A new series of the short animation "KUROMI'S PRETTY JOURNEY" starring Sanrio's popular character Kuromi, "KUROMI'S PRETTY JOURNEY ~Messy! Multiverse Great Escape!~" began streaming on YouTube on October 31st. In the new series, Kuromi is sucked into the world of the multiverse and embarks on an adventure. Popular voice actor Kaji Yuki plays Nico, a new character Kuromi meets in the multiverse. We asked Kaji about the recording process and the highlights of the new series. As Kuromi calls herself My Melody's rival, we also asked him about his own rival.
◇Happy to be Kuromi's partner, longing for Sanrio Puroland
"KUROMI'S PRETTY JOURNEY" was produced as part of the "World Kuromi Plan," a plan to "fill the world with Kuromi and KUROMIES (friends who aim to be the best version of themselves together with Kuromi)." It has been distributed on YouTube and TikTok since February 2023, and has garnered popularity with a cumulative total of over 50 million views. The new series is set in the world of the multiverse, and follows the adventures of Kuromi and Universe Patrol member Nico. A variety of unique Kuromis will appear one after another, including "Zombie" Kuromi, "Villain Lady" Kuromi, and "Manga Artist" Kuromi.
Kaji talks about the appeal of "KUROMI'S PRETTY JOURNEY," saying, "I thought it was a theme that really showed off Kuromi's individuality and charm."
"The phrase 'World Kuromi Plan' is perfect for today's times, and I think it really encapsulates the charm of Kuromi, who values being true to herself. The story of this series progresses at a good pace in a short time, so I think it can be enjoyed by a wide range of people. The theme is the multiverse world. Many different avatars of Kuromi appear, so I think that everyone will be able to relate to Kuromi from some world."
Kaji expressed her joy at being cast in "KUROMI'S PRETTY JOURNEY," saying, "I was very happy."
"It was my first time working with Sanrio, so I was really happy! When I received the materials, I was surprised to see that it was a human (laughs). Anyway, I was honored to be able to be involved in this world as a voice actor. Nico is simply cool, yet also innocent and a very cute character. As Kuromi's partner, I was really looking forward to seeing what kind of story it would be."
Kaji himself was always surrounded by Sanrio goods when he was young, and he recalls, "I was from the Kero Kero Keroppi and Pochacco generation, and I used Sanrio cups and lunch sets."
"I've always wanted to go to Sanrio Puroland. I've always wanted to go there. When I was little, I happened to pass by it... I remember crying because I wanted to go but couldn't (laughs). I'm grateful to have been involved in this project, and now I have a young daughter, so I'd like to take her there someday. I really want her to like Sanrio."
She said that her favorite character these days is Pochacco, and said with a smile, "I've lived with dogs since I was little, so I feel a familiar cuteness to them. Also, there are good things about them that you can only appreciate as an adult. I feel like the things I find cute have changed from when I was a child. Recently, I can't get enough of Pochacco's big, round eyes."
◇A handsome character who makes the right decisions - and has heart-warming moments
Nico, played by Kaji, is a young man on the Universe Patrol who travels through the worlds of the multiverse with Kuromi. He's serious about his work, but he's also a very natural character who makes mistakes all the time and can't lie, but he's actually hiding something.
"Nico is very calm and goes at his own pace. He's competent and can do his job properly, but he also has a moderate amount of naivety, so I think he's a character that everyone will love. I think he's the complete opposite of Kuromi-chan in terms of personality, but that difference makes for an exquisitely nice physique (laughs). I feel like he'll become a great partner. In acting, the tempo of the work is very fast, so I remember thinking about how I could bring out his calmness and laid-back atmosphere while recording each time. As the story progresses, He unexpectedly plays the straight man role (laughs), so I tried to act carefully to make the most of his range."
During the recording, the director gave him direction saying, "He's a handsome character, so I want him to make the decisions when it counts." He also said, "He's straightforward and has a personality that can't lie, so I was conscious of how I could phrase his lines in a way that would make the viewer's heart skip a beat when he says something sharp." There are also moments when you can see a glimpse of his handsomeness that makes your heart skip a beat.
Who is Kaji Yuki's rival?
Kuromi is a self-proclaimed rival of My Melody, and is working hard to "Kuromi-ize" the whole world. We asked Kaji about his rival.
"Voice actor Tainaga Tsubasa and Sanrio's popular character KIRIMI-chan are apparently very close friends, but he was in the same year as me. He was connected to Sanrio at a very early stage, and to be honest, I was jealous! (laughs). Tainaga has always been a good friend and rival to me, so in that sense, I feel like I've finally made it to the ring. When I was a rookie, I remember meeting up two or three times a week to practice and hang out. We've always competed as friends and actors, so when asked who my rival is, the first person that comes to mind is Tainaga. In the 20 years since we met, we've both become able to make a living as voice actors and have families in our private lives...I'm very grateful for those changes and feel very happy."
Finally, I asked him about the highlights of "KUROMI'S PRETTY JOURNEY ~Hachamecha! Multiverse Great Escape!~".
"Kuromi in the multiverse world has a special avatar that can only be seen in this anime series. The appearance, tone of speech, and atmosphere are all completely different, so I think you will look forward to each episode, wondering, 'What kind of Kuromi is in this world?' My personal favorite is the shoujo manga-style "maiden" Kuromi. She has a taller head than usual and her eyes are really sparkling! (laughs). Also, why did Nico and Kuromi meet this time? And what is his purpose? I hope you will look forward to finding out and watch until the end."
(C)'24 SANRIO Copyright Sanrio Co., Ltd.
