I got to meet the English voice actress of Orihime from Bleach: Stephanie Sheh! Although she's more popular for her role in Bleach, I met her for her character in Fooly Cooly, Mamimi.  

I told Stephanie that I related to Naota so much when I was a kid. Too timid to do new things and only wanting to do what seemed to put me ahead in life to mature as I got older while losing my youth at the same time. Now, in my twenties, I realized that nothing good came from it, and now I'm expected to bear the weight of the world on my shoulders. So I kicked away the ball and chain from my leg and sand bags from my shoulder to do my own thing, something I should've done: pursue art. 

I then elaborated that I admired Mamimi's character arc from being a doomed girl in a town she hates and longing for someone who got away. But in the end, Mamimi realized that the only person to save her was herself. At the end of her story, she took up a photographer gig for a magazine and left her town to pursue her hidden passion for the arts.

Naota unburdened himself from the pessimistic burdens he held onto and learned to enjoy the journey of living a life. While Mamimi took her life in her own hands and made something out of it! 

A sentiment Stephanie Sheh enjoyed!

Thank you, Stephanie Sheh, for the good talk and great memories! 🫶