Anime Pasadena had another successful year, full of panels and events for attendees. Among the panels, there was a reunion panel with the cast of Attack on Titan, where they answered many questions. Cast members in attendance for the panel included:
- Bryce Papenbrook (Eren Jaeger)
- Trina Nishimura (Mikasa Ackerman)
- Jessie James Grelle (Armin Arlert)
- Lauren Landa (Annie Leonhart)
- David Matranga (Bertholdt Hoover)
- Clifford Chapin (Conny Springer)
- Bryson Baugus (Falco Grice)
Audition Stories
The panel started with the moderator asking the cast about their auditions and what their first sessions for the show were like. Bryson talked about being a fan and how excited he was to get Falco, and had to catch up. Clifford talked about other characters he tried for and thought Connie was a bully, and joked about how he didn’t feel he fit a bully character, but instead of a bully, Connie was an idiot. He also joked about Mike McFarland thinking Clifford was an idiot.
David and Lauren both joke about how Mike McFarland told them that their “roles get bigger” later in the series. Jessie talked about how she worked with Mike to figure out the narrator’s voice in an effort to establish that it gave the idea that it was a future Armin telling a story, and how she was a fan before she was fully cast as Armin.
Trina talked about how it was an audition on camera and joked about not being able to wear pajamas. Bryce talked about being a huge fan, as well, and how this was his first audition for Funimation and his first role under the company, and how he did physical activities to help his performance, like biting his own hand when Eren bites his hand.
Cast Answers the Fans' Questions
Fans were then allowed to ask questions. They were all asked if they would wanna be born in Paradis or the mainland. They all answered and joked that they’d rather not be born almost immediately.
They were asked who their characters would be friends with in another anime universe. Clifford says Eren, despite not being his character, would get along with Bakugo, Clifford’s character from My Hero Academia, about killing Titans. David said Bertholdt would be in a universe where everything isn’t stolen from him, with Jessie adding that Armin had more game than Bertholdt.
When asked about what other Attack on Titan characters they would wanna play, Trina said she would wanna play Eren. Bryson and Lauren both said Jean as their answer.
Finally, when asked about difficult moments to voice, they each shared a sentiment of Attack on Titan being a show where they can’t avoid going to a dark place to draw out their best performances possible. Lauren said that for her, it was the moment where Annie reunited with her father, as it was her final day of recording. Jessie said that for her, it was the scene when Armin is screaming at himself to wake up. Trina got emotional, saying how she is just grateful that Mikasa is a role that has allowed her to meet fans of the show and see the impact of the show on the fans.
Closing Thoughts
The panel was a great experience to be a part of! It was amazing seeing such a strong sense of friendship and family among the cast. Seeing the love and passion they each have for the franchise was also lovely to witness. It was a treat for to all hear their stories about their experiences voicing their characters and what it has meant to be a part of this series! It was also wholesome to see every one of them show their gratitude for their fans and their support. Overall, the panel was a definite highlight of the con and was a welcome addition to the panel lineup!
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