Melbourne
March 29-30, 2025
Melbourne Showgrounds
RWBY quickly become a viral hit after its first volume was released in 2013, and earned a spot as a flagship series for Rooster Teeth, the production company behind Red vs. Blue. With the first episode of RWBY: Volume 6 arriving on October 27, we caught up with the November Supa-Star and the voice of Blake Belladonna, Arryn Zech.
We’re all eager to see what happens next in RWBY and while she was mostly tight-lipped, Zech did say that we can expect “a couple of new people” and “a lot of questions answered”.
Team RWBY have spent a long time apart, each exploring their own story, but are set to reunite; something Zech is particularly excited about.
“Everybody’s all together again and you get to see that new dynamic, after everyone had their own character growth and story when they weren’t together.”
Blake, in particular, has seen a lot of growth across the previous seasons. She’s a mysterious character, and delving into her history with the White Fang has been one of the more intriguing plotlines to the show and is likely something that will continue to affect future events.
“It’s been absolutely insane to see how she’s come along,” she says. “Just watching the trailer today has been crazy. It’s come so far; I can’t believe it and I’m so proud of everybody.”
Zech was perfect casting for Blake in many ways. The creator of RWBY, Monty Oum, didn’t know Zech very well before the show went into production and was also struggling to write her character.
“We were both mysteries to him. He was like, ‘Well, you guys can figure each other out.’ Which was a very interesting method of casting, but it worked!” she tells.
“Blake is such a kind of monotone character, low register, that sort of thing. She’s this mysterious sort of assassin, and it was really fun to figure her out.
“All four of the girls got to look at their character before RWBY was created. Monty would have files of hairstyles and clothing and stuff like that and we’d get to go through it and be like, ‘I like this and I like this and I like this.’ And I have it now, but at the time I really wanted long black luscious hair, and was like, ‘Blake needs to have this so I can live vicariously through her.’ It’s a very scientific process!”
And as the audience has discovered more about Blake over the years, Zech has also fostered her own unique connection. “I’m definitely like Blake; I’m more introverted. I much prefer to stay at home with one person and my dogs and that kind of thing than to go out or anything like that.”
Most fans find an RWBY character they relate to the most, and Zech seems particularly proud that she’s able to bring to life a character that has often been considered an outsider and faced discrimination.
“A lot of people have found relatability in Blake because she is such a ‘to herself’ sort of person. She’s very introverted, she’s very much the quiet, loner type, and I’m really excited to potentially be this representation for people who are confused in their lives right now.”
Zech will be visiting Supanova Adelaide and Brisbane next month, perfect timing given the Volume 6 release date. “I freaking love Supanova, I cannot tell you how much I love Supanova!” she enthuses.
“This will be my fourth time going and they can expect, I don’t know, hugs and awkwardness and all kinds of great things! I’m actually really awkward in person, I don’t know how to talk to people.”
There was one other surprising thing that Zech was almost unbelievably excited to do during her Australian visit. “I’m going to get myself a Woolies chicken. I am really obsessed with Woolworths. Woolies chicken is the best; it’s got that stuffing. You can’t beat it!”
RWBY Volume 6 premieres on RoosterTeeth.com on October 27 for First members, with a public release a week later.
