Interview with Katie Griffin

Katie Griffin is the voice actress of Sailor Mars/Raye Hino in the English dub of Sailor Moon. 

Q: Are you currently doing any voice acting?

Q: If you were asked to return as Sailor Mars would you? Would you do anything differently?

A: Absolutely!!  Sailor Moon was my very first series, EVER!!  Sailor Mars is my baby!  I wouldn't hesitate.  I think it would be great to have another shot at Raye/Rei, with way more experience under my belt.  It was just such a special experience for all of us, I'd find it hard to believe that ANY of us would pass on that opportunity!  

Q: Any funny or memorable moments while working on Sailor Moon?

A: Working on Sailor Moon was the greatest workout you could ever have.  It was such a long time ago, that it's hard to pinpoint one specific experience.  Mostly, I remember screaming a lot, waving my arms around, frantically and not really having a CLUE as to what was happening most of the time.  lol  We didn't get the scripts ahead of time, so when we got there, we would watch a scene briefly in Japanese, and then go for it.  I always felt completely exhausted and satisfied when I left a Sailor Moon session.  I always felt like I earned every single cent I made on that show!

Q: Besides Sailor Mars, which Sailor Scout is your favorite?

A: I've been asked whether or not I would have wanted to play any other Scout, but the truth is, it was always Sailor Mars for me!!  I AM RAYE!!  We have very similar personalities.  It would be very strange to play any of the other Sailor Scouts.  But, if I had to have a favourite other than Sailor Mars, I suppose it would be Sailor Jupiter.  I like green.  (not as much as red...heh heh)  Also, Jupiter was pretty feisty.  I like that, too. 

Q: Does it surprise you that so many people still love Sailor Moon?

A: I am always completely surprised by how many people show up at these various Cons, to show Sailor Moon their support!  We had NO IDEA at the time, that it was going to touch as many lives as it has.  It makes it all the more special for me.  I think we all feel pretty lucky, that we were able to voice these amazing characters!!  As a cartoon voice, you really have no idea how many people you affect!  .....well, I suppose if your series gets another season, you know it's going well, but as far as people coming out to meet you??!?!  It's pretty fantastic!

Q: Did you ever get to work with other actors?

A: Very rarely did I record with other actors.  We all recorded on our own, mostly.  Which was probably for the best, 'cause that record booth would get pretty hot and sweaty with all the screaming and battling!  lol  Every once and a while we would double up, but it was rare. 

Q: What was auditioning for Sailor Moon like?

A: Auditioning for the show was a little different for me.  I was actually dating the first Tuxedo Mask (Rino Romano) at the time, and mostly just doing on-camera stuff, and he talked me into auditioning!!!!  Most of the girls that auditioned for the show auditioned for Sailor Moon, as well as other characters, but when I went in, it was for Mars and Mars alone.  I got lucky.  And, let me tell you, it was INSANE!!  None of us knew what the show was about, and then to top it off it's dubbing (which is basically like karaoke....you speak when the words hit a certain line) so it was a learning curve to say the least!  But, it was a special cast, and I really think we all stepped up to the plate and made each of our characters our own.

Q: Do you have any Sailor Moon merchandise? 

A: I have a SHRINE of Sailor Mars stuff!!  While I was recording the show, I was training Kung fu.  I went downtown to a specialty store to buy some Kung fu material, and I walked into a store that ONLY CARRIED SAILOR MOON merchandise!!  I almost lost my mind!  That was the first time I realized that this was going to be something big. (although I still had no idea HOW big)  I almost bought out the store!  The guy working there thought I was nuts!  I kept telling him, "I'm Sailor Mars!!!"  I was giddy!  ...and, he was frightened.  So, yup, I still have all kinds of stuff.  

Q: Any final comments? 

A: I have the best job in the world.  I'm super lucky to be able to make a living at voicing cartoons, and even LUCKIER that people want to actually MEET the voice actor behind some of the shows they watched as kids.  Sailor Moon fans are truly the most loyal fans in the world!!  It's really hard to say what will happen with the new dub, but I'm crossing all my fingers and toes that we get to do it again.  

You can follow Katie on Twitter here