The latest animated film, Kaito Queen's Elegant Vacation, based on the novel "Kaito Queen" series from Kodansha's children's book "Aoi Tori Bunko," will be released on May 23rd. The original is a novel by Hayamine Kaoru, and it has been popular for a long time since the first work was published in March 2002. The latest animated film will feature the theme song "Queen's Illusion" by the music unit "Anipani," which is popular mainly among Gen Z. The film will depict an adventure story that connects the "nostalgia" of adults who were once readers with the "newness" of Gen Z. Producer Yamamoto Kyoka, who is in charge of the latest film, spoke about the behind-the-scenes production and the challenges of this film.
◇For kids, but not just for kids. Appeals to all ages
"Kaito Queen's Elegant Vacation" is the second movie following "Kaito Queen Loves the Circus" released in 2022. Producer Yamamoto said, "I've been reading Hayamine-sensei's works, including 'Kaito Queen', since I was in elementary school. When I reread it as an adult, I realized that although it was aimed at children, it was by no means a childish trick." As a fan who knows both the feeling of turning the pages with excitement back then and the depth of the work that I can only realize now that I'm an adult, I took on the movie version again with a strong desire to "deliver the charm of this work to as many people as possible."
The latest film, which has a significantly longer running time from the previous film's 60 minutes and is showing in three times as many theaters, is an ambitious work that expresses gratitude to the fans who have supported the series, as well as bringing a breath of fresh air to Generation Z. "I want it to be enjoyed by a wide range of people, from my generation who read it in elementary school, to current elementary and junior high school students," says the director, who hopes that the film will serve as a bridge between generations.
◇The story behind the theme song production: What's next for the anime?
As an approach to the Z generation, the music unit "Anipani" consisting of Riin from the popular unit "Strawberry Prince", Bau from "Knight A", and Chigusa from "AMPTAKxCOLORS" will be in charge of the theme song "Queen's Illusion". In the production of the theme song, based on the hint from the original author Hayamine that "I want a song that will make you leave the movie theater feeling happy", the theme of "cruise" and "vacation" was incorporated, while also keeping in mind the glamor and elegance of Queen, and was designed to harmonize with the work.
In addition, Producer Yamamoto had requested that "I want the worldview to be expressed through the lyrics, not the melody." The lyrics of the completed song have a refreshing feeling with straightforward phrases delivered directly, and "it made me smile naturally. It's a song that resonates not only with the work, but also with me when I listen to it, so I think it will be a song that many people will like."
Regarding the future of the "Kaitou Queen" anime series, she revealed, "I have a strong desire to continue making it into an anime forever...but to be honest, it all depends on this movie," but added, "I want to go to Hong Kong, and Paris...My dreams are only expanding, but I sincerely hope that a wonderful future will come."
The "Kaito Queen" series depicts the exploits of the phantom thief Queen, who flies around the world in an airship and steals whatever prey he sets his sights on. The total number of copies published is over 1.3 million. The latest animated film will feature the same cast as the previous film, including Yuuga Yamato as Queen, Kazuki Kato as Joker, and Yuma Uchida as RD. Cocomi will play a new character, Princess Irma, who holds the key to the story.
