Kayo Noro: Her "place to be" is Ota Productions

On July 3, talent Kayo Noro appeared at the Japan premiere of Disney & Pixar's new animated feature film "Elio" (released August 1) at TOHO Cinemas Roppongi (Minato Ward, Tokyo). When asked where she "stays," in reference to the film, she answered her agency, "Ota Productions."

Noro said, "I'm affiliated with Ota Production, a wonderful agency for traditional performing arts in a sense, and if someone makes a joke when I go to the office, everyone, including the staff, will point it out. I feel like this is the place for me. There was a time when I wanted to do more stylish work, to be with a stylish agency, but I felt that Ota Productions was an easy place to fit in, so now I'm doing stylish work," she said, drawing laughter.

At the event, actor Kenichi Matsuyama made a surprise appearance, announcing that he will be appearing as a voice actor in the Japanese version of the film. Matsuyama will play Glygon, the proud and aggressive alien warrior who is the father of alien boy Grodon and plots to dominate the Communiverse. Appearing on the day were Noro, who plays Woooooo, Eito Kawahara, who plays the protagonist Elio, Nana Seino Kiyohara, who plays Elio's aunt Olga, Tasuku Sato, who plays Grodon, and Mayurika Nakatani, who plays Melmac, Olga's subordinate and radio geek.

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 believes that somewhere in this vast world, there must be a "true place for him to belong". 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. The two share a bond, but a threat that will shake up the "world of the stars" approaches. The key to their salvation lies in a "promise" made by the two lonely people... This is the story.

The film will be directed by Madeline Sharafian, who served as story artist on "Coco" (2017), Domy Shi, director of "Me and the Red Panda" (2022), and Adrian Molina, who wrote and co-directed "Coco."