It was revealed on May 26 that comedian Naomi Watanabe will be a voice actor in both the original US version and the Japanese version of Disney & Pixar's new animated film "Elio" (released August 1st). Watanabe will play Orva, a bright and passionate ambassador for a peace-loving planet who is one of the members of the Communiverse that the main character Elio arrives at.
Ova, voiced by Watanabe, is full of positive energy and kindly watches over Elio on his adventures, including teaching him about the "Communiverse." This will be the first time that a Japanese person other than a creator from Pixar Animation Studios has served as a voice actor in the original US version of a Disney and Pixar film, and also the first time that a Japanese person will serve as a voice actor for the Japanese version at the same time.
The protagonist of "Elio" is a boy named Elio who loves space and feels lonely after losing his parents, who were his biggest supporters. Elio was thinking that somewhere in this vast world, there must be a "true place" for him. His sad wish is answered, and he is invited to the dreamlike "Comniverse" where representatives of the stars gather. There, he meets Grodon, an alien boy who is just as lonely. "I love you just the way you are" - a threat that will shake the "world of the stars" is approaching before the two people who share a heart. The key to saving it lies in a "promise" made by two lonely people... This is the story.
The film will be directed by Madeline Sharafian, who served as story artist on "Coco" (2017), Domee Shi, director of "Me and the Red Panda" (2022), and Adrian Molina, who wrote and co-directed "Coco."
Speaking about the message of the film, the directors said, "This story is packed with the powerful message that, although we may feel lonely at times because we are different from others, it is these differences that shine a unique light on each of us. It teaches us that it is because we each have different personalities that we are able to connect deeply with others, and the importance of accepting and loving yourself as you are." They also explained their reasons for casting Watanabe, saying, "We realized that this message was perfectly aligned with Watanabe Naomi's own trajectory to date. She is someone who is always challenging herself in new environments, pursuing her dreams while protecting her own individuality, and shining with a truly unique radiance. For that reason, we felt that she was the ideal choice for this project."
When Watanabe received the offer to appear in the US original version, he and his manager were excited, saying, "We were so surprised! We were like, 'That's possible...!?' I've done voice acting for various works in Japan, but I was like, 'What, American?! In English?!' I was surprised at first, but I've never been such an honored person, so I was really happy."
Regarding the recording in the US, she said, "I was nervous because the words I spoke would shape Ova. And English was difficult. At first, I was talking in a silly way, but the director told me, 'You can be more like Naomi!' and it made it easier." Regarding the similarities between Ova and her, she said, "Ova's big eyes are cinematic, and her facial expressions change depending on her emotions at the time, and she moves around a lot when she talks, so I think she's similar to me, who has made it this far by making funny faces (laughs). I've lived my life with just my face... No, Ova isn't that kind of character! (laughs) I think we're similar in that we have expressive faces." Regarding the fact that she will be voicing the Japanese version at the same time as the original version, she said, "It was strange. It was my first experience to record in Japanese while listening to my own English lines," and when asked about being the first Japanese person to do so, she said, "What! First time! Isn't that amazing!?" with great excitement.
When asked who "embraces the real Watanabe Naomi," she immediately replied, "After all, it's my fans!" Watanabe, who shows many different sides to herself, said, "My fans accept me even when I'm all those sides. No matter what, even when I make mistakes, they always accept me with all my different expressions. They accept me for the parts where I work hard, the parts where I'm a bit clumsy, and the parts where I'm naive. I think it's my fans who accept all of those sides." She spoke about the bond with her fans.
