The singer and author of the lyrics, the actor, and now the Masumi video game actor is not fresh in playing a Japanese killer who regrets losing her father. In the years 2021 she played as a heir to Yakuza Yakuza Princess – Her “Breakout Movie”, as she calls it. Then she reserved a fresh challenge: Naoe, the hero of the killer Shinobi Assassin’s Creed ShadowsThe latest entry from the franchise AAA Ubisoft, which was released on Thursday.
MasumiThe performance as Naoe is the heartbeat of the game, next to the performance of Tonfayi Chiris, who expresses the second hero, based on the historical figure of Yasuke. During the opening hours of the game, Naoe’s voice leads you when you fancy feudal Japan. Polygon talked to Masumi on the phone on Tuesday, just a few hours after the publication of the game reviews here and elsewhere. We talked about the history of Naoe, voice performance and the challenges of MoGap.
Polygon: Do you connect with the character of Naoe or did you have to enter another space for this character?
Masumi: Yes, honestly, everything in Naoe really got me when I got an interrogation. He is such a powerful and layered figure. She is fierce and determined, and I mean that she has the burden of the world and the past he has, and also fights for his future. So when I got a story for the first time and learned about her travel, I felt quite connected with her. And he is not only a warrior, but he is someone who has to move in this really intricate world of loyalty, revenge, and then finds himself – like personal development. So I was many points that I could really resist her.
Something that I really like about it is that she is so miniature as it sounds like such a natural choice for the killer’s character, but in the past it is not necessarily in the case of the heroes of Assassin Creed. How is it to play the killer?
I know this is your first video game. How did this experience differ from other acting experiences?
Traffic transfer was a completely fresh experience and it is such a unique challenge, because you act in a huge empty space without sets, without costumes. So you really have to operate your imagination and trust your body that it will revive the character. And also trusting their partners to always be present with you, because we have all such restrictions. And it was an captivating challenge.
Photo: Ubisoft Quebec/Ubisoft via Polygon
The voice was also a completely different challenge, because from Mocap, at least you can express your whole body, but in Vo it is only your voice. So you have to pass everything down in tone, breath and energy. And I didn’t realize that I would have to make a hundred different breaths and I never had to pay attention to what breathing patterns are. It was really captivating. But to be truthful, all challenges were really satisfying. I have to learn a lot.
It is strange that I tell you, but in the version in which I play, breaths pass through the controller, so it is really addictive, because it is, closer to the ears than the rest of the soundtrack. So we assure you that they are well used.
Do you have extensive experience in games?
I have never really played video games, but my husband is playing. So yes, especially during Covid we made several games. I don’t know if you know the video game Don’t hunger together.
Photo: Ubisoft Quebec/Ubisoft
You should absolutely. It won’t be too complex, don’t worry. Although this is probably a strange experience in listening to your own voice. Do you usually watch your own performances?
Yes, because I started as a singer and author of the lyrics. So I went to the music school in La, and then before acting I made music for a enormous piece of my life. So you have to listen to your voice in music. This is the only way you develop. So I’m used to listening to my singing voice, but it doesn’t sing. It literally speaks and screams. And sometimes I’m outraged. I have been outraged many times – let’s be truthful. So I never listened to my voice that way.
Do you have a specific scene or feature point that you really resonated during its performance?
