The Ghost in the Shell: Arise films debuted from 2013 through 2014. The title follows the inception of Public Security Section 9, with a new vocal cast for the team members, including protagonist Motoko Kusanagi. Voice actor Maaya Sakamoto played Motoko in both this title and the subsequent theatrical anime film Ghost in the Shell: The New Movie. How did Sakamoto build up the character of Motoko in a world where fans had accepted Atsuko Tanaka in the role? Here, we spoke with her about her feelings on everything from the audition to the new Motoko, as well as how things have developed over the decade since then.

―Did you feel any pressure as the new Motoko, with Atsuko Tanaka’s take on the character already accepted by audiences?

 

Maaya Sakamoto(“Sakamoto”): I did feel a lot of pressure at first. Because I personally like the series, I realized I would seem really distinct from the voice actor who had held the role in the past, from a fan perspective. But on the other hand, since I’m a fan too, I was also sure I could take it even if people were critical of me. Because I love the work itself, too. I was very nervous, but it was like my fondness for Ghost in the Shell drove me to do whatever I could, as well as I could.

 

―The entire vocal cast was replaced with Ghost in the Shell: Arise, including Batou’s and Togusa’s actors, as well as you for Motoko. Did Mr. Kise give you any pointers as the director?

 

Sakamoto: I can still remember it clearly. When we were doing the first recordings, he spoke with all of the new voice actors. He said, “I’m the one who chose you all. I’ll take responsibility for all of it. Just have a good time in your roles.” It was a really profound moment. The new vocal cast all loved the series, so it made us glad to be there, blending with the uncertainty and nervousness about whether it was all right to be in the role myself. I think Mr. Kise recognized that. His words dispelled my uncertainty and were a huge encouragement. That helped me relax and focus on the role. Mr. Kise comes off as aloof and reserved, usually, but he’s charismatic and really good at motivating people.

 

―After you were confirmed on the cast for Ghost in the Shell: Arise, did you go over Atsuko Tanaka’s performances to build the character?

 

Sakamoto: No, I decided not to revisit the past works after the decision was made. And I loved the series, so I also felt like I knew it without rewatching anything. With all that together, I thought about the team and their decision to bet on a change of voice actors, and I felt like what I needed to show wasn’t just an imitation of Atsuko’s Motoko. Motoko looks young in Arise, and it’s set before she has the presence she develops in the later works. In other words, I could tell that her voice didn’t need to have the same vibe if she wasn’t the same, fully finished version of Motoko. So I worked really hard at playing her in my own way.

 

―Just as you noted, Ghost in the Shell: Arise depicts Motoko in a more candid way, such as having a romantic side and other weaknesses and frailties we hadn’t seen before.

 

Sakamoto: I was surprised when I got the script, but at the same time, I felt closer to the more human side of Motoko. She wasn’t as perfect as usual and could fail or get shaken. Arise covers some history that all of the fans wanted to know, and Motoko’s romantic relationship might be at the top of that list. It gives us a film version of something we’ve all imagined—what kind of life she lives—in a sort of voyeuristic way, although that phrasing doesn’t sound great. But at the same time, Motoko also has some aspects that have been consistent since her youth, too. I feel like Arise is fun because of the way that it’s both a basic continuation of the other series and yet still fresh.

 

―After Ghost in the Shell: Arise, the next release with the new cast, including you, was Ghost in the Shell: The New Movie. Has your relationship with the new cast evolved over the course of the two titles now, like with Batou’s actor Kenichiro Matsuda or Togusa’s actor Tarusuke Shingaki?

 

Sakamoto: We were all a bit nervous at first, but over the recording sessions, we started to open up. And we could tell the anime would turn out well as we performed. We may have bonded a bit, like the members of Public Security Section 9. We all had a sense that we probably had limited time in the role, given the structure of the series. So it felt like a sad farewell alongside the pride of accomplishment and achievement when we got done recording for Ghost in the Shell: The New Movie. We see Motoko, Batou, and Togusa watching the cherry blossoms in the final scene of The New Movie, and the actual cherry blossoms were in bloom when we recorded that. It was a bit of a sentimental scene, where we could put ourselves into the characters, realizing we were moving on after that.

 

―That’s the scene where they pretend to be on a 24-hour cherry blossom watch mission. The scene leads into the founding of Public Security Section 9 and mirrors the 24-hour cherry blossom watch scene with the team members at the end of Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C. 2nd GIG.

 

Sakamoto: So in that sense, it left a big impression on me. Because it felt like that moment bridged the two worlds of the past of Ghost in the Shell with the world where I had played Motoko. I suspect that was Mr. Kise’s intent in drawing the scene. I could sense the world of Ghost in the Shell behind it as a fan, and it made it really emotional to act it out.

 

―Did you have any lines as Motoko that left a particular impression on you?

 

Sakamoto: There are a lot, but if I had to pick one, then it would be, “Just a whisper. I hear it in my ghost.” I was overwhelmed that I was actually performing that famous phrase, so I really went all in on it emotionally. During the test, they told me, “You don’t need to overdo it; just throw the line away.” Everyone could tell I was too invested, which was a bit embarrassing. *laughter*
But I think everyone on the cast had similar moments. Both Matsuda and Shingaki were so happy when delivering lines that it often came off like they had to be grinning internally the whole time. *laughter*

 

Continued to　#03 Renewed Respect for Atsuko and Her Talent

 

 

MAAYA SAKAMOTO

Actor, voice actor, and singer. A native of Tokyo. She began acting in child roles while in elementary school, and her debut CD release came in 1996. Her voice acting roles are numerous and include titles such as The Vision of Escaflowne, Ouran High School Host Club, and The Fire Hunter, as well as Ghost in the Shell: Arise and Ghost in the Shell: The New Movie. Sakamoto is also an active stage actor and recipient of the 2012 Kazuo Kikuta Theater Award.