INTERVIEW: Marquiz Moore Talks About Firsts on Unexpectedly Naughty Fukami

In a first for the genre, Unexpectedly Naughty Fukami became the first boys’ love anime to receive an official English simuldub (available to watch on OceanVeil). One of the voices at the heart of that dub was Marquiz Moore, a veteran voice from video games, TV series, and podcasts, stepping into the anime arena for the first time to play Kaji on the show. I was fortunate enough to sit down with Moore and talk about this whirlwind of firsts for his career, navigating representation as a cishet actor in queer media, and so much more.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Borealis Capps: This was your first anime voice acting role, your first lead role, and you were part of the first boys’ love simuldub ever. What was it like experiencing so many firsts all at once?

Marquiz Moore: I was going to be myself regardless of whether I was a lead or I was playing salesman number five. There’s no such thing as small roles. You always want to put your best foot forward. Usually in the audition process, there’s always this fear that I should sound like this, sound like that. I was like, no, just be the best me possible. If I get it, I get it. If I don’t, I don’t.

To my surprise, I got it! Then I found out through the production company this was their big one. I’m like, “Oh.” Then I learned I was the lead. “Oh.” Then I learned it’s going to be simul-dubbed. So there were a lot of these big things coming in. But other than it being the first dub, I wasn’t really feeling pressure. But I was like, “Okay, I really have to bring my A game and make sure we do things right.”

I’m also cisgender and straight. I always believe in proper representation when it comes to anything, especially with backgrounds and experiences. So my first thing I asked them was like, hey, I just want to make sure, you know, you’re doing this right, that you’ve got the right person. They told me it was fine, the directors love you, and if any issues came up they’d let me know. Thankfully, working with the directors Warky and Kevin, who are super awesome, by the way, just made it feel like a walk in the park. It was such a fun time!

Stepping into the Booth

Capps: With this being your first anime voice acting role, were there any noticeable differences between recording for Unexpectedly Naughty Fukami compared to other kinds of projects?

Moore: Dubbing is a very particular skill. And I thank those who do this constantly because it is not easy. I’ve done ADR replacement before for live action things like that, but to do it like live matching lip flaps and stuff, it was going back and forward in the ring. It was fun! A little frustrating at times, but it was great. I really want to do more anime now.

Capps: I imagine there was some pressure, especially with a simuldub where timelines can be tight. Did that urgency make you feel like, ‘I can’t keep messing up this take. This has to go out soon’?

This is my first simuldub and my first time doing an anime dub ever. So I can’t speak to other experiences. But working with the directors, they were patient. And there were very few times that I had to do lines over and over. The ones I did it were moments when we had to say this word a certain way at a certain pacing, which took a little bit. But for the most part, it was touch and go. We just did like a couple of times and it was like, wow, this is good! But I’m sweating in the booth. Like, oh my God.

Capps: I can only imagine!

Moore: I have always respected dub actors, but I gained a newfound respect for them because to emote and to say it and do all of this? It’s a lot! So kudos to them for doing this very well as a profession.

The Process of Becoming Kaji

Capps: Did you get a chance to read Unexpectedly Naughty Fukami before or after being cast? Was there any prep or research involved in figuring out how you’d approach the role of Kaji?

Moore: Usually for any auditions I do, if there’s any information out there in the universe, I look it up. Luckily, they did link at least the first couple of chapters for me to read. So I got the idea of the character. He’s kind of narcissistic and maybe somewhat closeted. Not about his actions, but more like he just didn’t want it to be a thing at work. In the end, it just came down to his core aspects. Who is he as a person? Why does he do this? So once I got those, it was a little bit easier for me to do, and everything else came organically as we went along.

Capps: Once you found out you’d be playing Kaji, was there anything about the character you found especially exciting or that really drew you to the role?

Moore: He had these silly moments, and I am silly in my moments! He will just have these inner thought panic attacks. My favorite line is when he yells, “FUKAMI!!!” so intensely as he’s running to him, or when he’s making goofy panicked noises. It was like those little things I connected with. It made it better for me as an actor, because it’s always important to find something that you have in common with a character, whether it’s big or small. It just helps you bring out the character more in your own way.

Another common factor is we’re both tall. I’m 6’4”, I’m super tall, he’s super tall. And he’s also a Leo, and I’m a Leo. So it was like, yay!!!

Capps: Sometimes it’s just the little things, right? You shared the fun of playing Kaji’s sillier moments, but what parts of him felt like he was the complete opposite of you?

Moore: Obviously, the big one is I’m straight, and he’s homosexual. But more about his character, I’m not as full of myself. I don’t think of myself as a supreme being, like I’m some super number one and everybody loves me. I’m quite the opposite. I’m always open minded, I always want to listen to your side, because I believe for every bad day, there’s a reason that led up to it.

Capps: Were there any moments from the anime that left a particular lasting impression on you? 

Moore: As Kaji goes along in the series, he starts to have a personality shift. He starts to actually care about someone! He’s like, “Oh my God, I love someone that’s a zero? This is a conflict within me! Am I really like this?”

These important realizations, funny enough, usually happen during the sex he’s having. He’s having these inner monologues like, “Is this really me? Is it because I’m always doing this that I’m alone?” Like Christ, like the amount of stuff times he’s talking to himself! It speaks to him as a person because he will never say this out loud, but it eats him up inside.

He begins to grow as a person and that speaks to me because as much as I love being silly, I like the drama because it really gets to speak to you as a person and connect to those who are going through similar issues or are having those similar moments. So that really left a lasting impression on me and fingers crossed, there’ll be more of this stuff in the future because again, this has been one of the more fun characters I’ve played.

Capps: I can only hope! We’ve had a bit of a BL content drought this year, with several cancellations. So hearing the first BL simuldub coming out was exciting. I’d love to see more, maybe even a second season, especially since I’ve heard the webtoon is really popular.

Moore: I suppose it’s always possible! I was shocked because like… I knew BL was big because I had a lot of friends in college who just loved it, but I didn’t realize just how big this particular one is. There was merch stuff going on and a whole promotion overseas.

It gave me so much fuel for myself. I was like, “Okay, let’s do this right. Let’s make this something the fans will like.” It was my important thing, making sure I did it justice while being true to myself. So there was pressure, but I’m happy I had people like Warky and Kevin to help me ease me through everything. It was a blast! I can’t praise them enough for helping me.

Hey Mom! I’m in a Boys’ Love Anime!

Capps: I saw a lot of excitement on social media when you got the role, which was great! But did you get any weird or surprising reactions? Like, anyone surprised or taken aback that you were in a boys’ love project?

Moore: Surprisingly, no! I was expecting I’d get a few, but whatever. I’m an actor. This is what I do. When I mentioned the role in a Discord where me and some friends play games once in a while, a friend’s girlfriend, I kid you not, overheard me talking to the boys and she was like, “You’re in a what? Where is this? How can I watch it?” I’m like, here’s the link.

My cousin knows. He was like, “Oh shit, you’re in a BL? Oh yeah, that’s what’s up!” I even told my mom about it. She’s not too big on anime or cartoon stuff, she just supports what I do. I was like, “Hey, I’m in this anime.” “Oh? What’s that?” “Oh, it’s like a Japanese cartoon.” “Oh? What kind?” “Um… It’s a BL.” “What’s BL?” “Um… It’s gay.” “Oh, like sex stuff?”

Honestly, she has been so wonderfully supportive, though. Not all parents would react as easily in the end. In the end, it’s a role, because it is. I’m getting paid! So yeah, why not take it?

Capps: I’ve got to ask, how does it feel knowing that potential dates or friends can watch a show and hear what your sex sounds sound like? I mean, it’s acting, but still! Does it ever feel weird knowing people might look you up and hear you moaning on screen?

Moore: I don’t worry about that too much. They might like it, they might not. But I honestly don’t really care because it’s my job.

Actually, one of my friends loves it a lot. And he was like, “Hey, we’ve been watching it. We’re supporting it. Let me know when the Blu-ray comes out.” I was like, bet! So once it’s available here, I’m definitely getting him a copy of it.

At the end of the day, I don’t care. This is art to me. It doesn’t matter what I’m doing. As long as it’s not anything extremely hateful or racist, or any of the stuff that’s going to put people down, I’m going to enjoy doing it. So I’m just happy. And again, surprisingly, it’s just been accepted. I just wish it would happen this way for everybody else doing similar roles.

Capps: I know Ascendant Animation has shared interest in finding new voice talents in the past. Do you have any advice for anyone who might be interested in trying out for an adult project? Are there any things you found different from a typical audition process?

Moore: Well, the big number one is please be over eighteen. Oh, yeah, that’s the big one. Be an adult. Please.

Two, I know with Ascendant Animation, they don’t like pseudonyms. They want your actual name. That might seem jarring, but they have won awards and stuff like that and want you properly credited. As a bonus, there are other big names in the anime sphere working on their shows. Nasim Benelkour is in this one, and he was Piccolo in Dragon Ball Daima! So if they’re able to do that and it’s nothing to them, then you should go with it with that same confidence. It’ll be like a thing off your chest because you’re able to do something and also have the support of the people who believe in you. So never have shame.

Moore about Marquiz

Capps: You know, a lot of boys’ love series get audio dramas and similar things made for them, but don’t often get English releases. Would you be interested in tackling projects like that if given the opportunity?

Moore: I 100% would! Because other than animation video games, I do podcasts, a lot of horror audio drama stuff for BloodyFM. I love it because I can do all the horror stuff, but I cannot play horror video games for the life of me. I curl up and cry.

Capps: So if you were cast in a horror anime, would you be able to do the voices? Or would that be too terrifying of an experience for you?

Moore: Oh I could do it! I will be the best monster or screamer they’d need! I can interact with horror passively, I can watch horror, and I can be a part of it.

However, if you put something like Resident Evil 7 in front of me, I just start to curl up. Even Five Nights At Freddies threw me for a loop. As basic as the gameplay was when they went for those jump scares? I was just like, “Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God, oh my God!” But I love horror.

Capps: Resident Evil 7 in particular, didn’t that one even have VR? 

Moore: They put you right in first person with the PlayStation goggles. It was very innovative at the time. So like, yeah, it was good on them, but it was like, “Oh my God,” it was nerve wrecking.

Capps: So are you a big fan of anime? Do you have any dream series or characters you hope you’ll someday get an audition call for?

Moore: I love anime. I don’t watch it as much as I used to, but I still love it. I would have loved to have been a part of Bleach, but I think that ship has sailed. If they ever revitalize Tenchi Muyo, I would love to be a part of that, because that was my first first anime I ever watched on Toonami. But overall, if I could have a dream role that’s not just in anime, I would love to be voicing any of the classic cartoons, like the Looney Tunes, Daffy and Bugs in particular. I would love an opportunity. I would cry. I’d be so happy.

Capps: Have you checked out any other boys’ love series outside of Unexpectedly Naughty Fukami? No shame in being a fudanshi from this interviewer!

Moore: Oh, I have no shame. Art is art is art! Fukami is the only one I have read, as of now. But I am open to reading the other ones as well, if people have recommendations I can do that.  As far as manga is concerned, I read… Well, it’s not really a boys’ love manga. It was an old one I read in college called Prunus Girl. I really liked that one. Quick synopsis: the main MC is a boy, has an interest in a girl, but that girl is just a boy that cross dresses as a girl. And it was just him trying to battle his obsession with him. It was really that mid-2000s not taking itself too seriously kind of story with a drop of innuendo here and there. It was a fun read.

Capps: Watch that social media, because I’m sure some boys’ love fans are going to swarm your Twitter with recommendations after this interview!

Moore: If you’re going to send suggestions, send me stuff based on the thing I just worked on, you know, like that has the same vibes, that might be a good way to go. I’m open to reading anything as long as it’s not super ultra violent. Nothing beyond Berserk levels, if that makes sense.

Don’t Give Up!

Capps: Have you got any last words of wisdom for other voice actors reading this?

Moore: You know, we were talking earlier about getting work? I know that voice acting is a tough industry to stay motivated in. And come September, it’s only my fifth year doing this. And I am very happy I have gotten this far in five years. I always tell people, please do not compare yourself to your peers or other actors. Some may start really late and start getting stuff really fast. Others might be in the business ten or twenty years before starting to get big stuff. Everyone’s journey is different.

The important thing is, don’t give up. Nothing easy in life is ever going to come right away. If you really want something, just keep going at it. You’re gonna have your down times. There’s times I just want to quit because I’m not seeing anything. I’m not seeing any return on investment. You just gotta remember this is not a nine to the five. If you really enjoy something, do it.

It’s okay to step back and take a break. But if there’s something you want to pursue, go at it at your own pace, because you’ll always find auditions. You’ll always find groups of people who want to work with you, and you’ll be surprised when those same people get back to you. So don’t give up. Like, it’s going to be frustrating. Acting is not easy. I still work a secondary job. So it’s not going to be an easy thing. But if you enjoy it, it doesn’t matter.

Article edited by: Anne Lee