It was 12 years ago when voice actress Aya Hirano (平野 綾) won the Voice Acting Award at the 2007 Tokyo Anime Awards for her role as Haruhi Suzumiya (涼宮ハルヒ) in TV anime series The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (涼宮ハルヒの憂鬱). Since then she has been one of the most popular idol voice actresses in the industry.
Hirano has played roles such as Misa Amane in Death Note, Konata Izumi in Lucky Star, and Lucy Heartfilia in Fairy Tail. But many anime fans may wonder her whereabouts after reducing her voice acting jobs in recent years. Indeed, Hirano has become a new star in the theatrical stage since 2011, as she debuted in stage play Wuthering Heights.
Hirano shared her childhood dreams with QooApp in an exclusive interview in Japan Expo, Paris.
“I still recall every detail when I first watched the broadway show, Peter Pan. I was eight years old and was stunned by the thrilling scene when the crocodile appeared. I never knew that a musical can be so real! Since then, I always wanted to be a stage actress and my dream has finally come true!” Hirano said with a smile.
It may well explained why she focused on theatrical play in recent years, while she has participated in lots of production in Japan, including Les Misérables, Rockabilly Jack, Spamalot, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Rebecca and Higashino Keigo’s (東野 圭吾) stage adaptation The Murder at the Mansion Masquerade (仮面山荘殺人事件).
▲ Poster of Higashino Keigo’s stage adaptation The Murder at the Mansion Masquerade
However, Hirano said that it doesn’t mean that she would give up her voice acting and singing career. “I have been a voice actress since I was 12. This job has given me so many precious memories and I would never quit. I want to be an artist that is opened to a variety of jobs. There are so many good anime in recent years that I wish I have participated. I hope to join Attack on Titan one day. It will be cool if I could transform into a giant! ”
▲ Hirano hopes to join the popular anime series Attack on Titan one day
Speaking of anime, Hirano expressed that she was inspired to be a voice actress after watching the shōjo anime series Sailor Moon (美少女戦士セーラームーン) when she was a kid. “Like many girls in my age, I wanted to be a Sailor Senshi (セーラー戦士) and battle against the villains. I was particularly fond of Haruka Tenoh (天王 はるか). I am always attracted to strong and powerful woman, maybe because deep in my heart, I want to become one,” Hirano said.
▲ Sailor Uranus is Hirano’s favourite character in Sailor Moon
In her voice acting career, Hirano showcased talents in a variety of roles. Haruhi Suzumiya is undoubtedly a special role for her as it remains one of her most recognizable roles until now. However, Hirano said that she is not as energetic as Haruhi in real life. “My personality is more like Izumi in Lucky Star. I am kind of lazy and always daydreaming like her,” she laughed.
▲ Konata Izumi in Lucky Star
Among all her characters, she referred Misa Amane in Death Note to be the character contrasted her the most. “It is true to say that Misa is kind of mad in the anime. Before the recordings, I was already a fan of the manga and its protagonist Light Yagami. So I project all my feelings into Misa. Just like her, I am also crazy in love with Light!”
Hirano cherished all her memories as a voice actress, particularly in her days when she played Lucy Heartfilia in anime Fairy Tail. “I have played this role for over ten years and the cast is like a family to me. Funny thing is that all the cast members find similarity in their characters. That’s why we become close friends like the anime. It was sad that the anime finally comes to an end and I hope that someday I can meet the Fairy Tail family again.”
▲Hirano hoped she has chances to play Lucy Heartfilia from Fairy Tail again
As one of the pioneers of “idol voice actress” that has become increasingly popular in recent years, Hirano gained applause for her performance in Haruhi Suzumiya’s character song, God Knows. She has released four albums, one compilation albums and 12 singles in the name of Aya Hirano. She admitted that singing as her characters and as herself requires totally different techniques.
“You have to consider a lot while singing character songs. As you have to present her voices without shattering the personalities of the characters, you have to accurately control your voices,” she manifested. “I heard that nowadays there are singing and dancing parts in voice actress audition. I guess it is good as it provides more job opportunities for voice actress, but I also wish that people won’t be too harsh on them.”
This August, Hirano will hold her first live concert in four years in Tokyo, Kanagawa, Osaka and Aichi. Named as The AYA HIRANO SPECIAL LIVE 2019~Storm Rider~, the concert will include original songs by Hirano, anime theme songs, and musical theatre songs.
“The concert actually comes from a crowdfunding campaign, which aims to put together a ‘hands-on menu’ for fans. I will sing the top ranking songs that was selected from a poll by fans. I have also selected some of my favourite musical tracks to showcase a different side of me,” Hirano said.
Check out the information of Hirano’s concert in her official website and Twitter account!