Continuation of interview (1). The sequel to the 13th installment of the popular anime series "PreCure !", "Witchy Pretty Cure!!! ~MIRAI DAYS~", will be broadcast on ABC TV and TV Asahi's late-night anime slot "ANiMAZiNG!!!" from 2 a.m. on January 11th. This is the first sequel in about eight years to "Witchy Pretty Cure! ", which aired from February 2016 to January 2017, and it is Kotoha Hanami a Saori Hayami that Takahashi Rie, who plays Cure Miracle/ Mirai Asahina, Rie Takahashi Yui Horie , who plays Cure Magical/ Liko Izayoi , Hayami Saori, who plays Cure Felice/Hanaumi Kotoha, and Ayaka Saito , who plays Mofurun , will be reprising their roles. In the sequel, Mirai is a university student in the No Magic Realm, Riko has returned to the magical world and is now a teacher at a magic school, and Kotoha is watching over the world from afar, and they will have to face their past and future. What on earth will happen?! We spoke to Takahashi, Horie, Hayami, and Saito ahead of the broadcast.
◇Emotional reunions every week!
--Has it been a while since the four of you got together to record?
Takahashi: That's right. We had BBQs and met up privately after the show, but being together in the studio is still special.
Mr. Saito was able to immediately go back to that time.
Hayami: At first, there were times when I was confused as to where the microphone was.
Takahashi-san , even the position of your seat. But I was able to easily return to those times.
--Will any familiar characters appear?
Takahashi appears evenly throughout the film.
Horie appears quite a lot.
Hayami-san , there was a touching reunion every week. Mirai's dad (Aoki Tsuyoshi, who plays Asahina Daikichi) was in tears...
Takahashi-san and Aoki-san call me "Mirai" and are like fathers to me. I received a ballpoint pen as a birthday present during "MahoPri", and I am using it as a good luck charm this time as well.
--Have Mirai and Riko changed in any way in the sequel?
Hayami-san has a college student vibe to her. There are some things you can really feel through the changes in their environments.
Takahashi: Actually, the two of you don't get to see each other very often. The frequency with which you can meet changes when you become an adult.
Horie-san and Rico are both serious people, and since they decided to become teachers, they can't neglect their work. I think they understand each other on that point.
Takahashi: I can understand Mirai's feelings of not being selfish.
There was a certain opportunity for the two of you to meet Horie-san , but if that hadn't happened, you might not have been able to meet at all.
◇ "MahoPuri" is a treasure chest
--What does "Witchy Pretty Cure!" mean to you personally?
Takahashi: I started voice acting about 3 or 4 years ago. Even if I were to start my life over again, I would want to appear in "Witchy Pretty Cure!" no matter what. I definitely want to do it! Even if it was a miracle that I was able to be involved, I want to make miracles happen again and again. It's a work that makes me think that way.
Horie-san has been working on this series for a long time, and I'm on good terms with everyone, but I really love each of the works, and I thought I had a special attachment to each character. But when I look back and see the footage, I get emotional and cry. I really loved it, I was so attached to it. I was happy to be playing Riko again in the movie, and I bought the merchandise, but I was surprised to realize how deeply it had ingrained itself in me. I really do love it.
Hayami: It's hard to put into words, but to put it simply, it's a treasure chest. It's filled with things that are important to me, so I get excited when I open it, and I'm happy after I open it. I want to treasure each and every one of them, and I'd like everyone to see them if possible. It's filled with all kinds of important things. The atmosphere on set is also really wonderful. Of course, everyone loves the work, but what is it?
Everyone at Saito is so kind.
Hayami-san is truly a miracle. We meet every week, and even after eight years, the atmosphere remains the same, with kindness, warmth, a sense of security, and a good atmosphere. It's a treasure in life.
Saito: I think Mofurun's fluffy body is filled with love, and everyone loves the work, and I love it too. It's a work filled with sincerity.
◇What changes have occurred in Rie Takahashi?
-- Takahashi-san, you were a new face at the time. How has it changed in the eight years since the show ended?
Takahashi : I feel like my perspective has changed a little bit, and I've become able to properly organize and put into words the questions that arise within me on set and discuss them with others. At the time, I was too focused on Mirai, but I think I'm gradually becoming able to think about things like the intentions of the director.
--The sequel also has the theme of "time."
Horie: Time is depicted in various ways, such as the time that Mirai and Riko were unable to meet. Time can have a cruel side. There are also parts that make you think: Should you turn your eyes away from it? Or should you accept it and move forward? It's a bit of an abstract story, but if you watch it, I'm sure you'll understand what it's all about!
Hayami: I feel that my feelings when I reminisce about my own life have changed since about eight years ago. It's not just fun! I feel a little bit of sadness, nostalgia, and nostalgia mixed in, which may be because I've gotten older and my environment has changed. I felt like "MIRAI DAYS" accepted those feelings. "Witchy Pretty Cure!" is a wonderful work that embraces, accepts, and affirms the viewer. I feel even more joyful about being involved in this work.
When I was little, I wanted to grow up quickly, but as I get older, there are some things that I get scared of. But that's okay, isn't it? It's good to be alive! This is a work that makes you think that way.
--The generation that watched "Witchy Pretty Cure!" as children has grown up to become junior high school, high school students, etc.
Hayami: "MIRAI DAYS" is a work that you can reminisce about even as you grow older. It can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's reactions, Takahashi-san !
