Fans of anime, cosplay, manga and all things Japanese culture are set to descend upon the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre this weekend of October 5-6 for the Madman Anime Festival. One of the star guests appearing over the event is Cristina Vee, a Los Angeles based voice actress, director, and producer who will be holding meet and greet signing sessions as well as hosting a special Behind the Voices panel at the AnimeLab Arena on both Saturday and Sunday. JENNIFER MAXWELL spoke to Cristina Vee to find out about how she got into voice acting, her favourite characters she has played and what she is looking forward to at the festival.
It’s wonderful to hear that you will be a guest at the Madman Anime Festival, what in particular are you going to be up to at the festival and what are you looking forward to the most?
Heya! I’m very excited to visit Perth for the first time. I will be hosting panels and doing signings. I love meeting fans of the shows I’m in and I can’t wait to see what everyone brings to the autograph table.
Were you a fan of anime and video games growing up? Was there anything in particular that you remember got you interested in being involved in those fields?
Yes! I think what really got me into games was Pokemon. I spent maybe 200 hours with Pokemon Blue version before I dropped it and the data was wiped. I was a huge fan of Sailor Moon way before I even knew what anime was. I just knew I wanted to voice Sailor Moon and I came to that realisation at an early age. My favorite games are Animal Crossing, Breath of the Wild and Final Fantasy 8.
It must feel weird sometimes seeing your voice coming from the mouth of a fictional character. How did it feel the first time you did it and do you ever get used to it?
I always thought it was so cool! I don’t often listen to my work though. I’m way too critical of myself.
Which characters have been your favourite to voice so far and why?
I think Ladybug is my favorite, from Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir. It’s very different than recording a show with an existing fan base. It was incredible to be part of the show from the beginning and watching the popularity explode! The MLB (Miraculous Ladybug) community is so sweet, and I love surprising kids with my Marinette voice!
And are there any characters, whether in an anime, animation or video games, which you wished you could have voiced and why?
Hmm. I would love to be playable characters in Dead or Alive, Persona, and Street Fighter, although Enero isn’t playable. As for previously voiced roles… I believe that if you are meant to have the part, you will have it. So I don’t wish I voiced a character that another actor has.
Who else is coming to Madman Anime Festival this year that you’re a fan of that you’d suggest we get down there for?
A virtual YouTuber will be there! Sakura Fujima. I’m looking forward to seeing how she will interact with fans.
And what else have you got coming up after your visit to Australia that you are looking forward to?
I’m always working on new projects and I’m excited for everyone to see what I’ve been up to! I’ve been making a lot of music this year and it’s so much fun and fulfilling to me when I get to share that with my followers.
