The theatrical trilogy will be released in January 2019! Interview with Ayane Sakura as Mika Shimotsuki in PSYCHO-PASS: Sinners of the System

PSYCHO-PASS Psycho-Pass" is an original science fiction animation depicting a police force that is questioned for its justice in a near-future society where the psychological state of humans is quantified and managed.
The first season of the anime, which depicts the story of a near-future police force, was broadcast as a TV anime from October 2012 to March 2013 on Fuji Television's "Noitamina" slot. It gained popularity for its deep human drama and unpredictable development, and the second season, which started in October 2014, was set a year and a half after the final episode of the first season, and the movie version, which was released in January 2015, depicted a completely new story and became the talk of the town, respectively.

The start of the "PSYCHO-PASS: Psycho-Pass" Next Project was announced at Fuji Television's "Noitamina" presentation on March 9, 2018, with a theatrical version focusing on the five main characters, Shimotsuki x Ginoza, Sugou x Seiriku, and Cunningham. Three animated films focusing on the five main characters, Shimotsuki x Ginoza, Sugo x Seiriku, and Cunningham, will be released consecutively in 2019.

On October 27 (Sat), the world premiere screening event of "PSYCHO-PASS Psycho-Pass Sinners of the System Case.1 Crime and Punishment & Case.2 First Guardian" was held at TOHO Cinemas Roppongi Hills The event was held at TOHO CINEMAS Roppongi Hills in Tokyo.

We spoke with Ayane Sakura, who plays Mika Shimotsuki, the main character who leads the story along with Nobumoto Ginoza (CV: Kenji Nojima) in "PSYCHO-PASS Psycho-Pass Sinners of the System Case.1 Crime and Punishment," about the film, which will be released on January 25, 2019 (Friday). The article ends with an autographed color card presentation.

Witnessing the high expectations from overseas as the film appeared on the red carpet

─ ─ You appeared as a secret guest on the red carpet on October 25, which was held prior to the "World Premiere Screening Event. How was your first red carpet appearance?

Ayane Sakura (Sakura) It was a great day for a film festival, a great day for a festival. I was surprised to see the scene I had seen on a wide-screen TV show spread out in front of me and thought, "There are so many cameras in the world! I was surprised at how many cameras there are in the world! (Laughs) Since I was with my seniors who had worked with me on the set, I was able to stand up without any nervousness.

─ Did you have a different impression of the Tokyo International Film Festival?

Sakura: I already had a worldwide impression of "PSYCHO-PASS Psycho-Pass" from the first movie, but this time, since it was an international film festival, there were many foreign media, and I saw firsthand how much expectations are placed on Japanese content overseas. I was able to see firsthand how much expectations are placed on Japanese content overseas. I was happy to be able to stand on the red carpet as a representative of a film that was second to none at the Tokyo International Film Festival.

─ ─ The production of "PSYCHO-PASS: Sinners of the System Case.1 Crime and Punishment" was announced at Fuji Television's "Noitamina" presentation held in March. How did you feel when you heard the production announcement and that you would be appearing in the film?

Sakura: The recording itself took place long before the Noitamina announcement, in the fall and winter of 2017, so I had already finished the recording at the time of the Noitamina announcement. However, I only found out I was going to be in the show the moment I received the script (laughs).

─ You were not told beforehand?

Sakura: I found the script among the other materials given to me by the office. I was surprised and asked my manager about it, and he said, "They are going to do a sequel" (laughs). I opened the script and found that he was talking a lot, and on the cover of the script there was a picture of Shimotsuki.

─ So you didn't know you were going to be in the movie until you saw the script.

Sakura However, I had gone out to dinner with Director Shiotani, Kana Hanazawa, and the staff a long time ago, and at that time I heard Director Shiotani say something like, "It's not over yet," so I was not completely unaware that there was a sequel to "PSYCHO-PASS Psycho-Pass" and was looking forward to it. So I was looking forward to it.

PSYCHO-PASS: The Cinderella Story of Mika Shimotsuki

─ ─ I had expected that there would be a sequel, but the timing surprised even you, Mr. Sakura. The previous movie version was released in January 2015, so about four years have passed since the release date of this film.

Sakura: It has already been that long!　I was still in my teens when the first TV season aired, and Shimotsuki was a high school girl. Since she was a guest character, I naturally thought that her role would end after the first season. I had a strong image that all the main characters in "PSYCHO-PASS Psycho-Pass" had unreadable names, so I thought, "Shimotsuki has a normal name, so she won't be able to appear.

─ ─ Starting with the main character Kogami, the main characters have many difficult names, such as Tsunemori, Ginoza, Masaoka, Kagari, Kunizuka, Karanomori, and Director Kasei, as well as Kamui, who appears in the second season.

Sakura That's right. So I had no idea that I would be in the show after that, but at the end of the first season, the staff told me that I would still be in the show. I asked them what was going on, but they didn't tell me, but in the second season, I was assigned to the Public Security Bureau, Criminal Investigation Department, Section 1, as a surveillance officer.

─ ─ Everyone was surprised at that turn of events.

Sakura: For Mika Shimotsuki, it was a Cinderella story. At first, she was just a high school student, a victim caught up in a case, but she used that as a springboard to join the First Section and face Zhu, the absolute hero of the story.

─ ─ Were there any difficulties or memorable episodes in playing Shimotsuki?

Sakura: When the second season started, Director Shiotani told me, "Just make sure that everyone who is watching hates you.

─ ─ Was that not difficult?

Sakura: When he told me that, I felt a weight was lifted off my shoulders. I think it is easier to be disliked than to be liked, and it is very easy to understand what people don't like because they think it is easier to try to be disliked, but I think it is difficult to be liked because what you want people to do and what they will like if you do it depends on the person. It was easier for me to play her if she said, "I don't mind if you don't like me, I'd rather you didn't like me," while keeping "not evil" at the root of her character.

───After the main TV anime, the first theatrical version, and now this latest film, is there anything you feel Shimotsuki has grown in any way?

Sakura: To be honest, I don't think the essence of Shimotsuki has changed since his first appearance. However, I think the face she shows to people around her has increased. Even if she herself has not changed, I think it is possible that people around her will see her new discovery of "this side of me" as a "change. When she is happy, she will honestly pose with gusto, and we may be able to see that she also has such an honest side in this episode.

─ Is there any episode that was memorable for you in your role?

Sakura: The scene with Director Jasoo in the second season. That scene is the one where her heart is broken and she realizes the horror of adults and justice. Unlike the strong, rebellious, and ambitious girl who was disliked up to that point, she was very human, and I was impressed by the scene that depicted her losing in a way that was appropriate for her age. In "Case 1," there is a scene in which she tries to persuade people, and that part left a strong impression on me.

─ ─ In this work, Shimotsuki plays a major role as a main character, doesn't he?

Sakura: I think "Case.1" is "Mika Shimotsuki's big adventure. She really goes to various places and puts her body on the line. I am sure that is what she wanted to do and this story will also be a source of growth for her.

Mika Shimotsuki, who played the role while maintaining a balance with herself

─ Until now, I had the image of her going at Akemi Tsunemori (CV: Kana Hanazawa), but this time, I felt that she recognized Akemi as a senior. Did you feel any change in the atmosphere between you and Hanazawa-san?

Sakura: When the second season started, Director Shiotani told me to "make the audience hate me" and at the same time, he also told me to "make them hate Mr. Hanazawa. I really loved and respected her, so that director's advice was very hard for me, but as I played the role, I was able to look down on Ms. Hanazawa, who was playing the role of Akemi. Until then, I had been looking at Mr. Hanazawa as an object of my admiration, so - even now, when I see him at other scenes, I sometimes follow him with my eyes - but only for "PSYCHO-PASS Psycho-Pass," I was trying to be as irritated as possible by the presence of Mr. Hanazawa standing next to me. I tried to be as irritable as possible in my performance. However, Hanazawa-san was still very cute when she returned to her seat after her turn, so I tried to keep a good balance in my performance (laughs).

──How was the atmosphere on the set after recording for the first time in a long time?

Sakura: It was a sobering experience for me because there were people playing new characters in the trilogy of the movie. In "Case 1," Shimotsuki was a very talkative character, but the cast members playing the characters who had to pull him along were all very senior, and I was wondering what to do while recording. I felt that I had to pull them along, and that made me stand up straighter.

─ ─ In "Case.1," there were many scenes where you and Ginoza were working together, but I don't think there has ever been a time when Shimotsuki has been with someone so much.

Sakura: For myself, I think "I (Shimotsuki) am trying to pull everyone along, and the people around me pulled me along well," but I am sure that Shimotsuki did not feel that, and felt that I was pulling him along. It's more like Shimotsuki is giving me support and hints behind the scenes but doesn't realize it, and I am the one who does. In order to bridge the gap, I had to remember that I was "being pulled along by the seniors," and I think I did my best while being nervous.

───Has that been the case since the TV series?

Sakura: I am more nervous now than I was in the TV series. Now that she can see a little more of what is going on around her, I feel that there is a little more tension in the current Shimotsuki, who bears the burden of having to pull others along with her.

─ ─ Who is the character you are interested in in this work?

Sakura: The character Tsujikai Qiang Ka is played by Kanae Oka, and she plays it in a very sexy way, which was interesting to watch. Of course, Izumi Yozaka (CV: Saori Yuba) is also a character that is typical of "PSYCHO-PASS Psycho-Pass" and I want people to see both characters. I think the "PSYCHO-PASS section" is about the depiction of the dirty and hateful parts of human beings, and I think that is really well portrayed. Of course, the way Matsurai Logion (CV: Koyama Rikiya) interacts with Ginoza-san is so stylish and charming that it makes you think, "What is that exchange? (CV: Rikiya Koyama) with Ginoza-san was so stylish and sexy that it made me think, "What's with that exchange? The action scenes are also of very high quality and cool, and you can feel the enthusiasm of the animation team, and each character has their own unique movements, making this work a real highlight.

─ ─ Once again, what do you consider to be the highlights of this work?

Sakura: The hated Shimotsuki had always wanted to do something, and now it's falling on her, and I was thinking, "After all that big talk, if things don't go well here, we're in trouble,
Basically, the usual Shimotsuki stands up to her. And all the excellent people who support her are smart and cool, and I feel that frost moon is gradually being incorporated into the bonds of that one section. While she remains the same, I hope you will be able to see her career progression in the theater as she grows little by little.

Ayane Sakura (playing Mika Shimotsuki) autographed color paper present!

To commemorate the release of the interview, we are giving away two autographed color paper cards signed by Ayane Sakura to two lucky winners. Please read the detailed application guidelines before applying.

<Prize
A colorful paper autographed by Ayane Sakura

<Entry requirements
Entry period: January 25, 2019 (Fri.) - February 4, 2019 (Mon.) 23:59
Number of winners: 2
Announcement of winners: Prizes will be shipped to winners.
Prizes will be shipped by the end of April 2019.
How to apply: Please fill out the application form below.

<Caution> Please register as a member (free of charge) to enter the contest.
Registration (free of charge) is required to apply.
Only one entry per person is allowed.
We will not be able to respond to any inquiries regarding the results of the drawing or shipping status.
Transfer or resale of the winning prize or rights to a third party is strictly prohibited.
Kakaku.com Group employees and related parties are not eligible to participate.
Prizes must be shipped within Japan.
We will take the utmost care in packaging the prizes, but please note that we cannot accept returns or exchanges in the event that the prizes are damaged due to an accident during transportation.
Please note that the prize will be invalidated in the following cases
　Multiple winners at the same address or in the same household
　If you have entered the contest using an unauthorized account (e.g., multiple accounts by the same person)
　If a prize cannot be delivered due to the winner's address, change of address, long-term absence, etc.
　Prizes cannot be delivered due to incomplete contact or delivery address information.
　Prize winners are not notified by the deadline for prize delivery address notification.
　If there is any fraudulent act in the application process.

Information on the works】 ※Honorific titles are omitted.

■PSYCHO-PASS Psycho-Pass Sinners of the System Case.1 Crime and Punishment
To be released on January 25, 2019 (Friday)

＜Case.1 Crime and Punishment STORY
This time, it's my case, right, Senpai?

In the winter of 2117, a runaway vehicle plunged into the Public Security Bureau building.
The driver of the car was Izumi Yosaka, a psychological counselor at Sanctuary, an isolation facility for potential criminals in Aomori.
However, just before the interrogation, it is decided that Yosaka will be immediately deported.
The warden, Mika Shimotsuki, heads to Aomori with the executioner, Nobumoto Ginoza, and others to repatriate Yosaka.
What awaited them there was a "false paradise.

<CAST
Nobumoto Ginoza: Kenji Nojima Mika Shimotsuki: Ayane Sakura
Izumi Yozaka: Saori Yumiba Takeya Kugari: Shoei Hirai Qiangka Tsujikai: Kanae Oka Rosion Matsurai: Rikiya Koyama Aiko Genzawa: Kimiko Saito Koji Noto: Yohei Tadano Akira Karuma: Keiichi Nakagawa
Akemi Tsunemori: Kana Hanazawa Teppei Sugo: Hiroki Higashiji Sho Hinagawa: Takahiro Sakurai Yayoi Rokugozuka: Shizuka Ito
Karanomori Shion: Sawashiro Miyuki

＜STAFF>
SS story draft/director: Naoyoshi Shiotani
Screenplay : Ryo Yoshigami
Chief Animation Director：Satoru Nakamura
Animation Supervisor：Ryota Niino, Ryota Furukawa, Shunji Suzuki, Fumi Morita, Satoru Nakamura, Tetsuro Moronuki
Director：Tomoyuki Kurokawa, Yasuhiro Shimoji
Director of Photography：Eiji Arai
3D: Sublimation
Color Design: Eimiko Ueno
Art Director: Shuichi Kusamori
Sound Director: Miwa Iwanami
Music: Yugo Kanno
Character Design: Naoyuki Onda, Kyoji Asano, Tsune Abe
Series Original Design: Gen Urobuchi
Character Planning: Akira Amano
Animation Production: Production I.G
Distributor: Toho Video Division

PSYCHO-PASS Psycho-Pass Sinners of the System Case.2 First Guardian

First Guardian will be released in theaters on February 15, 2019 (Friday).

＜Teppei Sugo / Hiroki Toji / Tomoki Seiriku / Kinryu Arimoto
＜ STAFF＞SS Story Concept/Director: Naoyoshi Shiotani Screenplay: Makoto Fukami Chief Animation Director: Tsune Abe Series Concept: Gen UrobuchiCharacter Design: Akira Amano Production of Animation: Production I.G

PSYCHO-PASS Psycho-Pass Sinners of the System Case.3 Beyond Vengeance ____.

In theaters March 8, 2019 (Friday)

＜Shinya Cunningham / Tomokazu Seki
＜ STAFF＞SS Story Original Idea and Director: Naoyoshi Shiotani Screenplay: Makoto Fukami Chief Animation Director: Naoyuki Onda, Tsune Abe, Satoru NakamuraSeries Original Idea: Gen Urobuchi Character Planning: Akira Amano Animation Production: Production I.G

(C) Psycho-Pass Production Committee