Kōzō Shioya & Unshō Ishizuka

Shioya:
Just as I was wondering what would happen with Dragon Ball from here on out once Dragon Ball Kai ended, I heard that a new series would be starting, and was incredibly surprised. It’s based on the movie Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods, but in the movie, Boo was beaten by Beerus in one hit (laughs), and he only appeared for less than a minute or so… so I figured Boo might not appear in Super. But he appears as a pair with Mr. Satan a little bit here and there. I had heard before that Toriyama-sensei had once said he “wanted to do a gag-type thing with Satan and Boo”¹, so I figured he might end up appearing just in that one style. I’ve recorded a few episodes now, and in fact, at the beginning he said only “I’m hungry”, and at today’s recording, he was defeated by Beerus straightaway. He was beaten even more soundly than in the movie. (laughs)

Ishizuka:
I had thought that, unlike the theatrical version of Battle of Gods, in Super Boo might get ticked off and fight back… but actually, he was easily defeated by Lord Beerus.

Shioya:
So I think maybe they aren’t really looking for much in the way of strength from Boo, but I’d really like to do my part, somewhere, at least once!

Ishizuka:
I also thought that there would probably be a different show starting after Dragon Ball Kai ended. So I was surprised when I heard that a new Dragon Ball series would start. Kai‘s story was based on Z, but Super is an all-new work, so I have no way to predict what’s going to happen. So I wonder what sort of role Satan will have.

Shioya:
It’s completely unpredictable, isn’t it. But, won’t Satan end up taking all the credit in the end? (laughs) In the first episode he received a world peace prize, after all.

Ishizuka:
Right in the first episode, he did say some pretty high-and-mighty things. But if I think he might play a role from here on out, he might not. (laughs) You just can’t tell what’s in store.

Shioya:
I think it’d be nice if, at any rate, Boo can live an easygoing life. (laughs)

Ishizuka:
But Boo will probably make use of his power once or twice, don’t you think? Satan and Boo popping in, saying “I wanna eat!” or “You should cut that out!” like a manzai² routine is fun and all, but I would like, at least a little, a scene where they get to do their part in a cool way. On the other hand, Satan believes he himself is the strongest, so I want him to steadfastly keep to his stance that there’s no way even someone like Lord Beerus & co. would beat him. (laughs)

Shioya:
With regards to the relationship between Satan and Boo, the Boo arc depicted them getting to know each other, and I felt that it was something like a friendship. But in Super, after some time has passed, it’s like they’ve become a full-fledged old married couple. (laughs)

Ishizuka:
There’s still a lot of material where their rapport is about eating, or not eating, but I’d be happy to have there be something a with a little bit more depth. In the home, I think their relationship will probably continue on like that.

Shioya:
The cast members haven’t changed much from back in the day, so the atmosphere is the same. Mako-san (Masako Nozawa-san) is right there in the middle, a wonderful chairwoman leading those around her, so we’re at ease doing it. The truth is, there aren’t many places any more where I’m working with people older than I am, so it’s a precious experience. (laughs)

Ishizuka:
The recording studio has changed from the one we’d used up to now³; the number of mics is different, the lighting is different, and the location is different, so it has the feeling of a new start: “We’re making a new show, aren’t we.”

Shioya:
The previous studio was a place with a history, which was no different from 20 years ago, so it had a sense of depth to it somewhere. Perhaps because of that, the battle scenes and such in Kai I think combined with the atmosphere of the studio to bring out a weighty power. On the other hand, the place we’re in now is a new building with lots of light, which I think makes it easier to bring out Super‘s easygoing atmosphere.

Ishizuka:
I really do think the recording studio has quite a big influence.

Shioya:
Even we can’t predict developments down the line, but it’s got a relatively comedic feel, which is diferent from the Majin Boo arc. There are a lot of fun scenes, and I think it will continue to get more and more exciting, so I’d like you to stick with us over the long run. Please look forward to Sunday mornings each week!

Ishizuka:
Since I can’t predict developments down the line, at any rate, right now I’m playing Satan with a thought to just how alive the character can be. When he’s letting loose and having fun, I’ll really let loose and have fun, and if there’s a battle scene, then I want to fight with all my strength. (laughs) I always want to be giving my all during the story. I’m sure that Satan will have a role to play, so I’d be happy if you could watch and look forward to that as well.