This is a reprint of an article originally published by ORICON NEWS in December 2018.

Last year, Masako Nozawa, the voice of Son Goku in the popular Dragon Ball series, was recognized by Guinness World Records for two categories: "Longest Time Voicing a Character in a Video Game" and "Longest Career as a Video Game Voice Actor." These accomplishments reflect her prolific career, having voiced numerous iconic characters, including Kitaro from GeGeGe no Kitaro, Tetsuro Hoshino from Galaxy Express 999, and Daizaemon Kaze from Inakappe Taisho. In this interview, Nozawa shares her secret to playing such diverse characters and the lessons she’s learned throughout her voice acting career.

More Than 300 Characters Voiced! “I Never Thought About Differentiating Between Characters”

In Dragon Ball Super: Broly, the 20th film in the Dragon Ball series, set to be released on December 14, Nozawa once again reprises her role as the protagonist, Son Goku. Despite being 82 years old at the time (in Dec 2018), her vibrant energy continues to captivate those around her. When asked about her secret to staying energized, she replied frankly, "Honestly, I don’t really think about it." She added, "Every day, I let the shower hit my throat in the bathroom. I think it helps clear out the dust. Then, I inhale lukewarm water through my nose and exhale it. Maybe because of that, I’ve never caught a cold," she said with a smile.

Nozawa, a legendary figure in the voice acting world, has voiced over 300 characters, many of which were leading roles. From Kitaro in GeGeGe no Kitaro (1968) to Gamba in Gamba’s Adventure (1975) and Tetsuro Hoshino in Galaxy Express 999 (1978), to Son Goku in Dragon Ball (1986), her roles have spanned across generations. Each era of anime fans likely has a character voiced by Nozawa that they hold dear.

From the bold countryside boy in Inakappe Taisho (1970), to the fear-stricken Gamba, to the love-struck Tetsuro, and the cold-hearted youkai in Hakaba Kitaro (2008), Nozawa has embodied countless complex characters. Despite this, she emphasized, "I’ve never consciously tried to differentiate between characters."

"I’m often asked, but I’ve never once thought, ‘I’m going to act like Goku’ when voicing him," she explained. Known for playing Goku, Gohan, and Goten in Dragon Ball, she famously recorded all three voices in one take, a feat that is rarely done, as actors typically record each character separately. Nozawa revealed that some of her juniors once asked her to stop, saying, "You make it look like anyone can do it!"

Nozawa’s Characters Are Part of Her: “They’re Always Living Inside Me”

Nozawa explained that she often gets asked about "differentiating characters," and said, "I don’t have a switch to change between characters. I think the characters live inside me, here," she said, pointing to her chest. She noted the wildness in Goku, who was raised in the countryside by his grandfather, compared to Gohan, raised by his strict mother, Chi-Chi. "Goten is a bit childish and mischievous. These different traits are embedded in me, and the characters come out naturally."

Even when reprising a role after a long break, Nozawa said, "The characters are always alive inside me." When recording for the upcoming film, despite the time since the anime series Dragon Ball Super ended, Nozawa shared, "It feels like I’ve been living with Goku and Goten this entire time," describing her "fusion" with the characters.

The Legend’s “Don’t Try Too Hard” Voice Acting Philosophy: “I Want to Keep Acting Until I’m 100”

Nozawa once expressed her goal of continuing voice acting until she reaches 100 years old and being recognized by Guinness World Records for it. When asked about her future goals, she said, "People say life is a constant learning process, but I don’t think studying will help me anymore (laughs)." She added, "Every voice actor is different, but I believe that what comes naturally is best. If you try too hard to ‘absorb’ something, I think it fades away."

Having voiced numerous iconic characters throughout her career, Nozawa feels that each role has allowed her to experience many different lives. "I’ve been fortunate to play many roles—Kitaro, Tetsuro, Gamba—each character lives differently, and through them, I’ve learned, ‘So this is another way of living and thinking,’" she said, reflecting on the various lives she’s portrayed.

She added, "I think the lives of these characters are also imbued with the values of the creators who brought them to life. Through these different characters, I’ve been able to live a rich and fulfilling life as a voice actor."

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Source : ORICON NEWS