The latest installment in the Disney & Pixar animated film series, "Toy Story 5" (directed by Andrew Stanton and co-directed by Kenna Harris), will be released in Japan on July 3rd. It was announced on June 18th that Nagi Inoue of the idol group " Nogizaka46 " will voice Snappy, a cute and caring digital camera toy, and Kemuri Matsui of the comedy duo "Reiwa Roman" will voice Atlas, a cheerful and reliable hippo digital map toy, in the Japanese version. Along with this announcement, a scene from the film featuring the "Tech Trio" (Smarty Pants, Snappy, and Atlas) was also released.
◇ Nagi Inoue:"Toy Story was a part of my daily life." He also has memories of playing with toys with his younger brother.
On her way to a friend's house with Bonnie, Jessie accidentally ends up in an unfamiliar house. There, she meets Smarty Pants and becomes his friend. The Japanese voice actor for Snappy, a forgotten digital camera toy found in a closet, has been decided as Ms. Inoue, a central member of "Nogizaka46" who is expanding her range of activities.
Snappy is a cute, three-legged toy digital camera that accompanies Smarty Pants and Atlas, and is known for his caring nature. Snappy's charm lies in the delicate emotions hidden beneath his cuteness, and Inoue was chosen for the role because his acting ability to express these nuances, along with his attitude of cherishing connections and camaraderie through group activities, resonated with the character's personality of "cherishing memories and caring for friends," allowing him to richly portray both cuteness and a kind heart.
Inoue said that when she was surprised to learn that she had been cast in the role, she cried tears of joy. She recalled her feelings at the time, saying, "I was just so happy and overjoyed. 'Toy Story' has been with me ever since I was born, it's like a part of my everyday life, so when I thought that I would be able to enter that world, I felt excited and like I was dreaming, and all my words and emotions just came out in tears."
She said that the first thing she told was her family, and added, "My family also loves 'Toy Story,' so my mother told me, 'You're going into that world, so give it your all.' More than anything, I was happy that my mother was so pleased. I was so glad that it was decided, and I felt truly fortunate!"
Inoue, who says that "Toy Story" has been a part of her life since she was little, said, "I loved the Buzz Lightyear toy we had at home, and I would play with my younger brother, pretending to save the world with Buzz like Andy and Bonnie. My parents even got me a drawstring bag and placemats with "Toy Story" designs for my lunch, so it's hard to pick just one memory because "Toy Story" was such a part of my daily life." She shared memories of growing up with the series.
Regarding Snappy, the character she played, she said, "He's straightforward and honest, with a childlike innocence, but also possesses the comical side that only a toy can have. I really felt that he was a truly adorable character while I was playing him. I think he'll be a character that everyone who sees this movie will love." She also shared an anecdote from the recording session, saying, "When I was recording, I was conscious of playing Snappy, so I kept my hands at my sides the whole time, thinking, 'I'm Snappy, I'm Snappy,' and I was happy when the director told me, 'That was a voice that came out because you were completely immersed in being Snappy. It was great.'"
Regarding the appeal of his latest work, he stated emphatically, "Digital technology is certainly convenient for both adults and children, and its form is constantly changing, but I think that staying the same is even more difficult than changing. I think this is a work that makes you feel a great sense of gratitude for toys that remain unchanged."
The US headquarters gave their seal of approval, saying, "Inoue's voice is very bright and energetic, and the moment we heard her audition, we felt she was perfect for Snappy. Smarty Pants, Atlas, and Snappy are a trio of characters who are always together, and I think Inoue's voice adds to the overall impression, making the trio's presence even more vibrant." Director Kajitani Isao, who was in charge of the dubbing direction, seemed surprised by Inoue's expressive abilities, saying, "She has a very good understanding of the various aspects of animation expression, and it was a series of delightful surprises. I think she made a big contribution to the quality of the Japanese version. From the start of recording, she performed confidently and without hesitation, and I thought, Gen Z is amazing..."
◇Matsui Kemuri, who recently had a baby, said, "My whole family was overjoyed."
Atlas, the cheerful and reliable hippo digital map toy played by Matsui, is a blue hippo digital map toy that, like Snappy, had been forgotten in a closet for many years. The cheerful Atlas is equipped with GPS and acts as a guide on adventures. Matsui's own personality, which softens the atmosphere and naturally leads people, overlaps with the role of Atlas, a "reliable presence that guides his companions," and he was chosen because he can convincingly embody the charm of Atlas, who possesses both approachability and accurate navigation skills.
Matsui revealed that he has been cast in the latest "Toy Story" film, saying, "I've been watching it since I was a child, so I was incredibly happy. I recently had a child, so I thought that my child will definitely be able to watch it in the future, and my whole family was delighted. I haven't told my partner, Kuruma Takahira, anything yet."
Regarding Atlas, the character he voiced, he described his appeal, saying, "As a map toy, he plays a role in connecting Woody and the human world. I think he's an absolutely indispensable character in this film." He continued, "Sano (Hayato) and Inoue (Kazu) (who form the Tech Trio) were so good, so I did my best not to embarrass them. It's completely different from stand-up comedy or radio. You have to get into Atlas's mindset at that moment. With stand-up comedy or radio, you can just speak based on how you feel at the time. I realized there's a clear difference between speaking from your own feelings and speaking from someone else's feelings." He reflected on his first voice acting experience.
When asked about the appeal of the series that has been loved for many years, she said, "I think the appeal is that we, as viewers, can grow up together with Woody and the others." Her favorite character is Slinky Dog, and she said, "Sometimes I think Slinky is the one who does the most work. He can cover a lot of distance, so I think he does a lot of work (laughs)," sharing her favorite points from the perspective of a long-time fan.
The US headquarters praised Matsui's ability to adapt to voice acting, saying, "Kemuri's voice is relaxed, gentle, and has a comforting warmth. When we first heard her voice at the audition, we asked her to use a slightly deeper and softer voice, and she responded wonderfully to that request, creating a charming character as a member of the trio." Reflecting on the recording, they added, "Her open-minded and free-spirited image was a perfect fit for the Atlas characters, and she approached the voice acting work, which is different from what she's used to, with great humility and dedication. I think we've created an Atlas that is uniquely Kemuri, with a great team balance for the trio."
Along with the unveiling of the new characters, footage from the main film and a special video announcing the voice actors were also released. The footage from the main film shows Snappy and Atlas, whose batteries had run out, being revived with the help of Smarty Pants and Jessie. As soon as they wake up, they start talking about their memories with their owner, a girl named Blaze, and the scene captures the strong bond between Smarty Pants, Snappy, Atlas, and Blaze.
In the special voice actor announcement video, Inoue and Matsui emerge from a wardrobe, just like in the movie, and as they search for something using a map, Snappy and Atlas suddenly appear before them. It's a rare voice actor announcement video where they appear alongside the characters they voice. In the following video, Smarty Pants, Snappy, and Atlas appear as the "Tech Trio." The video introduces each of their characteristics and showcases their close friendship and the comical atmosphere of the trio, making viewers laugh. Keep an eye out for the new toys introduced in the latest film, Snappy and Atlas, and the "Tech Trio" of Smarty Pants.
◇Can the toys win back the heart of the young girl, Bonnie?
"Toy Story" was Disney & Pixar's first feature film, with the first installment produced in 1995 and released in Japan in 1996. The story of a boy named Andy whose toys come to life and go on adventures when humans aren't looking, and the full CGI that brought toys like Woody and Buzz Lightyear to life, became a worldwide hit. The second installment was released in 1999 (2000 in Japan), the third in 2010, and the fourth in 2019.
In the latest installment, "Toy Story 5," Jessie, a cowgirl doll who has taken over as "sheriff" from Woody and is now the leader of the toys in Bonnie's room, has been watching over the growth of the imaginative and shy girl, Bonnie. Jessie was struggling to make friends because the other kids were moving on from toys and becoming engrossed in tablets, leaving her with no one to talk to. Concerned about Bonnie, her parents give her a state-of-the-art tablet, the "LilyPad," and everything changes. Worried that Bonnie's radiant smile, which used to shine when she played, was fading as she became absorbed in the screen, Jessie turns to Woody for help. Teaming up again with Woody and Buzz, Jessie rises to the challenge of winning back Bonnie's spirit...
In the Japanese version, actor Toshiaki Karasawa voices Woody throughout the series, while entertainer George Tokoro voices Buzz Lightyear. Yumi Kusaka voices Jessie, Alice Alice Hirose voices the new character LilyPad (the latest tablet), Hayato Sano of "M!LK" voices Smarty Pants, and Ryo Ryusei voices Forky. Toy Story 5 will be released nationwide on July 3rd.
