MANTANWEB interviews you and idol Pretty Cure Takamori

This work is based on the theme of "idols", and its core spirit is "It is because of 'you' that we can shine and be strong!" The legendary savior, idol Pretty Cure, will interact with fans through singing and dancing, bringing light to the important people, supporters, and "you" around you. And your existence will make the idol Pretty Cure even more dazzling. The cast includes Matsuoka Misato who plays the idol angel/Sakura Uta, Takahashi Minami who plays the charming angel/Aokaze Nana, and Takamori Natsumi who plays the heart-throb angel/Purple Rain Heart. The series is broadcast every Sunday at 8:30 am on ABC TV and TV Asahi.

Having played Mimi in "Yummy Party♡Pretty Cure" for a whole year, Takamori has a special feeling for the series.

"Before I got the role of Mimi, I had auditioned for Pretty Cure many times. At that time, I thought that all the previous auditions were for Mimi! So I performed with the awareness of a culmination. Mimi gradually grew up from a baby, and she is the only fairy who can transform into a human. She also became the focus in the movie version. Not only did she fight alongside Pretty Cure, but she also realized the dual dreams of "wanting to be a Pretty Cure" and "wanting to be a fairy". At that time, I felt that this was the peak, and I even wondered if there could be a more breakthrough performance?"

She officially became a member of Pretty Cure through the audition. She said frankly, "It's unbelievable! Although the recording has been going on for a while, I still feel this excitement in my heart."

◇ Looks cute but actually has a lot of passion

Zi Yuxin, a first-year middle school student, is good at dancing and has a burning desire in her heart. Her catchphrase is "My heart is beating so fast!" Although she is a cute character, she hides a deeper charm.

"During the first audition, there was only a text setting, which stated that it was a 'reliable' role. But when I saw the name 'Heartbeat Angel', I thought it was just a simple cute style. It was not until I saw the character design at the live audition and listened to the in-depth explanation of the general director Chiaki Kon that I suddenly realized that it turned out that she looked cute but had a samurai spirit! The phrase 'my heart is throbbing' actually contains a lot of layers. As for the voice, although it may remind people of a lively girl's voice, it is actually closer to the passionate voice I use when playing a boy's role."

Episode 6: My heart is beating fast! ? 〉First showing the "samurai" characteristics, what exactly is the samurai spirit?

"I think everyone is curious (laughs). I interpret this as the spirit of an athlete who is abstinent and self-disciplined. Episode 6 is the chapter that shows this persistence. Although she is a junior in the team, she is as reliable as the eldest daughter of a large family in private - although it was later discovered that she is actually an only child (laughs). After understanding her family background, I also understand her sense of responsibility of "not letting her mother worry". Although she is a samurai soul in her bones, she still has the heart of a star-chasing girl in line with her age, and she will be very happy when she is pampered by the two seniors (idol angel and charming angel). At this stage, she is still chasing the backs of her seniors, and she admits that she still has some shortcomings, but the feeling of respect for "I can actually be on the same stage with the idols!?" is the key to the interpretation."

The heart that failed to transform in episode 6 finally makes its debut in episode 7, "Heart Beats♪ Heart Beating Angel!" 〉Completed the first transformation. Most of the Guangmei voice actors have revealed that they were "extremely nervous when they first transformed", but Takamori had a different experience.

"It's a luxury to spend two episodes on a transformation! I was really nervous when recording episode 6, because it was the first episode where Kokoro had a lot of lines, and I even scared myself by raising my voice unconsciously. But in episode 7, I was much calmer when I first transformed. For this reason, I practiced the transformation slogan over and over again, because Guangmei and the others were so smooth and natural when they transformed. I asked myself to "speak like I've transformed thousands of times before," and I kept reciting the slogan in my spare time. In the end, I was very satisfied with the result."

◇ Recording session led by Misato Matsuoka

The chemistry between her and the three beautiful voice actors, Misato Matsuoka and Minami Takahashi, is also worth noting.

"Misato-chan's (Matsuoka) acting has the brilliance to lead the whole audience. When I first worked with her, I heard the lines of the idol angel she played, and I was shocked by the holy light. The idol angel leads the way, the charming angel provides support, and the three of them form a wonderful balance."

Although Matsuoka has relatively little experience, he has demonstrated leadership beyond his age.

"Before entering the studio, I thought we were supporting the idol angels. It was the exact opposite! Misato-chan was confident in her performance, had no fear, and always enjoyed the performance with full energy. Her positive energy was like the idol angel herself, raising the atmosphere of the whole place, and making people truly feel that 'this child was born to be a Pretty Cure'."

Since the first work "Pretty Cure" was released in 2004, the series has been around for 20 years. When asked about the secret to longevity, Gao Sen had this to say:

"Due to the pandemic, we were unable to record together during the "Delicious Party" period, but this time, we finally experienced the cohesion of everyone performing together! My generation always made a wish on Tanabata as a child, "I want to be a Sailor Moon", but now the children's dreams have become Pretty Cure. I heard from a dance teacher friend that "some students aspire to become Angels of Heart", and I truly realized that I was participating in a legendary work that people longed for. In the past, I was a beloved character like Mimi, but now I have become an admired existence."

The children's smiles and cheers become Takamori's source of strength.

"When I participated in the Thanksgiving Festival, the 20th anniversary concert, and the debut concert of Idol Pretty Cure, I couldn't help but burst into tears when I saw the children dancing passionately. They were not just watching the performance, but truly believed that 'Pretty Cure is right in front of them.' This pure belief is very touching."

When Gao Sen interpreted the role of the Heart Angel, he had a profound understanding: "The heart is the embodiment of hard work and backbone, and it will also encounter setbacks. Because of this, I have to work harder than her to keep up with her!" It seems that this throbbing warrior who breaks through difficulties with sweat and perseverance will firmly grasp the audience's attention.