Panel Interview Highlighting Attack on Titan
The Anime Las Vegas convention was a main event for anime fans. Anime Las Vegas provided an opportunity for Attack on Titan (AOT) fans to immerse themselves in the world of their favorite characters from the series. One of the most anticipated events at any convention is the panel interview, a highlight with the cast. This year, a special feature was the chance to attend the Attack on Titan panel at Anime Las Vegas. This was a memorable experience. With the show’s cast on stage, the discussion offered more than insights into the making of this beloved series. The panel guests welcomed fans and had a welcoming feeling of real friends talking, rather than colleagues.
The Panel Cast Included:
- Bryce Papenbrook – Eren Yaeger
- Trina Nishimura – Mikasa Ackerman
- Jessica Calvello – Hange Zoë
- Robert McCollum – Reiner Braun
- Lauren Landa – Annie Leonhart
Here are some of the highlights from the AOT panel
The panel introduction began with snarky sarcasm and jokes that there is absolutely “no death in the show,” that AOT is “a very light-hearted show” and, in fact, a “comedy.” Lauren Landa then welcomed up to the stage a cosplay couple who had made an original, “gross” dead Eren head as a prop for their cosplay at the convention, remarking it as “amazing”.
The Best Thing About Vegas
The first topic that came up was the best thing about Vegas. Jessica remarked that she thought the Arte Museum was amazing, Trina said the food was the best, mentioning China Mama’s orange chicken as “the jam,” and she loved seeing the fans. Robert discussed his partner and his work setting up for the event, and said he will not be gambling.
Bryce then came in from the side, arriving a bit late. Lauren then said the best thing about Vegas was Bryce. She then corrected herself and said Anime Las Vegas was the best thing. Bryce said he was not a gambler; he preferred talking trash and making Inoske voices during Texas Hold ‘Em.
The Most Challenging Scene
Jessica Calvello as Hange Zoë
The cast of the panel was asked to share their most challenging scene to film, describing how they worked through their difficulties. Jessica Calvello, who voiced Hange Zoë, the quirky, intelligent and fierce scout leader, described Hange’s final scene and moments in the show’s final season as the most difficult for her. She said they almost had to reschedule the session, because she couldn’t stop crying. Jessica explained that ten years of a job made it difficult. She knew something bad was going to happen to Hange, but not what. Jessica went in without having any knowledge of what to expect, and when she realized it was the final goodbye, she was not emotionally ready at all. There were so many different sounds, and it was hard to process them in the moment.
Bryce Papenbrook as Eren Yaeger
Bryce Papenbrook, who voiced the bold, deeply passionate, unwavering freedom fighter Eren Yaeger and the highly physical, combative, freedom-seeking, rumbling 15-meter titan, the Attack Titan, explained he was trying to find where Eren was in the episode called ” Scream”, trying to find where Eren was emotionally in that moment. Bryce mentioned that Trina joked with him not to mess it up. But he left that session feeling very hurt and dark. Bryce said this scene was the most difficult to process. He tried to feel everything Eren felt in all of his moments. Bryce describes that when Eren bit himself, he bit himself to understand Eren’s pain. Bryce further describes that when Eren was unhinged, he tried to become unhinged, unhinging his jaw even. Bryce thanked Trina for helping to pull him out of that feeling, back to reality, as Mikasa did for Eren. He talked about how his fellow cast members helped him ground himself after completing that scene. Bryce said it’s important to work with people who level you.
Trina Nishimura as Mikasa Ackerman
Trina Nishimura, who voiced the graceful, dedicated and lethal scout, Mikasa Ackerman, initially having microphone trouble, also said her final scene was the most difficult, the final line specifically. She noted it was a decade of her life that was so amazing, even life-altering, gaining the title of aunt from Bryce’s kids. She noted that the entire process and experience were such a safe space, and she was so grateful for the opportunity.
Robert McCollum as Reiner Braun
Robert McCollum, who voiced the complex, strong, big-brother figure Reiner Braun and the armored, defensive, physical 15-meter Titan the Armoured Titan, described how Mike McFarland asked the cast not to read ahead or look things up. Bryce mentioned meeting the creator and that the Japanese cast also did not read ahead. Robert compliments that it was helpful because you don’t want to know what you are reacting to in the moment to the scene that you’re seeing. He didn’t know when scenes were going to come. So, like Jessica, he didn’t know when his last day was.
He described walking into the studio and the scene in the basement with Reiner and the shotgun when Reiner is ready to die as his most difficult. He discussed that he went through the normal process of watching the entire scene in Japanese with the director and talking it through, and going line by line, moment by moment, to replace the Japanese lines. Robert explains he walked in cold, not knowing anything, very quiet, then watched the entire basement scene in Japanese format, completely sobbing in the booth, just crying, and Mike (the director) says, “Okay, roll on the whole scene right now, just chasing and chase the entire scene.” Robert said about 50% of that landed well enough to use it in the final cut of Reiner’s basement scene, so the tears you hear in the episode are his actual tears from the material as he was exposed to it. Robert explains that he has been doing this for 28 years, and he doesn’t think he cried in Dragon Ball GT. Robert marks Attack on Titan as a unique experience, the most fully grounded character that he’s ever done in anime or anything, taking him to emotional places unlike any other show.
Lauren Landa as Annie Leonhart
Lauren Landa also notes she felt fortunate to have this experience. She describes the show as amazing. Lauren said she can immediately think of two scenes that were difficult to get through. The first is one of her favorite moments between Annie and Mikasa when they’re on the road, and Annie finally breaks down. Lauren describes it as a beautiful moment because Mikasa and Annie are characters who don’t have many vulnerable scenes. They’re warriors and have to be strong soldiers all the time.
She also claims that it was how Annie was raised. Annie doesn’t show much emotion. Lauren describes this scene as difficult because Annie kind of breaks down and says, “I’m tired. I don’t want to fight anymore.” It was heavy for Lauren because at the time, she was feeling something similar; life is so tiring sometimes. The second difficult scene was the last recording session for (Attack on)Titan, specifically the scene where Annie and her father were reunited. Lauren explains that every last session they had for (Attack on) Titan was absolutely emotional. Lauren, like Robert, said the scene where you hear Annie crying when she sees her father was her crying. It was a hard scene, but also the last recording session she had been working on for 10 years, and she had to say goodbye to the character. Lauren explains that it was a rough day and bittersweet because she will always be grateful to be a part of the show. Lauren kind of spoke for the entire cast, defining that final recording time as something very special and how the show brought people together, the entire cast together. Lauren then spoke to the panel of fellow cast members, saying she was grateful to the show and to meet them all.
Fan Questions
Fans were welcomed up to the podium to ask the panel questions. The first question was about their favorite AOT characters outside of those they voiced. Lauren and Robert said they liked Jean. Bryce said Mikasa, while Trina said Sasha, the potato girl. Jessica said Levi, who is like a brother to Hange.
The next fan question was which season was each actor’s favorite. Lauren said season 4, Jessica said season 1, for its quirkiness and fun. Bryce said he cannot choose, he loves things from every season. Trina went on to say she liked season 1, but she also could not choose just one season. Robert joined in and chose something no one thought of: Attack on Titan Junior High. Crowd applause.
The successive question, which has been asked for over ten years: Who won the fight, Mikasa or Annie? The overall response was that while Mikasa is more skilled with the ODM gear, the blades and everything, Annie is more skilled with hand-to-hand combat. So I feel like it depends.
The Line
The following question was which is the actor’s favorite line of their specific character.
Mikasa – Trina Nishimura: You want compassion? Move on. You want fair? Tough shit. Time’s wasted. Pick your side, Christa. Eren… or the bitch I’m gonna kill?
Hange – Jessica Calvello: The sound, “woooo woo” from sitting on Titan Eren’s shoulder.
Reiner – Robert McCollum: “R-R-O-O-O-O-B-B!!” in season 1.
Annie – Lauren Landa: When Annie wakes from her crystal cocoon, she sneaks behind, holding Hitch at knifepoint, “You make a sound, and I’ll slit your throat”.
Jessica jumps in and says actually, her favorite line is Annie’s laugh, the cynical and slightly crazy murderous laugh.
Eren – Bryce Papenbrook: Bryce declares he needs scripts for his favorite line, and he has many, so he is just going to say the word fight four times. “Fight! FIGHT! FIGHT!! FIGHT!!!!!!!”
Character’s Song
The next question was which song fits their characters. Lauren says hers is “How It’s Done” from KPOP Demon Hunters, and Robert beats out a verse from the song. Jessica sings out a beautiful melody of a classic song, “Girl From Ipanema.” Bryce declares he needs the hardest metal song, White Snake from the 80s. Robert says that Reiner looks like he’s in his 40s, throwing down some Justin Timberlake, “I’m Bringing Sexy Back.” Trina says Mikasa is “Back in Black” by ACDC.
A fan then asks what character, if any, they would play outside of their character. Bryce playfully says the Derpy Titan. Trina says that Mike did so well selecting the characters for the actors. Robert says that he loves the character design of the Beast a lot. Lauren says Sasha, she’s so adorable. Jessica explains that she auditioned for Annie, Sasha, and Hange. She loved the comedic roles, especially the dark comedic roles. Robert jumps in, saying that the show really is a rom-com, a comedic, wacky office show. Robert says The Office meets Scrubs. Jessica says it’s like Game of Thrones meets The Office.
Impressions
Another fan asks for impressions of other characters from the show. Bryce acts out Armin, “Eren NO!!’ Trina follows with, “Eren noo!” Robert pulls out Mikasa with, “Pick a side, Eren or the bitch I’m gonna kill!” Lauren jokes as Commander Keith, “Why would you give me half [a] potato?”Jessica laughs hysterically, “Ah hahahaha hahaha haha ha – I killed your kids”, as Annie.
The third-to-last question wanted the actors to pick their favorite of the Nine Titans. Jessica and Lauren choose the Armoured Titan, noting she has a picture of the Armoured Titan eating spaghetti somewhere. Bryce says, of course, the Attack Titan, and then selects Colossal Titan – the original Colossal- because he likes to peer over things. Lauren says she does not like the weird crab walking titan – the Cart Titan. Trina selects Eren’s Original Titan design with his green eyes, saying, “It was cool.”
Favorite Battle/Fight
The second-to-last question asks the actors to choose their favorite battle. Trina says Hange’s last battle, and then turns it over to Bryce. Bryce selects the first fight between Eren and Reiner, where Eren does the triangle. Bryce said it got his “blood boiling”. Robert adds that the scene was also his favorite fight. Lauren notes that she loves the kick Annie gave to Eren, and Bryce agrees that it is good. Lauren says she also likes the fight between the Warhammer and Jaw Titans.
The final question was what was the actor’s favorite part of their character. Jessica says the characterization of Hange as a person and her personality. Bryce comments that he likes the grittiness of the show, that he gets to go that far with Eren in his acting. Lauren also shares that she enjoyed being so in tune with her character.
Closing
The conversations touched on the process and the purpose of each voice actor. Each person brought funny anecdotes and emotional inner conflicts that were incredibly personal. The panel ended on a heartfelt note, as the cast discussed the impact of the show and the success of the series. AOT has a truly dedicated audience. The voice cast brought not just talent to the stage but to the lives of their characters. making fans feel a deep connection and appreciation. Thank you to the entire panel for being a part of the event and celebration of Attack on Titan! You all are truly incredible to watch and meet.
Be sure to check out Attack on Titan or rewatch the series that continues to capture the hearts of fans on Crunchyroll.
Leave a Reply