Interview with Rikako Aida, who plays Jackie in "Kuma no Gakko the Movie: Pastry Chef Jackie and the Sunshine Sweets

The popular picture book series "The Bear's School" and "Fuusen Inu Tinny," both of which are loved around the world, will be screened simultaneously in movie theaters nationwide from August 25, 2017 (Friday) as "The Bear's School & Fuusen Inu Tinny the Movie.

The "bears' school" (original story by Hiroyuki AHARA and Adachi Nami) is a picture book series that has sold more than 2.2 million copies in total. In the "Kuma no Gakko: Patissier Jackie and the Sunshine Sweets" movie, the youngest of the 12 bears' siblings, "Jackie," is played by "Love Live! Sunshine! (Riko Sakurauchi). (Riko Sakurauchi). In addition, Nao Higashiyama has been cast as Mindy, a girl Jackie meets, and the rest of the cast is also impressive, and their performances, along with the story, are also noteworthy.

The movie "Fuusen Inu Tinny: Somehow Mysterious Land of the Ghosts" will be screened at the same time. (original story by Genki Kawamura and Kenjiro Sano) is a feature film based on a picture book series that is popular among a wide range of audiences, and the TV series recorded high viewer ratings. (Original story by Genki Kawamura and Kenjiro Sano) is a theater production of a picture book series that is popular among a wide range of audiences, and the TV series has enjoyed high viewer ratings. The theme songs for both films are sung by Daisuke Yokoyama, the 11th generation singing voice of NHK E-television's "OKAASAN TO TO ITSYO," and the chorus is sung by Sarai Honda, a guest voice actress in this film.

We interviewed Ms. Aida, who plays the leading role in a children's animated film for the first time in "Kuma no Gakko: Patissier Jackie and Sweets for the Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. We asked her how she felt about playing the role of Jackie, about the highlights of the movie, and about the sweets that are a major element of the film.

Jackie's growth and development is noteworthy!

--How did you feel when you were chosen to play the role of Jackie?

Aida: I was very happy!　At the same time, there was a lot of pressure: "What should I do? At the same time, there was a lot of pressure. I was filled with a feeling of not wanting to ruin the dreams of the original fans.

--The "bears' school" was created when Aida was in elementary school. Were you familiar with the work and the characters before?

Aida: Of course I knew about it. （I had never read the picture book (when I was a child), but I had seen the characters on goods and bread packages. I knew the characters so well that I was stunned and couldn't believe that I was being asked to play them.

--I was stunned because I couldn't believe that I was being asked to play the role.

Aida: Yes, I did. Children are very honest. I was worried about whether these children would accept the film.

--When you were a child, did you go to the theater to see animated films?

Aida: I watched a lot of animated films, and I remember going to see "Anpanman" and "Jungle Emperor" when I was in elementary school. I liked character-based works.

--Aida: So now your voice is going to be heard in the theater, is that right?

Aida: Actually, I still don't have a clear sense of what it's like. ...... When you see the film, you will understand that it is real (laughs).

(laughs) -- What are the highlights of this film?

Aida: I would like people to see Jackie's growth and development. At first, she is really naive, eating her brothers' sweets without permission, but as the story progresses, she changes. She wants to protect Mindy's grandmother's sweets land with her and make sweets that bring smiles to everyone's faces. ...... I think you will get a different impression of Jackie after she develops these feelings than you did at first, so please pay attention to her.

--I hope you will pay attention to her.

Aida: Yes, they changed. I felt that I became a bit more mature in terms of caring for Mindy and wanting to do my best together with her.