The breakout anime hit, You and I Are Polar Opposites, has captivated audiences with its relatable portrayal of adolescent romance. Ahead of its second season, voice actors Sayumi Suzushiro, who voices the energetic Suzuki, and Shogo Sakata, who voices the reserved Tani, shared their experiences getting into character for the series. Both actors were already fans of the manga on which the anime is based, with Sakata noting he read the first volume as soon as it was released and continued purchasing subsequent volumes.
Suzushiro revealed that the characters' distinct fashion sense was a noticeable element, often inspiring her to mirror unique outfits in the recording booth. Sakata, however, found a surprising parallel between himself and his character, Tani, admitting he wasn't initially a fashion enthusiast and, like Tani, tended to wear a similar wardrobe daily. "I learned that I was much more like my character than I had originally thought," Sakata stated.
Stepping into Character
Getting into character for extended periods can be challenging, especially when portraying individuals with extreme personality traits. Suzushiro found a strong connection to Suzuki, seeing much of herself in the character. An exception was Suzuki's first-episode decision to wear fake eyelashes. "I actually put on fake eyelashes as well. It was my first time putting them on as well; it was very difficult to do," Suzushiro recounted.
Sakata developed his approach to embodying Tani's introversion by immersing himself in urban environments. "I would walk the streets. Trying to channel his thoughts. What would he be thinking? Or maybe he wouldn’t be thinking anything at all. Maybe he would just be spacing out," he explained. This method helped him connect with Tani's internal state and bring the character to life.
Natural Flow in Dialogue
The dynamic between Suzuki and Tani is central to the anime, and the actors' prior collaboration on another project facilitated their chemistry. Crucially, the production ensured that Suzushiro and Sakata faced each other in the recording booth while performing their lines. This setup was designed to foster a more natural flow in their conversations, enhancing the authenticity of their interactions. The series, celebrated for its upbeat tone and focus on character development, continues with new episodes now streaming on Crunchyroll.