46 How I Became a Voice Actor in Japan (Reina)

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we learn what it's like going to school in Japan to become a seiyū (voice actor).

About Reina (麗)

Reina is a professional voice actor living in Tokyo. While originally from the U.K., Reina went to Japan with the intent of becoming a seiyū (voice actor). Her quest to enter the voice acting industry in Japan led her to attend a two year voice acting school in Tokyo. Since graduating Reina has done both voice acting and stage acting in Japan. Currently, Reina is working on a project called Anigorin. The aim of Anigorin is to create an original anime short in order to promote cross-cultural understanding and offer unique working experiences to creatives from both Japan and abroad.

Topics Discussed

• What "Jiko PR" is
• What the audition process in the Japanese voice acting industry is like
• How Fist of the North Star blew Reina's mind (figuratively) and helped spark her interest in anime
• The problem with copying the language heard in anime when trying to learn Japanese
• What it's like attending a Japanese school for aspiring voice actors
• What is taught and what classes are offered at a Japanese voice acting school
• Performing voice acting live
• What kind of works/materials are used in Japanese voice acting school
• The importance of understanding the subtleties of kanji when reviewing a script for a performance
• Mastering Japanese pitch accent and intonation
• Over the top stereotypical depictions of foreigners speaking Japanese in anime
• What bidakuon (鼻濁音) is
• What Anigorin is
• What the Anigorin project hopes to achieve
• The challenges of the Anigorin project
• The importance of nakama and believing in each other
• Making it through the coronavirus pandemic
• And much more!

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Links, Videos, Etc.

For more information on Reina or Anigorin, make sure to check out the links below.

• Reina Website
• Reina on Facebook
• Reina on Twitter
• Reina on Instagram
• Anigorin Website (Coming Soon as of 9/1/20)
• Anigorin on Instagram
• Anigorin on Twitter
• Anigorin on Facebook

To read the Japan Times article about Reina that was mentioned at the beginning of the interview, check out the link below.

• Londoner finds her voice on the Tokyo stage

Reina attended the Tokyo School of Anime. For more information on this school, check out the link below. FYI: it appears that the school has changed its name to Tokyo School of Anime & E-Sports (東京アニメ・声優＆eスポーツ専門学校).

• Tokyo School of Anime & E-Sports

To check out the latest episode of Ichimon Japan, check out the link below.

• Why are school rules in Japan so strict? (All About Kōsoku) | Ichimon Japan 23

Special Thanks

Opening/Closing song: Oedo Controller (大江戸コントローラー) by Yunomi featuring Toriena (Used with permission from Yunomi)
To listen to more of Yunomi's music, check out his Soundcloud page or YouTube channel.

Japan Station cover art: Provided by Erik R.

Featured image: Courtesy of Reina

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Full Show Notes

• Get full show notes at www.japanstationpodcast.com