Anime-niac's Realm: *EXCLUSIVE* Interview with Eric Stuart!

AEVA: Hey! Thanks for letting me interview you. ^_^. Well, anyway, what roles do you play on Pokemon?
ERIC: Brock, James, Butch, Dexter, Squirtle, Syther, Voltorb, Exeggutor, Drowzee, Hypno, Blastoise, Wartortle, Marrowak, Cloyster, Charizard (and that's just the first season....)

AEVA: *happy... Charizard's her favortie ^_^* How and where did you find out about being a voice actor for Pokemon?
ERIC: First, I was picked to be Gourry in "Slayers", and the same production company asked me to audition for Pokemon.

AEVA: Do you work with anyone else while dubbing the show?
ERIC: I never work with anyone except an engineer. I dub by myself.

AEVA: Do you prefer playing Brock or James?
ERIC: Brock is more like me in real life. James is much funnier; I think James is a deeper character.

AEVA: Which character suits you best (voice-wise and personality-wise)?
ERIC: Brock is very natural for me to do. His voice is a higher version of my own with a little 'stuff' added in.

AEVA: How exactly do you dub an episode?
ERIC: We watch the picture and read a script. We are 'beeped' into the beginning point of which we should speak. Sometimes it fits perfectly on the 1st try. Other times (due to the weird Japanese 'flap'), we have to do it again.... and again....

AEVA: Do they give you a lot of freedom when you try to portray a character?
ERIC: Yes. At first, they thought Brock was very Zen and James was a serious bad guy. But as the series went on, I took them both to the extreems. Brock being a horndog and James, well, being James.

AEVA: How do you react to the Pokemon craze? Do you buy the little containers of Brock gum or any other merchandice?
ERIC: I actually have a great collection of Pokemon stuff. That's one of the perks for being on the show. I think the whole craze. But I must say, i had no idea it would last this long.

AEVA: Have you ever told a kid you were Brock/ James? Do you ever want to?
ERIC: All the time. It usually freaks them out, though. There is a certain age that kids understand that I am the voice of Brock or James. Little kids are confused.

AEVA: Who is your favorite character on the show?
ERIC: James. Not because I do him-- because he is funny.

AEVA: Do you do any other animes? Do you plan to?
ERIC: As I said before, I did "Slayers". I hope I do some more. We have a couple of other projects coming up. I hope to be included in them.

AEVA: When you're not acting or singing, what do like to do?
ERIC: Rest. My schedule between voice acting and touring as a musician is very exausting. When I get a free moment, I just like to site back and read a book.

AEVA: To you have any strange stories related to the show?
ERIC: Only that somewhere-- I'm not saying were-- there is a backwards massage recorded.
AEVA: Tell me where. Come on!
ERIC: Nope.

AEVA: I am quite aware you are also the lead singer in a band. In Pokemon, you had to sing a few songs, ne? Did you prefer singing "Two Perfect Girls" [Brock's song] or "Double Trouble" [Team Rocket's song]?
ERIC: Brock's song was more fun because they let me be the character and not pay too much attention to being a singer. "Double Trouble"'s producer missed the idea that characters make the show, not the music.

AEVA: As a person, what are you like? (Yes, this is a time to brag. hehehe)
ERIC: I'm a very focused, organized person. I strive to make everything I work on the best it can be. I try to bring something to the party. I have always been known as the class clown. I feel I am a funny person. Humor is the key to all these cartoons. With my music, I try to be honest. Singing songs singing songs that tell stories people can relate to. No posing and pretending to be something I'm not. All in all, I'm a workaholic.

AEVA: OK, here's the big question-- brace yourself-- wat's your view on Digimon, Pokemon's biggest rival?
ERIC: Imitation is the greatest form of flattery. But I have to say: BADLY DUBBED COPYCAT GARBAGE SHOW!
AEVA: *grunt grunt* *evil glare* *snaps out of it*

AEVA: Honestly, what's your opinion on the subbed vs. dubbed war between anime fans?
ERIC: Very few times have I ever said that dubbed anime is better than subbed anime. We try to make Pokemon the best it can be with matching the 'flap'. I think it is one of the few shows I prefer dubbed.

AEVA: When dubbing an episode, do you find it easier to do a cold reading or to prepare?
ERIC: I never prepare. I like to wing it.

AEVA: Is there anything else semi-Pokemon-related that you'd like to say?
ERIC: "Slayers" is a funnier show. Gourry has much more freedom than anyone I play in Pokemon. If you really want to see me improv, watch "Slayers".

AEVA: Do you believe you can do anything if you really try? [Hey, this IS for a Pokemon/anime site, so I figured I should put SOMETHIING modivational in here!]
ERIC: I have always believed that you should never say never. I like to think that if you work hard at something, you can achieve your goals. I have had both success and failures in this world, but it does not stop me from working hard at everything. I have had some wonderful experiences that I would never had if I didn't puch myself so hard.
AEVA: I think I'm gonna cry now.....

AEVA: Well, thanks for the interview. I am deeply obliged that you would take your time to speak to me. Any final comments?
ERIC: Put up a link for my site. It would really help.
AEVA: Sure! Thanks again! Toodlepip.

www.ericstuart.com. Visit his site! He told ya to! Come on. Ya know ya want to!