Noriaki Sugiyama on Grim: Mischievous, Adorable, and Expressive in “Disney Twisted-Wonderland The Animation”

Noriaki Sugiyama-san, the voice of Grim—the companion to the protagonist in the anime "Disney Twisted-Wonderland The Animation"—recently gave an interview to animate Times. He discussed his perspective on the anime's unique appeal and highlighted aspects of Grim's character that he believes viewers should pay special attention to.

"Disney Twisted-Wonderland The Animation," which features characters inspired by iconic Disney villains, is exclusively streaming on Disney+. While Season 1, "Episode of Heartslabyul," is currently available, production has been confirmed for Season 2, "Episode of Savanaclaw," and Season 3, "Episode of Octavinelle."

The Appeal of Animation: Enjoying Everyone's Interactions in Real Time

──First of all, could you tell us your honest feelings when you heard that "Twisted Wonderland" was going to be animated?

Sugiyama: I was purely happy that we were going to do an animation! Along with that happiness, since Grim, the character I play, is quite a tricky character, I thought that recording with everyone in the flow would be challenging, so I'd have to work hard.

When we did the game, I would imagine how my conversation partner might come at me, thinking they might come at me about this much so I need to respond about this much, and we'd record each line individually, so it doesn't come out smoothly and quickly.

But in the case of animation, the timeline is clearer, and being able to hear other people's voices really makes it easier to expand my imagination as a performer, so it was easier to act.

──Even for those who haven't had much time to play the game, the animation makes it easy to watch and step into the world of "Twisted Wonderland" for the first time, don't you think?

Sugiyama: With the game, sometimes you only know what the finished product is like up to the point where you've played it yourself.

But in the case of animation, from the time we're recording, I can better recognize the flow of conversation in the work and how people will feel about it through the direction, so I had the feeling that people would surely enjoy it with this kind of acting flow.

Of course there's the appeal of the game where you can read through at your own pace, but I was really happy that we had the opportunity to convey to everyone the appeal of animation, where there's a timeline and you can enjoy watching everyone's interactions in real time.

──I watched the first episode, and I was amazed by how detailed everything was.

Sugiyama: I watched up to episode 4, and I was so drawn in that it felt like it ended in the blink of an eye.

──Sugiyama-san, if there are any particular highlights you'd like to point out, please share them with us.

Sugiyama: There are so many highlights that it's difficult to choose, but Riddle Rosehearts' presence was incredible, so I think it would be great to focus on his expressions and Hanae-kun's performance. Especially since Season 1 is about Heartslabyul Dorm, please pay close attention to that.

──What about highlights for Grim?

Sugiyama: Of course there are scenes where he stirs things up, but quite a variety of scenes come up. He has moments where he's a bit annoying, moments where he's somewhat brave and cute, and surprisingly, moments where he seems kind of small too (laughs). The balance of all that is created so wonderfully, so I'd be happy if you watch and enjoy it.

Pay Attention to Grim's Changing Expressions That Reveal His Relationships!

──What do you keep in mind when playing Grim?

Sugiyama: In a positive sense, he's a mascot-like character for the series, but I try not to let that cute, mascot-like aspect come to the forefront too much. I wanted to be conscious of creating a presence and character that has a slightly mischievous side—not just the cute parts.

He's a character who's true to his instincts, with a personality that's straightforward for better or worse, so I try to express that as naturally as possible.

Also, since Grim speaks in that tone constantly, people on set would often ask me, "Sugiyama-san, is your throat okay?" (laughs)

──It's not often you have to speak in that tone for extended periods... Speaking of Riddle's various voices and expressions being highlights, what characteristics and charms of Riddle did you discover anew through the anime adaptation?

Sugiyama: When you look closely, he's surprisingly rich in emotional nuances, so it was fun just watching him, and I think viewers will be able to sense the relationships between characters from that as well. Being able to feel the changes in expression in response to the timeline and interactions more keenly is something wonderful about animation, I felt.

──Grim ends up traveling with Yuken Enma, who was summoned to the world of Twisted Wonderland. Could you tell us your impression of Yuken Enma, played by Yohei Azakami-san?

Sugiyama: He's not just cool, but a genuinely nice guy as a person. I've worked with Azakami-kun on other projects, and I was talking with the other voice cast members about how he's "really perfect for this role." Azakami-kun himself is a very straightforward and earnest young man, so I think it's truly a perfect fit for the character.

──The chemistry between Yuken Enma and Grim, or rather their dynamic, seems like it will be one of the highlights.

Sugiyama: That's right. Yuken Enma has quite a high emotional maturity - he's enlightened and can view things from a bird's-eye perspective, making him a mature character. So I think their relationship works because he doesn't make fun of Grim's goal of becoming a great mage, but properly accepts it.

Perhaps because of that, while Grim talks flippantly to characters like Ace Trappola, he doesn't really speak that way to Yuken Enma. I think the way Grim acknowledges him is reflected in his words and actions.

──Grim and Yuken Enma become deeply involved with Heartslabyul Dorm in Season 1, which is led by the housewarden Riddle Rosehearts. Could you tell us about what you find appealing about Heartslabyul Dorm?

Sugiyama: While I think it will be revealed later why Riddle Rosehearts is so strict about rules, the basic framework of "following rules" itself isn't fundamentally wrong when it comes to living in society or school life.

However, I think the absurdity of those rules is what makes Heartslabyul Dorm interesting and is really at its core, so I hope you'll enjoy watching the dorm members, including Ace Trappola, get caught up in all of that.

──I'm looking forward to seeing how the relationships with the Heartslabyul Dorm members will be depicted in the animation.

Sugiyama: Yuken Enma is mature, but Trey Clover is also quite a mature character. Cater Diamond is pretty carefree and cheerful, but there are also moments where he shows a slightly scary side, and that balance is exquisite.

Later on, there are scenes where you can feel how the friendship between these two and Riddle Rosehearts has continued in this particular form.

Since the story depicts the process of how Riddle Rosehearts, as the housewarden of Heartslabyul Dorm, has built relationships with his companions, if you get a good grasp of each character's personality, there will surely be scenes coming up that will really click for you.

The World of "Twisted Wonderland" Where You Can Feel the Brilliance of Synergy

──"Twisted Wonderland" is loved by so many people. What do you think are the reasons behind this love?

Sugiyama: Of course, the story progresses with various types of characters appearing, but within that, I found the setting of a magic training school where characters inspired by the charm of Disney Villains belong to be really interesting.

Personally, I was surprised that the story began with a door appearing (laughs). It's quite an unusual setting and really interesting.

──With a world inspired by Disney films, there are many catchy elements, aren't there?

Sugiyama: Usually, in most works, there are great figures on the "good" side, but the world view where great figures from the "evil" side become statues and serve as dorm symbols is interesting.

In the early part (of the animation), Ace Trappola explains to Enma Yuken about "this great figure is like this~," and he explains it in a really good way (laughs).

The fact that even evil great figures are explained with positive expressions fits the world view and was interesting.

──Finally, the "Twisted Wonderland" smartphone game was released on March 18, 2020, and five and a half years have passed. Could you tell us once again what you think is the appeal of "Twisted Wonderland"?

Sugiyama: Among the many games out there, I'm truly happy that the Prefects (players) have been able to enjoy it for such a long time.

Each character has their own thoughts and feelings, other characters engage with those feelings, and Grim gets involved as well. I feel that it's continued this long because the Prefects have been enjoying the stories and world that all these various characters weave together.

We voice actors provide the voices for the characters, but we don't draw the art or write the stories, so I genuinely think the creators are truly amazing. At the same time, I especially feel the wonderful synergy between the creators, the Prefects, and everyone involved, and I'm truly honored to be part of such a wonderful work.

[Text: Miki Fukumuro]

About "Disney Twisted Wonderland: The Animation"

Streaming exclusively on Disney+ since October 29!

Synopsis

Twisted-Wonderland is a world where magic exists.

The great figures passed down as legends in this world are the Great Seven: the Queen of Hearts, the King of Beasts, the Sea Witch, the Sorcerer of the Sands, the Beautiful Queen, the King of the Underworld, and the Mistress of All Evil.

Serving as a prestigious academy for training mages in Twisted-Wonderland, Night Raven College has produced many exceptional mages throughout its history. Under the Headmaster, there are seven dormitories, each modeled after one of the Great Seven and overseen by a respective Dorm Leader.

One of these seven Dorm Leaders is Riddle Rosehearts, the leader of the Heartslabyul Dormitory, which is founded on the strict spirit of the Queen of Hearts. This "Crimson Tyrant," Riddle, severely rules and torments his dorm students through the "Laws of the Queen of Hearts."

Why did Riddle become a "tyrant," and what exactly is he imprisoned by...?

Cast

Heartslabyul Dorm

Riddle Rosehearts: Natsuki Hanae
Ace Trappola: Seiichiro Yamashita
Deuce Spade: Chiaki Kobayashi
Trey Clover: Ryota Suzuki
Cater Diamond: Tatsuyuki Kobayashi

Savanaclaw Dorm

Leona Kingscholar: Yuichiro Umehara
Jack Howl: Taito Ban
Ruggie Bucchi: Aoi Ichikawa

Octavinelle Dorm

Azul Ashengrotto: Atsushi Tamaru
Jade Leech: Wataru Komada
Floyd Leech: Nobuhiko Okamoto

Scarabia Dorm

Kalim Al-Asim: Kazuki Furuta
Jamil Viper: Kaname Futaba

Pomefiore Dorm

Vil Schoenheit: Hiroki Aiba
Epel Felmier: Shimba Tsuchiya
Rook Hunt: Yojiro Itokawa

Ignihyde Dorm

Idia Shroud: Kouki Uchiyama
Ortho Shroud: Shota Aoi

Diasomnia Dorm

Malleus Draconia: Kazuki Kato
Lilia Vanrouge: Hikaru Midorikawa
Silver: Nobunaga Shimazaki
Sebek Zigvolt: Haruki Ishiya