UlasanAnime.com – The Otakon 2006 panel featuring Ayako Kawasumi offered a unique glimpse into the popular voice actress’s experiences and personality, as recounted by an attendee eager to share the details with fellow fans.
The author, acknowledging the recency of the event (just 8 days prior), aimed to provide a more comprehensive retelling than might be found elsewhere, though admitted to some limitations due to audio quality issues at the front of the venue.
The panel’s setup, particularly the Q&A session, was adapted to an “AX-style” format, where attendees lined up to ask questions directly to Kawasumi and her translator, “Taka.” This close proximity, while offering a personal experience, also meant that obtaining high-quality photographs was challenging, with the provided images attributed to Sapphire & Co.
The event began with a promotional segment, which the author noted consumed a significant portion of the allotted time, reducing the available Q&A period. Kawasumi’s tendency to provide detailed answers further extended the time for each question, exacerbated by some attendees asking multiple questions at once.
During the video clips, Kawasumi was observed performing a small dance, including the “L-Suki” hand motion, while a clip from her role in My Wife Is a High Schooler was shown.
Kawasumi showcased her vocal talents by performing voices for several characters, including Lafiel, Mahoro from Mahoromatic, and Aoi from Ai Yori Aoshi. Her rendition of “Call me Lafiel!” was particularly noted for its loudness and impact.
You might also be interested in : Oh, What’s Going On?
Regarding Ichigo Mashimaro, Kawasumi identified Matsuri as her favorite character, relating to her straight-faced demeanor, tendency to be bullied, and occasional bouts of crying.
The voice actress expressed a degree of self-consciousness about her musical compositions, suggesting she may not always meet her own standards or that her focus has shifted to voice acting, especially after achieving success in that field. This is despite her formal education in musical composition.
When asked about her favorite voice actor to work with, the name Seki (likely Tomokazu Seki) was mentioned, though the author admitted to potential mishearing or misunderstanding the question.
Kawasumi reflected on her role as Lafiel, one of her earlier performances and a character significantly different from her usual “bishoujo” roles. This role, she stated, provided her with a substantial confidence boost due to the positive reception from fans.
A particularly awkward moment occurred when a fan asked about her knowledge of the English-language fansub scene, a question that was promptly vetoed by the interpreter.
She responded to questions about Japanese culture with elegance, though the author found these questions to be relatively straightforward with obvious answers.
Kawasumi confirmed her enjoyment of Dragon Ball, aligning with the popularity of Shonen Jump titles.
The author recounted a personal mishap during the Q&A session. Having forgotten their regular digital camera, they attempted to use their Sony Ericsson W600i phone. In their haste, they accidentally activated the music player, causing a song to play. The embarrassment was compounded by the phone’s slight lag, making it difficult to immediately shut off the music. After removing the battery, the author proceeded to the microphone.
Adding to the day’s events, the author was enlisted to assist the translator as a mic runner, guiding the wireless microphone between questioners. While this made it harder to hear, the author noted it likely wouldn’t have allowed them to re-enter the Q&A line anyway. This role, combined with their participation, led the author to jokingly consider it a form of “partial cosplaying” and assisting with convention operations.
The most memorable moments for the author were Kawasumi’s powerful “Lafiel” outburst and her embarrassed laughter as she signed the author’s “…to you” single, even personalizing it with “To” them.
The author, signing off as “omo, embarassing Japanese guests and himself since 1998,” expressed anticipation for Otakon 2007.
A final, brief observation noted Kawasumi’s undeniable cuteness.
