Matt Greenfield
Interview by Chuck Shandry

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What are, in your estimation, the five most important anime ever released?

That's too difficult. Obviously, Astroboy has a key place as the first anime series, and using that logic, I could toss in Mazinger, Devilman, Cutey Honey, and Cleopatra Queen of Sex as the defining titles in their respective genres. And from an American point of view, it's hard to ignore the influence that Speed Racer, Star Blazers, Voltron, and Robotech had on U.S. fans, but that's really a very limited way of looking at it. In the end, if we're looking at overall sociological impact, I'd round out the top five with Barefoot Gen, Nausiccaa of The Valley Of Winds, the original MS Gundam series and the Evangelion TV series.

Okay, now for the hard question: the five worst?

I'm not going to touch that one. It's like making fun of people's children, and you never know when you might have to deal with those people again.

I've seen and met you at several conventions, how about some stories or impressions. What makes cons different? What are similarities? What do you find most fun ? (Who got the poor molested Menchi from the ADV panel at Otakon?)

Cons are fun and they're a great way to keep in touch with the fans, but to be quite honest one of the major reasons I go to them these days is so that I can get some sleep.

What are your hobbies? What do you do on your day off?

What's a day off? I'm in the office six days a week, work 10-10 Monday through Friday, and my wife constantly has to drag me off my laptop on whichever weekday I've chosen not to actually go into the office. My hobby WAS anime, so the distinction between work and relaxation has kind of gotten lost over the last twelve years.

One question about voice acting: What determines the matching up of a voice actor and the role he or she plays?

That's simple. When you hear that performers' voice laid over the animation, does it work or doesn't it? When we're starting a new series, we hold auditions just like any other form of entertainment. The actors read against the picture, then we (the producers and directors) weigh all the audition performances against each other, and finally pick the ones that we think will work the best, both for each individual character and as an ensemble. It's a fascinating, organic process because often the actor whose voice you first imagined for a part isn't what you expect, and sometimes someone else brings out a new aspect to the character that you hadn't thought of before.

One last question: What do you have on your desk at work?

A whole pile of stuff! At the moment, besides my computer, phone and stapler, there are: A picture of my wife, a Daffy Duck mouse pad, chargers for my cellular phone and PDA, three different remote controls, a dozen DVDs in various stages of proofing, CDs with a dozen different kinds of software, script-breakdowns for three different shows, a stack of sales reports and a half-dozen magazines in a variety of languages covered with post-it notes. And a big stack of mail that I really need to finish going through.

Thanks for the interview, and your time.

Thank you!

Chuck would like to thank Tiffany Grant for her help and advice.