In the September 2026 issue of Megami Magazine, voice actor Nana Kawaishi sat down for an extensive interview regarding her role as Mari Otsu in the original fantasy-drama anime Sayonara Rara. Set against the atmospheric backdrop of Shiga Prefecture and Lake Biwa, the series puts a modern, introspective spin on traditional mermaid folklore.
Navigating Quiet Emotions and Physicality
Reflecting on her initial auditions, Kawaishi noted that she only had access to character designs and dialogue snippets, making the exact narrative trajectory a mystery. However, stepping into the recording booth revealed a layered story centered on the mutual growth of the titular mermaid, Rara, and the reserved high schooler, Mari.
Portraying Mari presented unique hurdles for Kawaishi, who describes herself as expressive and outgoing in daily life. "While I share a similar way of perceiving things with Mari, our methods of expressing them are completely different," Kawaishi explained. To bridge this gap, she meticulously broke down the motivations behind Mari's restrained actions. Her dedication even extended to physical alignment: knowing Mari boxes, Kawaishi adopted a strict routine—waking up at 5:00 AM for jogs and matching the character's dietary habits—to capture the correct breath control and stamina.
Dialects and Director Collaboration
Voicing Mari also required navigating the Shiga dialect, a challenge given Kawaishi's own background in the region. Having previously been discouraged from using local dialects during her voice acting academy days, she had to readjust her speech patterns to reflect the softer, more relaxed cadence reminiscent of Kyoto dialect rather than sharp Kansai phrasing.
Collaborating with director Takushi Koide allowed for a flexible creative process. "We discussed subtle nuances during recording, proposing modern phrasing to ensure the dialogue felt natural for contemporary youth," Kawaishi noted. Supported by veteran sound director Yamada and co-star Hana Hikawa—who voices Rara—Kawaishi found her footing in the ensemble.
Looking Ahead at the Story
As Sayonara Rara progresses past its initial episodes, Kawaishi teases major shifts in the narrative. With the introduction of Rara's sister Lisa in human form, as well as mysterious figures resembling the prince from the mermaid's past, viewers can expect higher stakes. "There are no truly malicious characters in Sayonara Rara," Kawaishi concluded. "I hope audiences continue to embrace every character as these various forms of love unfold."
