A Day as Station Staff?! Voice Actors Anzai Chika and Hishikawa Hana Experience Odakyu Electric Railway Work for the “Shionji-ke no Kodomotachi” Collaboration
The TV anime Shionji-ke no Kodomotachi and Odakyu Electric Railway have launched a special collaboration project. This railway company operates the line featuring Seijougakuen-mae Eki, the station frequently used by the seven Shionji siblings in the series. The exciting collaboration kicked off on May 15, 2025. On the very first day of the event, Anzai Chika, the voice of Shionji Banri, and Hishikawa Hana, the voice of Shionji Minami, actually visited Seijougakuen-mae Eki to get a taste of working life. Anzai-san took on the role of a one-day Station Master, while Hishikawa-san served as a one-day Crew Member. Here’s a report on their fascinating experience.
After changing into their official uniforms, the two voice actors first headed to the Station Master’s office at Seijougakuen-mae Eki. Before starting their duties, they received words of welcome and encouragement from Station Master Yusa. He shared how he had checked out the original manga of Shionji-ke no Kodomotachi in anticipation of the collaboration and offered his impressions, which seemed to delight both Anzai-san and Hishikawa-san. Following a brief lecture from the Station Master, their day began with the morning assembly, a crucial routine where staff pray for the safe operation of the trains throughout the day and share important operational updates. Taking inspiration from the Station Master’s example, Anzai-san and Hishikawa-san joined the gathered staff in giving their pre-work speeches.
Following the morning assembly, the pair proceeded to Platforms 3 and 4 of the Odakyu line, where trains bound for Shinjuku Station arrive and depart. Their task for this segment was to signal “Departure!” to the conductor for local trains stopping at midday. They had received instructions beforehand and performed the duty while being guided by a station staff member on the correct timing. Even for a local train at lunchtime, there were many passengers getting on and off, creating a palpable sense of tension as the train’s arrival time approached.
Ultimately, they successfully gave the “Departure!” signal for two trains. While checking the signal lights, they timed their action and raised the red flag. Thanks to their thorough preparation and the guidance of the accompanying station staff, they managed to complete this duty without a hitch.
Next up, they got to experience making announcements within the station premises. Anzai-san’s announcement was a call regarding what to do if suspicious items are found in the station or on the train, while Hishikawa-san’s message advised passengers on the proper handling of smartphones and earphones. These announcements were truly rare, as they could only be heard at that specific time on that day!
These announcements were delivered by the voice actors as themselves, but naturally, they also included information about the anime Shionji-ke no Kodomotachi and the collaboration with Odakyu Electric Railway, which is running until June 15. Both voice actors handled their broadcasting duties with the professionalism you’d expect, performing admirably in the control room.
Finally, the day’s duties concluded with a commemorative photo session with the station staff. Reflecting on her experience, Hishikawa-san commented, “I never imagined I would actually get to wear a crew member uniform at Seijougakuen-mae Eki, which appears in the series. The whole day was truly emotional. Thank you very much!” Anzai-san added, “The crew member and station master uniforms have slight differences, which are also reflected in the collaboration illustration, so I hope people will enjoy spotting those details. And please, enjoy the collaboration between Shionji-ke no Kodomotachi and Odakyu Electric Railway to the fullest!”
Collaboration Details
The collaboration project between the TV anime Shionji-ke no Kodomotachi and Odakyu Electric Railway is ongoing until June 15. During this period, a stamp rally is being held at stations including Shinjuku, Seijougakuen-mae, Machida, Sagami-Oono, Odawara, and Fujisawa. The first 2000 participants who complete the stamp rally will receive a special A5 illustration board as a gift.
For those tackling the stamp rally, the “1-Day All-Line Free Pass” is highly recommended! It allows unlimited rides on all Odakyu lines for a whole day, priced at ¥2,000 for adults (`otona`) and ¥1,000 for children (`kodomo`). Additionally, at Seijougakuen-mae Eki, you can find life-sized panels featuring the collaboration illustration and purchase capsule toys.
Looking ahead, online sales for original collaboration goods are set to start on May 30. Also, the “Date Plan” project, featuring the five Shionji sisters visiting different spots along the Odakyu line, is a must-see! Be sure to check out these exciting upcoming collaboration elements as well.
Interview, Photography, Text: I no Ue Shinzou
Editing: Animate Times
(C) Miyajima Reiji・Hakusensha／「紫雲寺家の子供たち」製作委員会
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