asano mayumi

Asano Mayumiasano mayumi (浅野 まゆみ) is a seiyuu with Oosawa Productions (and formerly of Production Baobab). Born in November of 1969, Asano has built up an impressive resume of character portrayals in both dubbed anime and foreign works. She is known for having a very wide vocal range and frequently voices men, women, and children alike. Asano's notable anime roles include: Fujisaki Suguru from Gravitation, Blue from Wolf's Rain, Kurosaki Hisoka from Yami no Matsuei, Toin Rina from Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch, Claus Valca from Last Exile, and Haku from Naruto.

Asano Mayumi has also voiced some memorable live action characters in Japanese dubs too, including Sara Sidle from CSI and Number Six from Battlestar Galactica.

as kitajima

As Kitajima, Asano employs a voice not entirely dissimilar to her work as Kazuyo Natsuki (Yes! PreCure 5) with hints of her work as Blue (wolf's rain). Not raspy or boyish, Kitajima sounds rather defiant and feminine. Asano manages to strike a perfect balance between warmth and coldness in her portrayal. Oh yes and she sounds effortlessly sexy — did I mention that? Even when the character is expressing outrage or depression, Asano's voice remains utterly sensual. To hear her work as Kitajima, please check out the samples below.

dragonaut cast messages

In September 2007 and March 2008 (before the series began airing and just before the broadcast concluded), the Japanese dragonaut voice cast released messages to fans. The messages varied in content, but they generally allowed the seiyuu to reflect on their characters and the recording experience. Asano Mayumi, like the rest of the primary cast, released two reflective messages — one in 2007 and one in 2008. Thanks kindly to Whitney for the translations.

September 2007 "Dragonaut" Message: Asano Mayumi / Kitajima Yuuri

In the first episode, there was a line, "Let go of me!", but it was almost a little sexy if anything (haha). She's not usually one to speak of ordinary things, and so I think in that case, it's a good thing that you can really feel the reality and liveliness of the situation. Also, since many characters do make an appearance, I feel that I will have done a good job if I can properly express her individuality.

March 2008 "Dragonaut" Message: Asano Mayumi / Kitajima Yuuri

In that case, if I may add one more thing to Chou-san's (Kiril's seiyuu) words, "Your character's leading role is all because of you." That's all, thank you very much.

bewe interview

Bewe.sc is a Japanese community web site that hosts exclusive content for various different groups (anime series, pop stars, companies, etc). It has a basic membership level (which allows you access to most content) and a paid level (which gives you access to special downloads). The dragonaut series has a community hosted on bewe known as isda operation room.

When the series began airing bewe fans were invited to send in questions, the best of which would be posed to the various seiyuu during weekly web-exclusive interviews. One of the seiyuu interviewed on bewe during March of 2008 was Asano Mayumi, the woman behind Kitajima's voice. The following is a copy of this brief (though insightful) interview, kindly translated into English by my friend, Meimi.

BEWE ISDA OPERATION ROOM, (Asano Mayumi / Kitajima Yuuri interview)

Q: Are there any ways in which you're like your character?
A: Ma~aybe in how we're both a bit reckless?

Q: Which of the Dragonaut characters would you want to resonate and form a pair with? (It doesn't have to be a dragon!)
A: Nanami.

Q: To Asano-san, who is more your type: Yonamine or Professor Nozaki?
A: Both of them are my type.

Q: Tell us what you love or hate about Kitajima.
A: At first glance, she has a bit of a cool image. But I like the part of her where her emotions show clearly on her face.

women's festival comments

The Dragonaut Women's Festival CD was a limited order item available to Animage readers. It contained a drama track featuring the female cast pondering Valentine's Day, as well as a deluxe booklet featuring character profiles and cast comments. As Kitajima was one of the characters portrayed on the CD, Asano Mayumi was one of the seiyuu whose comments were featured in the booklet. The following has been kindly translated into English by Janice.

Dragonaut Women's Festival Comment - Asano Mayumi / Kitajima Yuuri

I think the main theme of this project is 'bond'... but I didn't expect to take the part who represents said 'bond' in theatrical forms... frankly, I thought my role was supposed to be a minor one to make up for the mood at first (laugh)

I believe that the Kitajima we've seen up til now has always prioritized her position as a scientist/researcher, which was why she treated the dragons as a mere ingredient for her research. However, when she felt a connection that almost surpassed The Red Thread of Destiny between herself and her respected Professor Nozaki, after which she discovered Nozaki's identity as a dragon, her view started to change. I believe that by understanding the 'bond' between humans and dragons which cannot simply be explained by science/research, her character was able to develop a great deal.

It's been snowing today at Tokyo during our recording session. I hope you enjoy this drama CD, a product that's about to cause serious commotion in a world of snow!

 

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