Megumi Ogata—the legendary voice actress behind iconic roles like Kurama from "Yu Yu Hakusho," Shinji Ikari from "Neon Genesis Evangelion," and more recently, Yuta Okkotsu from "Jujutsu Kaisen"—has been in the game for over 30 years. And she's still absolutely crushing it!
Recently, Ogata-san dropped a rare, lengthy post, sharing her decades of experience and insights into the tough realities of the voice acting world with aspiring newcomers and those already grinding it out.
In her post, Megumi Ogata laid it out:
"Listen up, rookies! The absolute basics are, of course, nailing your character analysis and delivering performances that are above par. But even more crucial? Humility. Show respect to everyone around you—your fellow staff and your seniors.
Without "genuine, heartfelt gratitude," you won't last long in this business. It's not just about saying it; it's about *doing* it, consistently. Those who truly embody these actions are the ones who make it. Self-reflection, always. That's the golden rule."
She also clarified that her post wasn't aimed at a specific wrap party or project; rather, she'd observed some things at a recent recording session and felt compelled to give newcomers a heads-up.
To be even more blunt, Ogata-san admitted she'll "talk until her students roll their eyes" at her private voice acting school. Her goal? To ensure her graduates avoid pitfalls in the industry, give collaborators peace of mind, and ultimately, build a solid reputation and stellar performance record for themselves.
Her candid advice quickly caught the attention of novelist Tōru Shiwaku, who retweeted it, lamenting that after attending dozens of recording sessions, he "truly sympathizes with rookie voice actors." He pointed out that "the bigger the star, the ones you'd think are too busy to even glance at a script, are actually the ones who've devoured it cover-to-cover." His blunt conclusion: "With that kind of dedication, those top spots aren't opening up anytime soon."
Many netizens and industry insiders chimed in, highlighting: "The ability to thoroughly grasp a script is a natural selection mechanism; the veteran VAs who stick around are inherently phenomenal." "Some don't just memorize their lines; they dive into historical contexts, architectural details, and can deliver precise, intuitive performances after a single read." "Rookies are still learning how to even read a script, so facing seniors like that? Talk about immense pressure."
Another user shared how veteran VA Joji Nakata, when voicing Souren Araya in "The Garden of Sinners," didn't just master the script but also delved into the original novels and related materials. "That level of professionalism is practically a trade secret," they quipped.
Some netizens also pointed out that unlike live-action actors, voice actors aren't bound by age; even VAs in their seventies or eighties can still voice child characters. This means "the chairs simply don't open up," making the entire industry incredibly tough to break into.
A netizen from a voice acting training institution remarked that even if a rookie reads a script a hundred times, their on-site performance might still fall short of a veteran's single read. It's not about seniors relying on fame; it's genuinely "the gap in experience." They expressed admiration for the long-standing veterans in the industry, who not only possess immense talent but also continuously evolve.
In reality, voice work today isn't just limited to dedicated voice actors; other entertainers are crossing over, too. Coupled with advancements in recording technology and increased efficiency, it's even harder for newcomers to snag exposure. What's more, veteran VAs aren't just top-tier talents; they're also incredibly friendly and polite, with absolutely no "coasting on their reputation." Breaking into this field is genuinely a Herculean task.
This discussion on "Why It's So Hard for Newcomers to Shine in Voice Acting" not only pulled back the curtain on the industry's sky-high standards and intense pressure but also highlighted a stark reality: in a profession where voices sculpt the very soul of characters, only relentless effort, profound preparation, and maintaining friendly relations with staff and peers will allow you to truly stand firm and go the distance.
via： togetter