Interview: Katie Wetch and Morgan Berry discuss Clevatess II

Immediately following last year’s season finale Clevatess fans quickly learned that a second season of the popular anime series was already in the works. Premiering back in July, Clevatess II continues the story of Klen and Alicia. We had a chance to speak to Katie Wetch (Alicia) and Morgan Berry (Klen) about the new season.

MP3s and NPCs: Clevatess II premiered a couple of months ago. What was it like having the new episodes finally out for people to see?

Katie Wetch: Incredibly exciting. I think it's definitely something. It's a show that we are so excited about and so excited to tell the story. So it's really fun when we get to hear the excitement and the incredible support that's been surrounding it.

Morgan Berry: I am excited that we even got a season two. We never really know. Even when a series is really good, it might not get that. But with Clevatess, we found out quite immediately. We found out with the rest of everyone else. But it feels like it was an instant answer that, yes, there's going to be a second season. And we're blessed to have that for this series because it is such an incredible series. And you don't always get that continuation. But with this one, we do. And I'm excited for the rest of the fandom to experience that.

MP3s and NPCs: The new season introduces a handful of new characters, including Rey and Mary. What was it like having these new characters in the mix?

Berry: Rey is such an interesting character. If I even talk a little bit about him, it's going to be a spoiler. I suppose anything would be a spoiler. So I will be minimal with what I say because these characters are so mysterious and so cool. And when you learn more about them, your worldview unravels a little bit because it is such an interesting plot. And I love a story that takes me by surprise. And it's something I did not predict. And I love it. I love that kind of writing. And so I'm excited for people to see where they take those characters, who they are to Klen and Alicia, to the overall story. The fight scenes are all super cool. It's so cool.

Wetch: I think it's really exciting, too. We have so many characters that came back and now get to interact with new characters. It's so cool to see these shifts in personalities and shifts in dynamics. And there's an incredible character that just makes me giggle all the time. It's been so cool. It just feels like we're in a new chapter. And so there's new layers, and there's new things to explore. And each character has this new little star that you get to find, and it's really exciting.

MP3s and NPCs: While working on the new season, were there any moments in the recording studio, we were like, "whoa"?

Wetch: Yeah, it happens quite often. Every once in a while, Alicia will rip something out. And I'm like, "Dang. This is cool." Even before giving a take, it's just you feel that pump-up energy. It just motivates you. Sometimes, getting the privilege to come in and record after some of your castmates have recorded is even cooler because then you get to hear real reactions. I love working off of Morgan. It's such a joy. Even from music to sound effects, there's just moments where it's like you never really know what's going to hit you. And that's way cool.

Berry: There were a lot of really cool moments that I didn't expect. There were moments where Klen showcased some kind of power and it left me thinking, "He can do that. Wow. Is there like no limit to what he can do with those shadows? Like that is so cool." I'm a little jealous. I wish he could do that. Oh, Klen is such a really neat character.

MP3s and NPCs: What has been your favorite moment from the season so far?

Berry: I really like the heartwarming moments. Sure. I'm into the action. I love the fight sequences, but I think one thing that makes this series special is in addition to the action. We also get those moments of found family slice of life. We get to see Klen, this all-powerful being, interacting with these weak humanoids, these people that he could easily crush, but there's some that he chooses not to. And so now we're on that journey with them watching them grow together. And those are my favorite moments.

When I get to see the growth in the characters, especially in Klen and those moments of softness when he's talking to baby Luna and those moments of surprising support and encouragement when he talks to Alicia. Sure, he has his moments where he calls her useless and calls her a fool, but even with that, I feel that he has some respect for her and her willpower and her determination and the strength that she possesses, even as this weak humanoid.

Wetch: I just can't wait to see what the rest of the season holds for the growth and for the journey. Cause I think that's honestly been my favorite. It's not a particular moment per se, but like just the growth and seeing the growth in such a short amount of time for all the characters has been really rewarding and really cool.

MP3s and NPCs: What life lessons can viewers get from the show?

Wetch: You have the power within you. If you can think it, you can do it, and you're more than what you give yourself credit for. Sometimes, being a hero doesn't mean saving the whole world. Sometimes, being a hero means finding a baby and making some friends and seeing how those people affect you and you affect them and how your world can change in a smaller, not perspective, but just like a smaller circle and how that then will radiate outwards. A small deed is not always as small as we think it is.

Berry: Sometimes your situation in life may change, but that doesn't mean you have to give up your dreams. It just means you might need to navigate them differently. Alicia is still changing people's lives. Nelluru's world is bigger because of Alicia. She's making a difference, even as a puppet. You know, she is essentially a walking corpse right now. Clevatess did that for her. And she's still able to do what she wants, helping people and being a hero. She doesn't have to give that up. No one's stopping her. She's still able to do that. It's just navigating it a little differently now. And I feel that is true to life as well.

New and previous episodes of Clevatess can be streamed on Crunchyroll right now here.