I LIVE IN JAPAN / Jenya / Voice actress, narrator, singer, TV & Radio personality, Russian language consultant

June 2024 (VOL.200)

Jenya

Home country/state/city：Russia, Novosibirsk city
Occupation：Voice actress, narrator, singer, TV & Radio personality, Russian language consultant
Duration of living in Japan：16 years
Why do you live in Japan?：I’m living with my family and working here

Were you hesitant to relocate to Japan?

No, no and always no.

What do you do in Japan? Why did you wanted to be seiyu(voice actor) in Japan?

The reason I came to Japan is that I wanted to become seiyuu, and I guess I wished hard enough so I actually got plenty of roles.

I loved and still love the way Japanese sounds, and usually was complimented my voice, so I wanted to work in voice industry. But acting is not the only way to work for seiyuu, many sings or host TV and radio shows, so I do a lot of other activities too.

What is your favorite anime or/and manga？

I have a lot of favorite anime’s. I really like “Macross Frontier”, the characters, story, and of course, music!! Kanno Youko – the composer is one of my favorite Japanese composers, and one of my dreams is to sing the song composed by her.

Why do you like Japanese anime?

Anime has many ways of expression, it is free, has a lot of genres, and there is a lot for different titles for any age category.

While I don’t watch anime as much as I watched it when I was young, I still watch some time by time.

Are there any difficulties to play in Japanese to express your emotion?

As for Japanese language, intonation (accent) is difficult for me, also I may don’t know some expressions, like proverb or something.

But expression of feelings is kind of the same whenever it is Japanese, Russian or English.

What is the distinctive difference between Russian and Japanese anime and manga?

Japanese anime is a special genre, that’s why it is called Anime, while other is just “animation”. Russian animation has long history too, there are famous creators like “Cheburashka”’s Uspensky, or Yuri Nornstein. As for fresh hits, Masha and the Bear, you can watch it on Japanese TV lately too.

Can you talk about your dream?

My dream didn’t change much since I came to Japan. I want to be successful seiyuu and singer, and I am still on my way to get there. I really want to sing anime’s opening song someday.

What do you miss about your maternal country living in Japan?

Some foods (like pickled mushrooms or cottage cheese) and my parents, of course.

Which places in Japan do you recommend that foreigners see?

There is a lot of things to see, but me personally a big fan of Tokyo Disney Resort, I am sure it is different from original parks, because TDR’s service is the closest to perfection.

My and my little daughter visit TDR 1-2 times a month, and the “cast” (staff) is always so nice, so every time is special. It is the people and Japanese “omotenashi” (hospitality) that makes Tokyo’s Disneyland special.

What parts of Japanese culture do you recommend that foreign people try to experience?

Onsen, maybe? I really want to go to one right now 🙂

Would you like to continue to live in Japan for the rest of your life, or you think you will return to your home country? If so why?

Going back to Russia is not in my plans, and while my parents are there, I have nothing else in Russia, and in Japan I have my own family, connections, job, and it is comfortable for me here.

Writer: Minobu Kondo
Photojournalist in Tokyo, writing for Japanese and American magazines. Publishing an essay “101 of green stories” with the other Japanese artists such as Kosetsu Minami. Languages: Japanese, English and French.