Exclusive Interview with Sally Amaki: Insights on the Crunchyroll Anime Awards & Her Journey as a Bilingual Voice Actress

Ahead of the Crunchyroll Anime Awards on March 2, a big celebration of anime with guests and presenters from all over the industry, we caught up with Sally Amaki, one of the event hosts. She shared her thoughts on returning to the event for a second year, her experience working as a Japanese and English voice actress on shows like Tomo-Chan is a Girl!, and how her time as an idol has influenced her.

Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2024 official promotional image, courtesy of Crunchyroll, featuring the event's logo against a blu ebackground with orange accents. - The 2024 Crunchyroll Anime Awards will be streamed live from Tokyo on YouTube and Twitch on March 2, 2024, at 6 p

Sally Amaki On Returning To the Crunchyroll Anime Awards For a Second Year

Sally Amaki is excited to be returning to the Crunchyroll Anime Awards for a second year. She is looking forward to the event, which will be streamed live from Tokyo on YouTube and Twitch on March 2, 2024. This year's awards ceremony promises to be even more spectacular than before, with special appearances by celebrities like Megan Thee Stallion, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Yaeji. So mark your calendars for this exciting event on March 2, 2024, at 6 p.m. in Japan, 4 a.m. EST, 3 a.m. CST, and 1 a.m. PST.

The voice actress enthusiastically discusses what she's looking forward to, and why anime fans should tune in

Tomo-Chan is a Girl! cropped key visual featuring the lead protagonists against a background of panels from the manga. - The voice actress enthusiastically discusses what she's looking forward to, and why anime fans should tune in - Sally Amaki On Returning To the Crunchyroll Anime Awards For a Second Year

What excites you the most about returning to the Crunchyroll Anime Awards?

Attending the award show in person is truly a memorable experience! Reflecting on all the incredible shows that aired that year and witnessing the widespread love for anime worldwide fills me with emotions. I am thrilled that this year, one of the nominated shows in the "Best Romance" category is a show I was involved in! (Tomo-chan is a Girl!) To be a host at an award show and have one of your shows nominated is a dream come true.

I heard a rumor that there will be an orchestra playing live at the award show this year. It sounds like it's going to make the event even more exciting than last year! But, we won't know for sure until we watch the show. I think everyone can also be excited about the talented artists who will be performing this year.

Sally Amaki Shares Her Journey as the English & Japanese Voice of Carol in Tomo-Chan is a Girl!

Tomo-Chan is a Girl! - A Creation of Lay-duce, Adapted from Fumita Yanagida's Manga

Having been both the Japanese and English voice of Carol in Tomo-Chan is a Girl!, were there any unique challenges or experiences you had while recording?

My voice changes when I switch between speaking Japanese and English. In the Japanese version, I found it easier to use a higher tone for the character Carol since my natural Japanese voice is already higher. Initially, it was difficult to match my own voice in a different language. I never realized how challenging acting could be when switching languages. Sometimes, delivering emotions is smoother in one language because the words flow more naturally. This experience made me realize that acting in one language doesn't guarantee the same ease in another language.

Carol crying and revealing her true feelings in Tomo-Chan is a Girl! - When playing Carol, did you find any aspects of her character that were relatable to your own life experiences? Did this make you feel more connected to your performance?

I found aspects of Carol's character that I could relate to in my own life experiences. This connection made me feel more engaged in my performance.

Carol has a knack for telling jokes with a deadpan expression, leaving those around her unsure if she's serious or not. This reminds me of how I joke with my friends. My background as an idol also played a role in understanding Carol. In the story, Carol uses humor and smiles to conceal her true emotions, a tactic I often employ as well to maintain a cheerful public image. These relatable traits endeared me to her character and motivated me to make others appreciate her as well.

Tomo-Chan Is a Girl! has been nominated for "Best Romance" at this year's Crunchyroll Anime Awards, competing against shows like My Happy Marriage, Skip and Loafer, and Horimiya: The Missing Pieces.

Sally Amaki's headshot and Carol from Tomo-Chan is a Girl! together is a collage style image. - Going into the rest of this year, do you have any new projects you're working on that you're able to share? Can you provide any fun details or hints for fans?

I have one major project in the works that I'm excited about, but I can't reveal any details just yet! For updates, please follow me on Twitter @sally_amaki. In addition, I'm also looking forward to attending conventions abroad this year. Hopefully, I'll get the chance to meet many of you there.

A big thank you to Crunchyroll and Sally Amaki for answering our questions. Don't forget to watch the Crunchyroll Anime Awards on March 2nd and also check out Tomo-Chan Is a Girl! on Crunchyroll.

WATCH ON CRUNCHYROLL

Editor's P/S:

This article provides an insightful glimpse into the world of an anime voice actress, capturing Sally Amaki's passion and dedication to her craft. Her personal journey as the voice of Carol in "Tomo-Chan is a Girl!" is particularly relatable, highlighting the challenges and rewards of performing in multiple languages. As a seasoned idol, Amaki's experience in concealing emotions and using humor to connect with audiences adds depth to her portrayal of Carol.

The article also offers a glimpse into the upcoming Crunchyroll Anime Awards, teasing special appearances and live performances. Amaki's excitement for the event is palpable, and her enthusiasm is sure to translate into a memorable and entertaining experience for viewers.