Pretty Cure Superstars the Movie! Commemorating the release of "Pretty Cure Superstars! Interview with Kensho Ono, who plays the key person Clover!

Currently, "Pretty Cure Superstars the Movie! is currently on a nationwide roadshow.

This is a crossover film that brings together the three Precures of "Magical Creature", "Kira Kira Kira Precure Aramode", which has just come to its conclusion, and the newest "HUGt! Pretty Cure" and the latest "HUGt!

To commemorate the release of the movie, "Pretty Cure Superstars the Movie! we interviewed Kensho Ono, who plays the role of Clover, an original character who becomes a key person in the film!

What was he thinking when he played the role in this movie?

--What was he really thinking when he appeared in this movie? What was your impression of the "Pretty Cure" series?

Kensho Ono (Ono): I vaguely remember watching the series with my younger sister when I was little, as it was a continuation of the Sentai series that aired before it (as Nichiasa). Since it is still in my memory, I think I must have enjoyed watching it.

However, I also had the impression that "Pretty Cure" was a work for girls, so I thought it was something I had no connection to. So I was very happy when I was offered the role.

--Please tell us again about the role of Clover, the character you play.

Ono: He is a boy fairy in a mysterious world. Originally, he was in a beautiful world where clovers grew all over the place. But one day, it turned into a gray world with no color, and he gave up many things because he couldn't get out of there. In that world, Clover met Hana Nono, who later became Cure Ale.

--You said that you had the impression that the anime was a "girl's work," but was there anything you were conscious of when you were playing the role of a girl in an anime for girls?

Ono: It is also a family anime, so I was conscious of keeping my performance very simple. I didn't think about anything difficult, such as speaking with an underlying motive, but rather, I wanted to keep it straightforward: "I'm sad because I didn't keep my promise.

Children are very honest and their feelings are everything, so I felt like I should just go for it. When I read the script, I felt that there was something very important in the simplicity of the story. I think that as adults, we tend to become unconscious about important things like "keeping promises. But when you look at it again through this work, you realize how important it really is. I played the role of Clover with the hope that I could convey what I wanted to convey most in this work.

--Did it take you long to grasp the role of Clover?

Ono: Before playing the role, I was most worried about what kind of voice I should use.　Ono: I had the most trouble figuring out what voice to use before playing the role. The director was very thorough in explaining the role and the atmosphere of the character, so I was able to get on with it without too many retakes. That made me nervous (laughs).

(Laughs) Since Clover is 10 years old, I had a vague idea that she would have a high voice. Also, the key word in the work is "promise," and the character's atmosphere is that of a fragile and mysterious boy. Therefore, I kept the "male" element to a minimum and used a whispy voice with a lot of exhalations. I had a lot of fun playing him.

--Looking at the trailer that was released before the cast was announced, some people said, "I didn't expect Clover to be played by Mr. Ono.

Ono: I guess it depends on each person, but I am happy when people say, "I didn't know who (the voice actor) was. I have an image of the characters I have played in the past, and I want to betray their imagination. It is similar to the feeling I get when I play a character I don't like, and I want people to think, "I don't like this character.

For me, the role of Clover was a challenge, so I am glad that I was able to expand and explore various possibilities.

--Did you feel anything in the film?

Ono: Clover has never been outside the world, but when she meets Hana, the story begins with her promise to show her the outside world. What I thought was that the weight of a promise differs from person to person. For Clover, who lives in a world where nothing exists, the promise was the only thing she could look forward to, but it turned into resentment. Of course, I don't think Hana took that promise lightly either. ......

I thought that this movie expressed in a very simple way that different people receive "promises" in different ways. Children would honestly accept it and think, "I shouldn't break my promise," while adults would be reminded of the importance of "keeping a promise. In this way, I think there are things that will stick with people of all ages no matter what generation they are in.

--By the way, do you have any shocking memories from your childhood?

Ono: My parents were transferred from one school to another, so I had to change schools a lot when I was a child. So it was a shock for me as a child to be separated from my close friends. It wasn't that they broke a promise, but I would say, "Let's get in touch again," and then they would stop contacting me (laugh).

Also, as adults, we would say, "Let's go out to dinner sometime," as a socially acceptable thing to say, but sometimes we didn't go. ...... I learned from "Pretty Cure" that this is not a good thing to do (laughs).

--Lastly, what are the highlights of "Pretty Cure Superstars the Movie! Please tell us about the highlights of the "Pretty Cure Superstars!

Ono: There is a moment when the timid Clover, who wants to go out into the beautiful world but doesn't have the courage to take the first step, has the courage to take the first step and makes up her mind. I hope you can sense that part of my performance.

Also, "Pretty Cure Superstars! is a family movie, and I really felt a good feeling after watching it. I hope you will enjoy cheering for Pretty Cure together during the "Let's all cheer for Pretty Cure" scene (a familiar scene in the movie version of "Pretty Cure").

(Interview and text by Michi Sugahara)