9 R.I.P.

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Toshiki Masuda

Now that recording is over, please share your impressions of the game with us!: In the beginning, the story unfolds from the player's perspective. Kureha mixes modern terms with era-specific language, which at times made it challenging to internalize the choice of words and complex language he had developed throughout his life.
What do you think is the appeal of your character?: While being one of the main characters of the game, Kureha isn't quite the straightforward or iconic presence you might expect in an otome game. Since his character isn't about whispering sweet words, I'm really looking forward to seeing how he resonates with the players.
Were there any lines or scenes that stood out to you?: Without giving anything away... The scene where the heroine first meets Kureha after being spirited away stands out to me. It's a critical moment in the story, and I took great care in performing it. I hope you'll pay close attention to it!
Lastly, any words for the fans as they look forward to the game's release?: 9 R.I.P. offers a huge amount of variety and scenarios to play through. It's a game that allows players to make choices based on their preferences and interests, so I think it will appeal to a wide audience. Of course, it would make me really happy if you like Kureka and find his route fun, but there are many other attractive characters, so I encourage you to pick up the game and try it for yourself!

Shunichi Toki

Now that recording is over, please share your impressions of the game with us!: First off, it was just genuinely a lot of fun! I feel like Hibiki is a character who grows a lot over the course of his route. I could feel his development throughout the recording, which in turn gave me a great sense of accomplishment. Despite having been in several Otomate titles, this was my first time playing a character who becomes romantically involved with the heroine, which I found deeply satisfying.
What do you think is the appeal of your character?: Hibiki might be the most undefined character in the cast. He is unstable, lacking confidence in himself and who he is supposed to be. There are moments when you might worry about him, and you may ask, "Is he really going to be okay?" But meeting the heroine pushes him to move forward and strive for change. Considering that ghosts are kind of immortal, or have a sort of permanent existence, I thought it was amazing that he could change himself in that state. Throughout his route, you catch glimpses of this transformation. It's not just his relationship with the heroine but also with Kureha that makes his character feel so rich, culminating in his growth into the man he aspires to be. I would say his transformation is what I find to be most appealing about him.
Were there any lines or scenes that stood out to you?: It's tough to share without spoiling, but maybe that's a blessing in disguise (laughs). Hibiki gets involved not just with the heroine, but with all sorts of people, and the way he interacts with them changes drastically from beginning to end. It's not one scene in particular, but the overall transformation that was a highlight for me. I hope you'll also notice how his dynamic changes with Kureha. In the bonus drama CD, they even get to a point where they can playfully tease each other, adding a fun layer to their relationship outside the main story. Above all, I hope you enjoy watching Hibiki's evolution as a character.
Lastly, any words for the fans as they look forward to the game's release?: I had the pleasure of playing Hibiki in 9 R.I.P. It's a beautiful story filled with charming characters, though it's a bit scary (laughs). While some aspects of the story may be frightening, that isn't the only aspect of it. I have no doubt that some scenes will warm your heart and make you feel very fulfilled. I hope you all progress at your own pace and find love with your favorite character. It's a tale packed with various emotions, and I hope you'll enjoy each and every route.

Ryota Suzuki

Now that recording is over, please share your impressions of the game with us!: I've always had a fondness for urban legends and occult stories, and 9 R.I.P. is a story dealing with those kinds of themes and characters! It was really exciting for me to be part of a world like that, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading the script.
What do you think is the appeal of your character?: Koyo is a very modern, youthful character. He might seem emotionally restrained and somewhat aloof, but being "Merry Mary," players will find that he's deeply compassionate and loving. He doesn't hesitate to help those in need, and not just the heroine. I was particularly touched by his strong attachment to his childhood friend, Sena. Koyo's always ready to act without hesitation for his friend's sake, and I thought that was part of what made him such a great boy.
Were there any lines or scenes that stood out to you?: The strong feelings that Koyo has for Sena left a strong impression on me. That said, Koyo's backstory is also very interesting. I don't want to spoil anything, but I will tell you that Koyo is not devoid of emotions. He's able to express his feelings and love at the climax. The scenes where he's showing his love towards people he wasn't fond of while having negative emotions and anger really stuck with me, and I found that impressive.
Lastly, any words for the fans as they look forward to the game's release?: Koyo, being a content creator, is a very contemporary character. This makes the story highly relatable and easy to understand, so I hope everyone enjoys it. Especially for those who are into the occult or spooky stories, this title is made for you. I hope you enjoy exploring the various routes.

Tetsuya Kakihara

Now that recording is over, please share your impressions of the game with us!: For this role as Sena, I was given a lot of freedom in my performance, which was great. The story, which is based on ghosts and urban legends, could easily have felt very dark, but I tried to infuse it with brighter elements too, which made the recording process a lot of fun! Everything went very smoothly.
What do you think is the appeal of your character?: Sena was an idol in his previous life, so he has a kind of bright, effervescent vibe, but he also carries a serious side, still chasing the dreams he couldn't achieve when he was alive. He might seem light-hearted at first glance, but deep down, he's very passionate about his dreams. The contrast between his gentlemanly core and strong desire to please his fans made this a great role to play.
Were there any lines or scenes that stood out to you?: There's a lot I can't reveal without spoiling the story, as Sena is a character shrouded in secrets (laughs). But if I were to hint at something, I would say the scene that plays homage to the Japanese Tanabata festival* was a very memorable scene for me.

*Editor's Note: The legend of Tanabata is about a princess and prince, Orihime and Hikoboshi, who were in love and tragically separated. They are only able to see one another once a year on Tanabata.
Lastly, any words for the fans as they look forward to the game's release?: Among Otomate's works, I can't think of another story that delves so deeply into ghosts, urban legends, and spirits. Participating in a work spiced so strongly with horror elements was a truly unique experience. I had a lot of fun playing the role, and I'm confident there's something for everyone to enjoy. Sena's route is especially melancholic and bittersweet, and I sincerely recommend it!

Nobuhiko Okamoto

Now that recording is over, please share your impressions of the game with us!: This game is themed around urban legends, spirits, and ghosts, which made the recording process a lot of fun! There were often times during recording when I would say, "Oh, hey! I know that term!" For example, the Minami route features an allusion to the urban legend of Kisaragi Station*, and that made me feel nostalgic. I'm sure everyone will be engulfed by these stories. Considering he's an incubus, the most difficult part of acting as Minami was his transformation from cute to more fearsome and masculine.
*Editor's Note: Kisaragi Station is a Japanese urban legend about a fictitious railway station. It is an unmanned station and doesn't appear on any maps.
What do you think is the appeal of your character?: From the beginning of the story, Minami is deceptive, teasing the heroine in her dreams. Given that he is an incubus, I hope the slightly risqué and sweet aspects, as well as how close he gets to the heroine, will thrill the players. Personally, I find his character design incredibly cute, which makes me really like him!
Were there any lines or scenes that stood out to you?: Minami harbors a big secret, but this becomes the backbone to the transformation he undergoes. This is revealed throughout his story. I would say the scenes that explain his ongoing transformation left the strongest impressions on me, including the scene where Minami has to deal with his inner turmoil. As an actor, I've experienced similar feelings, so I tried to perform those scenes with a lot of empathy and understanding. Once you get past that scene, there are a lot of light and flirtatious scenes too (laughs)! The scenes where Minami opens up about his internal struggles and gets released from them were very difficult to act out, so I hope you can pay attention to those.
Lastly, any words for the fans as they look forward to the game's release?: Minami's personality type is one I haven't played much recently. I would say he's in the top three in terms of being visually cute, so I'm sure many people were surprised to see him (laughs). I really put a lot of effort into portraying his deceptive nature, so I hope you enjoy that aspect of him!

Shinnosuke Tachibana

Now that recording is over, please share your impressions of the game with us!: Initially, Seiya gave off a strong yandere vibe, or rather, he seemed a bit depressed. But as the story progressed, I could tell he was very loyal, and I wasn't expecting that. It was clear his original kindness was seeping through. I also felt a major gap between his moody side and how he expresses his emotions towards Minami. I hope I was able to do justice to his steadfast and strong nature.
What do you think is the appeal of your character?: At his core, I think Seiya is a very serious character. He's a hard worker, and the seriousness with which he conducts himself is very attractive. However, sometimes his seriousness is misdirected, and that is what others see, so they think he's moody. But I think Seiya accepts it as a part of who he is. I think there's maturity in that, accepting the obsessive, mentally unstable parts of himself, and standing by them without caring what others think. Despite appearances, he has a strong mind and resolute heart, which I feel is his best trait.
Were there any lines or scenes that stood out to you?: I had a lot of scenes with Minami. Although they're like cats and dogs, there's an inseparable bond between them. It's a complicated relationship. They're troubled by each other's presence, yet they're always connected. In that sense, Minami is essential to Seiya as a character. There is no one else Seiya can project his anger onto, and because of his professional duties, he doesn't mingle with many people either. I think that shows in their scenes together. Oh, also, I personally thought scenes with Reika Misumi were super intense. That girl's up to no good!
Lastly, any words for the fans as they look forward to the game's release?: As a work featuring spirits, this story provides both spine-chilling tales perfect for summertime* and sweet romantic elements, offering a doubly enjoyable experience! Many mysterious characters appear, and when you watch the promotional trailer, you might wonder if some have dual personalities. I hope you enjoy both the horrific and romantic parts of the game. The character I played, Seiya, offers a mix of mentally instability and deeply devoted love, making for a great experience. I hope you enjoy this route and explore every part of the game! Thank you!
*Editor's Note: People in Japan often tell scary stories in the summer to get the "chills" and stay cool.

KENN

Now that recording is over, please share your impressions of the game with us!: I heard that Yukimaro's route was different from the others, offering a unique world of its own. I rarely get to play roles like that, which allowed me to approach voice recording in a refreshing and fun manner. His way of speaking his quite unique. I worried it might turn into a habit! (Laughs)
What do you think is the appeal of your character?: He's a very kind guardian spirit. While he has his childlike moments, he's straightforward and always prioritizes the happiness of others. Despite what he says, I think he's got a kind of "Prince Charming"-like effect to him.
Were there any lines or scenes that stood out to you?: Usually he's very expressive, boyish almost, but then there are moments when he shows his dignified side, which was cool. I put a lot of effort into the "Tonodamaru" scenes as well.
Lastly, any words for the fans as they look forward to the game's release?: Since each character leads to a completely different story, I hope you'll enjoy finding your favorite episodes.

Yohei Azakami

Now that recording is over, please share your impressions of the game with us!: I'm hungry (laughs)! In the Koharu route, there are many delicious foods, including omelets and parfaits. I was always afraid about whether my stomach would start growling during recording! The Spirit Routes in particular offered a lot of heartwarming elements all the way to the end, so I really enjoyed the recording. I had a lot of fun.
What do you think is the appeal of your character?: He's what you'd call a tsundere character for sure, but despite his prickliness, he lacks self-confidence in some areas. As his story progresses, you see his vulnerabilities and his surprisingly human qualities, despite the fact that he's a spirit. All of this contributes to his charm, and I tried to take a nuanced approach with the role, hoping the audience will grow to love him.
Were there any lines or scenes that stood out to you?: There were so many lively scenes with the heroine, Yukimaro, and Toka. Koharu is the only straight shooter in this group, making him the sole voice of reason (laughs). The banter between the three is like a comedy sketch, and I hope the audience can laugh and enjoy their interactions together.
Lastly, any words for the fans as they look forward to the game's release?: With ghosts and spirits as the game's theme, this work has a diverse cast and a large number of potential routes. Each route has their own elements to enjoy, but in Koharu's route in particular, I hope you'll be drawn in thanks to his kindness, determination, and unexpectedly insecure side the more you get to know him. The banter among the three characters in the Spirit Route is so entertaining with its mix of jokes and witty clapbacks. I'm confident everyone will enjoy it. Please look forward to the release.