Nathan Thorell (NT): What did you think of AnimeIowa? This was your first anime convention, if I'm not mistaken.
Jay Hickman (JH): You are not mistaken... it was my first. I enjoyed it! And I liked it on two very different levels:
First, since it was my first Con, it sort of served as the measurement for how much I’m going to like Cons in general, and I think the answer is... quite a lot! For starters, anyone who likes having fun should like going to anime conventions! They are a blast! So many things to see, so much wacky behavior, so much joy! And also, you find yourself surrounded by people who feel as passionately as you do about this art form... which is really inspiring!
Secondly, with that said, I enjoyed AnimeIowa a lot because it is one of the smaller Cons out there. People were telling me that a convention like that one was a great way for me to "get my feet wet", and I’d have to say that I agree. Everyone was very friendly, and there was never too much going on to the point where I was like: "Where am I?? Where’s my mommy?!?" So, y’know, that was good.
NT: Had you seen any anime before you started voice acting?
JH: To be honest, well... not much. I had seen a fair bit of the older stuff as a kid (Speed Racer, Star Blazers), but I had not really followed the genre into adulthood. With one exception: I had a friend from work once who was a big fan and always talked about it. One night after our shift, I was over at his place, and he showed me a scene from his favorite hentai which he thought was hilarious! It was an alien, with lots of tentacles, and he was doing... um... stuff. I’ll never forget that one!
NT: What made you want to get into voice acting?
JH: Well, as with most anything I've done in life... I was drawn to it for the chance to meet girls! But that didn’t work...
Seriously, though... I did a lot of theatre growing up, and by the time I got to college I was getting a lot of the "You've got a GREAT VOICE! You should do RADIO!" type of comments. So I figured I should look into a way of doing just that. I got an agent who got actors work doing radio commercials and the like, and I was hooked!
NT: What sort of reaction did you have after first seeing Excel Saga?
JH: I’m sure it was a lot like most people’s reactions: "Holy S***!"
They told me it would be crazy... I just had no idea how crazy!
NT: Do you have a favorite episode of Excel Saga?
JH: I think it would be a real shame if I didn’t say secret Episode 26, don’t you? Especially for the sake of our friend Watanabe? Who had been working so hard toward a... um... certain goal??
NT: What do you think of RahXephon?
JH: In a word, I’m intrigued (Okay, I guess that’s sort of two words...)
But honestly, this is the sort of show that is visually dazzling, has stunning animation, and a truly (here’s that word again) intriguing storyline! Just thrilling to watch.
Even though I get to see some of the story when I’m working on the show, I’m as eager as anyone to get my hands on the next installment of the series!
NT: What are some things you do to get ready before going in for a recording session?
JH: It varies. It really depends, I guess, on which show I’m going to be doing some work for. If I’m doing a role like Watanabe from Excel Saga, where I’m going to be doing a lot of screaming and yelling, I will literally do vocal exercises beforehand, to get warmed up and that sort of thing. Also, I’ll probably bring some lemon tea and cough drops with me on that day.
If it’s something more like my character Koji in Generator Gawl where I was basically just using my regular speaking voice, I don’t need much preparation. When I get to the studio on a day like that, I’ll probably read through the episode once, so I know a little bit about the story arc... and then there’s the water. I’m always drinking lots of water!
NT: Have you had any embarrassing moments in the booth that you wouldn't mind sharing?
JH: Oh, nothing too sensational... Pretty much the only funny stuff that's happened is that I have, on occasion, forgotten to turn off my cellphone while in the booth... In the middle of a take, it has RUNG and RUNG... and I've been like: "Er... 'scuse me... I'll just get that..."
And so the director (or two... who I won't name) has very patiently sat there at the boards, while I chat away, drumming his fingers on the counter... And I'm like: "Yes, that's right. DOUBLE pepperoni, and mushrooms... Yes, that address is..."
Stuff like that.
Thanks to Jay Hickman for his time and courtesy in this interview! Check out Mr. Hickman's current projects, some of which include Aura Battler Dunbine (as Shou Zama), RahXephon (as Itsuki Kisaragi), and the future releases of Saint Seiya (as Green Dragon Shiryu), and Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi (as Tetsu Asahina). Also, please visit his website and tell him what you think at JayHickman.net.