Abby Trott: From Demon Slayer’s Nezuko to DanDaDan’s Momo, a Voice Actor’s Evolving Journey
The anime industry is a dynamic landscape, constantly introducing audiences to compelling characters and captivating narratives. Among the most recognizable voices in recent years belongs to Abby Trott, a voice actor whose versatility has allowed her to embody vastly different characters. While many fans first encountered her as the fiercely protective, yet predominantly silent, Nezuko Kamado in the global phenomenon Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Trott is now making waves as the boisterous and high-energy gyaru Momo Ayase in Science SARU’s critically acclaimed supernatural series, DanDaDan. This transition from guttural expressions to rapid-fire, comedic dialogue represents a significant creative shift, one that Trott has embraced with enthusiasm and skill.
Trott’s path to anime stardom is as unique as her voice performances. Her journey began not in a recording studio, but in the classrooms of Akita, Japan, where she spent two years as an English teacher through the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme. This formative experience in Japan profoundly influenced her approach to her current career, particularly in the realm of anime localization. In a recent interview, Trott delved into how her time abroad shaped her perspective, her emotional response to Nezuko’s evolving vocal capabilities, and the exhilarating experience of stepping into the unpredictable and exhilarating world of DanDaDan.
The Audition That Sparked a New Path: Landing the Role of Momo Ayase
The opportunity to voice Momo Ayase in DanDaDan initially came to Trott as an audition. At the time, she was unfamiliar with the burgeoning manga series that had already garnered significant attention from its readership. "I hadn’t heard of it at the time," Trott recalled, "but apparently, it had already been gaining a lot of traction amongst manga readers. It was the first time I had heard of it when I got the audition."
The moment she encountered the material, however, Trott was instantly captivated. Her initial reaction was a strong appreciation for the visual style. "I just immediately fell in love with the animation style," she explained. "The way that Science SARU animated Momo, like her doing extreme movements, the back bend, the shark teeth, the facial expressions, and I just loved the animation." This distinctive visual flair, characteristic of Science SARU’s work, immediately set DanDaDan apart.
Equally impactful was her admiration for Shion Wakayama’s original Japanese performance as Momo. Trott noted, "Secondly, I fell in love with Shion Wakayama’s portrayal of Momo in the Japanese dub. She is phenomenal at kind of nailing the gyaru archetype of Momo, or at least that part of her." Wakayama’s performance resonated deeply with Trott due to its perceived authenticity and raw emotion. "Her performance just sounded so real and raw, like it was unrehearsed. It didn’t feel like she was reading a script. She felt real, and so I wanted to try to do that too." This dedication to capturing a genuine, unscripted feel was a key motivator for Trott as she approached her own audition.
The prospect of contributing to such a vibrant and visually dynamic project was immensely appealing. "I was like, this is incredible. I would love to be a part of whatever this is," Trott stated. She submitted her audition with a clear intention to embody the character’s spirit, ultimately leading to her casting. "So I just shot my shot, and I couldn’t believe it when I booked it. I was just in shock and so excited."
A Tale of Two Roles: Bridging the Gap Between Nezuko and Momo
Abby Trott’s career trajectory showcases a remarkable ability to inhabit diverse vocal personas. Her role as Nezuko Kamado in Demon Slayer presented a unique challenge, primarily focusing on non-verbal expressions, growls, and occasional simple utterances. This contrasts sharply with her portrayal of Momo Ayase, a character defined by her rapid-fire dialogue, energetic outbursts, and distinct gyaru personality.
When asked about playing Momo, Trott expressed immense enjoyment. "I love voicing Momo because she says all the things that I could never say in real life," she confessed. "She has such a range of expression, and she is such an interesting character because you never know what she’s going to say next." This freedom to express unfiltered thoughts and emotions is a significant departure from Nezuko’s limited vocalizations.
Trott highlighted Momo’s dynamic character development, noting, "I love that, even through seasons one and two, we can already see her character changing and evolving, in part due to her relationship with Okarun and her newfound friends." This evolution, coupled with Momo’s inherent humor, makes her a compelling character to voice. "But yeah, she’s just so funny, which is the main thing that I love about her," Trott added. She also credited the show’s writer-director, Alex von David, for ensuring the comedic elements landed effectively, stating, "I think a lot of the voice lines are hilarious, largely in part thanks to our writer-director Alex von David, who makes sure that we get that humor, which is a huge part of the show."
Memorable Moments in the Supernatural Realm
The journey of voicing Momo has provided Trott with numerous standout moments. When prompted to share her favorites, she elaborated on specific scenes that captured the essence of the character and her relationships. One particularly resonant moment was the initial interaction between Momo and Okarun in the hallway, where they debated the existence of ghosts and aliens. "I do love the first time that Momo and Okarun have a conversation in the hallway, fighting about ghosts and aliens," she said.
A pivotal turning point for their relationship occurred when Momo offered an apology. "There’s something that makes Momo apologize. She decides to say, ‘I’m sorry,’ and then that’s it. They become friends, and I think it’s just such a key moment." This act of vulnerability and the subsequent solidification of their friendship marked a significant development for Momo.
Another scene that impressed Trott involved an argument between Momo and Okarun in the water during the Nessie episode. "There’s another moment when, I think it’s in the Nessie episode, when they’re in the water, and they’re arguing, and Momo is yelling at Okarun, and he talks back to her," Trott explained. Okarun’s reasoned response, urging Momo to listen, prompted a moment of realization and learning for her character.
The Acrobatic Silky episode also left a lasting impression. Trott described the episode as "so devastating conceptually," and pointed to a moment where Momo grappled with the implications of the situation. "Momo has a moment where she realizes, she asks, ‘What’s going to happen to her?’ And that moment for me was one of the most powerful of the whole series so far." These instances showcase Momo’s capacity for empathy and her growth beyond her initial brash exterior.
The dynamic interplay between Momo and Okarun is a cornerstone of the series. Trott observed, "For a character who is so brass, it must be quite fun when there are those moments of vulnerability that come out in her, especially with Okarun, who kind of brings out that vulnerability in her, and then she brings out that brashness in him." She further elaborated, "They’re good for each other. I think they’re learning from each other, and I can’t wait to see where that goes." Trott is also actively engaging with the source material, reading the manga to stay ahead of the anime’s plot, further deepening her connection to the narrative.
Regarding future storylines, Trott remained characteristically tight-lipped due to the nature of animation production. "Well, as far as spoilers go, I can’t say anything, and that’s because I don’t know anything," she stated. She acknowledged that while DanDaDan largely adheres to the manga, deviations can occur. However, she expressed excitement for the animated adaptation of the series’ epic battles. "What I love to see the most is at the end of season two, those epic battles when you animate that. It takes it off the page. You can’t do that with manga. As beautifully drawn as this manga is, the action is next level when it’s animated, especially by Science SARU."
Nezuko’s Voice: A Return to Expression
The transition from Nezuko’s primarily non-verbal role to Momo’s dialogue-heavy performance is a testament to Trott’s vocal range. Reflecting on Nezuko’s vocal journey, Trott noted that the character does speak in the first episode, offering glimpses of her human voice before her family’s tragic demise. "Nezuko does speak in episode one, so coming from that, she has such a journey where we do hear her calling out to Tanjiro, taking care of her siblings, and this is before, of course, her entire family is destroyed."
While much of Nezuko’s time as a demon involves growls and attacks, Trott pointed out that occasional flashbacks and visions within Tanjiro’s mind feature Nezuko speaking as a human. "So there are a few bullet points of that staple voice throughout," she said.
The recent narrative developments in Demon Slayer have introduced a significant evolution for Nezuko, where she is able to step out into the sun. This marks a new phase for the character, as she navigates her partially restored humanity. "She’s not quite all the way able to express herself as she is in episode one. She’s not fully aware of her humanity, but she’s kind of halfway there," Trott described. This stage of Nezuko’s development is characterized by a "naive, almost babyish way of expressing herself as she is kind of figuring out the world." Trott found this period particularly enjoyable to perform.
A highlight for Trott was a comedic moment involving Nezuko’s interaction with Zenitsu. "I think one of my favorite lines, probably my favorite line from the series, stems from this kind of babyish Nezuko… And there’s a scene where Zenitsu returns to the village after being sent on a mission. And he sees Nezuko in the sun, and he’s so excited about it because he’s obsessed with her. And she sees him, but the way she greets him is, ‘Welcome home, Inosuke,’ [in Nezuko’s voice], and he’s just absolutely devastated." This unexpected misidentification provided a moment of levity in an otherwise serious series. The joke is further amplified when Inosuke attempts to get Nezuko to say his name, only for her to be unable to. "It’s just so silly. But it’s really fun because until that point of the series, it’s mostly been pretty serious for Nezuko," Trott explained, emphasizing the value of these comedic interludes.
The Influence of Japan: A Foundation for Localization
Abby Trott’s decision to join the JET Programme and teach English in Akita, Japan, was a pivotal moment that profoundly shaped her career. Her two-year tenure in Japan provided her with invaluable cultural insights and a deeper understanding of the Japanese language and artistic expressions.
"I did, yeah, I did. I taught English for 2 years, then moved to Tokyo to pursue acting and music because that’s what I inevitably wanted to do," Trott confirmed. The JET Programme, a government initiative designed to foster international exchange, placed her in Akita. This experience was initially an opportunity for personal growth and travel. "It was kind of an excuse for me to travel, because I hadn’t really done that much in my life. My first time on an airplane was when I was moving to Japan." Her positive experience led her to extend her stay before eventually relocating to Tokyo to pursue her acting ambitions.
The impact of her time in Japan on her voice acting career, particularly in localization, is significant. "I think the language can help, you know, sometimes with dubbing," she stated. Beyond linguistic nuances, her lived experience provided a deeper cultural context. "I have just experienced a lot of Japanese culture through the arts and just living there. And so when it comes to localization, if something is coming from Japan, it can help interpret things, not just with language, but also interpret the culture."
Trott elaborated on the complexities of localization, emphasizing the delicate balance between adapting content for a new audience and preserving the integrity of the original work. "When you’re localizing something, you’re trying to make it make sense within this language’s cultural context. But also, you know, honoring and preserving the source material as much as possible. It can be tricky, and I think that my experience living there definitely helps sometimes."
Looking back, Trott recognized the personal growth that stemmed from her time abroad. "Yeah, I learned so much living there. And it’s one of those things where I was a fan of anime, animation, and video games growing up. And I probably would have eventually found my way into pursuing voiceover, even if I hadn’t lived in Japan." However, she believes that the roundabout path of living in Japan made her more resilient and better prepared for the challenges of the entertainment industry. "But by taking that kind of roundabout way, you know, having that experience, I think I grew a lot as a person. And I’m so glad that I did do that. I think of, like, a young Abby straight out of college. And if I had moved to L.A. to pursue voiceover or even just acting, I don’t think I would have done very well. I don’t think I was ready. I don’t think I could have handled it. But after living in a foreign country by myself and learning, you know, a language, adapting, and becoming more resilient, I was ready to kind of take that on. So I’m really grateful for that experience."
Connecting with Creators: A Memorable Encounter in Japan
A particularly memorable experience for Trott and her colleagues was the opportunity to meet the Japanese voice actors for Demon Slayer. Trott, along with Alex Lee (the voice of Zenitsu Agatsuma), attended Kimetsu Sai, the fifth-anniversary event for Demon Slayer, held in Japan. This convention, dedicated solely to the Demon Slayer franchise, provided an immersive experience.
"Yes! Alex Lee, who voices Zenitsu, and I went to Kimetsu Sai, the fifth-anniversary event for Demon Slayer," Trott confirmed. "It’s like a convention that’s just for Demon Slayer. It was so much fun. We got to meet a lot of the cast there." Trott also mentioned having met Natsuki Hanae, the voice of Tanjiro Kamado and Okarun in DanDaDan, multiple times at conventions in the United States. Their interactions at Demon Slayer events and DanDaDan panels have fostered a professional rapport.
Trott found the experience of attending a Japanese anime convention eye-opening. "It was interesting to see a Japanese convention because I hadn’t really been other than like Tokyo Design Fest. I hadn’t really been to an anime convention over there, and it was just so well organized. Everyone was so polite." She contrasted this with her perception of conventions in the United States, which she described as "very overwhelming." In contrast, the Japanese convention felt more serene. "But I feel like on the Japanese side of things, everything felt very like, you know, calm in comparison." The event featured engaging games and prizes, contributing to its overall positive atmosphere. "It was just it was really fun," she concluded.
DanDaDan and Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba are both available for streaming on Netflix globally.
