Actor Fumiya Takahashi appeared on stage on January 30th at the opening day greetings event for the animated feature film "Kusunoki no Bannin," based on the novel by Keigo Higashino, held at TOHO Cinemas Hibiya (Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo). Takahashi, who voiced the main character Reito Naoi and is starring in his first animated feature film, expressed his gratitude to the staff and co-stars, saying, "I was saved by everyone," but also revealed, "Miyano Mamoru saved me."
Takahashi and Miyano have worked together before, and while recording "Kusunoki no Bannin," "Miyano was recording a different work next to me." Takahashi, who has little experience as a voice actor, expressed his gratitude to Miyano, saying, "When I sent Miyano a long message about something I didn't understand, he called me and we talked for about 50 minutes. He didn't tell me, 'Do it like this.' I wrote the words he gave me on the cover of the script and acted it out."
Also appearing on stage to greet the audience were Amami Yuki, who plays Yanagisawa Chishu, Reito's aunt who holds the key to the story, Saito Asuka, who plays Saji Yumi, who investigates her father's secret, and Miyase Ryuya, who plays Oba Soki, the heir to a long-established Japanese confectionery manufacturer.
"Kamson Tree Keeper" tells the story of a young man, Naoi Reito, who loses his job due to unreasonable dismissal and becomes the mysterious "Kamson Tree Keeper," where he meets people with various circumstances. To date, Higashino's works have been made into live-action films and TV dramas, but this is the first time they have been made into an anime. It is directed by Ito Tomohiko, known for works such as "Sword Art Online" and "Erased."
