David Matranga & Patrick Seitz Interview: My Hero Academia: World Heroes' Mission
Voice talents David Matranga and Patrick Seitz recently sat down with Screen Rant to discuss their characters Shoto Todoroki and his father the number-one hero Endeavor, respectively, ahead of the premiere of My Hero Academia's third movie World Heroes' Mission. Like all great father-son stories, Shoto and Endeavor don't have the best relationship. Shoto's animosity towards his father's past sins is definitely justified. But complicating the matter is that Endeavor wants to make amends, sticking true to his hero name by valiantly trying to bridge the gap between them, an effort that's mired by his inability to communicate affectionately without succumbing to anger and frustration. All of this is then further exacerbated by Shoto's refusal to move beyond his prejudices and preconceived notions of his father. Both the anime and manga are currently showing the two making major strides towards reconciliation even in the latter serialization, despite the major bombshell regarding the late Toya Todoroki. And yet, the two are separated for the majority of World Heroes' Mission, putting their struggles on hold as the two seek to stop the efforts of the terror organization Humarise to eliminate all quirks.
Ironically, the most powerful moment in the film that adds yet another layer to their already heavily complex dynamic transpires when they're apart, uncovering more into the dichotomy between what it means to be a hero and a father. Screen Rant spoke to David Matranga and Patrick Seitz during Funimation's exclusive press event promoting My Hero Academia's latest film, before pivoting to the most awkward moment in the anime's latest season where the two are forced to face their issues head-on in an environment that naturally has the capability of providing ample amounts of discomfort: the infamous dinner scene.
Screen Rant: There’s a lot going on with your characters’ relationship right now in the show. What stood out the most to you in World Heroes’ Mission?
Patrick Seitz: For them doing the work in the series, episode to episode, season to season, it allows for pay off in the movies, where you don't have to show your work because you have already shown your work. And so you can get right down to the heart of, "Oh, they're doing this thing and it's being informed by this or they're doing this thing and it's being informed by that." It's already been done. It doesn't feel like taking a shortcut. It feels earned like, "Ah, they've already done this and already put in the time. This is the natural dividend of that thing that happened." And even if it's not about them or their relationship, I feel like it's a flavor that they sort of bring to what they're doing. You're not being hit over the head with it. But if you look at the moments they have, doing whatever they are separately doing, it's "Yeah, I see it, I see how they got here. I see what's different maybe than it was a season or two seasons ago."
David Matranga: I think what's great about the other films and this film is that they each stand alone as a great feature. They each hold their own, to say the very least, on the big screen. And at the same time, if you're watching it as a standalone, it's all of those things that it promises to be. But if you are also watching the series, it gives you that added relationship information. Even when it's not direct - like in some of Shoto's fights and even in some of the conversations - you see Endeavor's influence. You see some of his training, you see that he has confidence in using his powers and will continue to grow in how he uses them. I think that, as you're watching the film and you see some of the fights, I think that's in there, that he's been learning from the number-one hero.
We're seeing their relationship being explored when they're apart, not necessarily when they're together. Were you hoping that you would have more interactions with each other like you do in the show or is it refreshing from an acting perspective because it's a little different?
Patrick Seitz: This show is already such a boon and a gift to me as a performer and, as someone who can watch what's going on with all of the other characters and watch all the other scenes, I would feel ungrateful or greedy if I said I hoped for this or hoped for that. Whatever I get of them together or whenever Endeavor is doing his own thing, I feel [it's] a gift. Far be it from me to send it back to the chef and say, "I want this or that." I am really showing up and just saying, "Bring me what you have on the menu because, man, you ain't done me wrong." I'm here for whatever they send down the pike.
David Matranga: Same. I don't really come in with too many expectations, even when I know what's happening. People ask me questions about it, and I never come in with any real expectation. It's honestly such a pleasure to be part of voicing such a complex and nuanced character, where there is so much to work with. It doesn't always happen, and I'm so grateful for it. So whatever happens, I'm committed 100%. Here we go, let's tell the story!
So, I just want to switch gears and just briefly talk about that dinner scene in season five at the Todoroki household. That was comfortable, but it was really crucial for obvious reasons. What was it like acting out that scene?
Patrick Seitz: For me personally, in my own past, I've had some static with my own dad. I don't want to give some treacly answer and say that by the virtue of working with anime, I've gone back in time and fixed that per se. But it's interesting getting to see the perspective now as a grown man of this dude who's like, "I didn't do a great job and I'm trying and nobody owes me anything but I'm going to put in the time and try to do what needs to be done. And maybe I'm going to take the hits because, in trying to do that, I'm opening myself up to everyone's feedback and how they feel about things. And they are valid in feeling what they feel."
It's uncomfortable, but what makes it uncomfortable is what makes it interesting and compelling to perform and to watch. Any of those moments that are a little complicated, a little touchy, or uncomfortable, I welcome them because I know it's going to be fulfilling. It's not always a good time, quote-unquote.
David Matranga: I agree with all of that 100%. I think that sort of awkwardness, that the discomfort is so real in a family dynamic or any type of conflict. This happens especially when you set it at dinner, at the home where there is so much history. I think it's really interesting what [mangaka Kohei] Horikoshi does with Fuyumi [Todoroki]. She is so accepting and just ready to heal this. Meanwhile, Natsuo [Todoroki] is completely blocked. And in true form, you have Shoto Todoroki kind of in the middle there.
That's what we live for as performers and actors to really jump in with two feet into that conflict, into that awkwardness, and live there and see what comes of it. Those kinds of dynamics are, yes! I will say this, sometimes, I'll watch the sub before I record, and I saw a couple of those scenes, and I was just really excited to be able to voice them. Whenever I have that reaction, I know it's going to be a good session.
My Hero Academia: World Heroes' Mission premieres in theaters on October 29.