The Japanese voice cast for the latest animated film in the popular "Tom and Jerry" series, "Tom and Jerry: The Magic Compass of Time" (distributed by Clockworks, opening May 29), was announced on March 27.
"Tom and Jerry" is a slapstick comedy short animated series featuring the world's most famous cat, Tom, and mouse, Jerry, as they engage in all sorts of chases in each episode. It celebrated its 85th anniversary in 2025.
In the latest movie, Tom and Jerry are playing their usual game of chase in a museum when they accidentally activate an ancient artifact on display, the "Star Compass," and are transported through time in a dazzling light. They arrive in the "Golden City," a different world thousands of years in the past, inhabited by a phoenix sage and unique guardian beasts. There, they find themselves in danger from the evil Rat King, who seeks to conquer the world with the power of the compass. In order to return to their own time, Tom and Jerry call a temporary truce, and the strongest (?) duo embarks on a grand adventure in the face of an unprecedented crisis...and that's the story.
To coincide with the film's release in Japan, a dubbed version has been produced, and it has been announced that voice actors Takuya Sato, Yohei Tadano, Kazuya Nakai, Hiroki Yasumoto, Kohei Amasaki, Kohei Amasaki, and Yukihiro Nozuyama will be providing the voices.
Sato, who plays the Phoenix Immortal, the leader of the guardian beasts protecting the Golden City, said, "I can't hide my surprise at being able to participate in a history that spans 85 years. The Phoenix Immortal that I played had such a wide range of expressions that I was like 'Wow!' the moment I saw him, and he was a very rewarding character to play."
Tadano-san plays Feeney, the immortal phoenix companion of the hermit, who looks undeniably like a chicken. "I tried my best to play the role, following in the footsteps of my senior, Shun Yashiro (who played Tom). Feeney looks like a chubby chicken, but the fact that he's actually an amazing legendary creature is what makes him so appealing," he said.
Nakai, who plays Rat King, an evil genius inventor aiming for world domination, introduced the character by saying, "He's a rare villain these days, straightforwardly aiming for world domination. But there's something poignant about his earnestness, and he's a character you can't help but root for."
Kubo will play Jade, the top disciple of the Phoenix Immortal and a Peking Opera actor who performs magnificent dances; Yasumoto will play Xander, the honest guardian beast; Amasaki will play Sony, the pacifist guardian beast; and Nozuyama will play Tenten, the lightning-fast guardian beast. These talented voice actors will portray the unique characters that color the series with their solid acting skills.
The newly released Japanese original poster visual features the dazzling treasure "Star Compass" in the center, vividly depicting the "Golden City," the setting of the story. Against a mystical backdrop of large fireworks illuminating the night sky and falling stardrops, Tom and Jerry are shown with beaming smiles, as if to say, "We're off to another world!", inviting viewers on an unknown grand adventure. The visual is dramatic and exhilarating, befitting the time-slip adventure presented on the largest scale in the series' history.
The full comments from the Japanese dubbing cast are as follows:
◇Phoenix Hermit role: Takuya Sato
I can't hide my amazement at being able to participate in the history of "Tom and Jerry," which has been loved around the world for 85 years. The Phoenix Hermit that I played was a character with such a wide range that I was immediately impressed the moment I saw him, and I felt it was a very rewarding character to play. The chase between the two of them that unfolds in a fantastical world is like a dream. I hope you enjoy this film, which is full of the excitement of fantasy and the cuteness of Tom and Jerry.
◇Feney's role: Yohei Tadano
For me, when I think of "Tom and Jerry," the first person that comes to mind is the great veteran, Shun Yashiro (who voiced Tom). This time, I put my heart and soul into my performance, trying to follow in his footsteps. Feeny looks like a chubby chicken, but the fact that he's actually an amazing, legendary creature is what makes him so appealing. During the recording, I practiced at home many times, agonizing over whether I should try to get as close to the nuances of the original voice as possible, before finally recording the voice. My own memories of being taken to the movie theater by my parents are still very special. I sincerely hope that families will watch it together and create new, happy memories.
◇Rat Demon King role: Kazuya Nakai
It was an honor to finally be able to appear in a show I loved watching as a child. The character I play, Rat King, is a rare villain these days, straightforwardly aiming for world domination. But as I played him, I realized that his earnestness was somehow poignant, and he's a character you can't help but root for. Please experience the excitement filled with nostalgia and new surprises!
◇Jade's voice actress: Yurika Kubo
When I was little, my mother used to say that my arguments with my older brother were "like Tom and Jerry," so it feels like a dream to be a part of this world. Jade is a strong, beautiful, and cool character who follows the path she believes in. Watching her and Tom gradually become friends in the story touched my heart while I was acting. I'm looking forward to going to the movie theater with my mother, who introduced me to this work in the past.
◇Xander's voice actor: Hiroki Yasumoto
As someone who grew up humming the song "Get Along and Fight," I'm truly happy to be involved in this project as an adult. Xander, the character I play, is a lovable character who is earnest and straightforward, but his earnestness often leads to clumsy mistakes. Rather than trying to be funny on purpose, I focused on portraying him as someone who is "always serious!" Above all, Tom and Jerry are undeniably cute! Put our efforts aside for a moment and enjoy their antics to your heart's content.
◇Sony's voice actor: Kohei Amasaki
For me, "Tom and Jerry" has been a part of my daily life since I was a child. The character I played, Sonny, seems timid at first glance, but he's a strong-willed kid who can summon his courage when it matters. I especially love the scenes in the show where he works together with Tom, as you can see Sonny's growth. It's interesting to see how our voices blend with the reactions of the two characters who don't speak. It's a heartwarming work that children will remember even when they grow up. Please come and see it!
◇Tenten's role: Yukihiro Nozuyama
"I'm going to be in 'Tom and Jerry'?!" I was truly surprised when I found out. The character I play, Ten-Ten, is clumsy and has a charmingly impulsive personality, always moving before he thinks. My favorite scene is when Ten-Ten reappears and makes a "cool (?)" landing! Please immerse yourself in the powerful visuals and the cute charm of the two characters, which are different from what you saw in the anime!
