The movie version of the 22nd installment of the popular anime series "You and Idol Pretty Cure with You and Idol Pretty Cure The Movie: Sorry to Keep You Waiting! A Sparkling Live for You!" will be released on September 12th. The story follows Uta and her friends as they take part in the Super Miracle Idol Festival held on the mysterious Ai-Ai Island, only to be transported back in time. We spoke to Misato Matsuoka, who plays Cure Idol/Sakura Uta, Takahashi Minami, who plays Cure Ink/Aokaze Nana, and Natsumi Takamori, who plays Cure Kyun Kyun/Murasaki Kokoro, about the movie.
◇Deep themes and a special feel!
-What do you feel is unique to the movie version?
Matsuoka: While it has the feel of "Kimipuri," it also has a lot of special elements, such as the "universe number one" idol festival. When I was a child, when I went to festivals during summer vacation, I felt like I was in another world. That is a special memory for me. I think this movie will also become a special memory for everyone.
As Takahashi -san and Misato-chan said, it's a "Kimipuri" experience, but it's also unique, with people going to different places than usual and experiencing things for the first time. There are some parts where it feels like the feelings of "you" who come to the cinema and the Pretty Cure are in sync, which makes it feel really special.
Takamori-san's theme is deep. There are parts that get to the heart of the matter and grab hold of the roots of the heart. It's a theme that didn't exist 10 years ago, so it's very moving. I'm really looking forward to seeing what it will look like when it's completed.
--What is unique about Kimipuri?
Matsuoka: I think that while the TV series so far has had a humorous feel, it also makes you feel a little lonely, makes you cry, and makes you feel a variety of emotions. You can laugh, cry, empathize, and feel a variety of emotions, and this is clearly depicted in this movie.
Takamori's script alone is enough to make me laugh. The stage directions are funny and the playfulness is appealing.
Takahashi-san, each of the characters has a human side to them. He carefully depicts everyone's emotions and daily lives, and Nana-chan has her own worries, so I think the fact that she feels close to the characters is what makes "Kimipuri" unique.
--In the TV series, Zukyuun Kiss was added, bringing the total number of PreCure members to five.
Matsuoka-san, the two members of Zukyun Kiss look so grown-up after they transform. They used to be all lively as a trio, but it feels like they've tightened up. The sense of unity as a team has also increased.
It was quite a shock when Takahashi-san first appeared. What's appealing about them is that even when they transform, the things that Purirun and Meloron value remain the same. There was an explosive power when the two joined together, and it felt like they were complete! Meloron gets jealous, doesn't he? He's a character that has never been seen before.
Takamori: That's right. The humidity is high.
Takahashi: The humidity feels so comfortable and moisturizes the skin.
Takamori-san has a deep affection for her, and Meloron's existence is something new.
◇ Sparkle every day by playing PreCure
--The movie will also feature PreCure characters from "Wonderful PreCure!(Wanpuri)" and "Soaring Sky! Pretty Cure(Hiropuri)."
I had the opportunity to record with Matsuoka-san and it was fun!
Takahashi-san was cool!
Each of Takamori's works has a different theme, so the direction and color are different as well. "Hiropuri" is really cool, and "Wanpuri" has a warm feeling to it.
Director Takahashi said, "Kimipuri is very lively." We're not aware of that, though.
Takamori-san, I was happy to see the bonds you've built over the past year. I watched you all with a warm feeling in my heart, thinking that maybe we'll be able to do the same in the future.
It was also emotional to see Matsuoka-san reciting his lines together for the first time in a while. He would say things like, "Was it like this?", but when it came to the actual performance, it was perfect. I could feel what he had built up, and it made me want to do my best too!
-What do you feel while playing PreCure so far?
Matsuoka: I've been watching PreCure since I was a child, and it always gave me energy and I admired it. Now that I have the opportunity to play PreCure, I feel that acting also gives me energy. Uta-chan is a character that you can't play without being energetic, so I can't have even the slightest bit of doubt inside me. When I play Uta-chan, I naturally become energetic, and Uta-chan gives me energy. I've once again realized that every day seems to sparkle so brightly! PreCure is amazing!
As Takahashi-san played the role, I began to see some differences in Nana's character from the one I had initially imagined. She was confused at times, but Nana herself also took steps forward despite her own hesitation, so perhaps that's where we have similarities. Nana has taken steps and experienced many things, and as I star in the Pretty Cure I admire, I'm getting closer to my dreams one step at a time, and I feel like we're growing together. There was a line in this movie that made me really happy to act. I was so moved by the fact that she had taken so many steps and that there was a world beyond that, that I cried when I saw the footage. I felt that because she had come this far, Nana could continue to grow even more. I want to continue watching Nana grow.
Takamori-san, Kokoro hasn't changed since the impression I had of her at the audition, and I think that's because she has the roots of being a samurai. If you don't forget that you're a samurai, your heart won't waver. She has the drive to do her best, and the fact that her favorite idol gives her strength hasn't changed. Kokoro has also become a Precure herself, but Cure Idol and Cure Ink are still her favorites. That's what makes her interesting. There are some things that haven't changed, but as we've been recording, I've also felt that she has the potential to grow in this way, and I hope to see her continue to grow in the future.
-Finally, please give a message on behalf of everyone to those who are looking forward to the movie.
You can enjoy it as if you were at Matsuoka's live performance, and the story is deep, so it's a movie that parents and children can enjoy together. It's interesting for adults too! I'd like many people to see it, and I'm curious to hear your thoughts, so please let me know! I'd be happy if you could share your thoughts.
*The "taka" in Takahashi Minami's name is pronounced "hashigo-daka."
