Nakayama Yoshiko is the producer of the anime Anne Shirley, based mostly on the Anne of Inexperienced Gables novels, and Inoue Honoka is the voice of the titular heroine. This interview was additionally performed after I had already attended the Anne Shirley panel at Anime Central 2025.
Hi there, thanks for coming to this interview. I actually take pleasure in Anne Shirley; I’m a fan of Anne of Inexperienced Gables as nicely, so I used to be glad to see this new anime being created, in addition to Ms. Inoue’s portrayal of Anne.Â
Inoue: Thanks!
Between the beloved 1979 anime and the final reputation of Anne of Inexperienced Gables in Japan, in addition to the quite a few diversifications all over the world, was it intimidating to create a brand new Anne anime? How did you overcome this strain?
Nakayama: I used to be a fan of the unique novel, and I feel this is applicable to everybody who loves Anne of Inexperienced Gables, however I feel Anne exists in all of us. As for me, I noticed the story a bit of otherwise, and that’s precisely why I wished to make this anime.Â
In order that’s why I wished to begin this mission. I’m conscious of Director Takahata’s anime from 1979 however I haven’t seen it myself. When the mission was greenlit, I used to be excited. Nevertheless, the remainder of the manufacturing workers was most likely a bit of nervous.
For Nakayama: I imagine feminine anime administrators are comparatively uncommon, and feminine producers even moreso. Do you may have any recommendation for different ladies who would possibly aspire to do the identical factor?
That is my first time as the principle producer for the mission. As for recommendation, you want a number of stamina, a number of love for the mission, and have a robust coronary heart, and to not hand over.
My subsequent query is directed in direction of Inoue-san. I really interviewed your mom, Inoue Kikuko, again in 2019. Attending to interview you now’s wonderful, simply because I’ve gotten to speak to each mom and daughter over time. Again then, she instructed me that she practiced with you at house. Is there any recommendation that you simply actually took to coronary heart out of your mom?
Inoue: I’m honored to satisfy you as nicely—thanks very a lot! My mom all the time tells me to present it your all. It’s been some time since I debuted, so we haven’t practiced for some time, however with Anne Shirley, it’s completely different. My mom is a really massive fan of Muraoka Hanako-sensei’s translation of Anne of Inexperienced Gables, so each episode, she asks if she will be able to watch it with me. I feel the Anne Shirley–esque qualities in my mom is perhaps an affect on my efficiency.
Inoue-san, Anne is such an expressive, talkative character, that taking part in her should be an actual feat. Is there something you attempt to remember as you voice Anne Shirley?Â
Inoue: I don’t notably maintain something in thoughts, and I don’t actually have a selected manner I am going a couple of function, however I do assume rather a lot about how I wish to categorical Anne’s strains once I carry out her function.
This subsequent query is to each: What messages do you assume Anne Shirley the present carries for a brand new era discovering Anne of Inexperienced Gables for the primary time?
Inoue: I feel the message is to not lose issues like your creativeness and your hope, and to proceed residing as your self. Additionally, inside our day by day lives, there’s simply magnificence in every single place and all of it has that means, and I feel that’s what Anne is attempting to inform us.
Nakayama: I’ve the same reply, however I feel in case you strategy issues with creativeness and braveness, you can also make it via even when occasions get powerful otherwise you really feel trapped, and also you would possibly even change life for the higher. That’s what I wish to convey via this work.
These are all my questions. Thanks very a lot!
