, I picked it as my first Pokémon in both Pocket Monsters Pearl and Pocket Monsters Platinum when I played those (laughs). You can put ribbons on your Pokémon in those games, and I tried my best to try to get every single ribbon on my beloved Pochama. One of those ribbons you can only buy if you max out your in-game money though, so I spent tons of hours grinding money just for that one ribbon... But I got SO happy when I finally got to put it on Pochama... (laughs). I really prefer cherishing Pokémon over battling with them, that's why I'm so attached to the Pochama I spent so much time raising!
Q: Your love for them is truly palpable. If Pokémon were real, what Pokémon would you have accompany you?
Takagishi: Wha-? Well if you mean which I would want to live together with, then probably either Tyltto or Tyltalis. They can fly and they're really fluffy and cute. In earlier Pocket Monsters games you needed the move Fly to move around the region, and since I wanted a cute Pokémon to have that move, I'd trade over a Tyltto from another game and have it on my team from the beginning. They look like you'd sleep so peacefully while hugging one too, so I'd like to try sleeping with one of them (laughs)! Ah, but I can't skip out on Pikachu and Pochama either, though... Hmm, now I can't make up my mind.
Q: (laughs) All right, what if you could pick 6 then? A full team (laughs)!
Takagishi: Really?! (laughs) All right, I already mentioned Tyltalis, Pikachu and Pochama, so let's start with them (laughs). The other three would be Dekanuchan, Hogator... and Nymphia! In the video game I wanted to evolve specifically a female Eievui into one, so it took quite a bit of work to finally get one. When you're picking a full team of 6, you start considering type balance and such as well (laughs). I know this team does have quite a few Fairy types on it, but they're so cute...
Q: Spoken like a true Trainer (laughs). By the way, I was looking at your social media, and I think I saw an alternately colored Tyltalis there...?
Takagishi: You did! There was a mass outbreak of Tyltalis the other day, and I went for it (laughs)! I didn't eat a sandwich first, so it was a bit of a long shot, but then a yellow Tyltalis appeared after all! I took a picture of it immediately. I was able to get it afterwards too! Since it was an alternately colored one and all, I thought I'd go full ballism, so I caught it in a Moon Ball. I thought its yellow body matched the ball's design, and I met it at night, so it was the perfect fit. Now I'm trying to decide how to raise it.

Q: I get the feeling the Pokémon movies are very popular too. Have you seen any of them?
Takagishi: Yes, I went to see them every summer! I have very fond memories of watching them with my family.
Q: I personally watched Pocket Monsters the Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back as an adult, and it really made an impact on me.
Takagishi: Yes! Mewtwo makes you cry! When I first watched that movie on DVD I was so young I was just barely able to understand what was going on. I think it still made some kind of impact on me, but I think it'd probably have a bigger one if I were to rewatch it as an adult. I remember very well how much fun I thought its original co-feature Pikachu's Summer Vacation was, though (laughs).

Q: Let's talk about the dubbing sessions next. Was there anything you found difficult while preparing for the role?
Takagishi: Poppy-chan only has a single line in episode 46, the one she makes her debut in. Since I had to record for this episode without knowing how she would actually be portrayed in the anime, I was really unsure about exactly how to go about it. In the video game she's stated to be 9 years old, but to young children that comes across as her being quite the adult, and this anime is watched by a lot of young children; I myself was watching it since before I can remember.
She's sort of like a child actor in that she's surrounded by adults and is essentially a child that has stepped into the world of adults, but she's also one of the Elite Four, so I didn't think I should make her come across as TOO overly childish.
I decided I wanted to play her as a faithful, not too childish, depiction of a girl her age that had been growing up with good adult role models around her, and that also had a mature older sister-like side to her. I also made a point of focusing on expressing her actual human emotions, not childishness.
Q: What kind of techniques do you use to portray a child who has an adult aura to her?
Takagishi: I still have a lot to learn as an actress, but personally, when I'm deliberately trying to portray a child, I speak at a high pitch in a child-like tone, or (switches to talking with a child-like lisp) put on a lisp like this. I think it's less acting and more just knowing how to deliberately produce a child-like voice.
Using a voice like that for Poppy-chan would make a lot of sense considering how she looks, but I personally didn't WANT her to be like that in the anime, so instead of focusing too much on the tone of my voice, I instead tried playing her in a candid and straight forward manner that sounded neither like a child nor an adult.
Q: Did you use this voice you had prepared when you were finalizing your portrayal with the sound director, then? Takagishi: I did! The sound director obviously gave me some direction in regards to how he wanted lines delivered, but he never said anything about the tone of my voice or anything else regarding how old I was sounding, so I just used that voice during the actual dubbing session as well!

Q: Is there anything else you want to tell us about voice acting in the Pocket Monsters anime, or the atmosphere at the dubbing sessions?
Takagishi: This is my first time ever being in the show, and the scene where Poppy-chan battles as a member of the Elite Four was my first ever Pokémon battle, so I was super excited when I came to that dubbing session. I also received some very detailed and specific corrections for some of my lines, which really helped me fully shape the role.
The show does have its own unique ways of doing certain things, and one that really stood out to me is how battle scenes are done; During the initial test with the sound director I initially acted as if I was talking towards my Pokémon and instructing it what moves I wanted it to use, but I got stopped and told to instead look at my opponent's Pokémon and direct my voice at IT. This is how the show has always managed to portray a sense of unity and teamwork between Trainer and Pokémon, and it really made an impact on me to learn why I had never realized that while just watching the show.
Q: Did you record together with the other members of the voice cast?
Takagishi: Yes, with almost all of them. I was super nervous about the dubbing session for episode 55 ("Showdown! The Paldea Elite Four") because I was going to act together with all these veteran voice actors I look up to, and even though I said hello to them, I was trembling with fear. Chili is played by Mitsuki Saiga-san, and she was sitting right next to me, the excitement was unreal... (laughs). During the Corona crisis we had to record our roles separately for social distancing reasons, but even prior to that, I had almost never attended a dubbing session with more than 20 people. The passion I could sense in their acting really rubbed off on me, though, so I was able to take on my assignment with the power of their acting and Poppy-chan's indomitable spirit prepping me up!

Q: Out of all the stories given birth in that studio, what episode of the Pokémon anime is your personal favorite? Takagishi: I really love episode 39, the one where Dot and Kanuchan meet for the first time ("Kanuchan and Its Choice Hammer"). Dot buys this cute little pink microphone, and then Kanuchan comes along and just steals it (laughs). Dot lets Kanuchan keep the microphone and leaves, but later Kanuchan comes to show her the hammer it made from it. From Dot's perspective, she had already given the microphone away, but Kanuchan was cheerfully trying to give it BACK. The contrast was killing me… (laughs)
Later, when Dot and Kanuchan are about to say goodbye, Kanuchan tears up completely. The fact that this was their first ever meeting just makes the fact that it was opening its heart to Dot so much feel all the more cute. And then Dot gets Kanuchan in the end, that scene just made me speechless…. Yep, that's my favorite (claps)!
Kanuchan is as pure and innocent as a baby, Dot is so kind to it despite what their initial encounter was like, and Kuwassu gets to be the big brother of the group… I really really love this episode and have watched it many times.

Q: Thank you so much! Finally, can you tell us what you feel the highlights of this chapter is and how excited you are for the upcoming battles against the Elite Four?
Takagishi: Terastal Debut features an especially large amount of battle scenes, and I think its main appeal is that you get to see the characters grow and develop through these battles. Personally I thought it was really striking to see Liko, Roy and Dot grow bit by bit in their own individual ways even in the battles against Poppy-chan and the other Elite Four members, and I'm looking forward to seeing if they'll continue to grow from battles in the future as well!
I'm both happy and extremely excited that I get to play a character so many people grew to love through the Pokémon video games in the anime, and I will play her with all my might to liven up the story as best as I can, prepped up by the appealing personalities of the Elite Four members as well as Poppy-chan's own inner strength. May you all continue to live wonderful Pokémon lives with the anime and the video games!

2024-06-21 18:30 「ポピーちゃんの芯の強さに支えられています」――「ポケットモンスター」 テラスタルデビュー編ポピー役・高岸美里亜さん

インタビュー｜「夢」だったアニポケ出演、『ポケモン』ならではの収録現場は刺激的な経験に
2024年4月12日（金）より放送されているテレビアニメ「ポケットモンスター」テラスタルデビュー編。リコとロイそしてドットの3人とパルデア地方・四天王とのポケモンバトルが始まろうとしている今、四天王のひとり「ポピー」を演じる高岸美里亜さんのインタビューをお届けします。
演じるポピーについてはもちろんのこと、「ポケモン」ならではの収録現場の模様や「『ポケモン』は呼吸と同じくらい当たり前な存在」と語る高岸さんのポケモン愛についてなど、たっぷりとお聞きしました。
「夢」だったアニポケ出演、ポピーを演じる上で感じたファンの方の熱意
――高岸さんといえば、ゲームアプリ『ポケモンマスターズ EX（通称：ポケマス）』にもご出演されていましたね。

高岸美里亜さん（以下、高岸）：そうなんです！　ポピーちゃん役が決まる一年前に、ごっこちゃん（ポケモンごっこ イブ）を担当させていただいて、『ポケットモンスター』という作品に出演できるということで、とても嬉しかったです。そこからまさかアニメにも出られるなんて、と夢のようなお話でした。

――『ポケットモンスター』という作品に対する熱意がSNSを拝見しても強く伝わってきました。これから、どんどん『ポケモン』についてお伺いできればと思います！　それでは早速、「ポケットモンスター」テラスタルデビュー編でポピー役が決定した際の率直なご感想をお聞かせください。

高岸：嬉しいっ！（笑）。これに尽きますね（笑）。私は元々、『ポケモン』がすごく大好きでして！
実は父がゲーム『ポケットモンスター 赤・緑』の頃からゲームをプレイしていたので、物心ついた時から幼い私以上に大きなピカチュウのぬいぐるみがある家庭で育ちました。だから、『ポケモン』という作品は呼吸と同じくらい当たり前に一緒に生きてきていて、声優を目指すなかでも「何のアニメ作品に出演したい？」と尋ねられたら『ポケモン』と答えるくらい、いつかは出演したいと思っていました。
そして今回まさか、自分としてはこんなに早いタイミングで『ポケモン』への出演が叶ったことに対して、とても驚きましたね（笑）。
しかも「四天王」のひとりということで、「ポピーちゃんのようなこんなに強くて可愛い役を私が担当させていただいていいのだろうか?!」というふうに思っていました。
――ポピーちゃんを初めて見た時の印象や、収録で内面を知ってからの印象の変化はどうでしたか？
高岸：第一印象は、「可愛い〜〜!!!!　こんな可愛い子が四天王なんてどんな世界なんだ?!」でした（笑）。
一同：（笑）。
　 高岸：「四天王」と聞くと強くて凛々しくて“強敵”みたいな、なんなら無口で、というイメージがありましたが、そのイメージの真逆を突き進んでいくようなキャラクターだったので本当にびっくりしました！
収録が進む中で感じたことは、やはりこの可愛さに反し、さすが四天王というだけあってポケモンバトルへの知識と熱量、ポケモンへの愛もすごくある子だなと感じました。ポピーちゃんが四天王になったのには理由があるのですが、それだけポケモンとバトルが大好きな子なんです。
ネモのように、ほかにもポケモンバトルが大好きなキャラがたくさんいますが、それくらいの熱量をこの可愛さの中にも芯として持っているんだろうなぁと、とても感じる部分があります。そのギャップにはめちゃくちゃ驚かされました。
だから、この可愛さという部分だけではなく、ポピーちゃんが持っているポケモンへの愛だったり、バトルの楽しみ方とかをお芝居では表現できれば良いなと。こんなにちっちゃい身体でも、ポピーちゃんは私自身の気持ちの部分を支えてくれるだけの熱量を持っていたので……。
――ゲーム『ポケットモンスター スカーレット・バイオレット』は役が決まる前からプレイされていたり、ポピーちゃんの存在を事前に知っていましたか？
高岸：ゲームに関しては、役が決まってからプレイしました。
というのも、『ポケットモンスター ダイヤモンド・パール』と『ポケットモンスター プラチナ』だけで350時間以上はプレイしていて、ほかのシリーズを合わせたら1000時間以上、ポケモンのゲームをしていたと思うのですが……（笑）。
声優を目指している時に、「このままゲームをやり続けていても声優にはなれないよなぁ」と思って、もっとお芝居の勉強だったりとか色々とやらないといけないことがあるから、「ポケモンのゲームを封印しよう！」って思ったんです。
――我慢してたんですね。
高岸：そうなんです！　声優を始めた10代の時から封印していて、それこそコロナ禍で時間も余っていてゲームをプレイする瞬間はたくさんありましたが、自分が10代の頃に決めたこの決意を覆したくないという気持ちがあり、時々揺らぎながらもずっとポケモンをプレイするのを我慢していました。
そんな時にポピーちゃん役が決まったので、『ポケモン』に出演できる嬉しさと共に「ヤッター！ポケモンができる～～!!」と、その足でゲームを買いに行ったのも良い思い出です（笑）。
――フフフ（笑）。『ポケットモンスター スカーレット』と『ポケットモンスター バイオレット』どちらを購入されたんですか？
高岸：『ポケットモンスター スカーレット』です！　いつもの私の傾向なら好きな色味的に『ポケットモンスター バイオレット』を買っていたと思うのですが、「ポケットモンスター」テラスタルデビュー編は「オレンジアカデミー」が舞台だと伺っていたので、同じ舞台が登場する方にしようと『ポケットモンスター スカーレット」を買いました！
そこから少しずつプレイしていて、今はパルデア図鑑を全部うめようと頑張っている最中です（笑）。
――そうだったんですね！　ポピーちゃん役はオーディションで決まったのでしょうか？
高岸：それがオーディションではなくてですね……。だから本当に、目から鱗というか。「夢だったらどうしよう」というふうに思っていました。
事務所からアニメ『ポケモン』の台本が届いたというメールをいただいて、「ポケモン？　本当に？」とフリーズしましたね。ポケモンの台本が届いたということ以外、役名も収録の詳細も分からないまま、驚きつつ事務所に台本を取りに行ったら、台本にイラストが挟まっていて、「おやおや？　思っていたのと違うぞ？」と。
――最初はどういうふうに思っていたのでしょうか？
高岸：最初は生徒役で台詞が一言あるとかかな？　って思っていました。それだけでもめちゃくちゃ嬉しかったので、浮き足立った状態で事務所に行ったら、まさかのパルデア四天王のひとりで「このイラスト、間違って挟まってないよね？」とすごくびっくりして……青天の霹靂でした。
夢だったらと不安になっていたので、「明日になったら台本が消えていませんように」と台本を枕元に置いていたりしました（笑）。
――（笑）。やはり、キャスト解禁時はその喜びを真っ先にお父様にご報告されたのでしょうか？
高岸：おっしゃる通り、お父さんに電話しました！
四天王はAnimeJapan 2024のステージにてキャスト解禁がされたのですが、私自身はステージには立っておらず、観客席の端っこでこっそり見させていただいていました。そして、お父さんも愛知からステージの配信をチェックしていたらしくて、電話をしたら「見てたよー!!」って言われて、すごく喜んでくれました！（笑）。
これは余談なのですが、最後に「じゃあ僕、『ポケモン GO』やらないといけないから！」って電話を切られてしまいました。いつ帰省しても娘よりも『ポケモン GO』を優先しているの父なので（笑）。
一同：（笑）。
――解禁後のファンの方々の反応は大きかったと思うのですが、高岸さん自身もなにか感じられたのではないかな？　と思います。
高岸：私も幼い頃から『ポケモン』が好きで育ってきた方なのですが、それ以上にポケモン愛に溢れている方がこんなにもたくさんいらっしゃるということに、とても感動しました。
特に、すでにゲームを通してポピーちゃんたちのキャラクターを知っていて、それぞれが思い描く「ポピー像」がある中でのキャスト発表だったので。たくさんの反響がある中でも楽しみにしてくださる声も聞かせていただくことができて、こんなにも愛されているキャラクターを任せていただいて、アニメでのポピーちゃんの魅力をお伝えできるように頑張らなきゃなと身が引き締まりました。
――ちなみに、ほかの四天王のキャラクターへの印象やお好きなキャラを教えてください。
高岸：みんなそれぞれ大好きなんですけど、アニポケで一番印象が変わったのは「チリちゃん」です。
チリちゃんが（リコちゃんと）ポケモンバトルをする時に、愛を持って導いてくれているな、というのをとても感じたので来週の放送を楽しみにして頂けたらと思います。
――キャラクターに対するお話が続きましたが、次はポケモンについて。ポピーちゃんの手持ちの中で、一番好きなポケモンを教えてください。
高岸：それは「デカヌチャン」！　先日もポケモンセンターに行ってデカヌチャンのメタルチャームやぬいぐるみなどを買い漁りました（笑）。
等身大のブランケットをベッドに敷いたり、ペーパーウェイトを家のショーケースに飾ったり。それくらいデカヌチャンが大好きで、ゲームでも一緒に旅をしましたし、「デカヌチャン対決をするんだ」って意気込んで、ポピーちゃんとも戦いました（笑）。
――ゲームでも……！　ゲームをプレイする上でのこだわりはありますか？
高岸：私は可愛いポケモンが大好きで、昔からポケモンのゲームをやる時の自分の中での縛りがあるのですが……。最初にもらったポケモンは進化させずに一番可愛い状態で殿堂入りするように、いつもBボタンを押しているんです（笑）。
――“かわらずのいし”じゃないんですね。
高岸：はい。なぜなら、おまもりこばんを持たせて、お金をたくさんもらいたいから（笑）。『ポケットモンスター スカーレット』では「ホゲータ」を選んだのですが、ロイのホゲータが可愛すぎて選びました（笑）。
あのぬけている感じが可愛くて、第55話「対決！パルデア四天王」のバトルでもホゲータの魅力が詰まっているので、ぜひ放送を楽しみにして頂けたらと思います！
――今までの人生の中での好きなポケモンはなんですか？
高岸：2体いるんですけど、「ピカチュウ」と「ポッチャマ」です。
ピカチュウは、生まれた頃から大きいぬいぐるみが家にたくさん居たというものあって、好き過ぎてピカチュウになりたいぐらいです（笑）。おそらく初めてプレイしたゲームがピカチュウに話しかける『ピカチュウげんきでちゅう』というゲームで、このゲームはバトルとかではないので幼くてもできるとお父さんが遊ばせてくれて、お父さんと一緒にピカチュウと会話しながら楽しんでいました。
父の影響で家にゲームが全部あったので、年齢を重ねてから後追いで『ポケットモンスター ピカチュウ』をプレイしたんです。『ポケットモンスター エメラルド』と同時進行で黄色をプレイしていた時期があったんですけど……そのゲームでは、後ろにピカチュウが着いてきてくれるのですが、その姿もめちゃくちゃ可愛くて。「ポケットピカチュウ」という万歩計も付けていました（笑）。
ピカチュウはいろいろな作品で出ているので、やっぱりピカチュウは思い入れがめちゃくちゃ強いですね。
ポッチャマは、『ポケットモンスター パール』と『ポケットモンスター プラチナ』をプレイしていましたが、どちらも最初のポケモンとして選びました（笑）。ポケモンにリボンを付けることができて、「大好きなポッチャマに全部のリボンを付けるんだ〜！」って頑張っていたんです。
だけど、リボンの中にはゲーム内でのお金の上限をカンストさせないと購入できないものもあって、そのリボンのためだけに何十時間もひたすらお金を稼いで……ポッチャマにリボンを付けることができた時はめちゃくちゃ嬉しかったですね……（笑）。
バトルというよりはポケモンを愛でる方が好きだったので、それだけ育てたポッチャマには思い入れがあります！
――愛がとても伝わりました。もし現実世界にポケモンが存在したとして、連れ添うとしたらどのポケモンがいいですか？
高岸：え〜！　一緒に暮らすという意味では空も飛べるし、モフモフすることもできて、可愛いからチルットかチルタリスもいいなぁ。安眠できそうだな〜と思って、一緒に寝てみたいですよね！（笑）。でも、ピカチュウとポッチャマもはずせないし……うーん、迷っちゃいますね。
一同：（笑）。
――じゃあ手持ちと同じ6体までにしましょう！（笑）。
高岸：いいんですか?!（笑）。じゃあ、今上がったチルタリスとピカチュウとポッチャマは入れていただいて（笑）。
あと3体はデカヌチャン、ニンフィア、ホゲータで、この6体にします！　6体となると全体的な相性バランスとかも考えちゃいますよね（笑）。
――トレーナー目線ですね（笑）。　そういえば、SNSを拝見させていただいたのですが、チルタリスの色違いを出していませんでしたか……？
高岸：そうなんですよ！　ちょうどチルタリスの大量発生があって、「来たぞこれ！」と思って（笑）。
サンドイッチも食べずにダメ元でやっていたら、黄色いチルタリスが出てきて、すぐ一緒に写真を撮りました。無事にゲットもできました！
――ポケモンといえば映画も人気が高い印象なのですが、映画はなにか観られていますか？
高岸：毎年夏に行ってました！　家族でポケモンの映画を観て楽しんでいたのはとても記憶にありますね。
――大人になってから「劇場版ポケットモンスター ミュウツーの逆襲」を鑑賞したのですが、とても心に響きました。
高岸：出た！　ミュウツーは泣きますよね！
だけど、ミュウツーをDVDで初めて観た時は私自身、幼すぎて話が理解できたかできなかったかのギリギリぐらいで。子どもなりに感動はしていたと思うんですけど、大人になったいま観た方がより感動するんじゃないかな？　と思います。
だから、当時は同時上映の「ピカチュウのなつやすみ」の楽しさみたいなものが、子どもながらに記憶に強かったです（笑）。
役作りで意識したこと、キャストが揃う収録現場は刺激的な経験に
――それでは収録について伺っていこうと思います。役作りで難しく感じたことなどを教えてください。
高岸：ポピーちゃんが初登場した第46話はセリフが一言だったんです。アニメとしてポピーちゃんがどう描かれていくかという部分が分からない状態での収録だったので、どうしようかな？　とすごく考えながらの収録でした。
ポピーちゃんは大人に囲まれていて、いわば子役のような、ちょっと大人の世界に足を踏み入れている子だけど「四天王」という立場でもあるので、逆に子どもっぽくしすぎなくてもいいのかなぁと
そのバランスを考えた時にお姉さんっぽい大人な部分と、良い大人に囲まれながら純粋に育った等身大のポピーちゃんを、幼くし過ぎないようにしようと思いました。音としての表現としても、幼さを表現するのではなく、あくまでポピーちゃんの喜怒哀楽を出すことを意識して演じるようにしました。
――子どもの中でも大人びた雰囲気を出す時は技術的にどういうふうに演じられるのでしょうか？
高岸：私もまだまだ成長途中の身ではあるんですけれども、私の場合は子どもを意識した時に幼く音をキュッと絞ったりとか、（幼く舌足らずなトーンを出しながら）こういうふうに音としての表現を舌足らずにするとか。お芝居というよりは、あえて幼い声を出すという技術的な部分だと思うのですが。
ポピーちゃんは見た目的にはそういうふうに演じてもおかしくはありませんが、そうではないポピーちゃんを私自身も見てみたいなという想いもあり、声のトーンも意識し過ぎずに、大人でも子どもでもない等身大のまっすぐな感じで演じるようにしました。
――ディレクションでは台本を読んで、すでに作っていたお芝居が採用されたような形でしたか？
高岸：そうですね！　もちろん、ディレクションとしてこういう表現をしてほしいというところは音響監督さんからいただいたりしましたが、声のトーンの幼さなどの年齢感みたいな部分は言われることはなかったので、そのまま本番も同じ形で演じさせていただいています。
――先ほど、音響監督のお話がありましたが、アニメ「ポケットモンスター」ならではのお芝居や現場の雰囲気などがありましたら教えてください。
高岸：私としては、初めてのアニメ『ポケットモンスター』の現場で。ポピーちゃんが四天王としてバトルをするシーンは私からすると初めてのポケモンバトルですごくドキドキしながら現場に臨みました。ひとつひとつの台詞に対しては、細かく修正を入れていただくこともあり、そうして役作りの方向性を定めていきました。
――ほかのキャストさんとは一緒に収録されたのでしょうか？
高岸：そうですね。ほぼみなさんが集まっていました。特に第55話（「対決！パルデア四天王」）は、何十年もお芝居を続けている憧れの声優さんがたくさんいらっしゃるなかでの収録だったのでとても緊張していました。
本当に緊張し過ぎて、ご挨拶はさせていただいたのですが、ガクブルガクブルとしておりました。チリ役の斎賀みつきさんがお隣に座られていてドキドキしました……（笑）。
あとは、やはりみなさんのお芝居の熱量がとても伝わってきて、みなさんのお芝居とポピーちゃん自身の精神力の強さに支えられながら、収録に挑むことができました。
――そんな「アニポケ」の現場で生まれたお話の中で、高岸さんイチオシの回を教えてください。
高岸：ドットとカヌチャンが出会う第39話（「カヌチャンとこだわりのハンマー」）がすごく好きです。
ドットが可愛いピンク色のマイクを買った後にカヌチャンがマイクを奪ってしまうんです（笑）。 ドットも買ったマイクを諦めてその場を去ってしまうのですが、その後にカヌチャンがマイクで作ったハンマーをドットに見せに行こうとするんですよ。ドットからしたらもうあげてしまったマイクだったのですが、カヌチャンは嬉々としながら返そうとするので、その状況とのギャップにやられてしまって……（笑）。
　 その後、ドットと別れるシーンではカヌチャンがうるうるとし始めて、初対面が初対面なだけあって、その心を許してしまっている感じもめちゃくちゃ可愛いなぁって。最後にはドットにゲットされるのですが、あのシーンは本当に何も言えない……優勝です。（拍手しながら）
あかちゃんのように純粋なカヌチャンや、衝撃の出会いなのにその後は優しく接するドットとか、クワッスのお兄ちゃんっぽさが出ているところも良くて、この回は大好きすぎて何回も観ました。
――ありがとうございます！　それでは最後に、本作の見どころや四天王戦前の意気込みをお聞かせください。
高岸：今回は特にバトルシーンが多くなりますし、そのバトルの中でキャラクターが成長していく過程が見られるのが「テラスタルデビュー」編の魅力なんじゃないかなぁと思っています。
ポピーちゃんたちによる四天王の戦いでも、リコ・ロイ・ドットの3人がバトルを通して少しずつ、それぞれが違う成長を遂げているのがとても印象的だったので、「これからもバトルを通してどんどん成長していくのかな？」と思うと、すごく楽しみだなというふうに私自身も思っています！
ポケモンのゲームを通してたくさんの方に愛されてきたキャラクターをアニメとして今回、演じさせていただけて嬉しさと同時にすごいドキドキもあるんですけれども、個性豊かな四天王の魅力とポピーちゃんの芯の強さに支えられながら、私も精一杯、演じます！　みなさんも素敵なポケモンライフをこれからも楽しんでいただければ幸いです！

Inside-Games posted an interview with Yoshino Aoyama on Friday, June 21st, 2024 and they also Tweeted about it to promote the interview.

The Pocket Monsters anime airs every Friday at 6:55pm on the TV Tokyo Network, and the adventures of the new protagonists Liko and Roy continue to attract lots of fans.

Its "Terastal Debut" arc, which started in April 2024, additionally has Liko and Roy get joined by Dot as they visit the Paldea region known from the Pocket Monsters Scarlet/Violet video games, where they study on exchange at Orange Academy in order to learn Terastallization. Dot is rapidly becoming more and more of an important character, to the point you can call her "the third protagonist".

We've interviewed Yoshino Aoyama-san, the voice actress who plays Dot in this anime, apparently the first time she's ever been interviewed about her Dot role. The interview focused on her own personal thoughts on Dot:

Q: It's been over a year since the new series that started over from scratch with Liko and Roy as protagonists began airing. How do you feel about being involved with the Pokémon franchise?
Aoyama: When I first learned I was actually going to be in the Pokémon anime I got so shocked I spaced out completely. I was completely on cloud nine. I initially didn't think there was any way someone like me could be part of a globalized franchise like Pokémon, but when I looked through the script I got and saw what kind of lines Dot had, the casting choice suddenly made sense to me in its own weird way (laughs). It was still hard to believe I had been cast, but I really felt that since they had entrusted me with this role specifically because of who the character was, I had to do my best to live up to their expectations.
Q: Fans are happy to see you play another shy character too. Was that actually just coincidental?
Aoyama: Well, the truth is that I didn't actually audition for Dot, but for an entirely different role. However, while I realize people might find it a bit repetitive to keep seeing me in these roles, I'm just happy I get to help promote the series and entice people to check it out.

Q: In the new Terastal Debut chapter, Dot plays such a major role you could call her a "third protagonist". What are your thoughts on the character's development thus far?
Aoyama: Leaving her room was a huge step for her. All she really wanted was to share her knowledge of Pokémon with people, so if her Gurumin videos hadn't gone viral, she might've left it earlier. Since her videos did blow up the way they did, though, her studio grew into a protective castle of sorts for her. I also think it fit her personality to prefer not to talk to people unless absolutely necessary. However, the various experiences she ended up having with Liko and Roy kept fueling her desire to learn more Pokémon until she could no longer suppress it.
The main reason her role grew is of course that the Brave Asagi, studio included, got destroyed at that point in the story, but it still made a real impact on me to see her enter the Terastal Debut arc with such Dot-like resolve. Seeing her grow as a person makes me happy.
Q: After Dot got Kuwassu as her first Partner Pokémon, I was positive she wouldn't spend the remainder of the series as the kind of rather minor character she had been up to that point……!
Aoyama: Yeah, especially early on there were many episodes where her only role would be narrating the next episode preview as Gurumin (laughs).

Q: Dot is very close to Nanjamo, one of the most popular characters from the Pocket Monsters Scarlet/Violet video games. This could most recently be seen in episode 49, "Dot and Gurumin", and episode 50, "Terastallize for Social Media! Dance Dance Kuwassu!", a two-parter that carefully depicted Dot's feelings and emotions, as well as in episode 55, "Showdown! The Paldea Elite Four", which featured a really standout battle, isn't that right?
Aoyama: Dot's assessment test being a two-parter was the talk of the town even among the cast. I actually asked the staff why they did that, and they explained that since Dot isn't the type of person to frequently have a change of heart, they wanted to spend some time carefully depicting the circumstances surrounding this change.
As for Nanjamo-neesan, she's a very special person to Dot who she looks up to both as a content creator and a Trainer. My impression is that she has brought nothing but positives to Dot's life, including being the one to teach her how much fun battling is.
Q: Dot's line about misfortune being social media attention in disguise was also really memorable.
Aoyama: And Dot would've never said something like that prior to this adventure! Her initial stance was "thoroughly clever battling".

Q: Kuwassu has been in a lot of battles lately, hasn't it? And I feel like it's been going through QUITE a bit in those... (laughs)
Aoyama: I'm so terribly sorry. Dot is such a good-for-nothing (laughs). The basics of Pokémon battling is that the Trainer issues a command and the Pokémon follows it, but since Dot is the way she is, Kuwassu will instead use its own judgement to avoid incoming attacks while signaling to Dot that she doesn't have to worry about it.
That right there showcases just how strong and kind Kuwassu is, doesn't it? The bond between Trainer and Pokémon is always different for different people, and in Dot's case, Kuwassu is specifically the reason she's able to battle at all.

Q: I understand. Kuwassu looks so incredibly cool and handsome while battling.
Aoyama: It does, doesn't it?! That side of the character has been very prominent lately. In addition to coming across as cool and handsome, it has lots of cute qualities as well, like its adorable dancing. I hope you look forward to seeing what's in store for it next!
Q: Personally, I think it's possible Kuwassu might evolve as part of its ongoing character development. How about you, what do you think?
Aoyama: I had very mixed feelings when Liko's Nyahoja evolved into a Nyarote. One part of me was really happy, but the other kept thinking that this meant I'd never see that cute little Nyahoja again. That evolution IS the reason it bonded even further With Liko, though, so... Ah, it's so hard to put my feelings on the matter into words.
Before I got this role in the Pokémon anime, I used to think evolving your Pokémon had nothing but positives, but now that I'm actually playing Dot it's hit me that it's a bit up in the air whether I get to adventure with Kuwassu for my entire life or not. I don't know what's actually in store for Kuwassu, but I finally understand what actors often mean when they say they miss specific fictional characters.

Q: I see. Next I'd like to ask you about Kanuchan. Dot's surroundings have become a lot livelier with the addition of the baby-like Kanuchan, what are your thoughts on this Pokémon?
Aoyama: I was really surprised when she got it. After Liko and Roy had got Mibrim and Kaiden, it looked like Dot was just going to travel with Kuwassu and nobody else, and I was under the impression that was going to be the case all the way up until that point.
Scenes like the ones where Dot is freaking out about Kanuchan messing around with the frypan are very different from the ones we'd get when she only had Kuwassu, aren't they? I feel like these scenes show Dot developing something similar to a maternal instict, that she's gradually realizing how to deal with something that she thought was way too much for her to handle.
My favorite scene featuring the two is this one where Kanuchan is crying. If Kanuchan was Liko's Pokémon, I'm sure she'd approach it gently, try to calm it down and ask what was wrong… but Dot is so socially awkward that she just goes "Uh… Return" and calls it back into the monster ball. I love scripts that properly convey how the characters would act in specific types of situations.

Q: By the way, you know how the final evolved form of Kanuchan is Dekanuchan, right? Well, one particular trait Dekanuchan has is its tendency to attack Armorga…
Aoyama: Really? That would have some interesting consequences for Amethio. Dot is so knowledgeable there's no way she doesn't already know this, so I'm looking forward to seeing if the anime does something with it (laughs).

Aoyama: By the way, apparently the kids watching the Pokémon anime these days like Gurumin better than Dot.
Q: Really? Do you have any idea why?
Aoyama: Well, it appears some of them don't actually realize that Dot and Gurumin are the same person, just like Liko initially didn't. When adults look at a costumed character, it automatically registers to them that there's someone inside that suit, but these kids just earnestly think of Gurumin as Gurumin and enjoy the character they see.
I was really shocked when I learned this, and it made me think about how children view the Pokémon anime. Dot does have a lot of lines that sound very negative, constantly calling things "a pain" or saying she doesn't want to do something.
Q: True, on paper she sounds very negative.
Aoyama: If you actually think about WHY she says these things, though, they often have positive meanings, like if she says it's such a pain that the Gurumin costume isn't dry yet BECAUSE she wants to start working on a video. The sound director told me that if I just straight out call things a pain and leave it at that, I'll just come across as unpleasant, and he's right about that; I don't want the kids watching the Pokémon anime to think of Dot as an unpleasant character. Dot isn't unpleasant.
When Dot says something is a pain, it's ultimately used as a positively loaded word. If you keep that in mind, you'll see her in a very different light.

Q: By the way, since we were on the topic of costumed characters… You wore a suit like that in real life not too long ago, didn't you?
Aoyama: Yes, I did… though that had to do with a different franchise (laughs). It really made me realize how tough a job it would be to be Gurumin, though. The Gurumin live streams are pretty long, so imagine keeping up that level of energy for hours, and outdoors on location at that… Personally my absolute max was 15 minutes in the costume, it's just too hot in there.
You know, that experience gave me some real respect for Gurumin. You never know what job is going to leave its marks on which role, do you? (laughs)

Q: Finally, do you have something you want to tell the fans?
Aoyama: Up until this point, the Pokémon anime has been centered on Liko and Roy's story, but the Terastal Debut arc marks the point where Dot will be traveling alongside them. As of right now, Dot's reason for setting off on a journey is nothing but a rough intent to learn more about Pokémon, but I believe she'll eventually get a more concrete goal than that, and I'm looking forward to learning what it'll be.
I think a lot of people identify with Dot, and playing her made me really understand what it truly meant to "not be able to take that one step". That's what made her development hit home as much as it did.
I also hope you'll continue to pay attention to the very different ways Liko, Roy and Dot respectively bond with Pokémon!

「“人見知り”役が重なったのは偶然」―声優・青山吉能と振り返る「アニポケ」ドットの成長と葛藤【インタビュー】

「アニポケ」ドット役・青山吉能さんに独占インタビュー！演じるうえで意識していることなど、貴重なお話が満載です。
テレ東系にて、毎週金曜よる6時55分から放送されているテレビアニメ「ポケットモンスター（以下、アニポケ）」。新たな主人公である「リコ」と「ロイ」の冒険は、多くのファンを魅了してやみません。
さらに2024年4月からスタートした「テラスタルデビュー」編では、リコ、ロイに加えて「ドット」がゲーム『ポケットモンスター スカーレット・バイオレット』でもお馴染みのパルデア地方に訪れ、「テラスタル」を学ぶためオレンジアカデミーに留学。彼女の存在感も急速に高まっており、“第3の主人公”ともいうべき活躍を見せています。
インサイドでは、「アニポケ」でドットを演じる声優・ 青山吉能さんにインタビューを実施。なお青山さんは、ドットとしてインタビューを受けるのはこれが初めてとのこと。
青山さん目線で、ドット役について語って頂きました。

◆“人見知り”キャラが重なったのは、偶然だった

―リコとロイを主人公に迎えて新たに始まった新シリーズ「ポケットモンスター」放送から1年以上が経過しました。「ポケモン」というコンテンツに関わった感想を教えてください。
青山：「アニポケ」に出演が決まったとご連絡頂いた直後は、あまりの驚きで現実味がなく、フワフワした気持ちでいっぱいでした。
ポケモンという世界的なコンテンツに、私なんかが入れるわけない。そう考えてたんですが、台本を見たらドットのセリフに「ボクなんかが……」というのが多くて、「ああ、そういうことか」みたいな、妙な納得がありました（笑）。
役を頂いたことに信じられないという気持ちはありつつ、ドットだから私に任せてくれたのだから期待に応えられるよう頑張ろうって、凄く思いましたね。
―青山さんが“人見知り”なキャラを演じることに、ファンも喜んでいます。ドット役はタイミング的に偶然だったのですか？
青山：実は、別の役でオーディションを受けていました。私のことを知ってくださる方は「まただ！」なんて感じかもしれませんが、どんなきっかけでも作品を知って頂けることが嬉しいです。

◆ドット、ついに“3人目の主人公”に

―新章「テラスタルデビュー」では、ドットが“3人目の主人公”というべき活躍をしています。これまでの成長を振り返っていかがでしょうか。
青山：自分の部屋を出るって、ドットにとってそれは物凄く大きなことなんです。
元々ドットには、自分のポケモンに関する知識をみんなに楽しんでほしいという思いがありました。もし仮に「ぐるみん」という配信がここまでバズらなかったら、彼女はもっと早く外に出ていたかもしれません。あまりにも大バズりしたから、配信部屋はドットを守る城になったし、ドットの性格的にも「人と話さなくて済むのなら」という考えと合致してたんだと思います。
でも、リコやロイと共に様々な経験を積んだことで、ドットは「ポケモンをもっと知りたい、知れるんだ」という好奇心が抑えられなくなりました。もちろん物語の流れで、配信部屋のあるブレイブアサギ号が壊れちゃったっていう要因はありますけど、ドットらしい決意をもって、「テラスタルデビュー」編に進んでいったのが印象に残っています。その成長が見れて嬉しいです。
―初めてのパートナーポケモンとなるクワッスをゲットしているドットが、これまでのような一歩引いたポジションで終わるわけがないと信じてました……！
青山：たしかに、特に序盤の出番はぐるみんの次回予告だけって回も多かったですね（笑）。
―ドットといえば、ゲーム『ポケットモンスター
スカーレット・バイオレット』屈指の人気キャラであるナンジャモと浅からぬ関係があります。直近は第49話「ドットとぐるみん」、第50話「映えろテラスタル！ダンス・ダンス・クワッス！！」と2話続きで丁寧に心情が描かれたほか、第55話「対決！パルデア四天王」でも見応えあるバトルが展開されましたね。
青山：ドットの基礎テストが2話構成だったことは、私たちの間でも話題になりました。スタッフの方々とも話しましたが、ドットは心情がコロコロと変わる子ではないから、その変化をじっくり丁寧に描いていきたいという思いがあったそうです。
それとナンジャモ姉さんは、ドットにとって配信者としてもトレーナーとしても憧れている特別な存在ですね。バトルは楽しいものと教えてくれたりと、ナンジャモ姉さんからプラスのことばかり受け取っている印象があります。
―「災い転じて映えとなす！」というセリフも印象的でした。
青山：冒険前のドットだったら、絶対に言わなかったですよね。最初は「ボクの戦いはあくまでクレバー」というスタンスでしたから。

◆イケメンなクワッスと、まるで赤ちゃんのようなカヌチャン

―最近、クワッスのバトルシーンが続いてますよね。けっこう大変な目にあっている気がします……（笑）。
青山：それはもう、本当に申し訳ないです。ドットが不甲斐ないばかりに（笑）。
ポケモンバトルって、トレーナーの指示でポケモンが動くというのが基本です。でもドットがあまりに不甲斐ないから、クワッスは自分の判断で避けたりしながら、ドットに「大丈夫だから！」なんて伝えてくれるんです。
そこがもう、クワッスの強さと優しさですよね。トレーナーとポケモンの絆は、人それぞれ形が違いますけど、ドットはクワッスがいるからバトルできてます。 ―わかります。バトルのクワッスがイケメンすぎて。
青山：そうですよね！最近はとくにイケメンぶりが際立ってます。本当にクワッスってカッコ良いし、愛くるしいダンスなど可愛い部分もいっぱいあります。この後の活躍もぜひ期待してほしいです。 ―この先の成長に伴い、クワッスが進化する可能性もあるのかなと思っています。相棒の進化について、どう捉えていますか。
青山：リコのニャオハがニャローテに進化したとき、凄く嬉しい気持ちと同時に、「あの小さなニャオハとは、もうお別れなんだ」と、私自身も複雑な気持ちになってしまいました。でも進化したからこそ、絆もより強くなっているわけで。ああ、この気持ちをなんて表現すればいいんだろう。
私、それまでは「進化させてなんぼ！」って思ってたんですよ。でもいざ「アニポケ」で演じてみると、「一生クワッスと冒険していくと思っていたのに、そうじゃないのかもしれない」なんて考えが浮かんできちゃって。この先、クワッスがどうなるのかは分かりませんが、よく演者さんが“寂しい”と語る意味がようやくわかりました。
―なるほど。カヌチャンについてもお聞きします。赤ちゃんのようなカヌチャンの加入で、ドットの周囲も賑やかになってきました。どんな気持ちで見ていますか？
青山：リコやロイがミブリムやカイデンをゲットする中、ドットはクワッスとだけ旅をするのかななんて思ってた矢先のゲットだったので驚きました。
カヌチャンがフライパンに悪戯をしようとする時にドットがアワアワ慌てる場面なんか、クワッスだけだった頃とはだいぶ状況が異なりますよね。そのなかでドットに母性に近いものが芽生えてきたというか、ちょっとずつカヌチャンという、自分が手に負えないと思っていたものへの歩み寄りかたが見えてきたのかなって気がします。
私の大好きなシーンにカヌチャンが泣いているところがあって。きっとリコなら「大丈夫？どうしたの？」なんて優しく声を掛けるんですけど、不器用なドットだから「ええと…戻れ！」なんてモンスターボールに戻しちゃう。そういった、ドットだったらどうするっていう演出が伝わるようになっている脚本が大好きです。
―ところでカヌチャンって、最終進化するとデカヌチャンになるじゃないですか。デカヌチャンはアーマーガアを襲うという習性がありまして……。
青山：え、じゃあアメジオはどうなっちゃうんだろう！物知りなドットが、それを知らないわけないでしょうから、そんな展開が来るのかも楽しみです（笑）。

◆ドットが子供たちに、「嫌な奴」と思われてほしく

青山：そうそう、今の「アニポケ」を見ている子供たちからは、ドットよりぐるみんが愛されているようなんですよ。
―え、それはまたどうしてですか？
青山：冒険当初のリコのように、ドットとぐるみんが同じ人物だってわかっていない子もいるみたいなんです。大人はつい着ぐるみを見ると「中の人がいるんだろうな」なんて思っちゃいますけど、子供たちは純粋にぐるみんという存在を楽しんでいるというか。
この話は私にとって衝撃で、「子供たちがアニポケをどう見ているか」を考えるきっかけになりました。ドットって、「めんどくさい」「やだ」「やりたくない」とか、文字だけだと後ろ向きなセリフがとても多いじゃないですか。
―確かに文字だけだとネガティブに見えますね。
青山：でも、例えばなんで「めんどくさい」なんて言っているのか考えてみると、「早くぐるみんの配信がしたいのに、着ぐるみが乾いてないからめんどくさい」といった具合に、前向きなことに対して「めんどくさい」と言っているんですよ。
ドットを演じる際も、「単純にめんどくさい、やりたくないとだけ喋ると、本当にただの嫌な奴になっちゃうよ」というディレクションを頂いていて。確かにその通りですし、「アニポケ」を見てくれている子供たちにも嫌な奴って思わせたくないんです。だって、ドットって嫌な奴じゃないですから！
ドットの「めんどくさい」は、あくまで前向きな、その先に対する言葉です。そういう視点で見ると、全然イメージが変わります。
―なるほど。ところで着ぐるみといえば、最近は青山さんも着ぐるみに入られてましたね。
青山：あ、そうですね……ハイ、別の現場で入りました（笑）。あの時、ぐるみんの大変さがわかりましたね。ぐるみんの生配信ってけっこう長時間だし、何時間もあのテンションでかつ外ロケなんて考えると…。
青山が着ぐるみを着ても、暑すぎて15分が限界です……。もうね、ぐるみんを尊敬してます。どのお仕事が、どの役に影響を与えるか全然わからないですね（笑）。 ―最後にファンの方へ、メッセージをお願いします。
これまでの「アニポケ」はリコとロイの物語が主軸でしたが、「テラスタルデビュー」編からはドットも一緒に旅を歩みます。今はポケモンを知りたいというザックリとした好奇心で旅に出るドットですが、今後より具体的な目標が見えてくるのかなと思うと、それも楽しみですね。
それとドットに親近感を持つ方も多いと思います。自分も演じていて、「その一歩が踏み出せない」という気持ちが物凄くわかるし、だからこそ彼女の成長が胸に響きます。
この先、リコ、ロイ、ドットと三人それぞれまったく違う、ポケモンとの絆の在り方にも注目して見て頂けると嬉しいです！

The official Japanese Anime PR Twitter account posted a behind-the-scenes look at the making of this Anipoke episode with production artwork pieces on June 20th, 2024. The pictures featured Dot, Nanjamo and Poppy.

Dot key frame at: 9:03
Nanjamo key frame at: 5:19
Poppy key frame at: 10:48

We present key frames from Dot and Nanjamo VS Poppy from episode 55. What is Dot and Nanjamo's plan for taking on Poppy's super tough Pokémon going to be?

アニポケ マニア
第55話より、ドット＆ナンジャモ VS ポピー
の原画をご紹介
ポピーのカッチカチのポケモンちゃんたちに挑む
ドットとナンジャモの戦略とは…⁉

The official Japanese Anime PR Twitter account posted a behind-the-scenes look at the making of this Anipoke episode with production artwork pieces on June 20th, 2024. The pictures featured Roy, Colza and Hassaku.

Roy key frame at: 18:04
Colza key frame at: 14:47
Hassaku key frame at: 14:06

We present key frames from Roy and Colza VS Hassaku from episode 55. Roy's Terastal Orb is shining! How will this battle end...?

アニポケ マニア
第55話より、ロイ＆コルサ VS ハッサク
の原画をご紹介
ロイのテラスタルオーブが光っています
果たしてバトルの行方は…？