Yuichiro Umehara is set to release his latest 176-page photobook on March 2024, the day of his 33rd birthday. The photobook’s theme imagines Umehara as an essayist in his hometown, Shizuoka Prefecture, drawing inspiration from his “Tsurezure Umekusa” corner in the monthly Seiyuu Grand Prix, where he regularly shares insightful essays. Titled “Ume Awase,” the photobook captures the voice actor in various situations, from visiting his alma mater to wearing traditional clothes, and even simply relaxing in his hometown. The photo book will have three different covers that fans can check out below.
As the concept portrays Umehara as an essayist, the voice actor also penned exclusive essays for the photobook just like he would normally do for the monthly Seiyuu Grand Prix. Umehara also made his first attempt at writing a 10,000-word essay for the photobook, an experience he would describe as “hell.”
Although he was originally given three to four months to write such length with the theme “Shizuoka Prefecture, My Hometown,” his “clumsiness” led him to complete it just a day before the deadline. Much anticipated to be out on Umehara’s 33rd birthday on March 8, 2024, pre-orders have been open since December 2023. The price and benefits vary depending on which edition and site you’re ordering from and are as follows:
■ Animate ※ Limited Set A/B
Price: ¥6,050 (tax included. $40.78)
● Inclusions:
• Big acrylic stand A/B
• Voice message
• Clear file
■ Animate ※ Limited Set C
Price: ¥4,840 (tax included, $32.64)
● Inclusions:
• Voice message
• Clear file
■ Animate ※ Regular Version
Price: ¥4,400 (tax included, $29.65)
● Inclusions:
• Clear file
■ Gamers ※ Limited Version
Price: ¥5,170 (tax included, $34.84)
● Inclusions:
• Set of 3 can badges
• Limited L-format bromide
■ Gamers ※ Regular Version
Price: ¥4,400 (tax included, $29.65)
● Inclusions:
• Limited L-format bromide
■ InfoSquare ※ Limited Version
Price: ¥5,380 (tax included, $36.26)
● Inclusions:
• Another photo book
• Limited cover
• Limited L-format bromide
■ InfoSquare ※ Regular Version
Price: ¥4,440 (tax included, $29.92)
● Inclusions:
• Limited cover
• Limited L-format bromide
■ Amazon ※ Limited Version
Price: ¥4,440 (tax included, $29.92)
● Inclusions:
• Limited cover
More exclusive benefits await those who placed their order between December 25, 2023, and January 19, 2024. There will also be events, such as a talk show and an online autograph session, to be held in promotion of the photobook. Procedures for application for the events are available on Animate, Gamers, and InfoSquare’s respective official websites.
Yuichiro Umehara is a Japanese voice actor from Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, who has been active in the industry since 2013, voicing minor and background characters until his main role as Wakasa in Merman in My Tub. Later in his career, Umehara’s distinctly deep voice became known as the voice of Goblin Slayer in Goblin Slayer, Weather Report in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean, Klaus in Spy Classroom, Alhaitham in Genshin Impact, Yusei Shirosaki in My New Boss is Goofy, and more. He is also the vocalist and guitarist of the band Sir Vanity, who performed the theme song for the Tokyo Revengers stage play.
Source: Seiyuu Grand Prix Official Website
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