TV Anime 'DIGIMON BEATBREAK' Interview with Toshiyuki Toyonaga (Voice of Sota Light) and Wataru Hatano (Voice of Monodramon) Released!

Toei Animation Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Nakano-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Katsuhiro Takagi) has released a special interview with Toshiyuki Toyonaga, who plays Sota Light, and Wataru Hatano, who plays Monodramon, for the new TV anime 'DIGIMON BEATBREAK,' their first new work in two years.

I feel he is another protagonist, in a different way from Tomorou.

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――In 'DIGIMON BEATBREAK' Tactics Arc, Sota Light and Monodramon's presence grew with each episode. First, please tell us your initial impressions of the characters you play.

Toyonaga

I thought he was a genius, a so-called leader, and someone with immense pride. So, at first, I was quite conscious of portraying his condescending attitude towards others, stemming from his genius, and his constant feeling of superiority. However, as we continued recording, his mistakes in carrying out missions became noticeable quite early on (laughs). The part that changed from my initial imagination was that he's a 'lovable genius.' He was often teased at the recording studio, and I myself would playfully tease Light a bit self-deprecatingly during conversations in the lobby between recordings. Objectively, he's a character who's a bit easy to tease, or to make fun of. But he himself doesn't intend to be that way at all; it's precisely because he's always serious that he's loved in that way. I thought that was Light's charm. So, rather than making him seem cunning, I played him in a way that conveyed he was always earnest in his own way. He gets genuinely discouraged, and when he decides to try again, he becomes even more determined. That's why he's strict with those around him and expresses frustration when things don't go well. I thought it would be good if this led to a portrayal of a genius who is still young.

Hatano

When I received the script and came to the studio, I saw Monodramon's illustration, but I had very little prior information beyond that. On the day, I heard about the character's direction from the directors, and at first, I thought that since Monodramon was Light's partner Digimon, Monodramon would also have a Light-like personality. However, what the director told me was, 'Monodramon doesn't have confidence in himself, but has confidence in Light.' He has absolute confidence in what Light does and his actions, so please portray him as someone who is devoted to Light. This really resonated with me as the story progressed. At first, I thought it might be okay for him to be a bit more wild and unruly, but no, I just earnestly played him with a strong sense of trust in Light. He's a character with single-mindedness and sincerity, isn't he? Moreover, because Light isn't a perfect genius but a very human being with fluctuations, I thought that aspect also manifested in Monodramon. They are like mirror images, both having a certain grittiness. They make human mistakes, and they think about how to recover from them. That left a very sincere impression on me.

――What were your impressions of each other's characters?

Toyonaga

First, when I saw the cast list, my initial reaction was, 'It's Hatano-san, yay!' (laughs). We've worked together on many projects, so I was genuinely happy to be partnered with Hatano-san. But, when we actually started, it was personally tough. At first, Monodramon's feelings for Light were one-sided. Light's top priority was to execute the mission, so he treated Monodramon somewhat like a pawn. I wanted to respond to Monodramon's feelings, but Light couldn't. That restraint was very painful. And because Hatano-san played Monodramon with such pure feelings, it was even more agonizing. It was painful while doing it, and it was painful watching it on air. But in the latter half, Light's values are changed by (Tenma) Tomorou. He gradually realizes the importance of intangible things like facing the same direction and bonds. From there, their relationship also changes, but after that, Monodramon turns into Ketomon, which was also painful in its own way (laughs).

Hatano

When I played Ketomon, my vocal cords suffered (laughs). I thought, 'He suddenly became so small!'

Toyonaga

Also, personally, as an actor, I really love Hatano-san's approach to Ketomon. I remember telling him, 'Please keep doing it that way. Don't change your approach.'

――Conversely, what is Light's appeal from Hatano-san's perspective?

Hatano
This is also an actor's perspective, but as a theme of 'Digimon' as a whole, I think it's a story where Digimon evolve, and at the same time, the characters also evolve and grow. Especially at their age, values, what's important, how to become stronger – they're all very much in flux, aren't they? And Toshiyuki is exceptional at portraying that 'wavering' part. It's not just the lines written in the script; the unspoken parts make him seem like a very real human being. I think that directly connects to Light's appeal. Because he wavers so much, he makes mistakes, and there are even brutal scenes where he gets punched by his superior. But from there, he grows while feeling frustrated, wondering 'How can I become stronger?' That sight was truly dazzling and heartwarming (laughs). That's why I feel Light is another protagonist, in a different way from Tomorou. It's like I'm superimposing his頑張っていく姿 (ganbatte iku sugata - his striving figure) with the protagonists of the works I watched as a child. It might also somehow synchronize with Monodramon's feeling of cheering for Light.

――In episode 24, Light's changes and growth were depicted more clearly.

Toyonaga
I approached that with the determination that I wouldn't be outdone. The relationship with Tomorou is very significant. Tomorou wasn't a perfect person from his first appearance, was he? He had some unstable parts. But the nature of that instability was different from Light's. Precisely because of that difference, I think there were words that resonated with each other, and hearts that were crushed. I also think Light himself had never met someone like Tomorou before. Someone without a hierarchical relationship, or it's hard to say if they were even friends, but I think he met someone he could call a rival for the first time. When I think about that, it still makes my heart flutter (laughs).

Hatano
We're watching them with our hearts fluttering (laughs).

Toyonaga

Personally, the relationship with (Miyu) Irino-kun was also very moving. Irino-kun and I were two people who almost always met at auditions when we were young. I felt a kind of rivalry between us as actors, without really thinking about it. So, being able to act together in this work, in a rival position, with Irino-kun, felt very fated and I was genuinely happy. Even at the studio, I'd get teased, 'Isn't he a genius?' (laughs). The exchanges like, 'Sorry, I'm a genius, but I keep making mistakes,' that we could have during the warm-up talks before recording, made me feel that this 'Digimon' set was truly a good one. I really looked forward to participating every week during the Tactics Arc.

The presence of Haruomi Sone and the Dark Auction episode greatly moved Light and Monodramon.

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――Looking back at the entire second cour, please tell us about any scenes or developments that particularly left an impression on you both.

Toyonaga
For me, in terms of Light's involvement, the presence of (Sone) Haruomi was significant. What happens if someone who escaped from Tactics is caught again? Why did Haruomi escape with Commandramon? His existence really showed what kind of organization Tactics is, I felt. Even in developments that seemed like one-offs, the foundation was properly connected, and necessary knowledge was included. I think it was a very important episode for viewers to understand the world. Of course, the relationships with Rena-chan and Makoto-kun are also incredibly good, but looking at it from the axis of Light and Tomorou, episode 18 felt like a major turning point.

Hatano
For me, it was the Dark Auction depicted in the next episode. When I received the script, the subtitle 'Dark Auction' became a topic of conversation, wondering if such a phrase would appear on Sunday morning (laughs). In that episode, Monodramon evolves into Azuldramon for the first time, but because it was an incomplete evolution, the e-pulse was unstable, and it even deleted targets that it was supposed to protect. I think it was a very significant event for Monodramon, who had always believed in Light. After the incident, his eyes looked incredibly sad. I think there was both regret and conflict there. This event must have been a catalyst for the two of them to change again. As an actor, it was quite tough to portray a sorrowful scream-like roar and a state where he lost himself and didn't even know who he was targeting. The visuals were also subjective, so it was scary even watching it on air.

Toyonaga
That was tough, indeed.

Hatano
Also, personally, when I watched it on air, I thought, 'It's Hakui Koyori-san from Hololive!' (laughs). I wasn't with her at the studio, but I simply love VTubers, so I was incredibly excited inside. But at the studio, I maintained a facade of, 'Oh, so there's a VTuber like this, huh?' (laughs).

Toyonaga
I didn't notice at all (laughs).

Hatano

But inside, I was really thrilled (laughs). In that sense, it became a very memorable episode.

Was the atmosphere created by Miyu Irino & Megumi Han also a boost? Talking about the charm of Tomorou & Gekkomon.

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――Please tell us about the atmosphere of the recording studio.

Hatano
We often had recordings with just the two of us, or recordings for Tactics. In the early stages, there weren't many scenes for us, so it sometimes ended quickly. But what was impressive was that while the two of us were sweating profusely performing the climax scene, after the main recording ended, we could hear party-like voices from beyond the door (laughs). When I wondered what was going on, I found that the main cast members who were going to record next were gathered in the lobby. They were having a very lively time, surrounded by pizza, refreshments, and snacks.

Toyonaga
The refreshments were amazing. The lobby was like a pizza party every week.

Hatano
That's right. And after the party was over, they'd say, 'Okay, we're going to work now,' and by the time we finished, everything was cleaned up. Finally, the two of us would grab a few snacks and go home (laughs).

Toyonaga
It felt like the end of the first round of a party (laughs). But in that sense, it was a very homely atmosphere. I think it's an atmosphere created because Irino-kun is at the center, and it's truly comfortable. It's been a long time since I've been on the same set for so long, but Irino-kun never changes. He's mischievous, or rather, he has a boyish heart.

Hatano
Also, Megumi Han-san is really friendly and talks to everyone, she's a mood maker. And she praises a lot.

Toyonaga
Gekkomon is truly amazing.

Hatano
Every time a take finished, she would say, 'That scene was really good,' so I was very grateful.

――Throughout the second cour, how did the combination of Tomorou and Gekkomon appear to you both?

Toyonaga

I thought Gekkomon's courage to remain Gekkomon even in the most serious scenes was incredible. Not reading the room seems easy but is difficult. But to be able to do that with such instantaneous power is truly amazing. Also, since I played drums in my student days, I felt a strong affinity for Tomorou's emphasis on 'beat.' The interactions between Tomorou and Gekkomon have a good tempo even in serious situations, don't they? Including the exchanges where Tomorou retorts to Gekkomon's mistaken proverbs, I watched it thinking that those interactions themselves were their 'beat.' It's a truly unique relationship.

Hatano

They're truly adorable, aren't they? They seem like an odd couple, but I feel they are very similar at their core. I'm sure there are parts where Tomorou is saved by Gekkomon's freedom and uninhibitedness. While saying 'Oh dear,' that buddy feeling is very comfortable. From a viewer's perspective, they are a pair you want to keep watching. On the other hand, the atmosphere changes completely during battle scenes. Their power is also wonderful, and I really love the shouts of both Toshiyuki and Miyu Irino. When they shout out their special moves or their partners' names, I feel a tremor in my core. I love it so much it almost makes me cry.

Toyonaga

Thank you. There's something similar about how Irino-kun and I shout. It's like we're both completely unconcerned with appearances. So it was easy to interact, and it was a great honor and joy to be able to have that kind of back-and-forth, throwing a ball with our hearts and returning it with our hearts.

――Was Tomorou's presence also significant when you played Light?

Toyonaga

It was significant. For example, even in the Coliseum scene, in the first test, I delivered the monologue a bit more calmly, but I was directed to 'express more emotion.' At that moment, I realized that Tomorou was so strongly present within Light. I started to put a lot of emotion into the monologue. By that time, I think Light had been constantly preoccupied with Tomorou in his mind. He had become such a significant presence. So it wasn't just a simple antagonistic relationship; it was a more personal and deeply influential relationship.

――Finally, please give a message to the fans who have watched the Tactics Arc.

Toyonaga
I myself am deeply moved to be involved again with 'Digimon,' which I've been playing since I was a child, and that the series has continued this long. People of my generation are watching 'Digimon' again, and their children are newly discovering it. I feel like various real-world connections are being made through the work of 'Digimon,' and I'm truly happy to have been involved in that. The Tactics Arc is quite complex, not only with the rivalry between Light and Tomorou but also the relationships between organizations. Yet, at the same time, it depicts human drama that even children can genuinely understand. I think it's a truly amazing work with such a balance. In such a work, I was truly happy to play Light as one of the central figures of the second cour, and it was also significant to be able to interact with Hatano-san and enjoy this atmosphere every week while talking about various things in the lobby. I would be happy if that feeling of camaraderie was conveyed in the work. I think the members of Tactics will appear again in the future, so I would be delighted if you would continue to support us until the very end.

Hatano
I was truly happy to participate in the historic 'Digimon' series. I feel like I played four characters with the same soul, based on Monodramon, up to Runfomon, Azuldramon, and Ketomon, and I think it was a very luxurious experience. Among them, it was also significant to be able to experience the characters' gradual changes and growth together with the viewers. From Monodramon's perspective, I also learned the importance of 'the power to believe through something' from this character. It's a work that can be enjoyed from Light's perspective and also from Tomorou's perspective. I would be happy if a scene from 'DIGIMON BEATBREAK' remains in everyone's hearts as you watch the lovable characters from various angles. Please continue to look forward to it.

▼Sota Light (CV: Toshiyuki Toyonaga) × Monodramon (CV: Wataru Hatano) Interview

https://www.toei-anim.co.jp/tv/digimon_beatbreak/special/interview/05/#interview05

■Chance to catch up to the latest episode! [Tactics Arc] Episodes 13-24 are now available for free for a limited time!

▼TV Anime 'DIGIMON BEATBREAK' Episodes 13-24 Free Public Release

Streaming URL: https://youtu.be/m-jK7V0Ji6U

Streaming Period: April 1, 2026 (Wed) 20:00 ~ April 15, 2026 (Wed) 23:59

About TV Anime DIGIMON BEATBREAK

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