Anime Impulse LA was in full swing, despite the rain, at the Pomona Fairplex in Los Angeles. Among the invited voice actor guests were four of the Sk8 the Infinity English dub voice actors. We sat down and spoke with Howard Wang (Langa Hasegawa), Jonah Scott (Joe), Ry McKeand (Miya Chinen), and Zeno Robinson (Oka) about Sk8 the Infinity.
Sk8 the Infinity English Dub Interview
We asked what it was like working on Sk8 the Infinity compared to other projects.
Howard Wang said:
“It had a lot of passion…the whole cast was so, so into it and that’s, that’s something that I think was really special about it.”
Jonah Scott said:
“I liked working on a show that didn’t have a manga. That was cool. We didn’t know what was going to happen…So we just sat down and then watched it all. And thank god it popped off. And it was also fun because, I don’t know…it felt like working, like on a playground. It was just like, really cool and juvenile in a really good way. It was just, it was super fun! It was just fun.”
Ry McKeand said:
“I’ll second what Jonah said. Like, working on a show that didn’t have a manga and kind of just experiencing where this journey was gonna take us was probably the best part. I remember when I was booked to record episode 3, I had watched episode 4, and I was like, ‘Ah I wonder how good it’ll be!’ And I was like, ‘I’m hooked! Oh no.’ And yeah, like, also just having a really passionate cast and crew working on it. And, just making the show so much more fun to work on because everybody was putting their best foot forward and then some.”
Zeno Robinson said:
“For me, like, I’m usually used to kind of playing, like, the goofy side characters in kinda, in these kinda things when it comes to, like, a supporting role. It was my first time like, playing like a, kind of a fatherly, uncle-y role. So, that was like a bit of a challenge…to wrap my head around at first, I think…Especially, at the time, I wasn’t doing a ton of anime, so it was like, I think I was still finding my footing in where I belong. Because I was like, ‘Are you guys sure? Like, you guys want me? Like, I dunno!’ But it worked out!”
Sk8 the Infinity has been green-lit for a second season as well as an OVA. We asked what each of their reactions was when they heard the news.
Howard said:
“I was just excited that they announced it, like, relatively soon! Like, it’s happening quicker, and we don’t have to wait a million years for it to finally happen. So yeah, I’m just excited to see it sooner rather than later.”
Jonah said:
“In anime timelines, like, generally we have to wait two or three years before you get, like, news of a second season. And I guess, based on the popularity of this show in both the United States and in Japan, they were just like, ‘We gotta go for it.’ The second was, I didn’t expect it, honestly, because usually you let that kind of thing boil down. You let it sit. You let it simmer for a bit before you figure out what you’re going to do. But, I mean if they announce the second season, that means it’s already been worked on, you know, for a period of time. But yeah, it was super exciting! Let’s be Joe again!”
Ry said:
“I guess my initial reaction was literally just to scream because I was so excited. I was just like AH! And then, immediately post on Twitter like ‘Sk8 season 2!’ And people were like, ‘Liar. Where’s the proof?’ And I was like…I DMed everybody. But like Jonah said, like, definitely, we didn’t want to get our hopes up after the first season ended. Especially because, like, we don’t wanna have another, like, another Ouran season 2 when situation. Where it’s like, ‘Oh, yeah, there’s going to be a second season, right? Right?’ And not get it. But the fact, like Howard said, that we got it so soon, and we got both the OVA confirmed and season 2 confirmed on the same day is like a blessing and a half. That was so insane. I can only hope for Johnny Tsunami but snowboarding.”
Zeno said:
“I think I was the only one who was like, ‘This took longer than I thought to get announced!’ I was like, I thought they were immediately gonna be like, ‘Oh, this was popular! Season 2, on the way!’ And so I was always like, at cons, like ‘I don’t know, I think so! I feel like it should happen.’ And when it did, I was like oh finally! Maybe my dreams of Oka gaiden will happen, and Oka is secretly a really pro S skater, and he hurt himself. And that’s why he runs the skate shop! You know, a cool, S backstory!”
You can watch the first season of Sk8 the Infinity on Crunchyroll. And be sure to follow each of the Sk8 the Infinity English cast voices on their social media channels.
Jonah: Twitter, Twitch, TikTok
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