In the June 2026 issue of Megami Magazine, the interview series “Megami’s Voice” features Minako Sato, the voice of Tsubasa Nanase from the TV anime Youkoso Jitsuryoku Shijou Shugi no Kyoushitsu e 4th Season 2-nensei-hen 1st Term. This extended version includes portions that could not be printed in the magazine.
Nanase is a character you can’t sum up in one word
—Sato-san, you joined the series this season. What was your impression of Youkoso Jitsuryoku Shijou Shugi no Kyoushitsu e (abbreviated You Jitsu)?
I thought it was a work with many intelligent characters. On the other hand, there are exams where students who aren’t that smart but are great at sports can shine. I found it interesting that being smart alone doesn’t always solve things, and I felt it was easy to empathize with.
—Which character did you empathize with?
I’m the complete opposite of Nanase—I tend to go along with others—so I could relate to characters like Chihiro Shiranami, a classmate of Ayanokouji’s.
—What is your impression of Nanase, the character you play?
Actually, I originally only auditioned for a different character, but my manager encouraged me to try for Nanase as well. When I was called for a studio audition, I thought it was for the other role, so I was very surprised to learn it was for Nanase. Nanase gives a good first impression, but once she decides something, she never bends. She’s strong both mentally and physically. Yet she communicates well with those around her and moves things forward, so she has an air of a model student. I’ve often played weak, fragile characters before, so this was a challenge for me.
—She doesn’t back down even from Houzen, who rules the class through force, or from upperclassmen.
I think it’s amazing that Nanase can state her opinions as an equal to seniors. As for Houzen, the voice actor Kouya Egashira is a big guy, so I was a bit scared when I first met him (laughs). But during the recording of episode 1, he patiently went through my retakes with me, and I truly felt glad that Houzen was played by Egashira-san.
—What did you keep in mind when playing her?
Nanase is a character who is hard to describe in one word. When I tried to emphasize one side, the other side would appear and I couldn’t switch smoothly. The staff told me, “It’s easier if you don’t overdefine her,” so I started playing her according to the situation. However, Nanase harbors a certain resolve, so I always kept that feeling in my heart. Also, when her cute, kouhai-like side came out, I received direction to “play it cutely,” so I acted like a straightforward high school girl. Also, my voice quality tends to sound not as sharp as I intend. I was often told “sharper” in direction, so I focused on that. I’m nervous and always trembling during recording, but I told myself, “Nanase would never tremble; she would be confident,” and borrowed her strength to face the recording.
—What other direction did you receive from the staff?
When I played a scene where she talks to Ayanokouji too softly, I was told to “make it a bit more willful.” I was praised for my gentle voice, but also told to “erase it.” I thought I was being sharp, but my voice came out cuter than I thought, so balancing it was difficult. However, director Noriyuki Nomi said, “Even when sharp, there’s a bit of cuteness that’s good, and that’s why we asked Sato-san to play Nanase.” After that, I felt a bit more relaxed.
—How was recording alongside the senior cast?
There were many scenes where only Nanase was among the seniors, so I was nervous every time. I was really happy when the new students finally gathered in one episode. I remember having lunch and chatting with Momoko Seto (voice of Itsuki Amasawa) and Iori Saeki (voice of Sakurako Tsubaki) after recording.
—Indeed, Nanase often negotiates with upperclassmen alone, so she’s often mixed in with seniors.
That’s right. I couldn’t shake my nervousness in scenes with seniors, and Momo-chan (Momoko Seto) told me, “You’re too nervous.”
—Does Seto-san not seem nervous?
She seemed nervous at first, but later became confident. She’s almost exactly like Itsuki (laughs), so I thought she was amazing.
—Do you see any similarities between yourself and Nanase at this point?
I tend to be agreeable to avoid being disliked, but if I think something is definitely right, I’ll argue. So maybe I’m similar to Nanase in that way.
—Conversely, is there something about Nanase you’d like to emulate?
I can speak up when I’m sure, but if it’s just “I wonder if that’s wrong,” I can’t say it to the other person. Nanase can clearly state her opinions about everything, so I want to learn from that.
—What are your impressions of the main characters Ayanokouji and Horikita Suzune?
Ayanokouji seems invincible—no matter who appears, he wins. He himself has grown over the year, and Shouya Chiba (his voice actor) said he changed his performance from the beginning. That growth is interesting. Horikita started off prickly but now cooperates with classmates and has become more approachable, which is cute. I think they make a great duo, with Ayanokouji giving opinions behind the scenes and Horikita taking the lead on the surface.
—Nanase also acts as a stopper for Houzen, but it doesn’t seem like they’re a duo.
Right. They’re together because they have to be for school life. It’s more like “this guy’s pretty good” and they’re just together to keep things running smoothly.
—Which scenes have left an impression on you so far?
I love all the scenes between Ayanokouji and Kei Karuizawa. Honestly, Ayanokouji is terrible when it comes to Kei (laughs). But I think girls are weak to guys who have that kind of composure. Kei is tsundere but pure, and she honestly expresses her feelings while being shy. Even during recording, my heart raced, and I’m sure everyone else will feel the same.
—Are there any other characters you’re curious about?
She hasn’t had many scenes yet, but I’m curious about Sakurako Tsubaki. At this point, we don’t know what kind of girl she is at all. If I could talk to her now, I’d want to do a 100-question quiz to learn all about her.
—As of episode 7, they’re preparing for the upcoming uninhabited island exam. What should viewers look forward to?
So far, it’s been like an introduction to the new students. Once the uninhabited island exam starts, the new students and second-years will act together. That will bring out changes in the characters, so please watch for that. Going forward, there will be the usual You Jitsu fun, as well as the new students’ activities and the second-years’ growth. Also, a new side of Nanase will emerge, so I hope you’ll watch her without deciding too firmly that “Nanase is this kind of girl.”
Megami ni Question
Q. Your charm point?
A. My legs. I’m 167 cm tall, and when I wear jeans, I often get compliments like “nice legs” or “long legs.”
Q. Your nickname?
A. Satomina and Minakoshi. I’ve been called “Satomina” since vocational school, and many people call me that on social media. Recently, work colleagues have started calling me “Minakoshi.” Personally, I’d like to have a nickname that’s easier to ego-search (laughs).
Q. Your voice’s characteristic?
A. A romantic voice. I’m often told I have a “healing voice,” but the other day my manager said I have a “romantic voice.” That made me happy, so I’d like to promote that.
Q. Your personality?
A. Chameleon type. Depending on who I’m with, I can be silly, act like a junior, or behave like a senior. When I’m with family or close friends, I suddenly shout or start dancing, so I often get scolded (laughs).
Q. What are you into right now?
A. Solo travel. I’ve been going to karaoke alone since I was a student, and I’m fine with going to Disneyland alone. Now I’m planning a solo trip to Okinawa. I want to film a vlog-style video, edit it, and post it on Instagram.
Q. Which exam do you think you’d be good at?
A. Idol quiz. I love idols of all genres, so I’m confident I could beat Ayanokouji in an idol quiz. Right now, my favorite is CYNHN (Sweeney).
Q. What kind of student were you in high school?
A. I was all about part-time jobs! I quit being the manager of the basketball club after three months, then worked as a supermarket cashier and spent all my money on my oshi (laughs). I’ve been a big fan of Maaya Uchida since then, and I often went to her concerts. Also, my school’s sports festival was really lively, so I wore a school uniform jacket and joined the cheer squad.
Q. A catchphrase for this work?
A. Six strong-character new students join the fray. Among the new students, the six including Amasawa have very strong personalities. Momo-chan (Momoko Seto) perfectly brings Amasawa to life. She’s a gyaru herself, and she said she plays Amasawa without thinking too much, which I think is amazing. Nanase also has sides different from her cute appearance, and more will be revealed about her, so please look forward to it.
Profile
Minako Sato / Born October 22. Affiliated with Ohsawa Office.
Major roles include Kiri Shirasawa in Giji Harem and Aoi Akane in Jibaku Shounen Hanako-kun.
Work Information
Airing every Wednesday at 10:30 PM on TOKYO MX and other stations.
https://you-zitsu.com/
At the Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School, only top-performing students receive favorable treatment. Ayanokouji and his classmates have become second-years, and new students have entered. The new students include brilliant and violent individuals, and Ayanokouji and the others must engage in negotiations and face a new uninhabited island exam.
(C) Shougo Kinugasa / KADOKAWA / Youkoso Jitsuryoku Shijou Shugi no Kyoushitsu e 4 Production Committee
Interview and text by Nao Noshita (I Planning)
Megami Magazine Editorial Department
