Animated film "Mary and the Witch's Flowers" starring Hana Sugisaki as Mary, the heroine of the film!　Trailer footage is also released.

Cast information and a trailer have been released for the animated film "Mary and the Witch's Flower," which will be released on July 8, 2017.

Mary and the Witch's Flower" is a new feature-length animated film by Hiromasa Yonebayashi, director of "The Borrower Arrietty" and "Marnie: A Memoir" after leaving Studio Ghibli. The film is a fantasy blockbuster depicting the adventures of Mary, who discovers a forbidden flower, "Night Flight," which blooms only once every seven years. It is produced by Studio Ponoc.

It has been announced that the heroine Mary will be played by actress Hana Sugisaki. This is the second time for Ms. Sugisaki to be involved in Yonebayashi's film, following her role as Sayaka in "Marnie: A Memoir". Producer Yoshiaki Nishimura commented on the reason why he chose Ms. Sugisaki for the role, "I thought her straightforward gaze, her smile, and above all, her voice full of curiosity, were perfect for the main character Mary. On the other hand, Ms. Sugisaki, who plays the role of Mary, said, "It is a great surprise for me to play the role of Mary this time. I will do my best to deliver this wonderful work with confidence. I will make Mary bloom! I will make Mary "bloom"!

The latest trailer for the film has also been released, so be sure to check it out as well.

Comments】 （*Titles omitted)
Mary: Hana Sugisaki
It was a great surprise for me to be involved in the first feature-length animated film by Studio Ponoc, which inherited the spirit of Ghibli films that have been an indispensable part of my family and I since childhood. I was also happy to see the word "Hana" in the title, which is my name, and I felt like it was fate.
I am a big fan of Yonebayashi's "The Borrower Arrietty" among the Ghibli films. I love the delicate and beautiful images that Yonebayashi creates at the beginning of the film, and the "warmth" that stays with you long after the film is over, as if you are spellbound.
Mary, the character I am going to play, is a very straight and positive girl. She is not a very dexterous person, but I found her willingness to work hard for the sake of others to be very appealing. I am sure that the audience will be moved by Mary's lovely figure. I will do my best to present this wonderful film to you with confidence. I will make Mary "bloom"!

Producer: Yoshiaki Nishimura
I decided to have Hana Sugisaki do the voice of Mary! That was our decision exactly one year ago. We had just opened a new studio and had not even created one second of animation. It was time to start thinking about a voice, and Hana Sugisaki was the first person that popped into my head.
When we asked her to play the role of Ayaka, the third heroine in "Marnie of Memories," the then 16-year-old Sugisaki told Director Yonebayashi, "The Ghibli film I like best is the one that I love the most.
I think my favorite Ghibli film is Yonebayashi's 'Arrietty.
When I recalled her straight gaze, her smile, and above all, her voice filled with curiosity, I thought, "This is perfect for the main character, Mary! I suggested it to Director Yonebayashi. The director nodded his head and said, "She can do it! Besides, this is a movie about Mary and flowers," and we laughed at each other's fatherly jokes.
The movie "Mary and the Witch's Flower" began with Ms. Hana Sugisaki's voice and will be completed with it. The production is running smoothly and the recording of the film is still in the works, but please look forward to the great adventure of "Hana" and Mary, the new heroine of the Yonebayashi film this summer!

(C) 2017 "Mary and the Witch's Flower" Production Committee