Goku vs. Arale:
Masako Nozawa & Mami Koyama
Special Interview (Part 1)

Koyama:
I was so happy when I heard they were doing an episode where Goku fights Arale-chan! I’m a big Mako-san [Masako Nozawa] fan, so it was a pleasure to get to work with her again!… I can’t believe I get to see Arale-chan‘s world of Penguin Village once more.

Nozawa:
I figure Goku is probably happy about getting to fight Arale-chan! But I bet he won’t just go “hey, she seems strong”; he’ll be more like “boy, this sure takes me back!” Because Goku becomes friends with everybody before too long.

Koyama:
I still remember the first time I got to work with Mako-san. I was still just a rookie, and didn’t even know which way was up… I was working overtime recording 30 to 40 episodes, while in contrast Mako-san was giving a really energetic performance…!

Nozawa:
The atmosphere in the recording sessions hasn’t changed a bit since back then (laughs).

Koyama:
When I was a beginner, I would look at Mako-san and be astounded at how she could talk so well with such perfect timing.

Koyama:
This recording was a delight too! There was a spirit of friendly competition in the studio, which made things a lot of fun.

Nozawa:
It sure was fun here! And communicating that is important too, right? We all have a fun time talking because we want to bring the atmosphere inside the studio into the images onscreen.

Koyama:
We all really did manage to record that fun studio atmosphere. And a lot of our fellow performers are from the generation that grew up watching Dr. Slump: Arale-chan and Dragon Ball… so they might have enjoyed it even more than us (laughs).

Nozawa:
Yeah! Since everyone from that generation watched those shows.

Koyama:
It’s been such a long time since I’ve had this many lines as Arale, so it was hard to prepare. I went to voice training to practice doing a high-pitched voice.

Nozawa:
It’s only natural. After all, you’ve got to go “ki—in!“¹

Koyama:
When I went “ki—in!“, my voice was so high-pitched that I gave myself a headache (laughs). I bet I was really annoying… (sweat)

Nozawa:
Oh no, not at all! It was really cute.

Koyama:
Really?! I’m so happy!

Nozawa:
Characters that you voice for a long time always remain in your heart. They definitely stay with the actors.

Koyama:
Yeah, I find Arale cute. And so part of me thinks “I helped create her!”, and that feeling sticks with me; I treasure that feeling.

Nozawa:
That sort of feeling is definitely precious.

Koyama:
When I looked at the pictures, that feeling came back to me. I felt it throughout my entire body! I guess my cells got excited or something.

Nozawa:
Even Goku’s a bit different than usual. It must be because Arale’s there. He’s happy his friend came! That’s so like him; I love it.

Koyama:
There really is love there. In both Dragon Ball and Dr. Slump. Since there’s love there, it makes it so much fun to do.

Nozawa:
So the cool-looking Goku and the cute Arale-chan are doing a collaboration? This spans generations. Kids and their parents, and their parents’ parents… the whole family should be able to enjoy this!

Koyama:
(in Arale’s voice) The who~ole family can enjoy it together!

Nozawa:
So cute! I want to watch Arale-chan on TV.

Koyama:
But when all is said and done, this time it is I, Mami Koyama, who is happiest of all! Thank you so much.

Nozawa:
I’m the one who should be thankful! This was a lot of fun.