Interview: Aoi Yuki [Presented by AVIOT]

If you’ve watched enough anime, there’s a very good chance you’ve heard the voice of Aoi Yuki. With a career spanning over a decade, she has voiced countless iconic characters, performed numerous memorable songs, and has truly left her mark across a wide range of media.

Anime Corner had the wonderful opportunity to interview the talented voice actress, where she shared what it’s like to navigate the entertainment industry, her personal interests, and her genuine thoughts on being recognized by fans and industry legends around the world.

Q: Yuki-san, you’ve been part of the entertainment industry for many years now. In a field filled with exceptional talent, how do you continue to challenge yourself or stay inspired after all this time?
A: The other day I heard someone on the radio say, “The brain is an organ made for enjoyment,” and I think that’s true. That said, when you do the same job for a long time, it can become routine and harder to enjoy. That’s why I believe it’s important to go out of your way to find things you enjoy and give your brain something fun. It’s easy to slip into negativity, but being able to lift your own mood and stay positive is valuable no matter what field you work in.

Q: You’ve voiced a wide range of iconic and diverse characters. When you’re offered a new role, what’s the first thing you look for in a character?
A: The stars of an anime are the artwork and the script. As voice actors, our role is to act as the glue that brings them together. I start by looking at the character’s height, facial features, and outline to find their voice. Then I study their way of speaking, their eyes, and their movements to uncover their personality. From there, I work toward a performance that unites body and heart into a single character.

Q: From anime and video games to music, you’ve worked across various formats. Is there a particular medium you especially enjoy working in, or one you’d like to explore more?
A: I’ve really come to enjoy overseas events. The schedules have always been tight, so I couldn’t often take part, but since realizing that long flights only get harder with age, I’ve been making more of an effort to go. While I still have the energy, I want to meet anime fans from around the world. Someday I hope to master English so I can speak with everyone in my own words.

Q: You’re one of the featured voices in AVIOT’s earbud collaboration, which allows fans to hear your voice anytime. What was that experience like during the recording process? Were there any moments that stood out to you?
A: Earbuds have become part of everyday life, so I recorded my lines hoping they’ll bring a bit of health and well-being to yours. If they can add even a little fun to daily life, I’ll be happy. AVIOT has worked on many collaborations, so this wasn’t my first time participating, and the recording went very smoothly. You can find me inside the earbuds as different characters, so I hope you’ll discover a favorite.

Q: Your popularity has grown not just in Japan but internationally as well. Interestingly, even fans overseas have caught on to your well-known enthusiasm for in-game purchases/microtransactions. How do you feel about that kind of global recognition and ‘notoriety’?
A: I’m very grateful that people know my name. At the same time, I want people to remember that everyone shows their love in different ways. For me, that’s in-game purchases—supporting my favorites by spending money—but it could just as well be writing letters, drawing illustrations, going to events, or simply enjoying the anime and games. What I do is only one example, so please find your own way of expressing love.

Q: Putting gaming aside, are there any other hobbies or interests you enjoy, whether on your own or with friends?
A: I’m a fan of American comic book heroes, so I often go see superhero movies with friends and then talk about them over dinner afterward. Lately, I’ve also been making stuffed animals and doing embroidery. I draw illustrations and create fan merchandise as well. I love talking with people, but I also enjoy quietly making things on my own.

Q: In July 2019, you released the wonderfully chaotic “Banana Chomoranma no Ran,” a song that stood out for its unique energy, but also because you recorded it with no edits. You also wrote the lyrics yourself. What inspired such a creative and unconventional project?
A: I wanted to express the fun of chaos through music, so I wrote the lyrics and sang them myself. The older you get, the rarer that childlike chaos you find in kids’ anime becomes, so I thought I’d capture a bit of it while it’s still inside me. One line in the lyrics asks, “By the way, do you prefer udon or soba?” Which do you like? If you ever visit Japan, be sure to try both. I personally prefer udon.

Q: You were recently voted Female Seiyuu of the Year in our annual Seiyuu Awards, as well as awarded Best Voice Artist Performance (Japanese) at the Anime Awards. How does it feel to receive such recognition and support from both fans and industry peers?
A: I was genuinely so happy! It feels like a dream—not only to have encountered such great works and wonderful roles, and to have them reach amazing viewers, but also to be recognized myself behind the scenes. Without letting it go to my head, I want to continue approaching every work and role with sincerity. Please continue supporting Japanese animation!

We want to thank Aoi Yuki for answering our interview questions. We would also like to thank AVIOT for coordinating this interview. You can also check out our other interview with Hina Youmiya and read our review for the AVIOT TE-V1R-HOP earbuds.

Disclaimer: AVIOT arranged the interview opportunity but had no editorial input. They also co-hosted a giveaway together with Anime Corner related to this interview.