The TV anime “Gnosia” began broadcasting on October 11, 2025.
The stage is a spaceship floating in space, the interstellar vessel DQO. In order to eliminate “Gnosia”, an unknown entity that mimics humans, the crew members put each “suspicious person” into cold sleep through discussion and voting each day.
However, the main character, Yuri, finds himself in the midst of a time leap, where no matter what choice he makes, he ends up returning to “day one.”
The true feelings and secrets of the crew members are revealed little by little through conversations held in extreme situations. Who should I trust? What is the right choice? What awaits at the end of the repeated loop?
How did the cast play the characters that color this mysterious story?
In the 6th installment, we asked Tomokazu Seki, who plays Shigemichi, about his experiences during the dubbing and his thoughts on his acting.
The first thing Seki-san thought when he saw Shigemichi was…?
──Please tell us your impressions when you read the original work and scenario.
Tomokazu Seki (hereinafter referred to as Seki):I didn't even know about the existence of the game until I started working on it. So, at first I didn't know anything about it, so I participated without any preconceptions. I was a little confused because there were so many characters, but I enjoyed the grand sci-fi worldview. The cold sleep setting is also interesting and typical of this work.
As for the casting, I was not auditioned, but was told that there was a role that was perfect for Seki-san, so I was very happy, but when I looked at the character, at first glance I saw a “mysterious alien'' (lol). I thought, “Oh, that's the kind of image I have” (lol). They're not actually aliens, but their visuals look like the “gray-type aliens” that appear in old special programs.
──What was your first impression of Shigemichi?
Seki:The first thing I thought when I saw it was, “Is this naked…?” (laughs) It seems that she is covered with something like artificial skin, so I understand that she is not completely naked.
After reading the script, I was like, “Isn't this person going into cold sleep every time?'' (laughs) The chance of being frozen is really high, and for some reason I feel like I'm always suspected every time, regardless of whether I'm Gnosia or not.
──Was there anything you were conscious of when acting, or anything that stood out to you during your interaction with the sound director?
Seki: “Shigemichi” is a very Japanese name compared to the other characters, and it sounds like a name from the past. So at first I thought it was an older character, so I tried to play him like an old man, but the direction was, “(The voice) has a younger image, so please make it more youthful.''
What's more, they asked us to “feel free to change the mood of each scene'' and “please play around with changing the mood of your voice.'' There was almost no ad-libbing to add lines, but especially in the beginning, I acted flexibly each time, depending on the atmosphere of the scene.
──In the relay interviews, many people said, “Mr. Seki's comedic acting as Shigemichi was wonderful.''
Seki:I'm grateful to hear that, but personally I'm trying to be very serious about what I'm doing (lol). I wanted to properly portray Shigemichi-kun, who is trying his best to make things right even though he has been through a lot of things. So, I actually didn't have much of an intention to do anything weird.
However, as I mentioned earlier, I was asked to “please perform without any consistency,'' so I tried my best, and it may have come across as “cheating'' (lol).
──Please tell us about your favorite characters other than Shigemichi, or the relationships between the characters.
Seki:They all have their own unique personalities, so it's hard to choose… but Yuriko's charisma is definitely cool. I'm curious about her character, who seems like she's lying but is actually…
I like Stella and SQ-chan, and Otome, played by Hanazawa, is really cute. There's kindness, and there's also a bit of sadness. Actually, I've been a voice actor for almost 30 years, and this is the second time I've co-starred with a dolphin character (lol). It's a coincidence.
“I was helpless…”
──Please let us know if you have a favorite scene or number of episodes.
Seki:It's hard to name a specific scene, but I get the feeling that Yuri is being thrown into a different situation each time, and it's being followed from the viewer's perspective. I was watching it thinking, “Is this what happened this time?'' “Why did it happen like this?'' and every time Shigemichi was put into cold sleep, I thought, “I was helpless…'' (lol).
In the second half, there are more developments that change the world line, and the story moves rapidly, so you won't get bored. While I am enjoying my role, I am also genuinely enjoying myself as a viewer.
──If you were in the world of Gnosia, what position do you think you would take?
Seki:Well…surprisingly, people often say, “Mr. Seki seems to be good at this kind of thing,'' but when he actually tries it, it doesn't go well (lol). In everyday life, I'm quite sensitive to things that don't feel right, so even when someone pranks me, I notice things like, “You're acting weird today,'' or “You don't usually have that thing with you.''
But when it came to the game, I ended up reading too much into it. I find myself thinking things like, “This guy is suspicious…but does he mean that he's intentionally making it look suspicious?'' In the end, I often end up regretting things and thinking, “I should have just said exactly what I thought.'' So by the time you realize it, you may have already lost (lol).
──Who do you think would be reassuring if this character were on your side?
Seki:I guess it's Yuri after all. He seems considerate and I feel like I can trust him. The rest is Otome. It's gentle and soothing. Aren't the other characters pretty strong? Some of them think, “This person is definitely going to be terrible,'' and even before the discussion begins, I feel a little tired (lol). On that point, Otome-chan is easy to talk to, and I feel at ease as I feel like I can be honest with her.
──Please tell us what inspired you by participating in the production of Gnosia.
Seki:First of all, the story itself is very interesting. When I read a script, I often think, “I see, that's how it came about.'' I also think about stories on a daily basis, so I'm honestly inspired by ideas like these, which are interesting.
Also, this is a bit off-topic, but the staff always prepared delicious rice balls at the recording site. Since most of the recordings are in the evening, they choose onigiri and sweets from various shops, and they are really delicious.
I could feel their concern for the worksite, and I wish I could be able to show that kind of concern when I am in a position to greet someone someday.
“No matter how far you go in a play, you never get an answer.”
──In this work, there are many scenes in which the characters themselves “act out”, such as “lying” and “hiding their true identity”. Please tell us what you value as an actor when playing a role.
Seki:I think it changes depending on the work, but the underlying feeling is “I want the people watching to have fun.''
The “way of entertaining” changes depending on the genre and tone of the work. Some works are strictly entertainment, while others carefully depict scenes from human relationships and daily life. I try to change the approach to the play depending on the atmosphere of each work and what I want to convey.
— Mr. Seki, you have also worked on stage productions, but has that experience influenced your awareness of “acting” in any way?
Seki:I agree. However, there is no such thing as “because it's a stage production, it must be done this way.'' Stages, video, and animation all have different requirements, and I think it's extremely important to identify “what this work is trying to portray'' and focus on the core of it.
I also feel like I'm always thinking about things like “Should I act this out?'' or “No, should I not act this out?'' on set. If you act too much, it will come off as fake, and if you overdo it, it will be unsatisfactory. I face it every time, trying to find the right amount.
No matter how far you go in a play, you will never get an answer. But maybe that's why it's so interesting and why you'll want to try it again and again.
–Please give a final message to the viewers.
Seki:This may be a bit important information, but… everyone who watched episode 6, next is episode 7! (Laughs) Stay tuned for more.
[Broadcast information]
Broadcasting from Saturday, October 11, 2025
TOKYO MX Every Saturday 24:00~
BS11 Every Saturday 24:00~
Tochigi TV every Saturday from 24:00
Gunma TV every Saturday from 24:00
TV Aichi Every Saturday 25:45~
MBS Every Saturday 26:08~
AT-X Every Monday 23:30~
[Distribution information]
Simultaneous terrestrial broadcasting from 24:00 every Saturday from October 11th (Saturday) at ABEMA・d Anime Store
In addition, it will be distributed every Tuesday at noon starting October 14th on each distribution platform.
*Broadcast/distribution date and time are subject to change.
Work information
Synopsis
“An unknown enemy that disguises itself as a human and attacks humans'' – When a “Gnosia'' sneaks into the ship, the crew members, in a state of suspicion, decide to vote on one suspect each day and put them into cold sleep.
Humans will win if they can put all Gnosia into cold sleep.
On the other hand, if Gnosia cannot be used, the crew members will be attacked.
While being asked to make the right choice, the main character, Yuri, ends up in a loop on the first day no matter what choice he makes.
Will the crew be able to make the right choice?
What is the secret hidden in the time leap?
And what is the hidden true face of the crew revealed?
A story that repeats itself over and over again in a moment that feels like eternity is about to begin.
──Well then, have a nice trip.
cast
Setsu: Ikumi Hasegawa
SQ: Akari Kito
Rakio: Hiroki Nanami
Gina: Masami Seto
Shigemichi: Tomokazu Seki
Stella: Saori Hayami
Yuriko: Yuuki Aoi
Comet: Ayane Sakura
Shipi: Yuichi Nakamura
Jonas: Kenjiro Tsuda
Otome: Kana Hanazawa
Remnan: Takeo Otsuka
Shamei: Takuya Eguchi
(C)Petit Depotto/Project DQO
