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Back during Anime Expo 2019, I met up with Brandon Winckler in the busy halls of the Los Angeles Convention Center, as I had the opportunity to talk with him regarding his rise to the anime scene and voicing the fan favorite character Eugeo in the third season of Sword Art Online.
A little note, this was one of 13 interviews I did back at AX 2019 in collaboration with ToonamiFaithful.com. However, this interview was made solely by me as my colleagues were busy covering another assignment when this interview took place. Unfortunately, various circumstances prevented me from being able to publish this interview until now, and I have since left ToonamiFaithul.com due to creative differences. So, as the world continues to reopen and Anime Expo is scheduled to return for its 2022 edition in July, thanks to my friends and colleagues at Toonami Squad, this interview can finally see the light of day.
As mentioned, this interview took place in July 2019, several months before COVID-19 was first discovered, leading to the cancellation of Anime Expo for the next two years. Back then, Toonami just premiered Food Wars, and it was at the event where the block announced during the convention that Demon Slayer would be joining the lineup for its first season. It was also the week Episode 23 of Sword Art Online: Alicization aired on Toonami, and where Aniplex revealed a new trailer and plans for the arc’s second half, titled War of Underworld. For further information, feel free to check out my reports on Anime Expo for 2019 and 2020 in the links below.
Sword Art Online: Alicization would later return to Toonami for War of Underworld, with Part 3 airing from January 18 – April 4, 2020 and Part 4 airing from November 7, 2020 – February 6, 2021. Brandon would reprise his role as Eugeo during the second half. Since this interview, Brandon has appeared in several other Toonami shows, including voicing Kiyoshi in Demon Slayer and Enju in Fena: Pirate Princess. He has also been featured as the voice of Shun Izuki in Kuroko’s Basketball, Kuro Sakuragawa in In/Spectre, Lui Shirosagi in Beyblade Burst, and Kazuha’s friend, Tomo, in Genshin Impact.
You can listen to the interview on either iHeartRadio or Spotify, and/or you can read the interview below.
Anime Savior Interview’s Brandon Winckler at Anime Expo 2019 – Toonami Squad Podcast Sessions
Back during Anime Expo 2019, I met up with Brandon Winckler in the busy halls of the Los Angeles Convention Center, as I had the opportunity to talk with him regarding his rise to the anime scene and voicing the fan favorite character Eugeo in the third season of Sword Art Online.
Anime Savior Interview’s Brandon Winckler at Anime Expo 2019
Listen to this episode from Toonami Squad Podcast Sessions on Spotify. Back during Anime Expo 2019, I met up with Brandon Winckler in the busy halls of the Los Angeles Convention Center, as I had the opportunity to talk with him…
Original article edited by ToonamiFaithful.com Editor-in-Chief CJ Maffris
Note: This interview contains ending spoilers from the first half of Project Alicization. For those who have yet to see Episode 24 of Sword Art Online: Alicization, we advise viewing at your own risk.
Daniel: So, Brandon. How’s Anime Expo been going for you?
Brandon: Ah, It’s good. It’s my first day. I wasn’t sure if I was going to come just because I’ve been really busy. But I had the free time today and so, I came on out and right now I’m really liking it. I’m really excited to go explore.
Daniel: It’s a bit packed around here, but I think you can find some good stuff around here.
Brandon: Hopefully…
Daniel: It’s Sunday at least, so it’s not as hectic as these last few days.
Brandon: Yeah, I know why. I’ve heard what’s been going around on Twitter, as far as the lines and stuff, and so I was like: “Hmm, should I go?” And I was like “Ehh…I’ll just go. I’ll suck it up.”
Daniel: Yeah, I hear ya. Just wanted to say thanks for talking with us. Especially with these last few episodes of SAO, I’ve been really wanting to get you most out of everyone we were trying to interview.
Brandon: Yeah, I know. It’s so sad it’s coming to an end. These 24 episodes are wrapping up, so…it’s frightening.
Let’s talk about you first. Basically, you’re a relatively new name to the voice acting scene, but as many actors and actresses will tell you, it can take years if not decades of blood, sweat, and tears to break into this industry. When and what made you decide to pursue the craft of voice acting and how did you get here today?
Brandon: Phew, that’s a fun story. Back in college, I studied a lot of music because I wanted to be a singer. Basically, I wanted to sing. That was basically my angle. And I ended up leaving school just because I just wasn’t enjoying it. But before then, I was working at a summer camp in Texas and I bought a microphone along with two speakers and I had no idea how to use them. I wasn’t really sure what I was actually going to do with them. I ended up keeping it in my closet for like a year after this camp had ended. After that, I started watching anime, I started watching Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood and I started watching Soul Eater and I remember I had a big, I like to call it the “Anime Renaissance” of my life, where I just binged a bunch of anime, all English dubbed because I enjoyed it and I had nothing better to do. And so, I noticed that these people, who were actors, were giving these really captivating performances and that’s when I first noticed that “oh, voice acting is something.” And so then after that, I was like “well you know, maybe I’ll do it as a hobby.” So, I went online and I did a bunch of fan projects and I would do games and animations, that would never ever see the light of day, for about two years. I did two years of that and then I had to take a break because I was living in Virginia at the time.
Eventually, I had a chance to move to New York for another job that I had just taken and I was like: “You know what? Maybe if I’m serious about this, maybe I can make it in voice over.” because I was never really told that I was bad at it. I was always told that “you’ve got great instincts” and like “you should give it a shot.” So eventually, I moved out to New York from Virginia and I remember there is where I booked some of my first titles like Marvel and Disney and I got to audition for Pokémon at some point and I just had this influx of opportunity come my way. I noticed though that New York wasn’t the best place for animation or anime like, cause in New York, you only have Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh. So, when I actually got the chance to pursue bigger and better, I had the choice between Dallas and Los Angeles, and I ended up choosing Los Angeles. Five years ago, I started it as a hobby and now I’ve been doing it professionally maybe about two years. So that’s how I got here.
Daniel: Well, with what we’ve been seeing from you with Eugeo, Theo from Record of Grancrest War, and a few other characters you’ve done, I have a gut feeling that we will be seeing a lot more from you in the future.
Brandon: I hope so. I really do.
You’re most known among the fans for voicing Eugeo from Sword Art Online which is very popular character. Were you familiar with the SAO franchise prior to getting cast?
Brandon: Yes, I was. I knew all about SAO, I loved season 1 (the Aincrad Arc). Season 2, the Fairy (Dance) Arc, is kind of where I fell off the wagon. But I love the first season and I remember I binge-watched it all the way through because everybody was talking about it at the time. I think I was maybe 22, maybe 21 or something when it came out, and all my friends and people that I knew were just talking about SAO and I was like “what is this show?” And so, I took a moment and I just binged the entire series and like this is really good. And then when Gun Gale [The Phantom Bullet Arc] came out, I binged that in Japanese and I was just like “This is great, I love this show.”
And then, funny enough, with Eugeo, I didn’t see him until I just moved to Los Angeles and I saw him on the cover of one of the books, I think, or something online. At that time, I was really pursuing voiceover seriously and I saw Eugeo, and in the moment I saw Eugeo, I was like “I’m gonna book that character.” I knew from the moment I saw Eugeo that I immediately resonated with him.
Daniel: I guess it became destiny that you got to play Eugeo.
Brandon: Yes, I’m really grateful that I had the chance to.
Of course, Sword Art Online premieres its dub episodes on Toonami. Do you consider yourself a Toonami Faithful? What’s been your history with the block?
Brandon: Oh man, my history with Toonami. It spans back all the way to when I was a kid. I remember when it used to be an afternoon block and I remember Sailor Moon and that all this classic anime ran on it and Dragon Ball Z. I just remember like I would intentionally stay up late or home from school sometimes just to make sure they didn’t miss anything from the afternoon block. I would be like pretending to be sick but in reality, I just wanted to watch some Toonami. So, like really over recent years though I probably haven’t been as “faithful.” I just been I’ve been catching shows that capture my interest. Like, I’m really excited about Food Wars coming. And like Parasyte (The Maxim), I love Parasyte, and when I heard that Parasite was coming to the block, I lost my mind, and of course I watched it. But yeah, I think this is the most involved with Toonami I’ve been in a long time, so it’s kind of reignited my love for the entire block, especially with all the nice shows that are coming. Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba) is coming, I’m so excited.
How did you get noticed by Bang Zoom!? How was your audition process for SAO? What made Alex and Mami say “You’re the one to play Eugeo?”
Brandon: Well, I like to think of it as “the right place at the right time.” So, Bang Zoom! I have always heard of them; I remember when they were holding their first open audition competitions and I really wanted to be a part of it, but I didn’t feel like I was ready. I didn’t know how to use video editing equipment. I had some big competition. I was really just like: “I wonder if I’m ready” and during that time, I didn’t think that I was, but I had always wanted to work with them. Finally, when I moved to New York, again, I had the choice between moving to Dallas or Los Angeles, and Dallas seem to be the really popular choice because it’s cheaper out in Dallas and there’s a lot more anime work and L.A. is known as “the grind”, you know what I mean? So, I had that choice, and I chose L.A. So, I was living in New York, and I remember I emailed Bang Zoom! with my demo and everything and I was like “Look, I’m planning on moving. This is my stuff. See how it is.” And I got a response, and it was from Mami Okada. She was really, really sweet, and she was like: “Hey, I like your stuff, but you got to let us know when you’re there, when you’re in Burbank.” And so, I was like “I got to get out to L.A.” After that, basically I was put into a situation where I was auditioning constantly for a year. One long terrifying year, where I almost had no work. I was really lucky and I booked a few other things outside of Bang Zoom! But as far as Bang Zoom! goes, I’ve been auditioning to them for a while. I think the first thing that I booked with them was Ace Combat, and I got really excited because I was maybe like three months into my living situation in Los Angeles, and then I heard nothing for like half a year. That’s the beautiful and terrifying thing about this profession, is that you could go two days without work or six months without work. It’s terrifying in that sense, but I still can’t see myself doing anything else.
As far as the audition for SAO, I got the audition I think sometime in November and I got really excited because I knew the character. Like I said, I saw Eugeo on something online and I was like: “You know what, I’m going to be this character. I’m going to voice this character or I’m going to do my darn best to.” And so, I auditioned, and I worked really hard on it, and I sent it in and I got a call back. At my call back, I met Alex von David for the first time, I saw Mami, and I saw Hiroe, the producer from Aniplex. And meeting everybody was really…phew, it was very humbling because it’s like “Wow, these people have been working in this industry for years and years and years. And you’re, in a lot of ways, a newbie.” It was really one of those situations where it puts things into perspective for you. Finally, we did the call back and we dubbed the picture, and it just all felt really natural. I felt like I knew what I was doing, which is very rare, and I remember I knew that I got it because von David, he pressed the talk back button and he was like: “Brandon, that’s it.” And I was like: “That’s a good sign.” And ever since then, it’s been a crazy journey and it’s been really, really great to work with Aniplex and Bang Zoom! and Mami and von David. I’ve learned so much through this project and in through getting to…man, this project has allowed me to grow in so many ways, so like, I’m so, so grateful for having voiced Eugeo. So, that’s why I’m so passionate about him in particular.
Sword Art Online’s presence on Toonami has been very well received, but at the same time, very well deceived as well, with critics saying stuff along the lines of: “This shouldn’t be on Toonami.” “You shouldn’t be here.” “SAO should have dub-premiered on Hulu and Netflix instead (like apparently what happened with Alternative GGO)” or “SAO needs to be kicked out of Toonami so Konosuba/Re:Zero/Log Horizon/whatever isekai they think is better can be on Toonami instead.” Yet, SAO still continues to be on Toonami show and you got your big break in the VO scene (at least Toonami wise) voicing Eugeo. Why do you think SAO continues to succeed despite all the backlash it continues to get?
Brandon: Well, I’ve always seen SAO as a wonderful gateway to anime. I’ve always seen SAO as something that can appeal to us, as like, I know like a lot of socially awkward people and socially anxious people. I know I deal with a lot of anxiety myself.
Daniel: Same here.
Brandon: Yeah, yeah. It’s funny because it’s a show about someone who really is like a shut-in and kind of like does nothing but play games. But he has a chance to be something more and I see a lot of people like to place themselves in Kirito’s shoes and they like to see themselves as this protagonist, and I don’t blame them for that. I think that’s something that can resonate with everyone. Plus, you have a romance, you got the hundred levels, the storyline going on. And honestly, it’s just something that it’s got an easy appeal too and people can jump in and have a good time without having to question everything, you know what I mean? And I think the people that think too much about it, are the ones who end up not enjoying it as much. Which everybody has their own taste and I feel like maybe some of the themes and elements in SAO can sometimes get a little dark and a little pushing the line, but I do think that people in the end, they’re going to enjoy what they want to enjoy regardless. And if Toonami chooses to show SAO on the block, then that’s okay with me. It’s one of those things where we’re not in control of all of that, but we can still enjoy it while it’s here and find something to enjoy about it.
Tell us about your character Eugeo. He’s a very popular character around the SAO community, but what do you think makes him so endearing?
Brandon: I think the most endearing thing about Eugeo is his growth. When you first meet Eugeo, he’s kind of an insecure, quiet, but still loving person. He’s a very sweet individual and I think that’s what really makes the fans love him so much. Because you know, Kirito is kind of this hard-headed, stubborn, “I know what I’m doing” type of person, while Eugeo is just like “You know what? You got what you need” that sort of thing. He’s just a really loving individual and I think when you have something that you can root for who’s growing and growing and growing, and he constantly wants to be like Kirito. I think when you have that underdog complex, that’s kind of like it reminds me of Deku from My Hero Academia, in the sense of like we’re rooting for you, and that’s why I think that we love Eugeo in particular, so much especially in this fandom. Plus, I love his storyline and how he just becomes so much better than what he was.
Kirito, dare I say, tends to have a bit of a “cheating” reputation as pretty much every arc, there is at least one girl that is added to his “harem”. This season, he has not just one girl (Alice), but one boy (Eugeo) as well. What do you think about the harem and the harem aspects of the show?
Brandon: So…the harem aspect of the show. I think the author has really good intentions. I think the anime sometimes can…gosh, that’s a hard question. I’ve never really cared about harem anime and I think the reason for that is that is because sometimes the really good characteristics of these characters, these defining things about these characters, kind of get painted with a broad stroke, you know what I mean? Just like “Oh well, they’re into Kirito.” That’s it. In reality, something that I really appreciate about this season in particular is the fact that they’ve really strayed from that. You don’t see Kirito just hanging out with a bunch of women, and the women be like “KYAA!” or whatever, all the time. It’s really nice because this one has been full of adventure and action and lots of dialogue, lots of story driven plot points. And so, I’m not sure what the future of SAO holds but I’m hoping they keep up with that because I know Season 2 was really good as far as GGO and Gun Gale, and I’m excited to see what the future holds, if they keep going the way that they’re going now because it’s nice to let all the characters have their focus. I don’t think they aim for a harem aspect, but when you kind of gloss over the characters, and you’re like: “holy crap, we have so much story to write,” I think that’s when it starts to dwindle into that category because you have no time to focus on their characteristics as characters. You only see them with Kirito.
Daniel: One of the main criticisms I’ve been hearing is that basically every arc, he [SAO author Reki Kawahara] adds a new girl that hangs out with Kirito, the girl falls in love with him, and then she pretty much gets shoved aside in successive arcs. This is especially true this arc as Asuna and pretty much everyone [except Kirito] get sidelined so Eugeo and Kirito can have their little bromance…and their love triangle with Alice. Fortunately, Reki Kawahara says he wants to give at least the surviving characters of the harem, a little more screen time (in future arcs). So, we will see what happens there.
Brandon: We will see. Best boy, Klein, come on man.
Daniel: Yeah, I’ve totally forgotten about Klein. He needs to be utilized a little more.
One of the big plot points for Eugeo’s development is during Episode 10 when Ronye and Tiese…had to go through some tough scenes, and your character Eugeo had to go bail them out. But since Humbert and Raios made some loopholes in the Taboo Index, Kirito and Eugeo’s intervention actually made Kirito and Eugeo violate the index. How were your feelings going through when you dubbed that scene and when you viewed that scene?
Brandon: So, dubbing that scene, I was going through a lot of growing, personally in my own life. Because, being a newer actor, I still at times don’t show the exact same confidence as all of my colleagues just because I’m growing and I’m learning to be the best version of myself. Not only as a person, but as an actor as well. And I know during episode 10, Alex von David, he really had to push me as far as getting me into the correct head space because I never thought that I’d ever do anything like that, where you’re in a situation where somebody is being violated in that way and it is really sensitive material. And you want to treat it with much respect and passion as you can while respecting it. We got through it, and I am giving major shout outs to Deneen and Kimberly for being strong enough to carry that scene through. When you’re an actor, you’re just acting, but at the same time, you do have to pull yourself to a place where they’re like…
Daniel: Being in their shoes.
Brandon: Right, being in your character’s shoes. And it’s really interesting to play a scene like that because a lot of lot of media won’t touch it, you know what I mean? And I’m still grateful to everyone who supported the scene…yeah, I can’t see any other way Eugeo could have had enough motivation to break his chains and become free and make that choice, so I give a shout out to the to the author Reki Kawahara, for that. But overall, I think we dubbed it and it turned out great. It moved a lot of people and we definitely got a reaction out of it. So yeah, I think it was good.
Daniel: I spoke with Deneen in another interview we did a few days ago about that scene in particular. I got to say, big props to her and Kimberly for that.
Brandon: They’re wonderful actors. They really put their heart into everything and that’s what I really appreciate about everyone who’s worked on Sword Art and everyone who really works in general in our community.
Daniel: One of SAO’s biggest criticisms was that show pretty much had a sexual assault scene every season, but ever since this scene got published, Reki Kawahara has admitted that he took it a bit too far and has since been swaying away from creating such scenes. So fortunately, there’s that.
Brandon: Yeah, and I think in retrospect, there are a million ways that they could have handle it. But I think this was the best way they could have handled the scene, because they didn’t glorify it, it wasn’t fanservicey, it wasn’t meant to make you feel good. You know like, I heard criticisms in the past that, I think it was the Fairy Dance arc scene, where Asuna [had to deal with the tentacle slugs while trying to escape]. But nothing about this scene (in Episode 10) was meant to make you feel good about what was happening to these characters. And I think that if you’re playing a scene like this, that’s how it should be played, because it is a terrible thing [in real life].
While there’s usually one person in the booth when it comes to anime dubs, you nonetheless do have good relationships with the other voice actors, such as Bryce Papenbrook (voice of Kirito) and Kayli Mills (voice of Alice). Tell us about that.
Brandon: Man, where do I start? I’ll start off with Kayli Mills. Kayli is one of my closest friends in this world. She’s one of the main reasons why I’m even able to be out here in L.A. to this day. We were roommates for a time and I remember I was there when she had booked [Emilia from] Re:Zero and everything like that. She’s always been a really really close and dear friend of mine. When we found out we were in SAO together, we both collectively lost our minds and we’ve been so excited to be on this journey together, especially since we’re voicing two such integral characters in the season. So…yeah, that’s something.
And Bryce Papenbrook, I met Bryce for the very first time I think like a few weeks after the announcement of SAO happened, and we did some we did some interviews together. He got me on Unlocked, and we started chatting and we learned how to do the handshake and it was really funny. Bryce is really sweet guy, he’s really fun, he’s so funny, it’s crazy. And such smart guy, too. But yeah, I’ve gotten to hang out with him a few times and it’s always great running into him. Miss ya, Bryce.
And then, Cherami Leigh, funny enough, I have met Cherami at my very first anime convention which was Nekocon in Virginia Beach in the Norfolk area. I got these tickets and we got to have dinner with Cherami Leigh and Steve Blum, and it was so funny because like I had no clue like what the future held at that point, I was like 21-22 or something. She’s so sweet. Cherami has just this ability to always be on point, and alive, and in present, and that’s something I really appreciate about her, and it’s always great seeing her. And then, when I met her for our first Sword Art Online interview, she was so perky, and she was so sweet, and then on top of all that she remembered me from that dinner. And I was like: “That’s insane!” She’s so cool. I absolutely adore her. And then, Alex von David in and everybody else in the cast and crew. They’re all really dear friends, I see them as dear friends of mine. Michelle in particular, absolutely love her. She’s my current roommate…
Daniel: Michelle Marie? Just making sure because I don’t want to confuse her with Michelle Ruff or any other Michelle who works on this show.
Brandon: Oh yeah, Michelle Marie. Sorry, guys. She plays Fizel in SAO season 3. She stabs Kirito. Big props, big props, way to take down the God. She’s fantastic. And Alex von David, he’s taught me so much just by being a director. I remember von David was once like “I’m no teacher” and I was like: “Yeah, you’re right. But man, you’re one hell of a director.” And he’s been so kind and patient with me as I’m growing into my role and growing into who I am as not only a person, but an actor as well. I’m really grateful that the Bang Zoom! team has been so accommodating and really, it feels kind of like a second family down there. Just in the sense of like, “we may not see each other every day but man, whenever we get together, it’s not work, it’s like we’re having a great time doing what we love”. Even though some days might be tough, we still get through it. It is just like we have so much fun. So, I’m really grateful to von David in particular because he’s been easily the friendliest director out there that I’ve worked with, and he just makes everything so easy and natural.
Daniel: Alex has really helped make a lot of people into stars. Bryce, Cherami, really the whole cast, turned from relatively unknowns to big stars in the anime industry.
Brandon: Yes, getting to work with him, it’s definitely one of the highlights of my career just because it’s unlike anything that I’ve gone to work on.
Of course, we should probably talk about the big moment in these last two episodes of this first half of SAO 3. Unfortunately, things don’t go so well for Eugeo in the end, as he gets mortally wounded fighting Quinella. How did it feel to experience that…and basically say “Well, that sucks?”
Brandon: How did it feel to, kind of like, experience that? I cried in between every take. It was crazy. You don’t realize how emotionally attached to your character then you actually are, until maybe like the end. Like when you’re wrapping things up and part of you just feels like “Ahh, it’s gonna last forever” but it’s gone in a blink of an eye. And Eugeo is one of those characters that I resonate with so much, that it’s just impossible for me not to feel something when something happens to him. And as you will find out in the next episode next week [at the time of this interview], the final episode…man, it hurts…it hurts. But I’m really proud of what we did in the performance, and I made von David cry and that’s all I needed to do. And hopefully I made everyone else cry too…in a good way.
Eugeo’s death does have a bit of a silver lining, as he manages to take Alice Zuberg (or at least her memories) with him to the AI afterlife…or whatever AI go when they die. (Brandon: To the Golden Ether) Meanwhile, the “Synthesis 30” side of Alice gets to join Kirito’s harem (Brandon: Oh no). Basically, how does that feel?
Brandon: Well, I’m really, really glad that Eugeo got to basically grow with Kirito in this brand-new world and I’m glad that Alice has a chance to be her own person. It is sad what happens to Eugeo and Alice Zuberg, but in the end, I think this opens some other avenues for a better story and I’m really excited to see what they do with the rest of the season and even though Eugeo won’t be there, I know that like they say…
Daniel: He’ll always be in Kirito’s heart.
Brandon: Yes, exactly what they say in the dub. “You’re right here, you’re right with me all the time”, and best friends forever. And like…man, I’m getting all emotional thinking about it. I’m just like “Oh my God.” So…yeah, I’m really grateful that Eugeo got to have a part in the universe and I know the fans are grateful that they got to see him. Cause I know that he is a fan favorite.
Daniel: Yeah, there’s a lot of folks that have been saying “Eugeo shouldn’t have died…huh…what happened?!” And I kind of agree with that. That was a pretty lame way for to him to go.
Brandon: Yeeeah…A lot of people don’t agree with it, and I would like to see Eugeo in the future, but I’m going to put my trust in the story and like see where it goes and I think that’s the best way to handle those things. But let’s hope for more Eugeo in the future. You never know…
Daniel: Anything is possible.
Let’s play a theoretical game: What if somehow Eugeo did survive the battle with Quinella. What do you think Eugeo’s role would be in the War of Underworld? And the harem, for that matter?
Brandon: I think if Eugeo survived, I could see him being like a General. Like I really could, because Eugeo does this immense amount of growth in a short time and he realizes what his purpose is. And he’s no longer, like… questioning himself inside at the end. He’s secure in himself and I think those are great traits of a leader. And I think you know, the myth that Kirito is this OP Power God, that would be x2 with Eugeo by his side. The dark territory wouldn’t stand a chance.
Daniel: Yeah, they would be toast.
Where would you like to see the SAO franchise go next? What’s on your personal wish list?
Brandon: Ooh. Man, there’s so much that they’ve done…I know they kind of did [augmented reality] with Ordinal Scale, but I would like to see more of that. I really enjoyed the Ordinal Scale concept where you had the [Augma]. I would like to see more of that honestly, because I love the integration of VR elements into real life almost like an AR system. And if we could up the stakes even more then that be awesome. That’s something that I really enjoyed about this season is that it felt like there were a lot of stakes.
Anything you’d like to say to the fans before we head out?
Brandon: Thank you so much for being so welcoming and inclusive as I join the SAO family. It still feels like a dream sometimes and I’m so grateful that you guys are enjoying the show. I really, really hope that you guys continue to watch and support Toonami and all the wonderful anime on it, including SAO Alicization, and hopefully will be back with a lot more.
One more thing I forgot to mention. Your character joins Sachi and Yuuki Konno, as characters that…don’t make it. That’s a tough list…
Brandon: I’m entering the dead zone. It’s funny, man oh man, oh man. The Dead Zone. Yeah, It’s sad, it’s sad. Nobody ever likes it when a beloved character gets offed or dies, and I know Yui in particular was someone that like a lot of people were like “What the hell?!” you know, were really upset about. And I remembered Alex von David was just like: “Oh, man, you thought Yui was bad, wait till you see Eugeo…” And I was like: “Oh no.” Yeah, it’s upsetting but you know…again what can you do?
Daniel: I think that’s about it. So, on behalf of the Toonami Faithful, thank you so much for meeting me, Brandon, and we’ll see you again next time.
Brandon: Absolutely. Any time. Thank you, thank you so much.
What are your thoughts on this interview? Do you miss Eugeo as well? Let us know what you think in the comments below or directly on our social media.
If you missed it, also check out my interview with Bryce Papenbrook at San Diego Comic-Con: Special Edition.
