A cyber-battle fantasy centered on the survival of mankind! Cyber Sentai Last Angels SP STAGE 3 2ND OPERATION” interview with Kana Hanazawa, voice of Grace
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“Cyber Sentai Last Angels” is a large-scale mixed media project filled with brilliant voice talent. Following the 25th anniversary of the original Cyber Sentai Voogie’s Angel by Aoi Takeuchi, this is a reboot project with a completely new story and new characters set in the same world.
Coming after the release of “Cyber Sentai Last Angels SP STAGE 1 Angels of the Light” in March 2021 and “SP STAGE 2 Character Song Collection” released in April of the same year, the third CD will finally be released on March 2nd (Wed), 2022! Fighters known as the “Last Angels” (hereafter referred to as “Angels”) fight in a desperate battle that will determine the survival of mankind.
Additionally, Lav (voiced by Ayana Taketatsu) & Midi (voiced by Sakura Tange) perform a duet in the new ED theme “Invisible Link”, available via digital distribution starting February 16 (Wed). The two singing voices beautifully express the nature of their world in this story.
This time, we got a chance to talk to Kana Hanazawa, the voice of the Last Angels’ member Grace.
―What were your first thoughts when you heard there would be a sequel?
Kana Hanazawa: I didn’t have many opportunities to perform in the voice drama of the original work, and this work was the first time for me in a while so I was eagerly anticipating the recording. I was really happy because I wanted to see more of the Angels in their attractive and fleshed-out world.
―Please give us your thoughts post-recording.
Hanazawa: I was impressed by the amount of battle scenes involved. During the battles, I thought to myself “This is a fun line!” and the Chunibyo in me really came out. I ended up having a lot of funny and entertaining interactions with Nikki-chan (played by Aya Uchida), and there were a lot of scenes that faithfully followed the spirit of the original work and it was a lot of fun to perform.
―Could you introduce to us your character again?
Hanazawa: Grace is a girl who uses her extrasensory powers to protect everyone else, and despite usually being calm she shows off her bravery whenever the combat starts.
―Are there any characters that you’re particularly interested in this time?
Hanazawa: Teddy. He’s a ridiculous enemy completely bent on destroying humanity, but his lines have some particularities about them and he’s really engaging.
―I’ve heard that there are a lot of battle scenes this time, but are you conscious of anything in particular when performing?
Hanazawa: I didn’t have visuals to work with, so when I was performing I imagined the battles playing out in my head, but it was fun to imagine the scenes where we were dealing a direct hit to the enemy. (laughs)
Also, it was a lot of fun performing the scenes where I was communicating with Hotaru-chan (played by Mizuki Hasegawa) in the heat of battle.
―Please tell us about a highlight from this work.
Hanazawa: I really like Lav-chan (played by Ayana Taketatsu) along with her behavior and demeanor. She’s the main character in this story, so I want to do my best to support her. Also, I was surprised by Grace’s blatant disregard for Nikki-chan. (laughs) I want to see more of their day-to-day conversation.
―In this story, humanity is subjected to the threat of annihiliation by the supermassive black hole bomb “Googolplex”, but what would you do if Earth were subjected to the same threat in real life.
Hanazawa: I wonder if I’d just give up and watch some TV while eating potato chips. And if the TV isn’t broadcasting anything, watch some streams online. “There are still a lot of dramas I want to watch~!” or something. (laughs)
Also, with the remote environments set up for everyone now, I think I could connect with a lot of people I know right away and immerse myself in plenty of memories.
―Please give us a final message.
Hanazawa: This is a story that really carries across the love from the creator. This time too, I hope you’ll all really get immersed in the world of the “Last Angels”. I hope you’ll listen and find out how Grace-chan and her friends fare against their powerful enemies!
＜Interviewer / Photos / Dandy Saeki・Article wording (editing) by Repotama! editorial department＞
【Event Overview】
“『Cyber Sentai Last Angels SP STAGE 3 2ND OPERATION』 Release Commemorative Sofmap PassMarket CD Purchaser-only Streamed Talk Event”
Date and Time: March 13 (Sun) from 17:00~ (planned duration of about 1 hour)
Performers: Ayana Taketatsu・Sakura Tange
MC: Hisanori Yoshida
Assistant MC: Mizuki Hasegawa
【Digital Distribution Overview】
“Cyber Sentai Last Angels” New ED Theme Song
“Invisible Link”
Song: Lav (cv. Ayana Taketatsu) & Midi the Girl (cv. Sakura Tange)
February 16 (Wed) 2022 Digital Single Release
【Overview】
“Cyber Sentai Last Angels SP STAGE 3 -2ND OPERATION-”
Scheduled for release on March 2, 2022 (Wed)
＜Disc1: Voice drama CD＞
Cyber Sentai Last Angels 2ND OPERATION
＜Disc2: Single & Voice Actress Comment CD＞
“Cyber Sentai Last Angels” New ED Theme Song
1. “Invisible Link”
Song: Lav (cv. Ayana Taketatsu) & Midi the Girl (cv. Sakura Tange)
2. Invisible Link (Instrumental)
＜Voice actor comments＞
3. Lav: Ayana Taketatsu
4. Jiggy: Sumire Uesaka
5. Grace: Kana Hanazawa
6. Nikki: Aya Uchida
7. Hotaru: Mizuki Hasegawa
8. Midi: Sakura Tange
9. Teddy: Yumi Touma
10. Meyer: Nobuyuki Hiyama
11. Alice & Oz: Mao Minamisawa & Haruka Sakurai
☆Purchase Bonuses☆
1. Sofmap Limited Purchase Bonus: Ticket for Online Stream Event Featuring Ayana Taketatsu and Sakura Tange
2. Retailer Limited Purchase Bonus: metal Badge (6 Types of SD characters randomly distributed)
※Target Retailers: Animate, Gamers, Toranoana, Amazon
Price: 1,980 yen (tax included)
Product Number: RKPS-1005～1006
Publisher: Sparkiss Records
【LA (Last Angels) Information】
Based on the original works created by Aoi Takeuchi “Cyber Sentai Voogie’s Angel” and “Fushigi Koubou Syndrome” and the character design done by the up-and-coming illustrator RAYVON.
The main cast includes Ayana Taketatsu, Sumire Uesaka, Kana Hanazawa, Aya Uchida, Mizuki Hasegawa, Sakura Tange. The cast for sub characters includes Yumi Touma and Nobuyuki Hiyama, among others. Various forms of content are currently being produced.
【Story and Highlights】
The year is 455 under the Neo-Gregorian calendar, and only two humans remain in the world.
The humans once held the reins as Earth’s master, before the Arishia aliens began to move into human society and eventually take it over.
Following a brutal 100-year battle, the two species decided to coexist and signed a nonaggression treaty. It was intended to prevent any foolish behavior that could destroy their own shared star…
However, another 150 years have now passed. Following the resurrection of the strategic system “Teddy the Boy”, known for its history in the previous war, mankind is once again on the brink of survival.
Teddy the Boy’s cyberattack on the Earth United Military’s military supercomputer “Byron” caused it to go on a rampage and deal incalculable damage to humanity, but the Cybernoid Project LA1 Team (Lav, Jiggy, Grace, Nikki, Hotaru, Midi) were successful in overcoming the threat through an intense battle. Once again, fleeting peace returned.
This sequel, with “Family” as its main theme, depicts the bonds between the Angels.
Lav approaches Midi to find out where her parents have gone. Nikki thinks about her younger brother in Aria, and Hotaru thinks of her father, the king of Aria. The complex feelings of Grace and Jiggy are also displayed, two members who don’t know their parents…
However, Teddy makes another appearance before humanity, and the countdown to the ultimate destruction of mankind by a supermassive black hole bomb begins. Lav and the others are forced to face off against a new enemy in the form of a humanoid and extremely powerful brother and sister, but there’s a secret to their past as well…
In an emotional and climactic battle, the story touches the hearts of listeners with the Angels’ teamwork and their unbreakable love for one another.
【3rd PV】
https://youtu.be/9qtoVpe6zKM
● Last Angels Official Site
https://last-angels.com/
● Last Angels Official Twitter
@last_angels2020
【Project Team】
Planning: Nichion
Momogre Company
Cosmic Ray
Release: Nichion
Production: Momogre Company
Cosmic Ray
(C) Aoi Takeuchi, Cosmic Ray, Momogre / Nichion
【Present】(please note: applications from outside Japan are not available)
Hanazawa-san’s autograph on special coloured paper will be presented to one person!
Those who wish to apply are asked to please follow the Repotama! Official Twitter ＠repotama (https://twitter.com/repotama/) and retweet the tweet of this article. We will contact the winner via DM.
Application period: until March 18 (Fri) 2022 at 23:59 JST