Kristen Interviews Vic Mignogna of

D•N•Angel and Peacemaker

 With all the outstanding voice actors that I have interviewed this year, I thought we could close out the newsletter with the amazing Vic Mignogna! My favorite roles for Vic have been as Dark in D•N•Angel and Tatsu in Peacemaker. Vic also has another cool role in the brand-new Hakugei- Legend of the Moby Dick as Dew.

 Anime Club Girl (ACG): As long as I’ve been at ADV, you’ve been one of the big voice actors. What did you do before anime? (gasp – like it could ever measure up to life now!!) And, how long have you actually been doing voice acting work?

Vic Mignogna (VM): Nothing mattered before anime. (laugh) To be honest, I continue to do what I did before, that being music composition, production, video and film work, graphic design, etc. I just am drawn to anything of a creative nature. So it’s no surprise to me that anime joined the list of things I love to do and pursue professionally.

 ACG: So Vic, you’ve worked on a ton of great anime series.  What is your most memorable ADV moment to date?

VM: Most memorable moment? Wow, there are so many. I suppose the very first recording session I did with Steven Foster for Streetfighter II. That started what has been one of the greatest joys of my life. Then the friends I have made through ADV and the opportunities to interact with fans. I have been blessed with an abundance of memorable moments.

ACG: What’s the favorite ADV character you’ve ever voiced?

VM: Well, there’s always a special place in your heart for your first love. For me that would be Gawl in Generator Gawl. I love that show tons. But then I also am crazy about Hiroki in Princess Nine, Kurz from Full Metal Panic!, and most recently Dark in D•N•Angel. Heck, I can’t pick one. I love them all. This question is not fair!

ACG: I know that you attended a special club meeting in Brownsville as the guest of honor. Tell us a little bit about that experience.

 VM: What a great group of kids. I was informed some time ago that they wanted their anime club in Brownsville to bear my name and I was more than humbled by that alone. But then they wanted to bring me down for a weekend. Once there, we had the greatest time meeting fans, signing at the mall, and conducting panels at the library. They sure love ADV and what we are doing here. And their salsa rules hard! It was so hot and gooooooood!

ACG: Have you ever met the original Japanese voice actor for any of the shows you’ve been in? 

VM: That is one thing I have always wanted that I have yet to do. But it’s something I really am looking forward to. I’m hoping that some convention someday invites Japanese counterparts to a con. I think that would be a blast. 

 ACG: If you could pick one to meet, who would it be?

VM: I would love to meet the Japanese voice actor of Kougaiji from Saiyuki. We recorded that show years ago and I don’t even remember his name. But I remember how great I thought he was.

 ACG: So, we are highlighting both DNAngel and Peacemaker this month. These are pretty different shows. Which one was your favorite to work on? (And you aren’t allowed to say Both!!)

VM: BOTH. (laugh) I would have to say D•N•Angel. Tatsu in Peacemaker is a great character but hey…how can you NOT love Dark Mousy?

ACG: Tell us a little bit about your character in D•N•Angel.

VM: Dark is a phantom thief that is actually a personality passed down genetically in a family line. The boy he lives inside, Daisuke, is such a lovable character. The two of them together combined with great antagonists and love interests makes for one fantastic series. We recorded a commentary for the first volume and it was so much fun. Daisuke is voiced by Kevin Corn, and we had such a blast watching that show and commenting. D•N•Angel rocks the socks!

ACG: This show is extremely popular among fans. What do you like most about this show?

VM: I love the complexity of the story. It’s very engaging and the series is also beautifully animated. The performances by the other voice actors are so excellent. Of course I could go real shallow and say my favorite part is really Dark’s uber cool purple hair.

ACG: Did you expect D•N•Angel to be as popular as it has been?

VM: It’s so funny you should ask that because I really had no idea it was as much of a fan favorite as it is. The first convention I went to after the series came out blew me away with all the D•N•Angel fans and Dark lovers in particular. Every time I see David Williams I thank him for casting me and allowing me the privilege to be a part of such a fan favorite series.

 ACG: Tell us a little bit about your character in Peacemaker.

VM:  Ahhh, Tatsu. Poor guy. Tying to keep up with a rambunctious and energetic little brother is going to be the death of him! Peacemaker is another beautifully animated series and full of great story arcs. I especially love how it has deep roots in actual Japanese history of that era. And Luci Christian is amazing as Tetsu. Don Rush did a fantastic job with that show.

 ACG: I really like the character of Tatsu. Did you relate to him at all? If so, how?

 VM: I’m sorry to say that I never had a little brother….or sister for that matter. I’m an only child. But I love his devotion and commitment to watch over and look out for Tetsu. Although I would imagine constantly having to apologize and beg mercy for your little brother’s antics must get old. How do real big brothers do it?

ACG: You’ve been a part of a lot of different genres of anime series. What is your favorite genre to work on and what specific elements do you look for in a show??

VM: As soon as I say one, I think of another I love! I have always loved the deep, emotional stories…ya know, the ones that make you cry and lament with great pathos for the character. But then I really enjoy lighter comedies too. They each have their unique attractions. Boy, do I sound like an actor!

ACG:  What is your favorite thing about attending conventions?  Any recent or interesting stories that you should let us in on??  :)

 VM:  Conventions have become such a favorite thing for me because the fans are so incredible. I am continually humbled by their love and excitement about what we do. They make and give incredible gifts that always blow me away. This past August, I was at Otakon in Baltimore signing at a table and one girl came barreling over the table and threw herself on me! She gave me this huge glomp (hug) and just cried saying how much she loved my voice work. WOW. It was random and startling and adorable all at the same time.

ACG:  Do you make a habit of watching the anime series before you audition or begin recording?

VM:  I can honestly say that I have never seen any show I have done before I auditioned. I have walked into the studio as a blank slate and let the director share his description and vision of the story. After all, he is ultimately the one who decides whether I am right for a role. So I want to capture what he wants, as opposed to having a preconceived idea of my own.

 ACG:  Is there a moment when the entire cast (at least the major characters) sits down with the ADR Director and watches the finished product?  (A little premiere among yourselves)

VM:  That would be so much fun! But alas, I think it’s so difficult with everyone’s schedules to coordinate. We have talked about it many times but it hasn’t happened yet….not for shows I have done anyway.

 ACG:  If you had to name your favorite anime series to watch, what would it be? (and you don’t necessarily have to name one that you’re in – just one you like to watch)

VM:  I know there are tons of great shows ADV has done and is doing. But the ones I know best are the ones I have worked on. When I want to give someone an introduction to anime I recommend Princess Nine, Generator Gawl, Angelic Layer, Full Metal Panic! and Legend Of The Mystical Ninja. That last one is not one of the more well known ADV titles, but it is such a great show and the cast had so much fun working on it. I think it comes through in the dub.

 ACG:  So, what’s on the horizon for you?  New shows?  Conventions?  Club Meetings?

VM:  Well, I am currently involved in several new shows here at ADV. They are all really exciting and I can’t wait for the fans to get a hold of them. I have several convention appearances scheduled around the country- a few left this year and several already planned for 2006. I can’t wait!

 ACG:  Where do you see anime in 10 years?

VM:  I personally am so excited about the original anime projects that ADV is working on. There are so many brilliant creative people here and I would like to think that in the next decade we will see more original anime coming out. Anime is here to stay, the fans are loyal and they are many. Combine great shows with loving fans and look out….it just keeps getting better.

 

-December 2005