Information regarding the first IJIGEN FES 2023 live has been revealed! The live will occur in the TOKYO DOME on the 9th and 10th of December 2023. This first fes will feature three branches of IDOLM@STER performing with four branches of Love Live!
The voice providers participating in this stop are as follows:
((Since it’s still Pride Month, why not share some more muse sexuality headcanons?
Megumi: Pansexual
Hime: Bisexual
Iona: Bisexual
Seiji: Straight
Maria: Bisexual
Mirage: Straight
Tsubomi: Bisexual
Himari: Demisexual
Haruka: Demisexual
Yayoi: Demisexual
Hana: Bisexual
Sango: Demisexual
Hinata: Bisexual
Kotori: Lesbian
Hanabi: Bisexual
Kaori: Bisexual
Yeah I know that’s an awful lot of Demis and Bis, which kinda results in most of my muse roster being somewhere on the Ace spectrum. Also, if you’re wondering where muses like Yuko and Nodoka are, I made a list earlier this month saying that they’re Asexual!))
So I have no artistic talent whatsoever. If I did, there would definitely be a picture series of candid moments with Koji and almost every MK character and then some original characters created by my friends. Since that isn't going to happen, I still went ahead and made a list of what those pictures would look like. Keep in mind that I don't have every single MK character because I don't know every single MK character. Those characters who are excluded, I don't know their personalities well enough to think of a moment.
With that said, here's the list! It's a long one, but I hope you enjoy!
MK Characters
• Raiden: Both meditating together.
• Fujin: Both drinking tea together.
• Lui Kang: Lui practicing his stances with Koji copying him.
• Kung Lao: Both holding/playing with bunnies.
• Kung Jin: Jin teaching Koji how to use a bow.
• Sonya Blade: Her holding Koji while she gives orders to her soldiers.
• Johnny Cage: Both wearing matching sunglasses.
• Cassie Cage: Cassie taking a selfie of them.
• Jaxson Briggs: Jax holding out his arm while Koji swings from it.
• Jacqui Briggs: Both making the Gun Show pose.
• Kenshi: Kenshi correcting Koji's grip on a sword.
• Takeda: Teaching Koji how to use a beginner rope spear.
• Hanzo: Koji snuggling into Hanzo as he carries him to bed.
• Kuai Liang: Kuai holding a sick Koji to cool him off.
• Frost: Frost giving a death glare to some bullies while Koji isn't looking.
• Noob: Noob and Saibot lifting and swinging Koji between them.
• Kano: Kano consulting Koji on which card he should play in the middle of a game.
• Kabal: Sitting on the couch and watching Ninja Mime.
• Erron: Teaching him to shoot while Koji wears Erron's hat (which is too big for him).
• Nightwolf: The pair of them relaxing with Kiba, Hana, and Komo around a campfire.
• Shang Tsung: Doing some magic tricks while Koji and some of Shang's pets watch in amazement.
• Quan Chi: Koji sitting in his lap reading a book while Chi is reading his own.
• Mileena: Koji telling her that she is pretty with her looking like she's about to cry.
• Skarlet: Koji in her lap while she's playing with his hair.
• Havik: Giving Koji a big basket of candy (sugar high chaos!).
• Shao Khan: No.
• Kollecter: Kollecter showing Koji some of the artifacts he has acquired.
• Kotal: Katal holding Koji as he points out locations and areas in Outworld.
• Jade: Koji blushing as he presents flowers to her.
• Kitana: Kitana showing him how to properly hold one of her fans.
• D'Vorah: Koji helping her care for the baby larva in the hive.
• Ermac: Koji giving him a surprise hug from behind.
• Reptile: Reptile using his invisibility to steal a treat from the cook for Koji.
• Baraka: Baraka ready to stab someone if they make another comment about the little ray of sunshine that is Koji riding on his shoulders.
• Sheeva: Koji sitting on her lap while she sits on her throne.
• Goro: Goro watching in amusement as Koji runs around in one of his oversized capes.
• Geras: Geras telling him stories as Koji listens.
• Cetrion: Both sitting in a flower field with butterflies landing on Koji.
• Kronika: Kronika kneeling next to him while she explains how the Hourglass works.
Original Characters
• Amarathe: Koji looking excited and telling Amarathe how cool they look.
• Megumi: Koji cuddling Megumi and nuzzling her with a smile on said baby's face.
• Lang: Koji trying and failing to lift Lang's weapon while he looks amused.
• Johnathan: Johnathan's wing is covering Koji from the rain.
• Shiran-hai: Both of them walking together with Koji excitedly going on about the book he has with him.
• Kotori: Koji scolding her for wanting to get hurt.
• Leah:
• Beast Form: Giving Koji a ride on her back.
• Human Form: Koji sitting in her lap while she hugs him tightly.
• Ajax:
• Beast Form: Riding on his back. (Koji gets rides X3)
• Human Form: Riding on Ajax's shoulders.
The Pets
• Ao Guang the Alligator: His big head on Koji's lap to receive pets.
• Mephisto the Reticulated Python: Koji nestled in his coils reading a book while said snake his looking over his shoulder.
• Bing the Ice Dragon: Said dragon with her head down so Koji can gives pets.
• Silver Apple the Ball Python: Wrapped around Koji's shoulders and giving a snake kiss.
• Pengsong the Ferret: Curled up and napping on top of Koji's head.
Extras
• Jason: Koji placing a flower crown on Jason's head.
• Lycan Kuai: Koji snuggled in Kuai's fur as they both take a nap.
• Young Hanzo/Scorpion: Koji hugging him with Scorpion unsure on how to react.
I’ve been promising this post for a while now. I did a voice actor version some time ago and it was one of my favourite lists to put together. I think you guys enjoyed it too.
As we all know, an actor’s performance can really drag down an anime. There’s something heartbreaking about a painfully wooden performance in the middle of a wonderful story that rips you right out of the fantasy. On the bright side, I’ve seen more than a few characters go from boring to endearing on the strength of an actor’s charisma. Voice actors don’t have as much to work with as conventional actors. They can’t rely on body movements or smouldering looks to get their message across. So it’s doubly impressive when they manage to convey subtle emotion and complex feelings though inflection and tone alone.
And for me, these ladies do just that.
Today let us celebrate the artistry that goes into bringing some of our favourite characters to life. In no real order we have!
5. Aoi Yuuki
I don’t care how petty it sounds, I’m just going to put this right here. This young woman is shorter than me!!! A musician and traditional actress, Aoi unique voice has made her quite successful in the field. Here are a few selected roles out of the tons she has had:
Hana – Ben-To
Tsuyu – My Hero Academia
Mina – Vampire Bund
The Energetic Ringo – Daily Lives of HighSchool Boys
Sosuke – Free!! (surprised? – I was)
Victorique – Gosick
Mihoshi – Gundam
Russia – Hetalia
Kino – Kino’s journey
Futaba – Persona 5
Iris – Pokemon
Mélie – Radiant
Shinra – Durarara!!
Sunako – Shiki
Borr – SSSS.Gridman
Tanya – Saga of Tanya the Evil
Oh yeah – she’s also Madoka in some magical girl show…
She’s set to play Touka and Boogiepop in the upcoming remake and I am psyched for this!
Not to mention roles in March Comes In Like a Lion, ACCA 13, Asobi Asobase, Welcome to the Ballroom, Gangsta, Gintama, Goblin Slayer, Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens, Hyakka, Hyouka, Your Name, last exile, One Punch Man, Seraph of the End, Sword Art Online II, Tanaka-kun, Tokyo Ghoul, Snafu, Yuru Yuri, and I seriously skipped over most of them. This lady works!
The surprisingly raspy quality of her vocals, and the counterintuitive depth of her tone makes her suitable for a wide range of diverse characters. A small actress with a big voice! Irresistible.
4. Chiwa Saito
Miss Saito has been acting for some time which means she’s had the chance to amass a pretty impressive portfolio. One of my favourite random facts out there, is that she is part of a voice acting groups called “MORE PEACH SUMMER SNOW”. That’s the best name ever. I’m going to rname Buddy that. (His actional name if Sir Buddy Livingston Master Chief Brown). Sadly, she is taller than me.
Yona – Yona of the Dawn
Aika – Aria
Hitagi – Monogatari series
Sigyn – Break Blade
Yuki – Vampire Bund
Chloe – Fate/Kaelid series
Natsumi – Keroro
the fantastic Riko – Kuroko’s Basketball
Louise- Gudam 00
Anita – R.O.D. TV
Kotori – rewrite
Meru – Zetsoubu Sensei
Nadeshiko – Yuru Yuri
She’s also Homura in some magical girl show…I swear I didn’t know this before researching for this post. I never realized how much I liked the Madoka casting before!
Of course there’s like a billion more titles but I’m going to name these ones because, reasons: Amanchu, Arakawa Under the Bridge, Boccano, Berserk, Dog & Scissors, D-Frag, Daily Lives of HighSchool Boys, Gintama, Girls Bravo, Kino’s journey, Last Exile, Log Horizon, Lyrica Nanoha, Murder Princess (I just like this title) One Piece, Sward Art Online, I’m just going to stop now.
You can actually hear her sing in some roles and she truly has a beautiful singing voice. It has a rich timber and she obviously has a great ear for melody. If ever she chose to switch career paths to the musical instead, I’m sure she’d have a great future. We would miss her as an actress though so let’s not encourage that!
3. Megumi Hayashibara
A more classical voice actress and one of the best known in Japan, Megumi almost became a nurse instead. There’s a certain personality that goes along with choosing a career in nursing. Caring but also resilient. You can see that peek through a bit in Megumi’s character and acting choice. Then again, there are so many to pick from I could probably make an argument for any character type.
Pai and IV – 3×3 eyes
Ai – Detective Conan
Haruko – FLCL Progressive
Haruka – Love Hina
Todomatsu – Osomatsu-kun
Paprika and Chiba – Paprika
Musashi – Pokemon
Ranma – Ranma 1/2
Lime – Saber Marionette J
Anna – Shaman King
Lina – Slayers
Ai – Video Girl Ai
Genkai – Yuu Yuu Hakusho
Hello Kitty…this woman is Hello Kitty
The incomparable Faye Valentine – Cowboy Bebop
Probably best known as Rei Ayanami – Evangelion
She can also be heard in Blue Exorcist, Bakuretsu Hunters, Sailor Moon, Blue Seed, Chihayafuru 2, Ghost in the Shell, Patlabor, Macross Plus, Lupin III, Maison Ikkoku, One Piece, Project A-ko, Shadow Skill, the Doreamons, Tenchi Muyou, and obviously a million more shows.
This lady’s body of work speaks for itself. I have to say I was already pretty amazed that spunky, opinionated Faye, with her womanly register and quiet monotone Rei were played by the same person, add in Hell Kitty to the mix and my mind is a little broken…and then you have comedy queen Ranma. This is the type of career you look up to!
2. Romi Park
Did you know that Romi studied Korean in university. I just find that intriguing, obviously she’s always liked languages. Ok I’m beating about the bush so let me just say it, miss Park’s performance was one of the best parts of FMA: Brotherhood for me. I literally caught myself in the middle of scenes just going, OMG the acting is phenomenal. I’ve heard great things about the English language cast but you really are missing ouy if you didn’t catch this performance.
Tōshirō Hitsugaya – Bleach
Teresa – Claymore
Akane – Danganronpa
Tanaka – Daily Lives of High School Boys
Igarashi – Deadman Wonderland
Kenichi – Cyber Coil
Ken – Digimon
Sena – Eyeshield 21
Natsume – Gakuen Alice
Walter – Hellsing Ultimate
Switzerland – Hetalia
Angelina – Black Butler
Taiga – Major
Falis – Murder Princess (love this title)
Temari – Naruto
My precious, precious Naoto – Persona 4
Jiro – Pokemon
Syrup – Precure
Alma – Radiant
Zoe Hange – Attack on Titan
Everyone’s favourite rocker Nana Osaki – Nana
And of course Edward Elric – Fullmetal Alchemist
And if that wasn’t enough, you can hear her in Air Master, Beelzebub, Blue Dragon , Clannad After story, Detective Conan, Devil May Cry, Garo, Granblue Fantasy, Hunter x Hunter, Kill la Kill, Lupin III, Gundam 00, One Piece (everyone is in this), RahXephon, Sengoku Basara, RDG, Samurai 7, Terra Formars (cause it’s terrible), Aquarion, White Album
Romi Parks has the most devastatingly emotional voice I know. She often plays calm, cool and collected genius type characters (a lot of boys as you can see) but when an emotional contrast is needed, she really knows how to deliver, making her characters feel so real and raw. One of the greatest performers in my opinion, she tends to make me want to see a show just to hear what she can do with the character.
Honorable Mentions
Ami Koshimizu
C,mon, she Ryuko from Kill la Kill. Always loved that sexy alto voice! Apparently she was also both Hiro and Naomi in the recent Darling and the Franxx. I loved her as Ibuki in Danganronpa. She was Kallen in Code Geass, Holo in Spice and Wolf and Yuiko in Persona. Obviously I’m skipping over st of her work including some very big roles. I suggest you look her up! The only reason she isn’t on the list proper is that I simply haven’t seen that many of her shows even though a lot are very popular.
1. Megumi Ogata
OK fine so this is a subjective choice. Well they all are really, it’s my top 5 list. Fact is, I’ve been a fan of Megumi Ogata for a long long time and I’m just always going to be. She’s the first voice talent I ever learned about and I absolutely love her work. Sure, she might have voiced a few of my anime crushes but surely that did not influence my choice in any way…. She’s much taller than me.
Ayato – Angel Beats
Haruka (Sailor Uranus) – Sailor Moon*
Jun – Captain Tsubasa
Yukito and Yue – Cardcaptor Sakura*
Makoto – Danganronpa
Nagito – Danganronpa***
Shinji – Evangelion*
Izumi Rio – Searching for the Full Moon*
the terrifying Fairies – Humanity has Declined
Cranberry – Raising Project*
Ichigou Fujimoto – Magical girl Ore
Ken – Persona 3
Yukimura – Samurai Deeper Kyo*
Akagi – Slam Dunk
Valkyrie – UFO Princess Valkyrie
Yuugi – Yu Gi Oh!*
Karuma – Yuu Yuu Hakusho*
And just o drive the point home, here are a few more at random. If you want to full list, you’ll have to look it up. I just can’t type that much! Bleach, Detective Conan, et Backers, Great Teacher Onizuka, Kino’s Journey, Magic Knight Rayearth, Tamayura, Tokyo Mew Mew,
Megumi Ogata is a revered veteran in the field. Comparing Nagito to Makoto (purposefully similar characters with a lot of very similar lines) will reveal her mastery on inflection and subtle vocalisation to embody a character way beyond their dialogue. Anyone still under the illusion that voice acting is simply reading your lines, please see master Ogata’s work!
Good list isn’t it!?! I discover new voice talent all the time mind you. I’ll be watching a show and suddenly realize that the actor is doing fantastic work. And I’m always so happy when I discover a new favourite. So please, share yours with me!
that was a lot of pics to find….
Top Five Voice Actresses in My Harem I've been promising this post for a while now. I did a voice actor version some time ago…
It’s nothing crazy, but here’s day 2 of Orange Week. This is my OC Kotori. I tried to draw her a little older than I normally draw her, just to get an idea of what she’s technically supposed to look like.
Amelia is my newest oc I’ve been working on. Meanwhile Kotori my oldest OC has been around for 8 years! I even found the very first drawing of her. She means a lot to me even after all this time.
Another redraw for Hue Year’s Resolution. This was my very first OC, and I just adore her bright orange hair. It’s also funny to note that it’s been a while since I’ve draw an oc that wasn’t Nova or a dnd character.
I’m also shocked at the improvement. It’s more noticeable, I also was waaaaay faster. Perhaps I will redesign her later.
The Bandai Namco Ent. Festival 2nd Live artists have been announced! The event will occur on the 6th and 7th of February 2021! All the idolm@ster brances will be appearing on both days (so the full cast list will be posted for posterity)