We interviewed Toshiyuki Morikawa, who plays Nick, and Hiro Shimono, who plays Gary, the Japanese voice actors for Disney Animation's "Zootopia 2" (directed by Jared Bush and Byron Howard, released December 5th). We asked them about their impressions of each other and the appeal of Gary, the new character who holds the key to the film.
◇Popular voice actors Toshiyuki Morikawa and Hiro Shimono: What are their charms?
The story is set in Zootopia, a paradise where animals live like humans. The previous film, released in 2016, was a huge hit, grossing over $1 billion at the box office worldwide and over 7.6 billion yen in Japan, not only for its dramatic story but also for its profound message that resonates with modern society. This sequel, the first in about nine years, sees actress Aya Ueto reprise her role as Judy, a rabbit police officer with a dream of making the world a better place, and Morikawa reprise her role as Nick, her sarcastic but kind-hearted fox partner with a past as a con artist. Shimono will voice a new character, Gary, a wanted snake who holds the key to the story.
--This is the first sequel in about nine years. How did you feel when it was decided?
Morikawa: I was so happy I could dance. The fans have a lot of influence. I think it was thanks to everyone's continued love for "Zootopia" that we were able to make "2."
--You two have worked together many times before, what are your impressions of each other?
Shimono: I've been listening to Morikawa's voice since before I became a voice actor, so he's a great senior to me.
Morikawa: This December marks the 40th anniversary of my debut as a voice actress.
Shimono: He's 45 now, so he debuted when I was 5! I've heard his voice in a lot of different places.
Morikawa: I've been watching Hiro since his debut, and his voice has a major quality. A bright sound. If I'm not careful, my voice becomes minor, so I think he has something that I don't have. The characters he plays are often on different lines, so I'm glad that he's not on the same line (laughs).
Shimono: Morikawa-san is cool and stylish. He has a low voice, but there's also a warmth here and there, which makes him truly one of a kind.
-What is the appeal of the new character Gary?
Morikawa: For some reason, Zootopia has only had mammals up until now. But in "2," a reptile named Gary suddenly appears. He's the key figure in the mystery of the world of Zootopia.
Shimono: There's not much I can say yet about what kind of character he is or why he's wanted, but as you can see from his appearance, he's not a sinister character. I myself am looking forward to seeing what kind of character he will become.
--Has Judy and Nick's buddy relationship also become more powerful?
Morikawa: That's right, this time their bond will be put to the test even more! Last time, Nick became the first fox police officer and reached the end, and this time they will be working together as police buddies, but they will be facing challenges bigger than ever before. Please keep an eye on Judy and Nick!
