Following the first screening of the first two episodes of the upcoming From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman anime at a press-only event in Tokyo, Anime Trending got the chance to sit down with director Akio Kazumi (Director of Loner Life in Another World)and Beryl Gardenant voice actor Hiroaki Hirata (voice actor of Sanji in One Piece).
We got to discuss how the animators got to play with swords in the studio and study the differences between Japanese and Western-style swords with director Kazumi. While with Hirata, we talked about how he doesn’t share any traits with Beryl besides maybe drinking beers.
The interview has been edited for clarity and flow. Each interview was conducted separately.
Swinging Swords With From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman Director
Kantoku-san (Director), please introduce yourself and your role.
Akio Kazumi: I’m Kazumi, the director of From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman.
Are you able to sum up the story of Country Bumpkin?
Akio Kazumi: The protagonist, Beryl, teaches swordsmanship in the remote countryside, and throughout the story, he becomes a master swordsman. It’s a story about moving up in the world.
Your last released series was an isekai (Loner Life in Another World). What do you think is the difference between an isekai and a fantasy series?
Akio Kazumi: Oh, it’s very simple. It’s just whether or not you include things from modern times.
Country Bumpkin features a lot of fast swordsmanship action scenes. Can you explain the process of adapting one of these scenes from page to screen?
Akio Kazumi: We first look into the type of sword and things related to it, such as the stance used to hold it. We also research differences between sword styles in Japan and those of Western Europe. Then, we start storyboarding and thinking about the actual motion of the sword.
The way swords are used in Western Europe and Japan is entirely different. However, Beryl’s sword style is very Japanese-influenced. The other characters who weren’t trained at Beryl’s dojo have fighting styles that are much more in line with that of the Western European style. We pay quite a bit of attention to these differences between fighting styles and stances while working on the scenes.
Do you have many swords in the anime studio?
Akio Kazumi: We do have two or three swords! Before we got them, we all studied how the swords were meant to be used as a group.
As a side note, a big difference between Japanese and Western European styles is that Japan places a much greater emphasis on the mental aspect. In contrast, Western European swordsmanship focuses on the physical mechanics and they treat swords as more of a tool. Beryl definitely takes on more of the Japanese style and includes the mental component, which extends to things like how you choose to live and your reason for wielding a sword. It’s not just about being good or bad with a sword, but also which path you choose.
That’s also included a bit in the story.
What has been your favorite part of the series so far?
Akio Kazumi: Ahh, too many to talk about! I think what I like most is the varied expressions the various characters exhibit, like when they’re mad or crying. I hope the fans enjoy them as well.
Do you have a message for international viewers?
Akio Kazumi: Although the setting is more of a European one, it does have a bit of other cultures – like Japanese – mixed in as well. I think people, no matter where they are, are fundamentally the same. Even with varied people from various cultures, the warmth and kindness people exhibit and the feelings we get when we’re happy and sad, all remain the same.
Diving Into Beryl’s Character With Hiroaki Hirata
Please introduce yourself and who you are voicing.
Hiroaki Hirata: I’m Hiroaki Hirata. I voice Beryl Gardenant.
He’s the main character and well past his prime, teaching others at a swordsmanship dojo. Nothing more, nothing less. He’s very skilled with a sword. His ex-students are all very successful. And all these young sword masters think, “Our teacher is so amazing, it’s not right for him to be only teaching in the remote countryside.” So…how do I phrase this? They get him a uhh…prestigious…influential position as an instructor.
He makes a name for himself and experiences many things, all while complaining to himself, “Why me? Why am I involved?” and blaming his disciples. That should give you an idea.
Do you have any traits you feel you share with Beryl?
Hiroaki Hirata: No. Not a single one. Uh… Yeah, no. I guess I also enjoy drinking after a long day’s work, but I’m not nearly as strong as he is at drinking. That man can drink. I’m not really that into alcohol. The only thing we really share in common is that we’re both right-handed.
Is there anything you like about Beryl?
Hiroaki Hirata: Although he doesn’t realize it himself, he has a strength as a swordsmanship instructor that nobody else does. It’s something to be proud of and boast to others — not that he does that, though. It’s really impressive, but he doesn’t think about it at all. It’s those guys with no ability that brag the loudest. I think his modesty is the coolest thing about him.
Are there any scenes from the first episodes you’re excited for fans to see?
Hiroaki Hirata: I hope the viewers get a feel for what the show is about in the first few episodes. [The viewers might think], “Oh no, the protagonist is getting dragged around by cute, intimate, energetic young girls. What a tough lot in life.” That’s about what I hope the first few episodes achieve. There are a few scenes throughout the show that I really liked, though not that many, but I think a few are plenty. I’d rather not say them right now since that would spoil the fun.
Do those scenes happen early on, in the middle of the series, or near the end?
Hiroaki Hirata: Definitely around the middle. I think everyone has their own likes and preferences anyway. There are probably people out there who think it’s cool when a pathetic old man transforms into a serious warrior when he has a sword in his hands, and they’re definitely aiming for that gap moe there.
I like how slovenly he is at times, and I think it’s cute how he gets dragged into things. As for when I started thinking he was cool, it was definitely during the middle of the series.
And finally, do you have a message for international viewers?
Hiroaki Hirata: It’s thanks to you overseas fans that anime has become so popular not just in these last couple of years, but these past decades at this point. I’m truly thankful. I have to say though, I don’t really understand what overseas fans find appealing in anime, nor do I know the difference between what they like and what Japanese fans like.
I don’t really understand how Japanese fans feel either, since watching anime was never really a hobby of mine. I want to create what the fans want made and enjoy our blood, sweat, and tears, but it’s always a surprise to see what parts the fans pick up on and enjoy. It’s always completely different from what I expect.
I do think fans enjoy the unique Japanese elements of anime. When I went to an event in the States in the past, there were many Naruto cosplayers parading through the streets. There are definitely more Zoro fans than Sanji fans. I think overseas fans enjoy Japanese stuff like swordsmanship and ninjas more than fans at home.
Like the director said, this series is an isekai, so it’s not the same Japanese kendo, but it still has dojos and master-disciple relationships and is based on Dao. It also carries the idea that swordsmanship is more than just swinging a sword. It has the idea that sword swings carry the spirit of the one swinging them. The setting isn’t Japan, but I hope the fans notice these Japanese elements. I think it’s really cool, personally, not that I’ve ever done kendo or judo or anything before, but I think anyone who has mastered a field is super cool. If fans are able to experience that sensation of coolness, it is worth the effort.
Original light novel series From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman is written by Shigeru Sagazaki, illustrated by Tetsuhiro Nabeshima Six volumes are currently released in Japan and the fifth volume released in English on April 2 from J-Novel Club with future chapters available to read. The anime adaptation TV Series of Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman is now streaming on Prime Video worldwide, new episodes release on Sunday at Midnight (JST).
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Translation by Dan Luo.
