In Fena: Pirate Princess, the skilled group of samurai soldiers known as the Samurai Seven have a duty to protect the descendants of the Houtman family. One of the members is the archer Shitan who, on the outside, looks like a playboy who flirts with women, but on the inside, is someone who would always place his friends' safety above all else. But Shitan has another secret mission given to him by Yukihisa, the leader on Goblin Island, which puts him at odds with the rest of the Samurai Seven, in particular with his best friend Yukimaru.
Aside from the two protagonists, Shitan is one of the other characters who have captured viewers' attention as the mysterious and charming samurai. The voice actor of Shitan, Takahiro Sakurai, spoke to CBR about what drew him into the world of Fena: Pirate Princess, what makes Shitan so captivating, and how he interpreted his character's personality.
CBR: Besides Shitan’s good looks, a lot of viewers fell in love with his voice. Can you describe the thought process of voicing such a cool character?
Takahiro Sakurai: I didn't try to portray him as cool. I imagined him having a relaxed, calm tone, and that's what I thought I'd brought in. But I think the slightly cold gaze of the highly experienced Shitan carries a sort of magic that gives people a certain sense about him and makes them imagine things.
What was it about Shitan or Fena: Pirate Princess that stands out to you?
I was drawn to the glorious keywords "samurai" and "pirates." I was also deeply interested in the world-building and the drama that unfolds between the characters.
Episode 5 [showed] a glimpse of Shitan being fiercely loyal to his friends. It’s seen as a flaw by his brother but a strength by Yukihisa. How did you relate to Shitan at that moment?
It can look like it's a weakness of Shitan's, but I didn't feel that way. I believe that the way he thinks and the actions he takes are always correct. It is because he knows himself and because he can calmly evaluate any given situation, that he can make decisions. That is a very difficult thing to do.
What was it like to be in an anime that has shonen and shojo elements?
That's a very interesting interpretation. I thought of it as a fantasy or an action series. It's true that it looks like something that has elements of both shonen and shoujo manga. I am honored to have been a part of Fena: Pirate Princess, a work with so many elements to it. It was fun.
