Theatrical anime "Witch Apprentice wo Sagase" to be released on 5/15; Akira Ishida, Kenta Hamano, and Shohei Miura added to the cast! The visual is also released.

Additional cast members have been announced for the theatrical anime "Witch Apprentice wo Sagashite," which will be released on May 15, 2020. The visual has also been released.

This work commemorates the 20th anniversary of the popular TV animation "Ojamajo Doremi" produced by Toei Animation and broadcast from 1999 to 2002. The production team that worked on the series has reunited to create the latest original theatrical animation. Directed by Junichi Sato and Yu Kamatani, who worked on "Ojamajo Doremi" as series directors. The script will be written by Midori Kuriyama, who also wrote the script for "Ojamajo Doremi. Animation production will of course be handled by Toei Animation.

In this new "magic" story, the three heroines "Sora," "Mire," and "Reika," who are different in age, place of residence, worries, and everything else, travel to places associated with "Doremi" and search for something important in their lives that they lost sight of when they grew up.

⇒Ojamajo Doremi 20th anniversary film "Witch Apprentice wo Sagashite" will be released in theaters on May 15, 2020!

The visual of the film has also been released (see image above). Against the backdrop of a warm town in the spring sunshine, the three new heroines embark on a journey in this refreshing visual. In addition, an apprentice witch can be seen in the back of the town.

In addition, it has been decided that advance tickets with a limited number of gifts will be available from March 20, 2020. Details will be announced at a later date.

Additional cast announced!

Shohei Miura, who has appeared in such high-profile films as the drama "Kyobo" and the movie "Ryusei Hirunaka", will play the role of Ryuichi Omiya, a college student who loves Ojamajo Doremi, who travels with the three heroines. The role of Hayato Yabe, Mire's junior, is played by voice actor Akira Ishida. Reika's no good boyfriend Seiya Kubo will be played by Kenta Hamano, who is the vocalist and leader of the 7-piece funk band "Zainichi Funk" and is also active as an actor, appearing in the historical drama "Saigodon" and "Idaten: Tokyo Olimpic Banashi".

From left to right: Kenta Hamano, Shohei Miura, Akira Ishida

The following are cast comments (all in Japanese).

Comment from Shohei Miura, who plays Ryuichi Omiya
I liked watching "Ojamajo Doremi" as a child, but when I watched it again as an adult, I fell in love with it all over again because it is not just an anime for girls, but a story that captures the real daily life of children, such as friendship, growth, and family environment.
So when I heard that the latest "Ojamajo Doremi" was to be released, I took the liberty of promoting it on my SNS and radio. I was so surprised and delighted to receive an offer to be a voice actor, which I had been longing for, that I said, "I'll do it! I was so surprised and delighted that I said "I'll do it! I have always been a fan of Onpu-chan, so it feels like a dream come true to be able to play the role of Ryuichi Omiya, who likes Onpu-chan as much as I do. Omiya is a very pure boy who is insensitive and has a bit of a clumsy side. I was thinking a lot about playing Omiya, but the director told me to "play the role as I want it to be played," and I was able to play the role naturally.
This film will remind those who watched "Ojamajo Doremi" as well as those who are watching it for the first time of their childhood feelings that they had forgotten." This is a story of friendship that is born from the connection of "what you love". Please come to the theater and experience the "magic" of the witches.

Comment from Akira Ishida, who plays Hayato Yabe
I played the role of Hayato Yabe, a junior student of the main character Mire, who is a cute puppy dog who wags his tail to chase after his girlfriend and try to protect her. I played him to convey that he is trying his best to live in the real world in his role of supporting the women.
I hope you will come to the theater with your friends who used to look forward to the show every week when it was on the air, and who used to get together in the afternoon or the next day to talk about how this week's Ojamajo was going to be.

Comment from Kenta Hamano as Seiya Kubo
I have always wanted to try my hand at voice acting again someday, so I am very happy to receive this offer. And I play the boyfriend of Mr. Momota's character, Reika! I was a bad guy when I opened the lid on it lol. My character, Seiya, is a bad guy who depends on Reika. But he is not a bad guy from the beginning. He is a charming guy who is usually in harmony with Reika, so it is hard to push him away. Reading the script made me realize once again that there is hope lying in many places.
I believe that we can get warmth and strength from the world of animation. I believe that you will feel warmth and strength from the world of anime.

Outline of the film
Witch Apprentice wo Sagasete (Search for the Witch Apprentice)

Friday, May 15, 2020

＜Staff＞
Original Story: Izumi Todo
Director: Junichi Sato, Yu Kamaya
Screenplay: Midori Kuriyama
Character Design and Chief Animation Director: Yoshihiko Magoshi
Producer: Hiromi Seki
Animation Production: Toei Animation
Distribution: Toei

＜Cast＞
Aoi Morikawa, Reina Matsui, Nanako Momota, Chiemi Chiba, Tomoko Akiya, Yuki Matsuoka, Tomei Shishido, Nagami Miyahara, Sawa Ishige, Akira Ishida, Kenta Hamano, Shohei Miura

＜Story＞
"Hey, what do you want to be when you grow up?"
Nagase Sora is a university student who wants to become a teacher, but lacks confidence and is at a loss for a career path. Mire Yoshizuki, a returnee from abroad, is struggling to fit in at her job, even though she got the job she wanted. Reika Kawatani is a freelancer who is trying to save money for her dream of going to college, but is being pushed around by her no-good boyfriend.
The three are different in age, personality, place of residence, and everything else. They are all in a state of confusion about their lives, with no clear vision of the future they want!
What brings them together is "Ojamajo Doremi"!
A fateful encounter at a Western-style house where apprentice witches used to gather led the three to travel to Hida Takayama, Kyoto, and Nara to visit places associated with "Ojamajo Doremi"!
Laughing, crying, and supporting each other, the three of them realized once again that they had spent an irreplaceable time together. They realized once again that "Doremi" and her friends were always there for them.
The apprentice witches pushed them forward, and the wonderful world spread out before them.

(C) Toei, Toei Animation