Cast Interview

C A S T I N T E R V I E W

Active Anime manages to get in touch with some of the cast of GATCHAMAN for an interview, and asked them all the same five questions. Here are their answers.

How did it feel for you tackling such a beloved cult character?
LERALDO ANZALDUA (KEN)	Aw man… In the beginning it was a bit intimidating- I thought about how much I loved the old series and checked a little online and all and I kept hearing and reading all the “buzz” and anticipation about the show – It was all a bit scary – especially since at that point I had only had minor characters and really only one supporting character in a series under my belt. So all of those factors put together – I was really intimidated about the project at first – I just wanted to make sure that I was staying true to the feeling of the show and character and giving Charlie (the director) what he needed… I just wanted to stay true to the show and the character – that was most important. BUT – Once I was in the booth and saw all the old footage I remembered and loved – all the nervousness went away and I only focused on having a good time and staying true to the situations as the character would… It was a BLAST!!!
KIM PRAUSE (JUN)	It was a little scary, but really awesome at the same time: Scary because people usually have strong opinions of how such a well-known/beloved character should be voiced; Awesome because it's such an honor and a whole lot of fun.
BRIAN JEPSON (JOE)	I went into this recording project with the excitement I felt when I was a seven or eight year old snot-nosed kid running home to watch Battle of the Planets after school. I felt honored and very lucky to have been chosen to take part in this at all, and then to play Joe was the icing on the cake. I will always be glad that I got to be the voice of G-2.
ANDY McAVIN (DR. NAMBU)	Not a problem, I just decided to make it my own interpretation and find the Nambu within.
GEORGE MANLEY (NARRATOR)	You mean kicking 7-Zark-7 to the curb and putting the real narrator back behind the mike where he belongs? It felt great! It felt really great!
What is the thing you like most about your character?
LERALDO ANZALDUA (KEN)	I loved Ken’s costume really… actually both his civilian clothes and his G-Clothes… mostly because his costume and the God Phoenix are what I remember most from the old days running home to watch the show. I really liked how he would always lookout for his teammates – with few exceptions when he felt he had to go out alone to take care of business – he always felt he had to make sacrifices to make sure none of his teammates got hurt of were put in any danger. He was a stand up guy and he knew when to joke and relax But when it came down to it – he knew when to be a decisive and strong leader. And… His hair… look at that do!
KIM PRAUSE (JUN)	Besides the yo-yo? Probably that she's a great fighter and committed to the team, but she also knows how to have fun.
BRIAN JEPSON (JOE)	Put simply, he is THE coolest! He's Han to Ken's Luke, although Ken was much less of a whiner. Plus, I like his costume and G-machine the best. So, yeah, I like his cooler-than-thou attitude, his toughness, his troubled side and his willingness to get in there and kick some Galactor ass.
ANDY McAVIN (DR. NAMBU)	His cool calm demeanor in the face of disastor. He is deeeeeep!
GEORGE MANLEY (NARRATOR)	The accuracy of his information and his undying devotion to the Science Ninja Team. You never heard him talk smack to the kids or Dr. Nambu after they failed, or dressed them down using a "suck-o-meter." He was always supportive, like that grandfather that none of them had.
What is the characteristic you have the most in common with your character?
LERALDO ANZALDUA (KEN)	I would like to think that I would take care of my friends and family the way Ken did – I certainly feel that I would sacrifice myself or parts of my self to make sure they were safe and happy. I tend to joke a little more than he does but I think that even though don’t show it as much as others that we really care about the people around us and try to take care of them and look out for them as much as possible.
KIM PRAUSE (JUN)	We've both been eaten by giant Jigokillers and lived to tell about it... Seriously, we both tend to want to stay focused on the task at hand and get annoyed when little "Jinpei's" get distracted.
BRIAN JEPSON (JOE)	We both seem to always end up with women with an evil background. No, actually Joe and I are very straight forward and no-nonsense when it comes to a lot of things in life. We both like to take charge but can also see the value in a good, smart leader.
ANDY McAVIN (DR. NAMBU)	If you asked my wife she would say we are both bossy.
GEORGE MANLEY (NARRATOR)	Deep, loud, pipes and my undying devotion to the Science Ninja Team (recording took 16 months, you know... THAT is undying devotion).
Having to work for such a long show, what would you miss most about the series now that it is over?
LERALDO ANZALDUA (KEN)	The steady paycheck… I am an actor after all… But seriously folks! I miss the great repoire that we had with everyone in the show – It really was a great cast and a great team. I loved coming in to the studio and hearing all the voices recorded before me and listening to the cast and show come together. It was a great time. Ya know, getting to work on such an iconic show of an era and such a long show as well really made it feel like I was a part of something big – something special – Especially since it was that particular show… I feel that I got to contribute a little part of history – I loved the show back when I was a kid and I hope that other people – young and old get the same excitement from the series as I did – seeing it for the first time… It was hard to let go – just because the show was a part of me. The experience is a special one and will always remain so in my heart…
KIM PRAUSE (JUN)	Pretty much the all-around fun we had recording it. Plus, it's not that often that I get to be so melodramatic in my acting.
BRIAN JEPSON (JOE)	There are so many things...I'll miss 'being' Joe for those few hours in the recording booth. I'll miss the surprises in each and every episode we did as the whole story unfolded. Those great villains, groovy 70's slang and minion-bashing just for the fun of bashing 'em. It's just a beautiful, fun series and I think that, with a few exceptions, it still holds up after all these years. I hope that I do as well thirty some-odd years from now...
ANDY McAVIN (DR. NAMBU)	Working with Charlie. He's the best and easiest director. And also good. It's true.
GEORGE MANLEY (NARRATOR)	I was about to type something really sarcastic like, "The series... duh!" But seriously, the chance to put your stamp on a classic is a second to none opportunity and I'm glad to have it. Being able to come in on a regular basis and say "Look Forward To It!" because you knew there was more was the bizzomb, yo. But I think, most of all, I'll miss the Tornado Fighter. Definitely.
If you where given the chance to come out with your own "Battle Cry" for your character, what would it be and why?
LERALDO ANZALDUA (KEN)	Man why mess with a good thing… he has a battle cry and I try to yell it as much as I can – you can’t really beat his “BIRD GOOOOO!” I love that he yells that through the series – it was really fun to yell in the booth and if I had situation to yell it in real life then THAT would certainly be mine as well. I tried to lay in some really fun fight sounds as all the hand-to-hand stuff happened so you can listen for those throughout the series But it just doesn’t compare to the “Bird Go!” But really… what does folks… what does?
KIM PRAUSE (JUN)	I'm not sure that Jun would have a battle cry. It seems to me that she's more of the type to sneak up stealthily on her prey and then attack.
BRIAN JEPSON (JOE)	"Let's Shoot Some F'n Bird Missiles at 'em!!" ...'nuff said
ANDY McAVIN (DR. NAMBU)	Hmmm. Buck Fush!
GEORGE MANLEY (NARRATOR)	EAT MY DECIBELS, GALACTOR SCUM!!! And mostly, because I am a disembodied voice in the show. You'd never see me... but you would definitely HEAR me. Sonic mecha...pbbbbbbt!