Interview with Elyse Floyd

Elyse Floyd is something of an expert on fiery, spirited characters. Having voiced Ichino Yanagida in Battle Athletes Victory, Ms. Floyd was a natural fit as the voice of the young, but strong and proud, Yahiko Myojin. For our final interview with the Rurouni Kenshin cast, we present this conversation with Elyse Floyd. Thanks to Ms. Floyd for her time and insight!

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Dub Review: Rurouni Kenshin is different in many ways from other shows you have done-- it's three seasons long, and contains many Japanese words and cultural references that were not translated (such as Kenshin's attacks). How did you feel about working on this show?

Elyse Floyd: It was a great challenge and really interesting. All the traditional Japanese language and cultural references made it a constant learning ground, while exercising my own reactions and instincts through the eyes of my character.

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DR: Did you hear any of Sony's "Samurai X" dub of the TV series? If so, how did it affect your portrayal of your character?

Floyd: Actually, I did. I voiced other characters on the "X" series who seldom interacted with Yahiko, so it was actually a different view of the story altogether. Since I had little interaction with Yahiko until sliding into his shoes, so to speak, on Kenshin it didn't really affect my portrayal of him at all. It was a completely different experience - one I really got into.

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DR: What was your first impression of Yahiko, and how did that impression change over time?

Floyd: My first impression? I don't know... I guess I was taken by his expressions and attitude; his desire to excel as a great warrior, to follow and honor the traditions presented him and his loyalty. The awkward age he wrestles with - wanting to be grown up while at the same time being so innocent and vulnerable. I suppose over time I looked forward to his physical comedy, hot temper and unpredictable nature. The guy's a hoot! I never knew what to except.

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DR: Prior to working on this series, how often had you been cast in a lead role as a young boy? Do you feel that voicing Yahiko throughout three seasons of Rurouni Kenshin has influenced your approach to other roles you've taken since (male or female)?

Floyd: I've played leading roles as young boys before for other titles and film and TV, but generally they were even younger boys, so playing an older guy was really fun and freeing in a way. I liked coming from a slightly older point of view struggling with the whole man/boy/child dilemma.

I suppose 3 seasons of playing Yahiko has somewhat influenced my approaches to other characters. He sort of remains with me as my point of reference when playing physical comedy or other borderline boy/man aged characters. I sometimes hear "Uh, that was a little too Yahiko sounding". Then I know which way to adjust my delivers as not to duplicate him in the new role I'm creating.

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DR: How difficult was it to prepare to play the role of Yahiko as opposed to other roles you've played?

Floyd: There was no difficulty in preparing for the role at all. I've never really found preparing for a role to be a problem as a voice actor. It's maintaining the voice and inflections of the character that are tricky. Especially with a husky, throaty boy voice that can wear on the vocal chords after a few hours of screaming in the recording booth. THAT'S difficult! The challenge is to find the placement in the voice that you can sustain without harming your pipes. Yahiko was a real workout at times, so I had to learn to condition myself to meet the challenge.

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DR: Now that it's over, how do you feel about working on Rurouni Kenshin?

Floyd: It was great working on the show - the show that never seemed to end there for a while. That's rather comforting as an actor, as we seldom have regular roles lasting years at a time. Usually a series is done in less than a year, so I became very fond of my standard time each week with the cast and staff of the show. We were sort of a little family there for a time.

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DR: What is your favorite scene or memory from Rurouni Kenshin?

Floyd: There were a few really fun moments. I think I always got a kick out of the physical comedy and Yahiko's timing. He was all over the map - perfect for me. I also liked his softer side, even though he was rather uncomfortable with it himself. And there was one episode where he was sick and kept on barfing - that was cool. It's not everyday you get to perfect the art of barfing to picture. Try matching lip-synch on that!