Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on June 2010
Where are you from and when did you come to Japan?
I am from Novosibirsk, Russia, and I came to Tokyo in 2005. After graduating college in IT and economics, I realized I wanted to give my voice to Japanese animations as a seiyu.
What was your first encounter with otaku culture?
When I was 17, I saw Sailor Moon on a Russian TV channel. I fell in love immediately, and established an anime club in my city. We exchanged videotapes with otaku in other cities and created our own small events. We didn’t have anime in Russia at all back then, and it was me and my friends who spread anime culture in the country. When I got a PC, I made my own homepage and was discovered by Japanese fans.
How do you feel about the otaku community?
My definition of “otaku” has changed since living in Tokyo: an otaku truly loves anime (or anything you want), and expresses it. I don’t think otaku are bad. They have enough courage to admit that they are otaku.
How’s your career as a seiyu going?
Actually, I worked on producing the Russian version of the Black Lagoon manga, back in 2004. After that, it became an anime and I helped with the Russian pronunciation there too, but since I wasn’t in a proper agency and didn’t have enough experience, I didn’t get any voice jobs. But somehow, through many wonderful coincidences, my work on this manga led to my debut role in Evangelion.
What is your fan base like?
There are old fans who have become friends, and newer ones since I became more of a star. Sometimes people say, “I don’t know much about anime, but I like you.” I don’t care if my fan is an otaku or not—it just means that we can understand each other quicker!
What is the best thing about being in this industry? And the toughest?
The best thing is that I meet talented people; not just seiyu, but directors, writers and animators. There is so much to learn from them. The toughest thing is wanting to speak Japanese better. I have to learn not only the language, but what is hiding beneath it—the Japanese way of life.
What do you have in store for the future?
I want to sing! I have released some indie CDs, but I want a major solo debut. That is my goal for 2010. And, of course, more anime roles!
