"What's with the grim face? Like a soldier fresh from a battlefield of corpses and blood," Kashiwai Ippei said, scrolling on his phone in the waiting room, surprised to see Takizawa return. "Did you bomb it and get chewed out?"
"Not sure. The sound director didn't seem too displeased. Probably average?" Takizawa said, scratching his head.
"It's normal for newbies to stumble at auditions. Even seasoned pros do. It's not just about fitting the role—salary, popularity, and the production's preferences all play a part," Kashiwai said warmly, patting his shoulder. "Failing an audition is standard. Don't carry too heavy a burden. For your first go, just making a good memory is enough."
"Kashiwai-san, you seem awfully invested in me," Takizawa said, suspicious. He'd long sensed something off—the agent's gaze was like a housewife eyeing prime pork.
"Haha, caught that?" Kashiwai grinned, unapologetic. "It's more the agency that's invested in you."
"Me? A nobody newbie? What's so special?" Takizawa sat, puzzled. "Got a relative in management or something?"
"Sorry, no such luck," Kashiwai said, rubbing his palms, gathering his thoughts. "Takizawa-kun, do you know what makes I'm Enterprise unique?"
"It's a voice acting agency."
"With so many out there, we're a bit different."
Kashiwai leaned back. "I'm Enterprise started as a subsidiary of Arts, a talent agency, to house backups. But with steady talent from our training school, we grew strong enough to stand alone. Arts is known for grooming so-called 'idol voice actors.' Remember the first stage of our free rookie program?"
"Forgot," Takizawa said, deadpan.
"Sending in your photo," Kashiwai said, exasperated.
"Huh?"
"Good looks get you in the top tier. Sure, you shone in the interviews and performance tests, but your face was the key," Kashiwai said, pausing. "The reviewers thought you sent your headshot to the wrong place—like you meant to apply for a pop idol agency. You fit their vibe perfectly."
"Isn't this a behind-the-scenes job?" Takizawa shuddered, recalling the pain of smiling as a waiter.
"Twenty, thirty years ago, yeah. Back then, voice acting wasn't glamorous—awkward status, pay barely half the industry average," Kashiwai said, adjusting his gold-rimmed glasses. "But gaming and music industries changed that. Voice actor magazines popped up, they started doing events, releasing CDs as characters and themselves. Now, some labels produce anime just to cast their signed voice actors."
"Is that good? Doesn't it mess up the industry's flow?" Takizawa asked.
"Some veterans gripe it's ruining the field. But successful commercial cases sparked 'voice actor booms.' The job's way shinier now—who's to say what's right?" Kashiwai shrugged, sipping water. "It's tied to anime's shift. Kids' time slots gave way to variety shows. Outside old classics, anime rarely hits prime time. Voice actors used to learn from veterans on year-long sets. Now, with single-season shows, newbies barely learn before it's over."
Kashiwai sighed. "Relying on acting alone is dull. It's all about photo books, music albums, concerts. That's the era—agencies and actors just roll with it."
Takizawa nodded, reflective. "No matter how fun the job, once it's on the capital's table, it's all about compromises and profit."
They sighed in unison, kindred spirits.
Just toiling for bread. Standing on a noisy platform, they heard the train of money roar by—some caught it, others got crushed.
The half-open door creaked. A voice spoke firmly.
"Times change, but as the chosen, voice actors must hold fast to their core."
A brown shirt, gray sweater, short hair—a 60-year-old everyman off the street, but in the studio, the undisputed sound director.
He looked at them, voice deep. "If fate grants you a role that mirrors your soul, blending performance, emotion, and visuals, a story from another world becomes real. That moment, like a miracle, is indescribably beautiful."
Kashiwai snapped to, standing to greet him. "Hard day's work? Auditions done?"
"A few left. Taking a break to deliver news." The director turned to Takizawa. "You passed. Your debut, right? Memorable moment."
"Thank you," Takizawa said quickly.
"Looks like you're treating," Kashiwai said, grinning.
Takizawa touched his wallet pocket, mood sinking.
"How about joining us, Nagasaki-san? Dinner, and you can guide the newbie," Kashiwai said to the director.
"You've been pushing this for days. Never seen you so fired up," The director said, smirking.
Takizawa eyed the two, clearly close, then hesitated. "Kashiwai-san, did you pull strings behind my back? Were you plotting to fleece my wallet all along?"
The director burst out laughing. "Relax, you passed on merit. No shady moves. I've got ethics. But your agent and I go way back—work connections. He's been nudging me to meet, trying to build your network."
"Let the rookie treat a big-shot director to dinner and learn. Grant his earnest wish," Kashiwai chimed in.
"Fine, fine. I've been craving that Harajuku spot. We'll go after I'm done," The director nodded.
Before Kashiwai could nudge further, Takizawa stepped forward, reserved but eager. "I'm honored you'd spare time from your busy schedule, Director. I've long admired your work. Please share the hidden side of animation with me."
"Your performance was solid, especially your on-the-spot shift. I'm curious what you were thinking," The director said, extending a hand. "First meeting, newbie. I'm Nagasaki Yukimasa, just an ordinary sound tech, as you see."
***
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