#Japan #Tokyo #KujiMate #Hirata Hiroaki #Hoshi Souichirou

KujiMate Special Episode 4 Report

On August 26, 2025, at 8 PM JST, the highly anticipated fourth volume of "Hirata Hiroaki's KujiMate Special – The Laid-Back Innkeeper Edition #2" was broadcasted live on Nico Nico, showcasing the famous voice actor duo Hirata Hiroaki and Hoshi Souichirou from the anime "Saiyuki" reconnecting after some time apart.

The "KujiMate Special" is a talk show format where popular voice actors introduce products from the online lottery service "KujiMate" available on Animate Online. In this episode, Hirata took on the role of MC, with the charming Hoshi as his guest.

Kicking off the show, Hirata humorously acknowledged the heat with, "It's really hot today, isn't it?" Immediately engaging with the audience, he whimsically stated he was joined by a special guest, prompting viewers to hear Hoshi’s playful response. The atmosphere was jovial right from the start, and Hirata teased the audience, mentioning the absence of a straight man in their comedic dynamic, leading to a sense of delightful unpredictability.

As the episode progressed, viewers were entertained by a light-hearted banter between the two, showcasing how their chemistry has developed over the years through their shared voice acting experience in "Saiyuki," with Hoshi voicing Son Goku and Hirata as Sha Gojyo.

In a surprise moment, Hoshi abruptly wished Hirata a belated birthday, and the applause from the production team was faint, prompting Hirata to deliver a snarky thank you that left viewers in stitches right from the opening segment.

The main segment, "KujiMate Quick Introduction!!" featured prizes from the lottery. The standout A-prize offered an exclusive one-on-one online tea party with Hirata, complete with commemorative photos and digital signatures, while the B-prize included a signed Cheki (instant photo) holder. Participants were also treated to an astounding array of voice lines under prizes C and D that highlighted unique situation voices, some of which were recorded in real-time during the broadcast.

Fans reacted universally positive to Hirata’s vocal performance, expressing their excitement through comments showcasing their appreciation for his unmistakably talented abilities. His partner Hoshi shared equal enthusiasm, affirming his youthful voice, which drew roaring approval from viewers, creating a celebratory ambiance.

As these two alumni of voice acting reminisced about their journeys and quirks behind their art, they humorously recounted anecdotes from their careers, including Hirata's failed attempts at younger roles due to his ability showcasing a strong dynamic range across age portrayals. Together, they playfully prepared their voices for various scenarios while also managing to incorporate comedic storytelling without losing the subject matter's inherent charm.

The latter part of the show transitioned into a paid segment for animelo+ members, featuring engaging discussions on topics like self-reward moments and light-hearted quizzes that only solidified their camaraderie. Such honest interactions contributed to a robust viewer engagement and laughter as both characters collided off each other’s stories and reflective thoughts from their careers.

Soon enough, the show’s end came as Hirata exclaimed, "That was fun!" and Hoshi echoed his sentiment, expressing the desire to collaborate again, marking the episode as another successful and laughter-filled installment.

KujiMate Special Episode Overview
Date: August 26, 2025, 8 PM - 9 PM
Cast: Hirata Hiroaki (MC), Hoshi Souichirou (Guest)
Watch the episode: Nico Nico Link (first half free)
Archive availability: Until September 25, 2025, 11:59 PM

KujiMate Product Overview
Purchase Link: Animate Online
Purchase Period: Until September 8, 2025, 11:59 PM
Price: 1,100 yen (tax included)/Free shipping
Prize Breakdown:

• - A Prize (0.5% Chance): One-on-One Online Tea Party with Hirata
• - B Prize (1.5% Chance): Thoughtful Item from Hirata (Signed)
• - C Prize (3% Chance): Unique Named Themed Voice
• - D Prize (95% Chance): Total of 20 Themed Voices including secrets
• - Campaign: All animelo+ members purchasing this item will receive an original voice gift. Please note to include your NicoNico ID when ordering.

What is KujiMate?
A hassle-free online lottery service by Animate Co., Ltd. available through the Animate Online shop, ensuring unique goods produced on demand are easily accessible for fans everywhere.

About animelo+ Channel
Dedicated to streaming content centered around voice actors and anime song artists, animelo+ provides a universe of live performances, special broadcasts, and related video content.

animelo+ Channel: Here
animelo+ Official X: Follow