Just before the release of the movie "Ni No Kuni! Akihiro Hino, executive producer/planner/scriptwriter, talks about Level-5's challenge and the future development of the series!

Prior to the release of the "Ni No Kuni" movie, comments were received from Akihiro Hino, President/CEO of Level-5, Inc.

The movie "Ni no Kuni" is a remarkable animation film by a group of Japan's leading creators, including Akihiro Hino ("Layton" series), who serves as executive producer/planner/scriptwriter, Yoshiyuki Momose ("Omohide Poroporo" original picture), and Joe Hisaishi ("Spirited Away"), who provides music. The film will be shown on a nationwide roadshow from August 23 (Fri.), 2019.

Kento Yamazaki voices the main character "Yu," a top-class high school student who lives in a wheelchair. The main cast includes popular talents such as Mamoru Miyano, Kenjiro Tsuda, Maaya Sakamoto, Yuki Kaji, and Koichi Yamadera, all of whom are well known for their popularity and ability. In addition, the cast is composed of voice actors who are well known for their popularity and ability.

While the participation of talented actors such as Muro Tsuyoshi and Ibu Masatoh has also become a topic of conversation, Akihiro Hino, a key person in the project, revealed that this project was Level-5's first foray into the field of game development.

We are used to doing TV animation and film adaptations of our own games, but this 'Ni No Kuni' was different in every way," said Hino. But this 'Ni No Kuni' was different in every way," said Hino.

Usually, when we make an animated or film version of the same game, we focus on the game and make only the scenario for the movie, but this time, everything was made for the movie. The story and characterization were created from scratch." This is Level-5's first original film," he said.

The main difference between "Ni No Kuni: Queen of the White Ashes" and "Ni No Kuni: The Jet-Black Mage" is the age of the main characters and their relationship with each other. The key to the story is the love triangle between these three.

Regarding this change in setting, Mr. Hino said, "I wanted to make a story that could be seen by people of a similar generation. This is the first time for me to create a love triangle among high school students, so I took into account the opinions of young people. In depicting this love triangle, it should not be a junior high school love story, nor should it be a love story that is too mature. We decided that a high school age romance would be the most adolescent and wonderful. He also revealed that the aim was to create an age setting where youth can be felt the most.

These efforts are a challenge for Mr. Hino and Level-5, who have created many hit titles that depict the adventures and growth of boys and girls, to broaden the range of users.

In closing, Mr. Hino commented, "In the future, there is a possibility that the "Ni No Kuni" movie could be reimported into video games. He suggested that "Ni No Kuni" will be developed in the opposite direction from the past.

What kind of changes will this new game bring to the "Ni No Kuni" series and Level-5, and what kind of excitement will it bring to us? The answer is for you to find out for yourselves!

Film Information】※Titles omitted
Animated film "Ni No Kuni"to be released on August 23 (Fri.), 2012 on a nationwide roadshow.
Executive Producer / Original Story / Screenplay: Akihiro Hino
Director: Yoshiyuki Momose
Music: Joe Hisaishi
Theme Song: "MOIL" by Kage Nagi Suda (WARNER MUSIC JAPAN/unBORDE)
Original Story: Level-5
Animation Production: O.L.M
Production: "Ni No Kuni" Film Partners
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures

＜Cast
Kento Yamazaki
Kensuke Nitta
NAGANO Meiku
Mamoru Miyano
SAKAMOTO Maaya
Hiroki Kaji
Kenjiro Tsuda
Koichi Yamadera
Masatoh Ibu
Murotsuyoshi

©2019 "Ni No Kuni" Film Partners