Dodge Danko Anime by CUE Unveils Teaser Visual and Cast: Manaka Nakayama Leads as Danko, Noriko Hidaka Returns as Danpei

Noriko Hidaka as Danpei Ichigeki and Manaka Nakayama as Danko Ichigeki: Special “Ichigeki” Conversation

ーーToday we speak with Manaka Nakayama, who has been selected to play the protagonist Danko Ichigeki in Honoo no Tokyujo Dodge Danko, and Noriko Hidaka, who voiced Danpei in the original Honoo no Tokyuji Dodge Danpei and will reprise his past role as well as serve as narrator in the new series. First, could you share your impressions after reading the original Dodge Danko manga?

■Manaka Nakayama
When I was invited to audition, I watched the Dodge Danpei anime and read the Dodge Danko manga, and I was deeply moved by how cool they were. The direction of their outrageous energy differs somewhat between Danpei and Danko, but they share the same burning passion of never giving up, no matter how battered they become. I read it with sparkling excitement, thinking that I wanted to be like that too.

Both works are straightforward and classic in spirit, but I feel that Dodge Danko has a distinctly Reiwa era sense of humor. That is reflected in the fact that the story centers on adorable female characters. Their personalities are even more extreme than those in Danpei, and their special moves are equally unconventional. At the same time, the matches contain homages to Danpei, so I believe the DNA of Danpei has been firmly inherited.

ーーSince Danpei began serialization in the first year of the Heisei era, Dodge Danko seems to contain both elements that change with the times and those that remain constant.

■Noriko Hidaka
I never imagined that the story of Danpei’s daughter would begin in the Reiwa era, so I was truly surprised. I was happy to feel that for the original creator Tetsuhiro Koshita, Danpei remains a very precious work. At the same time, after reading the manga I thought, “Sensei has really pushed things in a bold direction,” she laughs.

It has been thirty five years since Danpei began. Back then, Sensei was young, and because the magazine targeted elementary school readers, there must have been various constraints that required him to hold back. Over the long span of his career, his growth as a manga artist and as a person seems to have given rise to a greater sense of playfulness. I felt that he was truly enjoying drawing it. There is a mature humor of “Nothing binds me now. I will do what I want,” combined with the hot blooded spirit that ran through Danpei. Dodge Danko has that dual appeal.

ーーNakayama, acting alongside Hidaka, who portrayed Danpei before you, must have come with a great deal of pressure.

■Manaka Nakayama
At first I wondered if I truly belonged there. But Hidaka was incredibly kind. On set she would ask me, “You are shouting so much, is your throat okay?” Thanks to her, I no longer feel nervous.

■Noriko Hidaka
For Manaka, this is her first regular role and her first leading role. The pressure of standing at the center among so many accomplished actors must have been immeasurable.

■Manaka Nakayama
It truly was. Before recording episode one, my manager told me, “Do not sit at the edge.” I thought, “Wait, does that mean I cannot even open and close the studio door?” she laughs. But once recording began, the energy on set was incredible. Everyone was having so much fun with their performances that before I knew it, I was excitedly joining in.

■Noriko Hidaka
Manaka is very confident in the strength of her throat. Apparently she has never lost her voice no matter how much she shouts. After recording Danpei, my own voice would become hoarse every time, so I find her very reassuring to watch. Dodge Danko has many scenes where they shout, does it not?

■Manaka Nakayama
Especially in episodes one and two. It was shout, shout, shout, special move, special move. It felt like racing all the way to the peak of tension.

■Noriko Hidaka
And your voice does not go hoarse?

■Manaka Nakayama
Not at all. It is incredibly fun.

■Noriko Hidaka
In Dodge Danko, the girls are asked to deliver the burning soul cries typical of CoroCoro Comic style shonen manga. It may even be hotter than necessary. Everyone begins at full intensity, yet the staff keeps urging, “Hotter. Put more soul into it.” They demand performances beyond our limits. That is precisely why it is a true hot blooded anime. The characters and settings are more outrageous than Danpei and the comedic mode is delightful, but once the switch to hot blooded mode is flipped, you can clearly feel that it is the rightful successor inheriting Danpei’s spirit.

ーーAside from the characters you portray, do you have any favorites?

■Noriko Hidaka
Without question, Hirako, the daughter of Danpei’s rival Taiga Nikaido. I cannot help but wonder how someone like Taiga could have such a daughter.

■Manaka Nakayama
Taiga was a perfect handsome hero.

■Noriko Hidaka
Exactly. He was refreshing and upright, the embodiment of fairness. Out of respect for Danpei, he took the character for “hei” from Danpei’s name and named his daughter Hirako. Growing up hearing stories about Danpei, Hirako deeply admires him. That makes me happy, but unless Taiga married someone very unusual, how did things turn out like that, she laughs.

The set often showcases the incredible abilities of the actors, whether in passionate or comedic scenes. I also really like Chinko.

■Manaka Nakayama
I love Chinko. At first she acts as a brake on Danko, but she gradually becomes more and more unrestrained and intense. Kaori Maeda’s performance escalates along with her character. She seems like a serious class representative type at first, but becomes increasingly hilarious. She starts as the straight man but ends up leaning into the jokes herself. Her wildness symbolizes the idea that “This series has no brakes.”

ーーIn this series, Danpei appears as an adult. Nakayama, he plays your character’s father, and Hidaka, he represents Danpei’s future self. Do you have any episodes to share about the actor portraying adult Danpei?

■Manaka Nakayama
He encouraged me, saying, “It will be okay,” when I felt awkward in my first lead role. In scenes where adult Danpei speaks with tiny Danko perched on his shoulder, he performed with both reliability and humor at full power. I felt I could rely on him completely. He is kind, reassuring, and broad minded.

■Noriko Hidaka
An adult male Danpei is a role I could never play, so I entrusted it to him. After a test recording he asked, “Was that all right?” I told him, “As long as he is bright and positive, anything else is fine.”

ーーBright and positive also describes Danko.

■Manaka Nakayama
Yes. She expresses her emotions very honestly. Rather than overthinking and shrinking back, I feel it is important to step forward boldly and express her straightforwardly. I am surrounded by dependable co stars, so I try to throw my full, honest feelings into every performance.

ーーHidaka, when you originally played Danpei, what did you keep in mind?

■Noriko Hidaka
It was my first time portraying a boy of Danpei’s size and intensity. When I first read the original manga, I thought, “What an energetic child.” He was like a ball filled to the brim with air. I wanted to express that explosive vitality.

He could be sweet and childlike when speaking to his mother, and there were many comedic scenes. I based him on brightness, but when dodgeball began, his soul would ignite. That contrast was my goal. His straightforward nature has clearly been passed on to Danko.

ーーDo you have any memorable recording episodes?

■Manaka Nakayama
There was an episode where Hidaka, as narrator, concluded with “To be continued.” Even though we had not planned it, everyone in the studio spontaneously applauded. I did too. We all felt, “This is the ‘To be continued’ we wanted to hear.”

■Noriko Hidaka
Even that line was requested to be delivered “with hot blood.” Recording Dodge Danko inevitably brings back memories of Danpei. Back then, Masako Nozawa voiced Chinnen. Just being able to work with her was a joy, but her vocal power was overwhelming. In early exchanges, Chinnen sounded even more energetic than Danpei. I had to match her strength take after take. When everyone shouts in Dodge Danko, those memories resurface. It feels as though I am traveling between the studio of the past and the present in my heart.

ーーWhat are the highlights of the series?

■Manaka Nakayama
Everything. The passionate story and distinctive characters are all highlights. In particular, please pay attention to the special moves. Each one condenses the user’s personality. They embody both their strengths and what they wish to overcome. The match scenes are fast paced and suspenseful, and every special move becomes the key to victory. During recording I found myself thinking, “How wonderful,” hearing all these cute, beautiful, and cool techniques. I cannot wait for everyone to see them.

■Noriko Hidaka
Danko meets her teammates, forms friendships, and becomes part of a team. Even as she becomes battered, she fights for her friends. As they battle fueled by friendship, something also emerges between them and rival teams. The excitement of the audience revives fallen players. I hope viewers will feel that exchange of energy. It is a series that makes you think, “I will do my best again tomorrow.”

ーーHidaka, do you have a message for Nakayama?

■Noriko Hidaka
Pour all your energy into every line. Continue pouring your soul into Danko until you are completely burned out.

■Manaka Nakayama
I will treasure those words.

■Noriko Hidaka
It will be challenging, but please take care of your health so you can always deliver a strong voice.

■Manaka Nakayama
I am giving it my all with joy. I will manage my condition carefully and expand my limits.

ーーFinally, a message to the fans.
■Manaka Nakayama
Whether you grew up with Danpei, read Dodge Danko, or are discovering this world for the first time through the anime, I will perform with everything I have. Please watch with excitement and full energy.

■Noriko Hidaka
Some fans may feel a little nostalgic or even lonely that Danpei’s sequel centers on girls. But Danpei appears as well, and I narrated him with the feeling of him having grown slightly older. I am also delighted that Ichigeki Haruka, Danpei’s mother and Danko’s grandmother, appears in such a cool way. There are many characters that longtime fans will remember fondly. I hope you enjoy this hot blooded shonen anime where girls give it their all.

Source : ORICON NEWS