The Voice of the Control Devil: Decrypting the Charm and Challenges of Makima's Voice Actress—Tomori Kusunoki in "Chainsaw Man"

Preface: Giving Voice to the Soul of the Dominator

In the anime "Chainsaw Man," Makima, the leader of the Public Safety Devil Extermination Special Division 4, has become one of the most discussed characters in the work due to her gentle yet chilling image. Animating this character, who embodies mystery, elegance, gentleness, and absolute domination, made the choice of voice actress crucial. Ultimately, this important task fell upon the shoulders of the new-generation, highly skilled voice actress—Tomori Kusunoki. This article will delve into introducing the voice actress who gave Makima her soul and how she interpreted this complex character.

Makima's Japanese Voice Actress: Tomori Kusunoki

In the anime version of "Chainsaw Man," the voice behind Makima is Japanese voice actress Tomori Kusunoki. Born on December 22, 1999, she is one of the notable new-generation voice actresses in recent years. Tomori Kusunoki's vocal range is versatile; she can portray pure and cute girls as well as calm and mysterious mature characters, which also made her the perfect choice to interpret Makima.

Voice Actress's Interpretation and Challenges: Tomori Kusunoki mentioned in interviews that interpreting the role of Makima was full of challenges. The MAPPA production team's request to her was: "Do not overly express a suspicious feeling" and "Do not reveal too much information in your voice." This is because Makima's position in the early part of the story is ambiguous; her gentleness and care seem sincere, yet they simultaneously exude a sense of incongruity.

To achieve this effect, Tomori Kusunoki deliberately restrained excessive emotional expression, using a flat, calm, and slightly gentle tone in her performance. She could not let the audience immediately decide "This person is definitely a villain," but rather had to create an atmosphere of "Although she sounds gentle, something feels off." This nuanced vocal performance successfully perfectly restored Makima's elusive and inscrutable nature, allowing the audience to be drawn to her while also sensing an underlying fear.