The 23rd installment of the popular anime series "Pretty Cure," "Detective Pretty Cure!", is currently airing every Sunday at 8:30 AM on ABC TV and TV Asahi. Nao Toyama, who plays Cure Arcana Shadow/Ruruka Mori, also has experience playing the fairy Puff in the 12th installment, "Go! Princess Pretty Cure," which aired from 2015 to 2016. Approximately 10 years after "Go! Princess Pretty Cure," Toyama has returned to the series as a Pretty Cure. We asked Toyama about her thoughts on the "Pretty Cure" series and her role as Cure Arcana Shadow/Ruruka Mori.
◇The fate that brought me to meet Arcana Shadow
Higashiyama said, "I feel a sense of destiny in being able to return to the series at the exact time that 'Go! Princess Precure' is celebrating its 10th anniversary." She recalled her time appearing in "Go! Princess Precure," saying, "It was a very happy time, and I only have fond memories of it."
"There were so many things I wouldn't have seen if I hadn't been involved with 'Go! Princess Precure.' Back then, I went to see Precure shows several times with the Precure and fairy members, and seeing the children cheering so hard brought me to tears. In the movie, when Puff and the others cheer on the Precure, I remembered those children and acted with all my might, feeling like I was speaking for them. However, I always had this longing to see the world that only the Precure can see. After several years, I auditioned many times, and this time, my dream has finally come true and I've returned as a Precure."
The motif of "Detective Precure!" is "detective," and the theme is "seeing, feeling, and thinking for yourself to find the 'real' answer." The main characters are girls who work as detectives with the desire to "help people in need," and guided by a mysterious power, Cure Answer/Anna Akechi time-slips from 2027 to 1999. It is a "Precure" unlike any other, with elements such as "detective" and "time travel."
Ruruka Mori, played by Higashiyama, is a mysterious girl who, despite being a Pretty Cure, inexplicably operates as part of the phantom thief group Phantom. She has a laid-back and unconventional personality and doesn't speak much, but she secretly harbors passionate feelings. She transforms into Cure Arcana Shadow.
"I auditioned for other Pretty Cure roles, but Arcana Shadow was the first one they offered me the part for. I ended up playing Arcana Shadow, and I felt like it was fate or destiny. When I saw the character's visual design, she was even cuter than I had imagined. She's sparkly, and that made me even more determined to play the role."
When the visual design and voice actress for Cure Arcana Shadow were announced, social media erupted in excitement. She's a character with the power to captivate and draw in adult fans as well.
"I've heard all of your voices! People around me have been worried, asking, 'It's getting such great reviews, aren't you feeling the pressure?' but I'm fine (laughs). I've been involved in projects with expectations on my shoulders before, and I'm prepared to face it as a professional. I do want to make sure that my overwhelming feelings about returning to the 'Pretty Cure' series, which I've always wanted to do, and meeting Arcana Shadow, don't hold me back. I need to keep a neutral mindset when I'm acting. However, I'm sure that my first transformation line will be filled with a multitude of emotions, so I'm looking forward to that day with determination."
◇Cool but also cute
She's a mysterious girl who also appears cool. But there's more to her charm than that. Higashiyama portrays her with great sensitivity.
"I went into the audition aiming for a dark and cool image, but after seeing the variations in facial expressions and watching the animation, I realized that she wasn't just cool, but also had a side that evoked a protective instinct. I thought it would be good to have a cute side as a contrast, so I decided to go in the direction of acting that exudes cuteness. It's difficult, though. Just a slight change in nuance can completely change the emotion it sounds, so it's delicate."
I'm playing Cure Arcana Shadow while being mindful that children are watching, but...
"Ruruka herself doesn't live her life with the intention of appealing to children, but as an actress, looking at it from a broader perspective, I hope that this message will resonate with children. Ruruka is a mysterious girl, but as an actress, I hope that she doesn't come across as unapproachable, but rather creates an atmosphere that makes children think, 'I want to look up to this cute older sister,' or 'I want to know more about Ruruka.'"
◇Everyone's hearts become one
Hikari Chiga, who plays Cure Answer/Anna Akechi, and Kaede Hondo, who plays Cure Mystic/Mikuru Kobayashi, will also appear. Higashiyama says that she feels "very comfortable being around them" while working with them.
"All three of us are united by our desire to cherish Pretty Cure. Hika-chan (Senga-san) is sincere and meticulous in her approach, and she has a wonderful personality. When I hear Hika-chan's straightforward voice, it's a pleasure for my ears. I know this might sound arrogant, but I feel like she has the qualities to play the main character. With Hika-chan at the center, everyone's hearts become one, and the atmosphere on set is bright and fun. Hondo-chan is an actress who always delivers the right answer. I've never seen her make a mistake. She's a true professional. I have the longest career among the three of us, but I have my clumsy moments, so I'm hoping to be supported by these two wonderful people (laughs)."
Why is Cure Arcana Shadow operating as part of the Phantom Thieves? Furthermore, the appearance of the mysterious Pretty Cure, Cure Eclair, has also been announced, leaving many mysteries unsolved.
"It involves time travel, it's a mystery, and it's a meticulously crafted work. I think you've gotten to know Ruruka's mysterious side, but I'm sure she'll undergo many changes and grow in various ways. I would be happy if you could watch her journey."
We look forward to seeing what truth Higashiyama's determined portrayal of Cure Arcana Shadow will lead to. (Manami Anima/MANTANWEB)
