Please say something in Asuka’s voice
If you like to squeeze boobs, why don’t you squeeze yours.
Please introduce yourself
Hello everyone! Good booby day! Big and thick stuff is great! I’m reading out these words on this bit of paper.
I’m Hitomi Harada, the voice for the main role – Asuka in Bakunyu Hyper Battle. Is she still the main role in Estival Versus? I’m not sure. OK, I’m Hitomi Harada, the voice for Asuka – the main role in the first Senran Kagura game.
It’s been three years since the first Senran Kagura was made. Can you tell us how did you feel when accepting the performance offer in this Bakunyu (literally translated as exploding breasts) Hyper Battle game?
When I realised that so many Shinobi girls are trying their best when fighting in fierce battles, I tried my best as well when recording the voice. Then I found out about more of the sexy scenes being included. Nowadays, Bakunyu Hyper Battle is an established game genre and Senran Kagura represents it. Senran Kagura started from the game alone, and moved to anime and radio programmes. Character songs are also available. It has broadened outside of just games. The game contents are increasing, and so is the number of characters. The characters have formed a big family. I have been playing Asuka from the very first Senran Kagura game, when she was the main role and I got used to performing this role. Asuka is also growing, in all perspectives! Thanks for all the fans’ support that makes the game what it is today!
What are the similarities and differences between you and Asuka in terms of hobbies and characteristics?
Asuka has a strong sense of justice. She is an honest and straightforward girl. In terms of similarities… do you guys think that I’m similar with Asuka?
For me, I’m also an honest and frank person. This is similar to Asuka. I share with Asuka the common characteristic of not compromising beliefs.
My hobby now is playing social games. I’ve been a gamer for a long time, and of course I have played Senran Kagura a lot as well as other games. Another hobby of mine is hiking.
Do you enjoy Asuka’s favourite food? Can you tell us your favourite food?
Asuka’s favourite food is futomaki rolls. I like sushi a lot and often visit sushi restaurants. From starting my performance of Asuka, I began to share the same feelings with Asuka about the smell and nostalgic feelings she has towards sushi restaurants. So I do have similarities with Asuka on sushi and futomaki rolls.
The stage of Senran Kagura Estival Versus is on the beach in midsummer. In real life, do you like going to the beach or mountains?
In real life, between the beach and mountains, I prefer the beach. But I also like mountains if it’s to go hiking. So I like both. Although I haven’t been to the beach recently, if I’ve got the chance, I would want to go with all Senran Kagura characters. It would be a magnificent scene.
Please tell us the highlights of Estival Versus
There are 25 characters in total – that’s a lot of characters. They will make battle scenes even better. Each character has her own personality and is cute, strong, and extremely beautiful. You can explore and develop their skills. As a gamer, this game is fun to play and it’s full of elements that I want to enjoy. In addition, the touching bits in the changing room is even more fulfilling. I think it’s been over-fulfilled (laughs). I want to enjoy this part of the game as well. I think some new elements like being able to see through the costumes is a great idea. The Bakunyu Producer has really put everything he wants to do in this game. I can feel the great passion put into this game – so please enjoy these additional elements.
Which new character catches your attention?Ryoki. The sister Ryoki. Kikuko Inoue performs her voice. I was really surprised to find her performing in Senran Kagura. Although in some parts of the game, she appears in certain recollections without being voice acted. Because of Ryoki’s young age, I can feel the staffs’ love for both the character Ryoki and her voice actress Kikuko (note: Kikuko’s age being 50). This really caught my attention.
Which conversations or scenes left you with the biggest impression?
This might be a spoiler…Asuka says “I want to have more sympathy with the other girls (could also be translated as: I want to be more ‘touchy, feely’ with other characters)”. Doesn’t this sound strange? I have performed this sentence in a light-hearted tone. It’s the first time Asuka has said something like this.
In the Senran Kagura series, you can change costumes for characters in the changing room. Which costumes do you like to wear and which ones do you want Asuka to wear?
I want Asuka to wear a futomaki roll. Unlike her appearance in Bon Appetit, I think Asuka will be cute when squeezing into a futomaki roll with only her arms and legs sticking out. While fighting in a battle, the futomaki roll will gradually break away (laughs)
For me personally I’d like to try many costumes. The gakuran that Daidoji wears (see the image below) looks really cool. I want to try that.
During the battles in Senran Kagura, costumes will get ripped off. Have you ever experienced in real life, your clothes being unexpectedly broken or ripped?
Yes I have. Don’t clothes normally get broken? No?
(Interviewer: do you mean for example, as if you fell down some stairs?)
Yes it happens, doesn’t it? Like when you are panicking, clothes may get caught and tear.
A few days ago I was performing in a live concert. I was wearing a dress with very thin, nearly invisible shoulder straps. I had to move my body extensively – and I don’t know how, maybe because of an impulsive movement, my shoulder straps broke in the middle. When I noticed, it had already broken in half. This made me appreciate the costumes in Senran Kagura – no matter how much the characters jump or move their bodies, the costumes are strong enough not to break. So, my shoulder straps might have broken when I jumped in the concert. It was already in the second half of the song when I noticed. I could almost sense an oncoming moment of silence from the crowd. I was worried about whether they had noticed or not. It could have caused some trouble – but in the end it was ok. I have decided to be more careful in the future.
Amongst the characters in Senran Kagura, who do you like to go hiking with?
Amongst the characters up until now, I would choose Hibari, the one I’d like to “assault”. One more character would be Hanabi in Estival Versus. Although they are different in many ways, they are both large-hearted characters. You can tell Hanabi’s large-heartedness from the way she shows up and maneuvers her weapon. So, I’ll go hiking with Hibari and Hanabi alternately.
What will you say to Mirai and Ryobi?
Because this is a Bakunyu Hyper Battle game, it’s all about the size you know. The fact is, you’re a ‘hill’ or a ‘plain’. But I think small boobs are fine.
Can you tell us the charms of small boobs?
I think the look that some people have when they worry about their size is charming – you can find a certain shyness, confusion, and angst about their appearance. There are also girls that are more suited for small boobs. I think they have a lot of charm.
Which part of Senran Kagura do you like?
The fierce battles. Despite other elements like sexiness, personally as the voice actress of Asuka, I performed throughout the series and experienced more and more of the fierce battles like the one with Homura – Asuka’s strongest friend. This is a series of games that carries on its core elements. The fierce battles are really important.
Please introduce the charm of Senran Kagura to those first time players
This is a game brought to you with confidence. You can find sexy parts, cute parts, and fierce battles in this game. You will enjoy this game in all ways. Anyone who have never tried previous Senran Kagura games, do have a play!
Please use one word/sentence to conclude the game
Bakunyu
What are your expectations of Senran Kagura in the future?
I’ve talked about this several times. There should be a 3D film. I strongly feel that we should make a 3D film. I even have a vision in my head that everyone would rejoice in their living rooms when they see the advertisement. The first Senran Kagura game sprang into fame when it was launched. I wish there will be a new piece of work that leads Senran Kagura into a new era.
Our staff is coughing (laughs)
Yes it will be splendid to have a 3D film. In addition, I think a Senran Kagura arcade game, at least for me, is really fun. But the age rating for arcade games is pretty strict. I don’t think Senran Kagura would make it.
What does “Bakunyu” mean to you?
There are “hills”…
What is your message to those fans waiting for Senran Kagura Estival Versus?
At last, the new Senran Kagura game is launching soon. I still have some recording work to do. Extremely fierce battles are in the game. There are charming new characters. I’ll be glad if you make some noise when playing with your family (laughs). Some pros for Senran Kagura is ‘happy boobs’. I hope you have fun with this game. I’m Hitomi Harada, the voice for Asuka. See you again in the game.