CRX 2022 | An Interview With Megan Shipman and Natalie Van Sistine from Spy x Family
Megan Shipman and Natalie Van Sistine from Spy x Family share what it’s like to work on the series and their Crunchyroll Expo experience.
An Insight for Bay Area Gamers
Megan Shipman and Natalie Van Sistine from Spy x Family share what it’s like to work on the series and their Crunchyroll Expo experience.
Spy x Family has become one of the most popular series recently. This can be seen with the artwork in the artist’s ally and the many Forger family cosplayers. Guests at Crunchyroll Expo 2022 even got the chance to meet Megan Shipman (the English voice of Anya Forger) and Natalie Van Sistine (the English voice of Yor Forger).
During Crunchyroll Expo 2022, I got the chance to sit down with Megan Shipman and Natalie Van Sistine. This was a chance to get their thoughts on what they enjoyed about Spy x Family, the fandom, and what to expect in Season 1 Pt.2.
The first question brought up was an obvious one, how their Crunchyroll Expo 2022 experience has been? Shipman described it as a blur, the kind in which you are having so much fun that time goes by quickly. Van Sistine described having a similar feeling of time going by so fast.
We are present, we are engaged. But it’s really hard to realize how hard you’ve been working and how much energy you’re putting out until you go back and you’re eating dinner and you sit there and it hits you, “I did so much today, I’m so tired“.
Natalie Van Sistine, the voice of Yor Forger
I followed this up by asking if they had any memorable encounters or if fans stood out during their autograph session? Both agreed that fans cosplaying as the characters they voiced will always be the highlight of these sessions.
Shipman also recalls a conversation with a Yor cosplayer about what looks cool and what feels comfortable. One cosplayer that did stand out was a Loid-man (as he was the only one seen during the day). Van Sistine is always impressed by friends or families that cosplay as the Forgers.
Moving on to talking about Spy x Family, I was interested to know what moment from the manga were they excited to adopt (either in the current season or in Pt. 2)? Shipman is excited for a mission from the manga in which all three characters are doing their own thing independently but their actions end up helping each other. She also enjoyed bringing to life the iconic moment when Anya punches Dameon (Ep.6 The Friendship Scheme).
My favorite from Season 1 was when Anya punches Dameon in the face. Cause that was so funny and she has the most little kid answer, you know “I just put my hand out and he ran into it“. No honey, no he didn’t, you hit him.
Megan Shipman, the voice of Anya Forger
Regarding moments that have been brought to life, Van Sistine’s favorites have been the dinner with Yuri Briar and the castle episode. She is hoping Extra Mission 2 is adopted for the anime. The story follows Yor after she is shot during a mission and is in great pain. Loid interprets her looks of discomfort as a sign that he has been a bad fake husband. To make it up, he takes her out on a date. Yor goes along with it (despite being in pain).
The last question was what are they excited to see or do at Crunchyroll Expo (that is not Spy x Family related)? They both just want to take the time to explore the artist alley. They also hope to find some amazing artwork for their living room or studio.
This interview is part of our coverage of Crunchyroll Expo 2022. If you attended the event, please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Disclaimer: Crunchyroll Expo provided 8Bit/Digi with a press pass for the weekend.
8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides an insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.
This was my first Crunchyroll Expo and meeting Megan Shipman was definitely the highlight of the weekend for me. She is so awsome!