Beloved for his performances as Mitsuki Izumi in IDOLiSH7 and Nagi Mikado in Uta no Prince-sama, Tsubasa Yonaga is a veteran on the planet of idol anime. On this interview with Anime Trending from FanimeCon 2025, Tsubasa Yonaga opens up about why he doesn’t need to miss an opportunity to satisfy worldwide followers, the distinctive challenges of recording stay concert events, and how voice actors like himself take cost of their very own inventive initiatives and musical models. Whether or not you’re a devoted IDOLiSH7 or Utapri fan, you’ll hear extra about Yonaga’s involvement in each franchises and his views on being a voice actor.

This interview was carried out by an interpreter and has been edited for readability. Questions submitted by Gerrymelyn Casupang and James Mizutani.

Anime Trending: Your first fundamental lead position was Ren Mihashi from Massive Windup! How did you’re feeling getting a lead position for the primary time?

Tsubasa Yonaga: Once I was a newcomer, it was exhausting to land a task for a giant collection like Massive Windup!, so I used to be actually blissful to be chosen for it. I used to be blissful, however I felt that my company was happier than I used to be. They have been so excited after they known as me, however I used to be additionally nervous.

A special franchise you’re part of is IDOLiSH7. It’s usually really helpful because the idol anime to look at when individuals are wanting into fandoms on the place to get began within the male idol area. What do you suppose are probably the most charming factors of the IDOLiSH7 franchise?

Tsubasa Yonaga: There may be a lot idol content material in Japan, however what’s distinct about IDOLiSH7 is that its story is kind of actual. You’re ranging from the start, attempting to turn out to be a high idol, and there are such a lot of completely different motivations that every member has. The story is simple to empathize with, every character has their very own cause, and is relatable to others. 

The opposite cause is that the songs are actually good, however that’s not the one engaging level. There are additionally people-to-people interactions, together with these between dad and mom and youngsters, friendships, relationships between managers and businesses, in addition to what’s occurring on social media. These are all potentialities that may really occur in actual life. I believe these are the explanation why IDOLiSH7 is liked by so many individuals.

The IDOLiSH7 franchise is celebrating its tenth anniversary this 12 months. There have been a bunch of bulletins, similar to a brand new season for the anime collection and a compilation film of the primary season. How does it really feel wanting again on 10 years of IDOLiSH7 and that it’s continued to have such a robust following for therefore lengthy? 

Tsubasa Yonaga: For the collection to proceed for over 10 years, it’s virtually a miracle. The sport itself is a miracle for persevering with for such a very long time. We even have a brand new collection developing, a fourth season, and the primary season compilation model shall be in film theaters as nicely. The sport could have one other story too. 

We now have an unlimited quantity of content material, not solely due to ourselves, but in addition as a result of we now have a number of followers and supporters. There are gamers who suppose that the collection could be very attention-grabbing and enjoyable to look at and [play]. Those that will not be actually good at enjoying music video games can take pleasure in it too. I believe that’s the explanation why IDOLiSH7 is liked by so many individuals, and the explanation why we are able to proceed for all ten years. Along with that, all of the voice actors in IDOLiSH7 love this collection. That’s why I believe we reached this 10-year anniversary.

There are such a lot of methods IDOLiSH7 and UtaPri followers can have interaction within the recreation or with the stay concert events and animated concert events. What are a few of the challenges, as an actor, when recording for a stay live performance in comparison with the animated concert events within the collection?

Tsubasa Yonaga: Within the singing recording for the sport, I’m at all times requested to be Mitsuki, and as you understand, Mitsuki is a very energetic one who helps every member. He has a very masculine persona. These are the traits I’m requested to do after I sing throughout the recording of the sport. Nevertheless, I believe that I needed to indicate a cooler facet of Mitsuki or a sexier type of Mitsuki, however I used to be usually requested not to take action as a result of that’s not Mitsuki’s position. 

Concerning stay concert events, I attempt to keep half of myself in my thoughts, and I attempt to refill the opposite half with Mitsuki as a personality. I cherish the character, and I actually take pleasure in singing on the live performance. I believe that’s the distinction between singing within the recreation recording and a stay live performance. 

On the stay live performance, I can carry out extra freely and have extra enjoyable. I really feel like I can take pleasure in it twice as a lot as the sport recording, and I also can see many supporters cheering throughout the stay live performance.

You voice two idol characters in two completely different franchises. There’s Mitsuki from IDOLiSH7 and Nagi from UtaPri. As a result of there’s that extra problem of getting to not solely act in character but in addition sing in character, how do you retain your two idol characters distinct throughout singing and additionally when appearing?

Tsubasa Yonaga: Mitsuki’s a very energetic character. He’s masculine, leads all of the members, and has an uplifting position. In order that’s type of the attribute I’m requested to do for everybody.

Alternatively, Nagi is admittedly cute. He is aware of he’s actually cute, so throughout the stay efficiency, I’m going, “I’m cute, proper?” demonstrating that type of character and attempting to return the assist he will get from the viewers. On the identical time, he’s additionally crafty and manipulative. I believe that’s the distinction between Mitsuki and Nagi by way of appearing. It’s type of embarrassing to say, however I attempt to be cute.

That’s humorous since you already stated it’s 50% of your self plus 50% of the character. Switching that half out is attention-grabbing from an appearing perspective.

Tsubasa Yonaga: It is dependent upon the voice actor. Among the voice actors utterly act because the characters. Different voice actors utterly ignore the character and are themselves. So it is dependent upon the voice actor on how they do it.

You share a number of collection with fellow visitor Atsushi Abe-san, from IDOLiSH7, Yowamushi Pedal, and Cardfight!Vanguard. How has it been to work with Abe-san over so a few years and throughout so many various franchises?

Tsubasa Yonaga: Really, our relationship has lasted for over 20 years. We began as classmates on the identical voice appearing college at Ken Manufacturing. I believe our voices are a little bit completely different, however we additionally match [each other]. Although we get the identical shounen roles, I believe Abe-san tends to painting a stronger character. In the meantime, I are likely to act as a extra timid or weak character. That’s why our characters don’t actually battle. It’s balanced as a result of we are able to have completely different roles and voices for aggressive characters, and we are able to additionally work as a group. 

I didn’t actually count on to co-star with Abe-san this a lot, and I believe Abe-san thinks that manner too. Really, I need to ask the manufacturing facet why they forged us in the identical content material. I simply surprise if they’ve any intentions [behind] doing this to us.

Abe-san additionally talked about 20 years in our interview. He stated he felt a aggressive drive towards you, however he additionally feels hypercompetitive with all actors, fairly equally. How does having competitors within the voice appearing area assist your profession and growth?

Tsubasa Yonaga: We now have so many rivals, and as a result of additionally it is a aggressive business, that makes me need to voice a particular character. This creates an surroundings the place getting a particular character is a very essential driver for me. With out having rivals, I don’t suppose it’s enjoyable to do, and it’s not attention-grabbing. As you understand, there are a lot of completely different voice actors, and every voice actor has completely different character growth. It’s attention-grabbing to see how every voice actor develops their very own character, and it’s actually good to be taught. 

I’ve the next voice than different voice actors, and I’ve many rivals as nicely. Abe-san can be my competitor, however on the identical time, he’s a very good pal. I believe the explanation I’ve gotten right here in my profession is as a result of we’ve been competing alongside one another for a very long time and serving to one another, in order that’s how we’ve gotten to this point in our careers.

You’ve been in quite a lot of completely different musical models, together with Trignal, BRAVE WING, and Genki Dan. What results in these musical models being created? Is it the manufacturing’s determination, or do two or three members determine they need to collaborate on a unit?

Tsubasa Yonaga: When it comes to Trignal, it began when our producer deliberate and needed to create a unit. First, we did the tune she needed to do, and she clearly chosen the tune. Nevertheless, as we continued singing, we began to choose songs by ourselves and what sort of efficiency we might be doing. Additionally, we began interested by followers and how one can attain them. We even thought concerning the title of our personal album! We had a gradual shift into making stuff by ourselves.

Additionally, thanks a lot for realizing about Genki Dan! I’m glad to listen to that. Really, we began that ourselves as a result of voice actors don’t have voice appearing jobs on a regular basis. So each time we now have a break or free time, we find yourself desirous to do one thing like doing theater issues, recitation performs, making CD dramas by ourselves, and additionally creating authentic songs. I believe the principle goal of doing such issues by ourselves is to not lose the talents of appearing.

Do you have got some other final closing ideas about your present profession in addition to FanimeCon typically, or something to say to your followers?

Tsubasa Yonaga: This time, I’m actually glad I used to be invited to come back to San Jose, California. Every time I get a proposal to [attend] such an occasion abroad, I by no means say no. I at all times need to go. I like going to abroad occasions. In fact, I like followers in Japan. I at all times admire them. Nevertheless, realizing that abroad followers additionally know so many anime and know the songs from Trignal is admittedly encouraging. 

I believe the largest distinction between Japanese followers and abroad followers is their ardour. The latters’ general ardour is so completely different, and that’s what I like about it. Additionally, to have the ability to see followers right here is admittedly encouraging. I need to convey again such ardour to Japan and additionally use it as a drive to do extra work sooner or later. So once more, I might like to go to abroad conventions when the time comes. I need to inform followers to come back to my occasions if I’ve the chance to take action abroad. I hope to proceed doing a number of collection, anime, and so on.