#Japan #Tokyo #KujiMate #Hiroaki Hirata #Daisuke Namikawa

Hiroaki Hirata's KujiMate Vol.4 Special Episode Overview

On July 18, 2025, at 20:00, a special event aired on Nico Nico Live called "Hiroaki Hirata's KujiMate Vol.4 Special Episode - The Laid-back Young Innkeeper Edition #1." Hosted by voice actor Hiroaki Hirata himself, the show featured Daisuke Namikawa as a guest. This special broadcast is part of a summer project titled "Voice Actor x KujiMate Festival" on the Animelo+ channel, focusing on the online lottery service, KujiMate, by Animate.

The show kicked off with Hirata, who humorously confessed, “The script says to express my enthusiasm, but I have none!” This light-hearted banter set the tone, as he awkwardly stuttered when mentioning Namikawa's name and referred to fellow voice actor Ryutaro Okiayu as “what-fish,” making the audience erupt with laughter. Namikawa immediately fired back with quick retorts, highlighting a plethora of comical points to address, pointing out the apparent lack of excitement and joking about Hirata’s mispronunciation.

Hirata opened the first segment, "Deep Dive into KujiMate," where the prizes of KujiMate were introduced. The A-prize was for a one-on-one online tea party. After five fun-filled minutes of conversation, winners could have a virtual commemorative photo together. B-prize offered a unique surprise from Hirata himself, a signed Polaroid holder featuring an exclusive photo. During a playful exchange, Hirata mentioned, “1 in 10 chance of a photo with Namikawa in it is like hitting the jackpot!” to which Namikawa humorously retorted, “You mean, it’s a bad prize!” showing their chemistry as they engaged in further comic repartee.

Following that was the introduction of the C-prize, which included a personalized scenario voice, and the D-prize promised a collection of 20 different scenario voices—including some secret prizes yet to be revealed. In a fun twist, audience participation allowed for a vote on what they wanted to hear, with one of Hirata's suggested scenarios, titled “The Elderly Lying on the Floor,” being included. This ignited humorous arguments, as Namikawa laughed over past works and suggested it was a poor direction for voice acting in today’s market.

As the audience voted, Hirata encouraged them, saying, “If you don’t push it now, it might never be seen again!” With playful banter, this call-to-action successfully resulted in a surprising 65.4% support for the elderly scenario, making Hirata amusedly ponder if he had influenced a new trend.

Next was a thrilling part where Hirata recorded two sample voices in real-time. The audience reacted with excitement and joy as they heard the chosen voice. Meanwhile, Namikawa, taking in the scene, humorously squirmed in the background, with viewers commenting on his adorable reactions. Not to disappoint, Namikawa presented the other voice, captivating viewers with his resonant tone, emphasizing the fun and entertainment throughout the segment.

In the latter half, the paid portion of Animelo+ included a segment titled "Menu Talk," where Namikawa expressed his desire to discuss Hirata’s role in the animated film, Joker. He revealed interesting details about the audition process and hurdles they faced during the preparation period, fostering a deeper insight into their work. The episode wrapped up with a lively trivia session about inns and hot springs, ensuring a fun conclusion filled with laughter and camaraderie.

This engaging episode demonstrated the witty rapport between Hirata and Namikawa while offering fans an entertaining way to learn about KujiMate’s offerings. Be sure to catch future broadcasts for more laughs and exciting prizes!

Show Details

• - Date: July 18, 2025
• - Host: Hiroaki Hirata
• - Guest: Daisuke Namikawa
• - Viewing Link: Watch Here (First half free to view)

Prizes and Campaigns

• - Prize Campaign Duration: August 15, 2025, to August 29, 2025
• - Details and Entry: More information will be provided on the official site on August 15.

What is KujiMate?

KujiMate is an online lottery service operated by Animate, offering unique and limited-edition goods only available here. With user-friendly access from PCs and smartphones, every fan can enjoy the thrill of matching luck with special collectibles.