How did you feel when production of the new anime in the BAKI series, BAKI-DOU, was announced?

Mr. Shimazaki: Honestly, I was just thrilled! Since the original manga is still ongoing, I’ve always approached the anime series with the mindset that it would continue as well.
The manga is no longer simply titled BAKI but has moved into an arc called BAKI-RAHEN, which focuses more on the surrounding characters.
I truly love this series and working here, so while I believed it would continue, actually seeing it take shape makes me incredibly happy and excited.

Can you tell us your honest feelings about joining the BAKI series as Miyamoto Musashi?

Mr. Uchida: My heart is pounding. Joining a long-running series for the first time, I can’t help but worry, “What if I end up ruining something that so many people love?” All I can do is sincerely hope that the fans will enjoy and be pleased with it.

What was your impression when you first saw Mr. Uchida’s portrayal of Musashi?

Shimazaki: There are many veteran actors on the BAKI set, but when I heard Musashi’s words performed by Nao-san, it truly felt like “someone from a completely different era had arrived.” Of course, it helps that he’s portraying Musashi. Not only does he come from a different time period, he thinks and lives differently, even his values are different. I felt that “otherworldly” existence in a very direct way.
The expression “perfect fit” feels a bit too casual. During recordings and even now, I feel that “He is Musashi,” and the feeling of Baki when he opens up to Musashi feels in sync with when I open up to Nao-san during recordings. Also, Nao-san, I have to confess that I see a lot of similarities between you and Musashi (lol).

Uchida: I was stuck on the idea that he (Musashi) is a clone, and I wondered how I should perform as a clone. He doesn’t just fight, he feels no remorse in killing people, and things that would shake modern-day people doesn’t shake Musashi at all. If I think about that too much, it inhibits my acting. So I just have to believe Itagaki-Sensei, and read his lines. That allows me to communicate to the other person. That’s what makes acting so interesting.
The emotional distance remains the same, whether he is speaking to Baki, or speaking to Tokugawa, or anybody else. There’s something profoundly pure about how he speaks directly to the person before him—it carries a deep sincerity and even a kind of love. That part of Itagaki-sensei’s world really resonated with me.

As the cast leader, is there anything you keep in mind, Mr. Shimazaki?

Shimazaki: I always try to act in ways that make the studio a better place. When I’m the lead or at the center of a project, I’m especially conscious of “how someone at the center should behave.” The person at the center has a lot of influence in every action they take, so if I hint, “Let’s make this set feel like this,” everyone around me is a professional, so they’ll understand. They’ll think, “I see,” “So this is how he wants to approach it,” “Then I’ll adjust like this,” or “So this is the kind of atmosphere he wants to create.” That atmosphere naturally spreads, so at the core of it all, I just hope that every set becomes a better environment, that everyone can work in a positive way, and that the project itself improves even just a little.
To be more specific, when we have guest performers, I really don’t want them to leave thinking, “That studio wasn’t enjoyable,” or feeling uncomfortable in any way.
Rather than deciding, “Because I’m the lead, this is absolutely how we’re going to do it,” I think it’s best to focus on what I can do from my position within each project to help make the set better.

Uchida: But no matter what set he’s on, he’s the same. It feels like Nobunaga Shimazaki’s personality just naturally comes through.

What is it like at the recording studio for BAKI-DOU?

Shimazaki: I’ve been called the cast leader, but Musashi is largely a main character in BAKI-DOU also, so I really feel that we share the title of cast leader. With the two of us creating the atmosphere together, I feel that it became livelier and brighter.

Uchida: It sure was energetic! Like an all-boys’ school (lol).

Shimazaki: Everyone adored Nao-san, not just the veterans but the younger cast as well. They weren’t afraid to go strike up a conversation with him (lol).

Uchida: Yeah, they were all over me (lol).

Did you talk about acting on set?

Shimazaki: On this particular set, we didn’t really talk about acting. Rather, I don’t think what Nao-san does can be explained on the level of “it’s this kind of technique, so it works like this.” It’s more something you learn by watching.
I’m truly grateful that I had the chance to work with Nao-san. Being able to encounter his Musashi as Baki and face him directly has had a huge influence on me, even on other projects.

Uchida: All we do is respond through our acting to the directions given by the director. How closely we can match that vision—or whether we miss the mark—gradually changes the level of trust placed in us.
When I watch Nobunaga’s acting, I can really feel his youthfulness, since we’re from completely different generations. Not just Nobunaga, but when I watch young actors today, there are definitely moments when I feel a bit envious (lol).

From your perspective, what is your impression of Miyamoto Musashi as portrayed by Mr. Uchida?

Shimazaki: When people think of Musashi, traits like being samurai-like or playful tend to stand out. But at his core, he relentlessly pursues the “sword” and “strength.”
He’s honest and sincere about that pursuit, and he truly possesses tremendous power.
Those aspects overlap with Nao-san. He’s very bright and funny—a big-brother figure and a senior—but in the end, you can really tell how much he loves acting. I hope I can become like that too. To love the same thing for over 50 years—more than half a century—continuing to pursue greater heights all that time… I think, in the end, it’s people like that who truly endure (laughs).

Uchida: I’ve aimed to be a star since I was a child, so hearing that makes me very happy.

Shimazaki: It’s because he has that truly serious core underneath it all that I see the overlap with Musashi. I think that’s why not only I myself, but even from Baki’s perspective, he feels amazing—someone to admire, someone truly cool.

From your perspective, what is your impression of Baki as portrayed by Mr. Shimazaki?

Uchida: I’d say Nobunaga Shimazaki feels much stronger—and cuter—than you might imagine (laughs).
More than the character itself, I feel like Nobunaga’s personality really comes through. In a very positive sense, it doesn’t feel like he’s “playing Baki”; it feels more like Nobunaga is simply acting naturally.

Shimazaki: After seeing Nao-san’s Musashi, I became even more conscious of not over-creating or overthinking the role. The less I try to artificially construct it, the closer it naturally becomes to me, so maybe that’s part of it.

Lastly, could you share a message for the fans who are looking forward to Baki-Dou?

Uchida: Above all, please enjoy it! I’m the one having the most fun and feeling the excitement myself, but it’s turned into something you’ll enjoy even more than before—so please look forward to it.

Shimazaki: Personally, I think BAKI-DOU is a success if Musashi shines. Of course, it goes without saying that everyone involved—the staff, the cast, myself included—is giving it our all. But Musashi is truly captivating. I was already completely drawn in by him during the dubbing stage, so I can confidently say you won’t be disappointed. Please look forward to Miyamoto Musashi!