Takuma Terashima x Yuichi Nakamura：Daifuku spoke! He transformed! A shocking interview with "Wonderful Precure! The Movie!"

The movie version of the latest installment of the popular anime series "PreCure," "Wonderful PreCure!", "Wonderful PreCure! The Movie! A Thrilling Adventure in the Game World!", was released on September 13th, and many people were shocked. One thing that has been particularly talked about is that Daifuku the rabbit, who never spoke in the TV series, finally speaks and transforms. The fact that Nakamura Yuichi, who is well-known for his cool, deep voice, was cast in the role of Daifuku, is also a big shock. We spoke to Terashima Takuma, who plays Usayama Satoru, Daifuku's pet, and Nakamura, who plays Daifuku, about what went on behind the scenes of the shocking movie's recording.

◇Nakamura Yuichi's voice fits perfectly!

--Daifuku has transformed. And he's cute too.

Terashima: It's a shock, isn't it? I was surprised too.

--You didn't expect it?

Terashima: Maybe Daifuku will start speaking one day and become more involved in the story. Or maybe he won't talk, and the relationship between pets and humans will be just like in real life? I thought either was possible, so it was a big shock. I was even more surprised when I heard that Yuichi would be playing the role. But when I think back to the lines that Komugi said when she was translating for Daifuku in the TV series, she called Satoru her "best friend." The line "best friend" matches Yuichi's voice perfectly, so it makes sense. But there are still more shocks to come... Nakamura: Because he transforms into a human. Terashima: That's right! When I saw Daifuku in human form, I was shocked and thought, "That can't be true again!" He's so cute. Yuichi's voice fits him well, and it's kind of strange, but it makes sense. There were many shocks. --After transforming, he looks like a child. Isn't it unusual for Nakamura to play such a "young" character?

Nakamura: Apart from the childhood versions of the characters he has played, this may be the most innocent-looking character he has played so far. There was a time when I thought I might play a character I played when he was three years old, but I was told on set that it was impossible, so I ended up not doing it. There is a "phantom three-year-old" version that hasn't been released to the world, though.

Terashima: Yuichi isn't being forced to look young this time, is he?

Nakamura: The director also said, "Don't force it."

Terashima: The amazing thing about Yuichi is that it fits the role!

Nakamura: I was a bit worried. The character has been in the TV series for a long time, so the viewers are familiar with the character's personality. They know his relationship with Satoru, played by Terashima, and I'm sure they imagined what he would do if he were to speak. Given that, it was difficult to provide a voice.

　－－About half a year has passed since the broadcast, and viewers have solidified their image of Daifuku.

　Nakamura: That's right. I'm sure everyone has their own image of him. It may sound strange for me to say this, but when my voice and the image came together, I thought, "This is it!" and felt a sense of relief.

　Terashima: No doubt about it! I thought it was one of the best solutions.

　◇Nakamura Yuichi, touched by the kindness of "Precure"...

　－－Were you able to record together?

　Terashima: Yes. It was moving. I felt the same joy as Satoru, when he was able to talk to Daifuku. I empathized with Satoru and was able to express those feelings naturally. The movie itself has a similar flow.

　Nakamura: Daifuku is supposed to be looked after, but he thinks of himself as the one taking care of him, and thinks of himself as an older brother. He watches over Satoru, telling him to get his act together. By recording together, I was able to express the warmth between us, pulling Satoru along and calmly observing the situation. Terashima-kun has been involved in this series since it began, so I tried not to destroy the character's feel or atmosphere. I'm glad we were able to work together. I think we'll be able to see a different side of Satoru in the movie.

Terashima-san: That's right. Up until now, he's been watching the battles and wasn't able to participate, but in the movie he's been able to join in a little, so I feel like he'll grow into a better supporter. It seems like it will be a big change for Satoru-kun as well.

--Terashima-san: What kind of image do you have of "Pretty Cure" after appearing in it so far, including the TV series?

Terashima-san: "Pretty Cure" has been going on for over 20 years, and has a history of trial and error, changing its form, but this time the theme is "bonds with animals," so it gives off a gentle and soft impression. I really like gentle and soft worldviews, and I'm very happy to be involved at this timing. Even when I'm actually participating in the dubbing, there's a calm and gentle atmosphere. I really like that atmosphere.

Nakamura: I don't usually appear in works with that kind of worldview...

Terashima: Are they really that outlaws!?

Nakamura: Maybe (laughs). Precure doesn't say to their enemies, "Let's destroy them!" It's warm to try to understand each other and talk to each other. They fight, but the main focus isn't to show the fight. I haven't appeared in many such works so far, so I think (Precure) is a rare existence. The theme is animals and humans, and it teaches us the importance of thinking about what animals are trying to say. When I was a child, I may not have tried to understand the feelings of my pet dog. I may have treated it like, "It's time to eat!" without thinking, "Is he hungry?"

-- Touched by the kindness of "Precure"...

Nakamura: I was purified.

Terashima: Were you really that depressed!?

Nakamura: I was purified, and turned into nothing (laughs).

Terashima: You can't disappear!

One of the highlights of "Wonderful Precure! The Movie! A Great Adventure in the Exciting Game World!" is the combination of Satoru and Daifuku, and with Nakamura making jokes and Terashima responding... the combination between the two seems to be excellent. Be sure to check out the passionate performances by Terashima and Nakamura.