spoon.2Di vol.117 (Dec. 27, 2024) - Interview with Cain's Voice Actor Kanbara Daichi

 

Daichi Kanbana as Cain
カイン役 神原大地
INTERVIEW

Cain, a former knight commander of Central Country, takes up arms as a Sage's Wizard to battle the "Great Calamity." Bright, approachable, and sincere with everyone, Cain's charm has been brought to life by Daichi Kanbana. We spoke to Kanbana about his experience portraying Cain, his impressions of recording for the anime, and the various facets of Cain's character he has encountered along the way.

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Cain - CV: Daichi Kanbana

A former knight commander of the central nation. A friendly, reliable, big-brother type. Skilled with the sword, he’s strong even without using magic. While he’s good at getting along with everyone, the northern wizard Owen is a notable exception.

"I believe Cain is someone who always lives in accordance with his loyalty to his lord and the justice he holds within himself. I find it truly admirable how he doesn’t let his pride get in the way of doing what’s truly important."

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Q: Through your time playing Cain, you’ve seen many aspects of his character. How would you describe him? Could you share what you find most appealing about him?

A:
"I think Cain is a man who always lives true to his loyalty to his lord and his sense of justice. Whether it's his conduct as a knight serving his lord, Arthur, or moments when he chooses actions that stray from knightly conventions, at the core of it all is his unique sense of justice. If it’s for his lord or his comrades, Cain doesn’t concern himself with how others perceive him. I find it incredibly admirable that he doesn’t let his pride stand in the way of doing what’s truly important."

Q: What do you focus on when portraying Cain?

A:
"I focus on being natural. I think Cain is simply a very cool guy. Personally, I believe that truly cool people don’t try to show off. Cain has moments where he fights earnestly or observes keenly, but he also laughs heartily and dances with his comrades. Sometimes he even tries to show off a little, but that makes him all the more human, which I love. All these seemingly disparate sides are facets of Cain. His ability to connect with anyone without putting up a front is what makes him so incredibly cool, and I try to express that in my performance."

Q: How did you approach this role differently when preparing for the anime adaptation? Were there any new realizations from the experience?

A:
"I planned to approach it with Cain’s natural style, but it turned out to be quite challenging. During the game recordings, I was given a lot of freedom in terms of timing and expression. For the anime, however, the timing was predetermined, and the direction involved new input from the sound director and others, so when I performed the way I did for the game, a lot of it ended up being NG (not good). Through this process, I realized that the production team’s vision of Cain is probably more knightly than what I had in mind, so I adjusted my portrayal to align with that. I hope viewers can enjoy seeing this side of Cain in the anime as well."

Q: If you recorded the dubbing sessions with other cast members, could you share your thoughts on the interactions during those scenes, any particularly memorable moments, or scenes where you felt a strong sense of accomplishment?

A:
"The scene where Cain explains the world to the Sage for the first time stands out as especially memorable. I had the chance to record alongside Yumiri Hanamori, who plays the Sage, so I think I was able to deliver those lines with a greater sense of realism. Another favorite moment was when Cain makes a quick retort during a conversation about unfamiliar foods with Riquet. I adjusted my performance during rehearsals and the final recording to match Riquet’s delivery, and it felt like it clicked perfectly. That was probably my favorite performance.

Q: What are your impressions of the mages from Central Country (Arthur, Oz, and Riquet), and do you have any favorite interactions between them and Cain?

A:
"Arthur, as Cain’s lord, is remarkable for his efforts to stand on the same level as his subordinates. That quality is part of why Cain is so devoted to him. Oz is my personal favorite—there’s something captivating about a character who is the ‘strongest,’ and I’m drawn to characters who never betray others. As for Riquet, the more you get to know him, the more his stubborn honesty grows on you. His serious concerns can sometimes seem endearing when viewed from the outside, and I think Cain might feel the same way about him."

Q: This issue features Cain and Owen on the cover. Could you share your impressions of Owen and your thoughts on the relationship between Cain and Owen?

A:
"When I first started playing Cain, I found Owen very unsettling. He’s a being of immense power, and it’s hard to grasp what he’s thinking. Recently, however, their relationship has begun to evolve. I think Cain now feels that he doesn’t want Owen to be left alone. Even if it’s vague, Cain might be trying to understand what Owen truly desires, even if he doesn’t fully comprehend it yet."

 Q: In the anime, Masaki Akira as the Sage has a voice for the first time. What are your impressions of the Sage, and was there anything specific you kept in mind when portraying interactions between Cain and the Sage?

A:
"When I played the game, I used to read the Sage’s lines out loud myself, so hearing the Sage in the anime felt very close to how I imagined them: a bit reserved but able to act decisively when it matters, with the strength to ask for help when needed. Cain interacts with the Sage as someone just as important to him as his loyalty to Arthur, though in a different way."

 Q: "Promise of Wizard" is celebrating its 5th anniversary this year. Over the course of your involvement, what have you gained as a performer, and what has the story given you?

A:
"I believe Cain represents one of the highest points in my acting journey. After the first recording session, the staff told me, ‘It felt like Cain was really there in the wizard’s manor,’ which left a strong impression on me. Often, after delivering Cain’s lines, I find myself thinking, ‘Oh, so that’s how Cain would say it,’ as if I’m learning about him along the way. Perhaps that’s why the audience feels Cain’s words are truly alive."

Q: Could you share a message with readers who are looking forward to the anime broadcast?

A:
"One of the standout features of Promise of Wizard is its compelling story, and I feel that the anime has taken great care to honor that narrative. Cain plays a significant role in the early episodes, so I approached those scenes with the aim of fully immersing viewers in the world. Please look forward to experiencing the expanded world of Promise of Wizard in the anime."

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Kanbara Daichi
Born August 30. From Osaka Prefecture. Notable roles include Hokuto Ijuuin in The Idolmaster SideM and Leon Souryuu in Cardfight!! Vanguard.