#Tonbo! Stars Rika Hayashi & Hiroki Tochi Discuss Golf & Voice Acting at AnimeJapan 2024

During this year’s AnimeJapan, which took place at Tokyo Big Site earlier in March, Anime Trending’s Japan correspondent Daryl Harding spoke with Rika Hayashi and Hiroki Tochi — the lead voice actors of the golfing TV anime series Tonbo! — to discuss what the series is all about and the respective characters they play. 

Hayashi voices the main heroine Tonbo Oi, while Tochi voices her golfing coach and mentor, Kazuyoshi Igarashi. 

You can check out our full interview video down below. 

Here are some quick takeaways from our interview with the two leading stars: 

• • Hayashi and Tochi have played golf before. While Hayashi admits to being a novice, Tochi reveals he aimed to be a professional golfer when he was younger, but still loves playing it during his downtime. They both agree that their golf swings could still use some work. 
• • Tochi is known for his deep gruff voice, and how he maintains that during a recording session is by drinking, getting loud, and stressing his vocal chords the night before. His drink of choice: malt whisky. 
• • Hayashi recalled her time growing up in rural Wakayama prefecture, noting the area’s tight knit community and close connections, which influenced how she voiced her character. 

Tonbo! began airing in Japan on April 6, 2024 and is licensed for international streaming by Remow, who are streaming it weekly on their It’s Anime YouTube channel. It is also streaming on Amazon Prime Video. 

It’s Anime describes the main synopsis of Tonbo! as: 

A dramatic tale of golf and humans, set on the beautiful Tokara Islands.

Igarashi has thrown away his past and fled society, relocating to Hinoshima Island. Here, on “Japan’s last hidden paradise,” he meets Tonbo, the island’s only middle schooler. To his surprise, this girl harbors an extraordinary talent for golf!? 

This encounter marks the beginning of a significant change in their destinies.

Source: Anime Trending YouTube Channel