After ADV announced that they had acquired the rights to do an English language dub of Macross, anime fans across the internet were abuzz with the possibilities that this meant. On top of that, ADV announced that they locked in Mari Iijima, the Japanese voice of Minmay in the original Macross to play Minmay again... this time in English!

To commemorate this, Mari Iijima agreed to an interview with Robotech.com, except that instead of a regular interviewer, the fans would be allowed to ask the interview questions. 40 of the best questions were sent to Mari, and she replied to most of them after her first recording session with ADV in November. Here is the first half of the interview, in which we cover all the questions related to Mari's music career and personal life.


- ON MACROSS AND MINMAY:


BlueTrim asks: What drew your interest into taking up the storyline of Macross as a voice acting project? Or if they sought you out, what was it that they picked you for and how many others were interested in the part?

Mari Iijima says: They wanted a strong singer, I think. And I happened to be there as a new talent (singer & songwriter) at JVC Victor when they were looking for a person who could play Minmay.


BlueTrim asks: Were other family members involved in the decision and were there other family members with a singing talent?

Mari Iijima says: My parents are both dentists. :) But they've always been music lovers, so of course, they influenced me while growing up.


rhade asks: Do you consider the role of Minmei your starting point in the music and entertainment world?

Mari Iijima says: For the entertainment world, yes. But for my music career, my debut album “Rosé” was the starting point.


BlueTrim asks: What is your all time favorite Minmei line that she said and why did you like the line?

Mari Iijima says: Ummmmm, ask me that question again when I'm done with all the episodes, so I'll remember all my dialogue.


Apollo Leader asks: In Macross Do You Remember Love? In the opening part of the movie when Minmay ends her performance of My Boyfriend is a Pilot and thanks the crowd for attending, a man yells out loudly “Minmay!!!” Was this Shoji Kawamori?

Mari Iijima says: I don't know, but I don't think so. :)


rhade asks: Do fans ever approach you and call you by the character name?

Mari Iijima says: At the very beginning, yes. :) But not any more.


rhade asks: Macross and Minmei have touched the hearts and lives of so many people. How does it make you feel to know that Minmei has become almost a household name? Did it ever occur to you that this one show would develop such devoted fans?Or that your character would become such an icon? Or that years after the show ended, there would still be so much demand?

Mari Iijima says: I had no idea that Macross was going to be this huge, when I was chosen to play Minmay, 'cause I didn't have any information about it.


Saouri asks: My questions are...how do you feel every time on stage, when people ask you to sing Ai, oboete imasu ka or another Macross songs? That song have a special meaning to you, or...21 year later, are you tired to sing it again and again?

Mari Iijima says: I usually don't sing much Macross songs during my shows. But sometimes, I sing Ai Oboeteimasuka. I love that song more than ever now, I truly connected with that song last year. I suddenly felt that (I finally understood...) while singing it with piano at home.


Saouri asks: What is your favorite Macross song?

Mari Iijima says: Ai Oboeteimasuka


Apollo Leader asks: In the years after you originally voiced Minmay and had started your music career in Japan, did any other animation studios in Japan approach you about voicing characters in other animated series?

Mari Iijima says: Not that I know of.


Apollo Leader asks: Have you stayed in touch or have had any working involvement with any of your other fellow voice actors/actresses that were part of the Macross cast?

Mari Iijima says: I stayed in touch with Arihiro Hase who played Hikaru (He often came to my shows in Tokyo with beautiful flowers) but unfortunately he passed away, but I feel his spirit around me all the time. Now I'm very close to his Mom. :)


- ON PLAYING MINMAY AGAIN:


Macross2004 asks: How do you feel when you got a chance to do the voice of Lynn Minmei again?

Mari Iijima says: I felt it was fate. In a way, I kind of knew it was on its way. I'm not trying to reprise my role, I’m approaching it as a brand new project that I got as an actor.


TotsugekiBomber7 asks: How have your children reacted to the news of you being in a new dub. I believe I remember reading an interview where you mentioned coming across robotech through them.

Mari Iijima says: They were watching the Cartoon Network when they were little, and they found “Robotech” :) When I told them that I was going to play Minmay again, they were like “Oh, cool” :)


Hikaru2 asks: In what ways is the production of the voice acting different in Japan in comparison with how it is done in the United States?

Mari Iijima says: When we were doing the original Macross series in Japan, the actors were all together in one studio, watching others act, waiting for their turns. We quietly walked to the microphone, and did our lines. It was a TEAM work. Now I'm in the studio, having my own monitor screen with completed animation (of course!) and dialogs, working with a director and a sound engineer. I work about 6 hours straight everyday pretty intensely while I'm in Houston. I would like to capture Minmay's innocence and sincerity this time, so people could appreciate Minmay's personality more. She is a bit sexier this time. (It's natural after all. :) I guess the hardest thing for me is to keep Minmay's original high energy, since I'm no longer a teen. ;) But I'm trying my best as always.


Thanks to everyone who participated! Tune in next week when Mari Iijima answers your questions about her music career and personal life!

UPDATE: To view Part 2 of the Mari Iijima Fan interview, click here