The animated film "Aikatsu! x PriPara THE MOVIE - The Miracle of Encounter!", a collaboration between the popular anime and game series "Aikatsu!" and "PriPara," was finally released on October 10th. It's a "dream collaboration" to commemorate the 10th anniversary of "Aikatsu!"'s Akari Generation and "PriPara." We spoke to Yu Serizawa Yu, who plays Minami Mirei in "PriPara," about her thoughts on "PriPara" and the collaborative anime.
◇Thank you for waiting!!!
--It's an unexpected collaboration. What were your honest thoughts when you heard that an anime would be made?
My honest impression is, thank you for waiting!!! When this story was decided, I was really happy that so many people were waiting and remembering us, and I wanted to say thank you!!
--What does "Pripara" mean to you?
Recently, I've really felt that it's a show that has made me "someone to look up to." I host a radio show called "Edison" on Nippon Cultural Broadcasting, and I often hear young girls say, "I love PriPara and look up to her," so it's thanks to PriPara that I've become someone who gives people dreams!
--What is your impression of "Aikatsu!"?
At the time, I definitely had the impression that they were rivals (laughs). So I tried not to look into it too much! But even so, I knew their famous lines and of course their characters, so even though it was frustrating, I still thought "Aikatsu!" was amazing and respected them.
-How has your impression changed after this collaboration?
This time it was a collaboration with AkaGene (Akari Generation, the third and fourth season starring Aikatsu!'s Ozora Akari), so I was moved by the idols' down-to-earth efforts, and now that I'm an adult, seeing the girls' struggles makes my heart ache as an older sister.
◇A truly miraculous movie
-What do you feel is unique to this collaboration?
This is a small detail, but for the new songs "Happy Tuning" and "Pretty x Activity," the lyrics were written by the "Aikatsu!" team and the music was composed by the "PriPara" team, and vice versa, so even with just the music, there are moments when this melody sounds like "PriPara," and moments when I think this phrase is fresh! It feels like they're bringing together the best of each other in small ways!
-What was the recording like?
This time, the dubbing was handled by staff from the "Aikatsu!" team, so the direction was different from usual, but it went smoothly! It was difficult but fun to explain to the "Aikatsu!" team what Mega-nii is (laughs).
-What are the highlights?
I feel like it can become any kind of work depending on how you receive it. I'm sure there will be people who are discovering "PriPara" for the first time through this movie, and there will also be people who know "Aikatsu!", but for those who love both, I think this is a truly miraculous film. This is an interview, but I can't put it into words. It's the kind of film I want you to experience at the theater. Laugh, cry, and travel back in time to those days! Have a nice trip!
