Being a voice actor/seiyuu is not as easy as you’d think.
While Attack on Titan’s script features mastermind deductions and Titans screaming their lungs out, Eren Yeager’s one and only seiyuu, Yuki Kaji, mentioned that the latest episode, episode five of Season 4 Part 2, was his most difficult performance yet.
The anime personality took to Twitter just after the episode’s release, and shared how he felt about his voice acting in the episode.
“It was the episode where I lost my voice more than any other time I’ve played Eren,” said Kaji. “It’s hard to imagine and it’s scary, so I pray that everyone in the audience will enjoy.”
Warning: Spoilers if you haven’t seen AoT Season 4 Part 2
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Seiyuu Yuki Kaji delivers a phenomenal performance in episode five of Attack on Titan Season 4 Part 2
The episode is one of emotional triumph for its most important characters. Eren and half-brother Zeke are now clashing in ideologies after reliving the past through Grisha’s memories.
Though Zeke commands Ymir Fritz, the founding Titan, to commence the Eldian euthanasia plan at the Coordinate, Eren can still make things right for him and his people. Chained to the ground, Eren breaks his hands out of the cuffs and lets out a shocking cry to catch the attention of Ymir.
As an AoT fan myself, Kaji’s performance instantly captivated me and gave life to the idea that Eren has finally come to his senses after almost two seasons of being an enigmatic protagonist.
The star performance doesn’t end there. Once Eren makes contact with Ymir and learns about her tragic past, he delivers an inspirational speech to the wronged Founding Titan. Kaji evokes a sense of compassion and sympathy as Eren, releasing Ymir from her metaphorical chains as the token slave of the past Eldian king.
With Ymir now deciding for herself that she will side with Eren, the episode ends with a tyrannical Eldian revelation. Eren initiates the Rumbling and addresses the Subjects of Ymir, including his close friends Mikasa and Armin, with a powerful message.
“The Wall Titans will trample over all lands beyond this island, until all life that lies there is exterminated,” dictated Eren.
Clocking in eight years of voice acting into the character, you can see how this was truly a challenge for Kaji and his interpretation of Eren. While Season 4 has been quite the rollercoaster for the cast and audiences, Eren’s realization is a critical moment that finally portrays him as the true hero of the franchise, and it couldn’t have been done without Yuki Kaji.
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