It has been announced that Hikari Senga will play Cure Answer/Anna Akechi in the 23rd installment of the popular anime series "PreCure," "Detective PreCure!". Senga, a new voice actress who was selected to play a PreCure, expressed her joy at the role, saying, "It's a show I've been obsessed with since I was a child, so when I heard I'd been accepted, tears just flowed from my eyes. During the audition, I was so happy to have had the chance to live as a PreCure, even if only for a moment, so I never imagined I'd be involved in the series...!! I was filled with surprise and gratitude. At the same time, I felt the weight of the history that my predecessors have woven, and it was also the moment I resolved to pour everything I have into this project and cherish it."
Akechi Anna, played by Senga, is a 14-year-old second-year junior high school student living in Makoto Mirai Town. Guided by a fairy named Pochitan who appears on her birthday and a pendant in her room, she travels back in time from 2027 to 1999 in Makoto Mirai City. There, she meets Kobayashi Mikuru, a 14-year-old girl who dreams of becoming a great detective. When someone is in trouble after having something important stolen by the Phantom Thieves, Anna and Mikuru transform into the great detective PreCure, determined not to let someone in trouble slip away. They solve the mystery, saying, "That mystery! Cure, solve it!"
Regarding the "PreCure" series, she commented, "I was really into it back then, playing PreCure with my friends and dancing the ending dance, and I still enjoy watching the shows now that I'm an adult! I think the charm of the PreCure series is that it can be enjoyed by so many people of all ages, from children to adults. Of course you can enjoy the world of anime, but I also think the unique charm of the series is that you can become your dream PreCure in your everyday life with costumes and toys!"
"Anna-chan has a very honest and warm heart; if she sees someone in trouble, her body naturally moves to lend a hand. She is able to read people's feelings from their expressions and gestures, and encourage them with her words and actions, which I think makes her a true great detective...! I would like to play the role with sincerity so that I can convey her charm. I would also be happy if everyone would join the Answers in solving the mystery!"
The motif of "Detective PreCure!" is "detectives," and the theme is "see, feel, think, and find the 'true' answer for yourself." In today's world, where there is an abundance of information, "truth" can become "lie," and "lie" can become "truth." Rather than relying on "someone else's" thoughts as the answer, how did "you" see and feel? This series conveys to children the importance of thinking for yourself and finding the "answer."
In addition to Cure Mystic/Kobayashi Mikuru played by Kaede Hondo and Cure Arcana Shadow/Moria Ruka played by Nao Toyama, the mysterious Cure Eclair will also make an appearance. Also appearing are Emiri Kato as Pochitan, Hina Yomiya as Mashtan, and Yuki Kaji as Jet Senpai.
The "Pretty Cure" series is an anime that depicts ordinary children transforming into Pretty Cure and facing various challenges. The first series, "Futari wa Pretty Cure," began airing in February 2004. The 22nd series, "You and Idol Pretty Cure," is currently airing on ABC TV and TV Asahi every Sunday at 8:30 a.m. "Detective Pretty Cure!" will be broadcast on the same network from 8:30 a.m. on February 1st.
