- Interview Location: Anime Expo 2026
- Interview Format: In-person, One-on-One
Anime Herald: What would you like our viewers to know about the upcoming season ofFromOld Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman?
Kazumi Akio: At the end of the first season, Beryl and Mewi got close as a fake father and daughter. Beryl stepped forward. The theme of the second season is that even though you may be getting older, you can always develop and move forward.
Anime Herald: Can you share any stories about the recording process for the second season?
Kazumi Akio: For anime, the drawing is everything. I worked with the animators to deliver the best story possible.
From a voice acting point of view, Mr. (Hiroaki) Hirata is legendary. He created the character (Beryl Gardinant) as very chill. On set, he helped create a relaxed recording environment.
Anime Herald: Would you say this was one of the more relaxed recording environments you’ve been in?
Kazumi Akio: I would say so.
Anime Herald: What is your origin story? How did you decide to enter the anime industry?
Kazumi Akio: I enjoyed drawing when I was young. In middle school, I watched Terminator and Back to the Future. However, it was easier for me to find a job in the anime industry than it was to find a job in the film industry.
In college, I studied film and how to write a script or design a character. After that, I joined the anime industry.
After I joined the company, they had me do computer graphics animation. I didn’t know anything about CG, so I had to study how to use computers. From that experience, I was able to work on Pokémon and other major titles.
Even though I do CG, I really wanted to be a screenwriter or storyboard writer. But now, I do CG mainly. Because of that, I’ve become a director.
Anime Herald: You got hired because you had skills in one area, and then they made you do something else.
Anime Herald: If you were to play matchmaker for Beryl Gardenant, who would you set him up with?
Kazumi Akio: Allucia, of course. Someday.
Anime Herald: What have you learned about swordsmanship from working on this series?
Kazumi Akio: There is a Western sword school near where I live. I went over there and learned how to use and swing the swords. That’s where I got the basic knowledge of Western swordsmanship.
Anime Herald: How long did it take you to get to where you felt competent swinging a sword?
Kazumi Akio: I’d been doing kendo, so I was familiar with how to use a katana or Japanese sword.
However, the philosophy between Japanese swordsmanship and Western swordsmanship is very different. It was very useful for me to learn at this school.
Anime Herald: It is an amazing coincidence that there would be a school near you.
Do you have any questions for us?
Kazumi Akio: Did you watch the anime?
Anime Herald: I did.
Kazumi Akio: What do you think was the key to its popularity overseas?
Anime Herald: The vibe. You mentioned how it was a chill recording environment. Obviously there are battles, but for the most part it is a nice, relaxing show. I also think a lot of people empathized with the grandfather: “Go ahead and give us grandchildren already.”
Kazumi Akio: I was very careful to make sure we kept the relatable parts in the story.
Anime Herald: Beryl is a good swordfighter, but he doesn’t really want to fight. I felt the same way. I understood that there would be swordfighting, but I was there for the other parts.
Kazumi Akio: Wow!
Anime Herald: You mentionedBack to the Future. There is anautomotive museum in Saratoga Springs, NY.I’ve sat in that car.
Kazumi Akio: You’ve sat in the DeLorean?
Anime Herald: Yes. I still remember the license plate. OUTATIME.
Anime Herald:Is there anything else you’d like to discuss?
Kazumi Akio: The relatable feeling you got is what I wanted viewers to feel, so that’s perfect. Also, Beryl is often mumbling and doesn’t want to do something. You accepted that, as well. I’m glad you liked that part of the anime.
Do you generally prefer cool fighting scenes or the laid back chill vibe or Beryl?
Anime Herald: Are you familiar withKengan Ashura?
Kazumi Akio: Yes.
Anime Herald: If I am going to watch a fighting show, I want it to be incredibly violent, and that’s not what Beryl Gardinant is.
Kazumi Akio: I avoided making Beryl too aggressive and violent.
Anime Herald: He prefers non-violence and only fights when he has to.
Kazumi Akio: For From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman, do you prefer the action scenes or the chill vibe?
Anime Herald: The chill vibe.
Kazumi Akio: In the second season, there are going to be so many fighting scenes.
Anime Herald: I understand. Thank you very much.
Kazumi Akio: Thank you.
(Editor’s note: We continued with a discussion about Moto GP and Formula 1. I was shocked to discover Formula 1 is not hugely popular in Japan. We also talked about two-time Indy 500 winner Takuma Sato.)
