8Bit/Digi

Monica Rial is one of the most recognized voice actresses in the anime industry, boasting a rich and successful career. She is best known for her roles as Bulma in the Dragon Ball franchise, Tsuyu “Froppy” Asui in My Hero Academia, and Momoko Koigakubo in Ghost Stories, among others. Monica also enjoys meeting her fans at conventions and sharing her experiences with them.

That is why her presence at GalaxyCon San Jose 2024 was welcoming to the anime community of the Bay Area.

Monica Rial Q&A took place on the Super Stage starting at 5:15 pm on Day 1 of GalaxyCon San Jose 2024. The panel featured the iconic voice actress sharing some stories followed by fans having the chance to ask their questions.

Monica Rial Q&A

The panel began with Rial sharing a story about how someone unexpectedly jumped onto the stage during a My Hero Academia panel, leaving everyone speechless. She then addressed some common misconceptions about being a voice actor, including the belief that they do table reads or make substantial money. In reality, voice actors gauge their performance through fan feedback, while commercials are what truly pay most of the bills.

Other highlights Rial shared included meeting Ernie Hudson at a convention for the first time, where she couldn’t help but act like a total fangirl. She had a similar reaction when she met Jason Patric and Kiefer Sutherland at another convention.

Guest Question

After Monica Rial shared some stories, it was time for fans to line up and ask their questions. Each person was limited to a few questions and no requests to say a line as a character. However, she would answer some questions in the voice of a character.

One guest had a question about the process of the dub version of Ghost Stories. This reminded Rial that she forgot to bring her “bag of Jesus” as a treat for fans of the show. After that, she shared some insights into the creation of the show’s dub version. Inspired by badly dubbed kung-fu movies, the writers and performers ignored the translated script to instead make up their own lines on the go. The result for a work of comedy gold among anime fans.

When asked about her favorite role, Monica Rial found it a bit challenging to choose. She mentioned that if she didn’t enjoy playing a character, her fans could easily tell. However, she was quick to point out how much she enjoys voicing Bulma and Froppy.

Monica Rial faced a similar challenge when asked to name her favorite moments while playing Bulma in the Dragon Ball series. She listed a few memorable scenes from the show and expressed how much she enjoyed the latest movie. Additionally, she shared her excitement for the upcoming Dragon Ball installment.

Final Thoughts

Monica Rial Q&A was one of the many panels that looked into a work of pop-culture from the perspective of the performers. There were many such events organized during the GalaxyCon San Jose weekend.

This special report is part of 8Bit/Digi‘s coverage of GalaxyCon San Jose 2024. If you attended the event, please share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Disclaimer: GalaxyCon provided me with a pass for the weekend

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.