Hello everyone, do you fancy reading a lot of interviews? Like, did you wake up today thinking “I really want to hear the thoughts of several voice talents and creative staff about a magical girl film”?
Well if you clicked on this article, you probably did! Animedia conducted interviews with the staff on the other magical girl film premiering this year, the Star Detective Precure film. This was a special set of interviews taking up eight pages of the magazine.
These interviews feature cast interviews with every single Precure from Star Detective Precure, You and Idol Precure and Wonderful Precure! as well as the main character from the film itself. There’s also staff interviews with Director Hanako Ueda, a rising star who has directed and storyboarded some of my favourite episodes of Precure in recent years. Writer Yoshimi Narita, who has written more Precure than anyone else in existence. Character Designer Emiko Miyamoto who has truly let the dogs out with the designs on the film and finally the Producers of the film Mao Nakagawa and Kanako Tada.
There’s fifteen interviews in this article. I’ve not got pictures from the film and I don’t want to spoil anyone so I’ve taken the liberty to imagine what it looks like with some pictures of my own in areas. Don’t be alarmed if something out of the ordinary appears!
Taking inspiration from our friends at The Sakuga Cartel, I have added a table of contents so that you can quickly jump around the article like a real Precure! Each person interviewed will also have a little bio too (if Animedia gave them one)!
Let’s get reading this incredibly powerful set of interviews!
Translation by “nui”, Editing by me. Star Detective Precure: The Mysterious Garden And A Secret Pair Interviews was originally published in Animedia in September 2026.
Cast Interviews
Hikari Senga and Akari Kitou
Cure Answer / Anna Akechi: Hikari Senga
Karin: Akari Kitou
Profile: Born October 16. From Aichi Prefecture. Affiliated with Raccoon Dog. Main roles include Aki Jougamine in Scum of the Brave, Nezuko Kamado in Demon Slayer, and others.
An Episode That Strikes a Chord With Everyone Who Watches It
Interviewer: Kitou, I hear this is your first time appearing in the Precure series. How much did you know about Precure beforehand?
Akari Kitou: I am a massive fan of Yes! Precure 5, and when I was a kid, I used to wave my Miracle Light around in the movie theater (laughs). Miracle Lights make an appearance in this movie too, so it brought back a lot of nostalgic feelings. I am incredibly happy to be involved in a Precure work through the role of Karin.
Hikari Senga: The moment I saw Karin’s visual, I could actually hear Kitou’s voice coming from it. So when I found out that Kitou was playing Karin, I was surprised, but at the same time I thought, “I have been waiting for this!” Personally, I have always admired Kitou, so I am super happy we get to work together on this film.
Interviewer: It seems Karin is involved in the incident that occurs in the story. Kitou, what were your impressions when you read the script?
Kitou: It hasn’t been released yet so I can’t talk about the details, but it is a pretty deep story, I think? As I was checking the script, I almost found myself crying. Also, through the script, I learned that Karin is a very earnest, delicate girl who is highly sensitive to the feelings of those around her.
Interviewer: Please tell us what you were particularly conscious of when building your role for Karin.
Kitou: At first, I prepared a performance that highlighted her delicate and introverted side. However, during recording, the staff explained to me that Karin is a very hard worker, so even if she is harboring dark feelings, she acts cheerfully when talking to everyone. With that explanation, the resolution of my mental image of Karin instantly sharpened. I shifted my performance in the direction of her getting severely depressed when she makes a mistake precisely because she is always keeping her guard up and trying her best to be cheerful.
Senga: The way she tries so hard to help out when you are looking for things you are no good at, and the way she gets so happy introducing the fairies, is just truly sweet and adorable. I think Karin’s cuteness doubled thanks to Kitou’s performance. Our microphones were right next to each other in the recording studio, which made me happy and really fired me up.
Interviewer: Anna Akechi (Cure Answer) ends up getting deeply involved with Karin. How did you two view their relationship?
Senga: The more Anna tries to get close to Karin, the more stubborn she makes her, so that was really frustrating and painful. The words that Karin shot out pierced my own heart through Anna, to the point where it was actually tough to act out.
Kitou: To Karin, Anna is an incredibly dazzling existence. Because of that, a dark shadow ends up forming there, and the story develops in that direction too.
Interviewer: There is only a little time left until the premiere. Please give a message to those looking forward to the release.
Senga: With Cure Arcana joining our ranks, all four Precures are finally together! It has become a special movie where the teamwork of the four is on full display, so I really want people to enjoy it over and over again.
Kitou: Precure is a work with a lot of fantasy elements, but the worries Karin harbors are very realistic and relatable. It is a film that will resonate with everyone who watches it, and I think a lot of different thoughts will come to mind after you finish watching. I would be happy if it becomes a work that stays in everyone’s hearts. Please definitely enjoy it.
Hikari Senga, Kaede Hondo, Nao Touyama and Ikumi Hasegawa
Cure Answer / Anna Akechi: Hikari Senga
Cure Mystique / Mikuru Kobayashi: Kaede Hondo
Cure Arcana / Luluka Moria: Nao Touyama
Cure Eclair / Kurea Howa: Ikumi Hasegawa
Anna and Kurea, Versatile Performers with Outstanding Communication Abilities
Interviewer: In this movie, there are also scenes where Cure Answer and Cure Eclair, as well as Cure Mystique and Cure Arcana, act in pairs. How did the two of you view the pairing of Cure Answer and Cure Eclair?
Ikumi Hasegawa: Cure Answer and Cure Eclair had a strong connection even before Kurea transformed into Cure Eclair, so even in this movie I thought they would probably get along right away. They both have high communication skills and are the type who can handle things flexibly, after all.
Hikari Senga: I talked a lot with Kurea in Episode 17 of the TV series, “Memories with Mom,” so there was a sense of security precisely because the two of us were together. Personally, I wanted to see way more scenes of Cure Answer and Cure Eclair chatting happily together!
Interviewer: The interaction between the movie original character Karin and Anna is also gathering attention. Please tell us about that as well.
Senga: There is a scene where Anna’s heart gets deeply shaken through her interactions with Karin. It is a side of her you don’t really get to see in the TV series, so I definitely want people to pay attention to that, too.
Hasegawa: The dialogue between Anna and Karin carries a notably tense mood. Even so, Anna remains resilient in the face of adversity. Observing her journey from the standpoint of Cure Eclair / Kurea, I truly hope viewers will support and root for the dependable Cure Answer / Anna as well.
Interviewer: There is only a little time left until the premiere. Please give a message to those looking forward to the release.
Senga: Every character’s emotional nuances, beginning with the Precure themselves, are rendered with great care in this title. It dramatically captures their journey as they stand by one another through hardship, confront challenges together, and untangle the mystery even when pushed to their limits. I hope you will stick around to experience it all the way through to the end.
Hasegawa: To tell the truth, the movie’s voice recording happened right around the time Cure Eclair had just joined the Precure as an ally in the TV series. Consequently, Cure Eclair’s lines, her transformation roll call, and even the synchronized group dialogue among all four TanPre members possessed a distinct “nice to meet you” atmosphere, which occasionally left me feeling a bit uncertain while recording. However, ever since I was cast as Kurea, I had constantly hoped to quickly join the team and crack cases alongside everyone. That is why I am so thrilled to see all four Precure united in this film. I think a major highlight of this work is seeing Kurea regain her memories and Luluka becoming an ally so we are all complete. What kind of deductions the four of us will unfold as one, and how we will derive the “answer” to the mystery, I definitely hope you will watch until the very end to find out!
build note: get a load of Hikari Senga having two messages for those looking forward to the film!
The Entertaining Dynamics of Mikuru and Ruruka’s Contrast
Interviewer: In this movie, there are also scenes where Cure Answer and Cure Eclair, and Cure Mystique and Cure Arcana act in pairs. How did the two of you view the Cure Arcana pair?
Nao Touyama: Until she transformed into Cure Arcana, she was in a hostile relationship with Cure Answer and Cure Mystique as Cure Arcana Shadow, so acting as a pair felt very fresh, and I was happy to think that she could finally walk alongside her friends. There were also times when she acted as Cure Arcana Shadow in the TV series, right? Back then, the implication of it being a provocation might have been big, but I also felt a sense of cuteness. I am looking forward to seeing how they interact from now on.
Kaede Hondo: Cure Arcana Shadow’s cheek poke became a huge topic on social media too, with people saying, “What is this cute attack?!” In the TV series, Cure Mystique was told “not yet” by Cure Arcana Shadow, but in this movie, there is a scene where she gets acknowledged with a “not bad.” Cure Arcana being genuinely happy to receive praise is also super cute, so I definitely want everyone to see that scene.
Touyama: Cure Arcana just recently became an ally, so the two of them still aren’t all that close, you know? But Cure Arcana definitely acknowledges Cure Mystique, and I think you can read that from Cure Mystique’s facial expression as well. The distance between Mikuru and Ruruka is closing, so please do not miss that change either!
Hondo: The contrast between the two is also fun, you know. They are truly polar opposites, and there is a scene in the film where the two of them fall into a hole. While falling, Cure Mystique is panicking like crazy, but Cure Arcana is a low tension kind of girl just going, “whoa…” (laughs). Also, whereas Cure Mystique lands with a splat on top of an inflated button, Cure Arcana lands brilliantly while saying “hop.” Differences in reactions like that are also interesting. I think Mikuru and Luluka are a pair that compensate for what the other lacks, so I would be happy if people even slightly think these two are great together as well.
Interviewer: There is only a little time left until the premiere. Please give a message to those looking forward to the release.
Touyama: The exploits of the Precure are a given, but the movie original characters Karin, Alan, and Rain are also very wonderful. I would be happy if everyone warmly welcomes them as new friends, too.
Hondo: Karin, in particular, is a girl dealing with realistic worries. So if you are currently holding onto any worries, please definitely watch this movie. It should clear those worries right up. It is a story that can make you positive about yourself even if the Precure are a bit awkward, so I hope you will head to the theater and enjoy it as many times as you like.
Misato Matsuoka
Cure Idol / Uta Sakura: Misato Matsuoka
Profile: Born March 23. From Hyogo Prefecture. Affiliated with I’m Enterprise. Main roles include Ashibe Ashiya in Shou 3 Ashibe QQ Goma-chan, Rei Konoe in Harmony of Mille-Feuille, and others.
We Hope You Enjoy Seeing Us Shine and Sparkle Brightly!
Interviewer: I believe this movie is your first time co-starring with the TanPre team, but please tell us your impressions of the TanPre team.
Misato Matsuoka: The moment we entered the studio, they opened up the center section of the chairs and told us they wanted the TanPre team to surround the KimiPre team! We ended up sitting right in the middle, enveloped by the TanPre team, and I remember thinking what incredibly kind and warm people they are!
Interviewer: Please tell us which Precure from the TanPre team caught your attention the most, and the reason why.
Matsuoka: I massively love the buddy vibe between Cure Answer and Cure Mystique! I get energized watching them deduce things while covering for each other’s strong and weak points!!
Interviewer: I think this is your first time recording as the KimiPre team since the You and Idol Precure Thanksgiving Festival. Please tell us your thoughts on recording for Movie TanPre.
Matsuoka: Just like when we were recording for KimiPre, we did our recording while sharing our thoughts, saying things like, “Her expression here is so cute!” or “PuriMero, love!” It definitely felt nostalgic, but more than that, the feeling of it being just like always was much stronger!
Interviewer: Please tell us the KimiPre team’s highlights in this work, and the parts you definitely want people to see.
Matsuoka: Even in this movie, that KimiPre essence is fully overflowing! No matter the situation, they are sparkling and shining! I want people to see their big, smiling faces! The unique colors of both TanPre and WanPre’s respective works also shine through brilliantly, making it a very fun piece! And the movie’s original characters this time are so wonderful! I definitely want you to pay attention to them!!
Minami Takahashi
Cure Wink / Nana Aokaze: Minami Takahashi
Profile: Born December 20. From Kanagawa Prefecture. Affiliated with Haikyo. Main roles include Lucoa in Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid, Sildonia in New Saga, and others.
My Excitement Skyrocketed, Thinking “We Are Back!”
Interviewer: Please tell us your impression of the TanPre team, and particularly which Precure caught your attention.
Minami Takahashi: Everyone is super cute and wonderful, but I am particularly fond of Cure Answer! She has a very ordinary girl side to her. She gets depressed and makes mistakes, but she understands that this is who she is, and she possesses the strength to admit her mistakes. I think she is a truly wonderful person. That is exactly why I feel Cure Answer’s words hold so much meaning and power!
Interviewer: I think this is your first time recording as the KimiPre team since the “You and Idol Precure Thanksgiving Festival”. Please tell us your thoughts on recording for the TanPre Movie.
Takahashi: I was so happy to do the transformation scene in unison with the KimiPre team for the first time in a while! It had been so long that we had to redo it a few times, but hearing Matsuoka-chan take a breath and make a sound in place of a “ready, set” made my excitement skyrocket, thinking “we are back!”
Interviewer: Please tell us the KimiPre team’s highlights in this work, and the parts you definitely want people to see.
Takahashi: With the unique KimiPre spirit of making everything sparkling and shining, they make a very wonderful entrance, so I want you to look forward to that. You will also get to see lots of the girls’ expressions that only KimiPre can deliver, so please pay attention to that!
Yoshino Nanjo
Cure Zukyoon / Purirun: Yoshino Nanjo
Profile: Born July 12. From Shizuoka Prefecture. Affiliated with Voice Kit. Main roles include Lilim in Mistress Kanan is Devilishly Easy, Kanoe Hitokouji in Magical Girl Raising Project: Restart, and others.
I Shed a Tear During Recording From Happiness and Nostalgia
Interviewer: I believe this movie is your first time co-starring with the TanPre team, but please tell us your impressions of the TanPre team.
Yoshino Nanjo: I thought their sense of unity as a “team” was extremely nice. The solidarity you feel from them being comrades, family, and sharing a bond of friendship is a charming aspect that feels different from the KimiPre team, which unites with Cure Idol at the center.
Interviewer: Please tell us which Precure from the TanPre team caught your attention the most, and the reason why.
Nanjo: I absolutely love how the distance and level of trust between Cure Answer and Cure Mystique keep steadily increasing throughout the series!
Interviewer: I think this is your first time recording as the KimiPre team since the “Kimi to Idol Precure Thanksgiving Festival”. Please tell us your thoughts on recording for Movie TanPre.
Nanjo: I was insanely happy!! I always want to do voice recording with these five, and if possible, the rest of the KimiPre team as well, so I was really, truly looking forward to it! And the transformation scene included in the rehearsal video already felt so nostalgic somehow. Yet, having heard and performed it dozens of times, it is ingrained in my body, so I ended up crying from a mix of happy and nostalgic feelings. Everyone else said they cried too (laughs). Also, getting to transform into Cure Zukyoon again made me incredibly happy.
Interviewer: Please tell us the KimiPre team’s highlights in this work, and the parts you definitely want people to see.
Nanjo: I am just so happy to see the usual gang again! And really, watching everyone from KimiPre gives me energy and makes me smile! I am sure it will make you feel totally sparkling and shining, so please look forward to it!
Natsumi Takamori
Cure Kyunkyun / Kokoro Shigure: Natsumi Takamori
Profile: Born February 14. From Yamanashi Prefecture. Affiliated with Raccoon Dog. Main roles include Ai Sorakado in Summer Pockets, Kome-Kome in Delicious Party Precure, and others.
A Familiar Warmth and Everlasting Energy
Interviewer: I believe this movie is your first time co-starring with the TanPre team, but please tell us your impressions of the TanPre team.
Natsumi Takamori: Getting to work with them for the first time on this project, I thought everyone in TanPre formed a very harmonious and wonderfully balanced team.
Interviewer: Please tell us which Precure from the TanPre team caught your attention the most, and the reason why.
Takamori: Cure Arcana Shadow is the one who personally captured my interest. Beyond her intriguing name, there is a charming contrast between her mysterious, shadowy presence and her immense passion for ice cream.
Interviewer: I think this is your first time recording as the KimiPre team since the “Kimi to Idol Precure Thanksgiving Festival”. Please tell us your thoughts on recording for Movie TanPre.
Takamori: On an emotional level, working with the KimiPre team felt like a daily routine for an entire year, so experiencing a sudden period of separation was a bit disorienting. Yet, whether we see each other constantly or after a long gap, their vibrant energy and constant warmth immediately put me at ease.
Interviewer: Please tell us the KimiPre team’s highlights in this work, and the parts you definitely want people to see.
Takamori: Watching the dubbing, I thought the TanPre team’s sense of unity was very wonderful. The KimiPre team, no matter when or where, is always excitedly rallying around Uta-senpai just like always. It makes me so happy, thinking, “That’s right, this is exactly what KimiPre is about!” I definitely want everyone to feel that happiness, too.
Miharu Hanai
Cure Kiss / Meroron: Miharu Hanai
Profile: Born February 8. From Hokkaido Prefecture. Affiliated with A-Trays. Main roles include Himeko Kirishima in Oh Boy, Was I Wrong About Her, Rura Ruriha in Bad Girl, and others.
Bringing High Energy in True KimiPre Fashion
Interviewer: I believe this movie is your first time co-starring with the TanPre team, but please tell us your impressions of the TanPre team.
Miharu Hanai: We got to record together with TanPre, and I was so happy that they welcomed us so warmly! They said they wanted the seating arrangement to have the TanPre members sandwich the KimiPre team, and laughter never stopped echoing through the studio even during breaks. I got a very warm, smiley impression from them!
Interviewer: Please tell us which Precure from the TanPre team caught your attention the most, and the reason why.
Hanai: The Precure I am particularly interested in is Cure Arcana Shadow, since I relate towards her color scheme!
Interviewer: I think this is your first time recording as the KimiPre team since the “Kimi to Idol Precure Thanksgiving Festival”. Please tell us your thoughts on recording for Movie TanPre.
Hanai: Before the recording started, I was a little nervous since it had been a while, but the moment I heard the KimiPre team’s voices, I felt so relieved! You could say it felt like home. The power the five of us cultivated over a year gave me a sense of security, and I felt like we immediately returned to our old atmosphere. I chewed over every single word and soaked it all in; I was happy from start to finish!
Interviewer: Please tell us the KimiPre team’s highlights in this work, and the parts you definitely want people to see.
Hanai: Just as the title suggests, the charming worldview of the mysterious garden and just what the “secret between the two” is. And, of course, I want you to enjoy the mystery solving that TanPre is known for! I think you, the fans of Kirakira runruns, know the KimiPre team’s strengths best, so we will be delivering this movie powerfully, in full KimiPre style!! Please also enjoy the special banter that you can only see in this movie!
Maria Naganawa
Cure Wonderful / Komugi Inukai: Maria Naganawa
Profile: Born August 5. From Aichi Prefecture. Affiliated with I’m Enterprise. Main roles include Kanna Kamui in Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid, Arisa Fujimiya in Young Ladies Don’t Play Fighting Games, and others.
I Was Able to Naturally Become Komugi
Interviewer: I believe this movie is your first time co-starring with the TanPre team, but please tell us your impressions of the TanPre team.
Maria Naganawa: They gave me, someone just visiting their recording, some snacks as a gift, and after the recording finished they talked to me about how cute Komugi is. I thought they were all people overflowing with kindness.
Interviewer: Please tell us which Precure from the TanPre team caught your attention the most, and the reason why.
Naganawa: I am curious about Cure Answer! Being able to properly feel down about yourself, but then firmly look forward after that, is not something you can do easily, so I respect her. Also, the very fact that she is supported and loved by everyone on the TanPre team is, I think, one of Cure Answer’s major charms.
Interviewer: I imagine it had been quite a while since you recorded as the WanPre team, but how was the recording for the TanPre movie?
Naganawa: It was my first time in a while recording together with everyone from WanPre, but the atmosphere was completely unchanged from back then, which filled me with a sense of security and nostalgia. Everyone was kind as always, making me smile naturally, and I was able to naturally become Komugi, too. So my thoughts are “This is something I just can’t help loving” and “Some things never change.”
Interviewer: Please tell us the WanPre team’s highlights in this work, and the parts you definitely want people to see.
Naganawa: The Precure will snuggle up to feelings that everyone has felt at least once! After watching the movie, I think you will feel refreshed and want to be kind to someone close to you! The WanPre team will also be playing an active role in a very WanPre way, so please look forward to it!
Atsumi Tanezaki
Cure Friendy / Iroha Inukai: Atsumi Tanezaki
Profile: Born September 27. From Oita Prefecture. Affiliated with Haikyo. Main roles include Frieren in Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, Charlie in The Darwin Incident, and others.
I Hope You Notice Our Wonderful Embrace
Interviewer: I believe this movie is your first time co-starring with the TanPre team, but please tell us your impressions of the TanPre team.
Atsumi Tanezaki: Leaving aside their teamwork after transforming, I thought they were a wonderful team that can properly reach an answer together, both as detectives and as people, no matter what mystery or problem lies before them.
Interviewer: Please tell us which Precure from the TanPre team caught your attention the most, and the reason why.
Tanezaki: Cure Mystique was the one who really stood out to me. Though she appears energetic and chaotic on the surface, seeing how thoughtfully and carefully she actually moves behind the scenes made my heart skip a beat.
Interviewer: I imagine it had been quite a while since you recorded as the WanPre team, but how was the recording for the TanPre movie?
Tanezaki: Revisiting the recording studio after so much time made the experience even more moving than last year, and I felt immense gratitude that we could all reunite to record together once more. Though a significant amount of time had passed since we last worked together, my heart and body instantly recalled everyone’s presence, a realization that brought me genuine joy. Naturally, I felt as though I could listen to Komugi’s voice endlessly.
Also, Takuma Terashima, who plays Satoru Toyama, said the usual is better, right, and had the four of us sit in the exact same seating arrangement we used during the WanPre recordings. I thought of Satoru, and the Iroha inside of me poked her head out before recording even started.
Interviewer: Please tell us the WanPre team’s highlights in this work, and the parts you definitely want people to see.
Tanezaki: The feelings Karin is dealing with are feelings that exist, more or less, in the hearts of many people, not just me. I thought it was wonderful how they gave such a warm, Precure-like answer to that. As for the WanPre team’s highlights, of course, I want you to see all of our appearance scenes!! But beyond that, I hope you pay attention to our wonderful embrace, which hasn’t changed a bit.
Satsumi Matsuda
Cure Nyammy / Yuki Nekoyashiki: Satsumi Matsuda
Profile: Born July 17. From Osaka Prefecture. Affiliated with Arts Vision. Main roles include Geo in Kagaku×Bouken Survival!, Bachel in Welcome to the Outcast’s Restaurant!, and others.]
They Give You a Tight Squeeze This Time Too!
Interviewer: I believe this movie is your first time co-starring with the TanPre team, but please tell us your impressions of the TanPre team, and particularly which Precure caught your attention.
Satsumi Matsuda: I think they are a team that possesses a different kind of energy from both WanPre and KimiPre, along with a well-rounded coolness! I am particularly curious about Cure Arcana Shadow, whose well-rounded coolness is very strong. I want her to meet Yuki-chan. I would love for them to sit on the far opposite edges of a long bench and quietly eat ice cream together. I feel like they might share a connection that goes beyond just words.
Interviewer: I imagine it had been quite a while since you recorded as the WanPre team, but how was the recording for the TanPre movie?
Matsuda: When we entered the studio, Reina Ueda arrived last and ended up sitting in a corner that wasn’t our usual lineup. I wanted to sit next to her, so I called out to Mayu to come over. That was when I learned that Tanezaki-san and Naganawa-san had also been talking about sitting in our WanPre recording arrangement, which was originally initiated by Terashima-san. Feeling the joy that we all shared the same sentiment, and sensing Mayu’s essence in Ueda-san choosing to sit in the corner, I remembered the atmosphere of “Wonderful Precure”. I truly love these people!
Interviewer: Please tell us the WanPre team’s highlights in this work, and the parts you definitely want people to see.
Matsuda: They give you a tight squeeze this time too! That shouldn’t be a spoiler! Please be healed by WanPre, carrying their kindness, calmness, and wonderfulness.
Reina Ueda
Cure Lillian / Mayu Nekoyashiki: Reina Ueda
Profile: Born January 17. From Toyama Prefecture. Affiliated with 81 Produce. Main roles include Reze in Chainsaw Man, Kanao Tsuyuri in Demon Slayer, Gigi Andalusia in Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway, and others.
A Warm and Very Gentle Work
Interviewer: I believe this movie is your first time co-starring with the TanPre team, but please tell us your impressions of the TanPre team.
Ueda: It left a strong impression on me how Cure Answer and Cure Mystique always created a fun atmosphere, while Cure Arcana and Cure Eclair carried a mysterious air. Also, it looked like they were all complementing and supporting each other.
Interviewer: Please tell us which Precure from the TanPre team caught your attention the most, and the reason why.
Ueda: The one who particularly caught my attention in the TanPre team was Cure Mystique. Her honesty, her directness, her acting, everything was so cute that I ended up completely loving her.
Interviewer: I imagine it had been quite a while since you recorded as the WanPre team, but how was the recording for the TanPre movie?
Ueda: The gentle, familiar ambiance brought me immense comfort. Feeling that Komugi and everyone else were continuing their steady, everyday lives filled me with joy. Knowing this could potentially mark the final time we’d be together, I found myself overwhelmed with emotion, particularly throughout the transformation sequence. A wave of nostalgia and subtle loneliness washed over me, alongside admiration for their extraordinary vocal harmony, but above all, I simply enjoyed the experience. Overflowing with these interwoven emotions, I began the recording session with tears swelling in my eyes.
Interviewer: Please tell us the WanPre team’s highlights in this work, and the parts you definitely want people to see.
Ueda: There were a lot of warm lines, and I felt it was a very gentle work. WanPre is a team that will always snuggle close to your heart, so I think their highlight this time is going from a tight squeeze to a big smile again. Also, it felt like all the episodes up until now were packed tightly into every single one of Mayu and the others’ lines, which really tugged at my tear ducts.
Staff Interviews
Hanako Ueda
Director: Hanako Ueda
Profile: Key Animator and Episode Director. Main works include Episode Director and Storyboarder for Wonderful Precure! and You and Idol Precure, and others.
Balancing a Deep Theme With Spectacular Visuals
Interviewer: Please start by telling us how you came to serve as the director for this work.
Hanako Ueda: I was approached completely out of nowhere with an offer to direct the Star Detective Precure Movie. Although I had prior experience working as an episode director, stepping into the role of full director was entirely new to me, which initially left me questioning if I was capable of handling it. Even so, having contributed to the Precure franchise as an episode director since WanPre, I felt deeply honored to be invited based on my past work. Viewing this opportunity both as a step forward in my career and a chance to express my gratitude, I decided to accept the position.
Interviewer: As the director, what kind of work did you set out to create?
Ueda: Because Precure theatrical films serve to delve further into the television series, my initial priority was integrating the signature mystery-solving elements of Star Detective Precure. As I developed the concept, I revisited the central core of the show: observing, feeling, thinking independently, and ultimately arriving at your own “true” conclusion. It struck me that this idea could carry a concerning side if approached carelessly, as a conclusion you believe to be correct may not be viewed as valid by others.
Believing that examining this central premise in greater detail would make for a compelling film, I collaborated with the team to build the narrative around it.
Interviewer: The Precure from You and Idol Precure and Wonderful Precure also appear in this work, adding even more splendor to the film. Was there anything you were particular about when bringing in the past Precure?
Ueda: When bringing back previous Precure generations, my highest priority was staying true to the distinct spirit of each individual series.
For KimiPre, the emphasis was placed on their strong bond unified around Cure Idol. We included subtle callbacks that television series fans will recognize, ensuring it offers a rewarding experience for dedicated KimiPre enthusiasts.
For WanPre, I took special care to highlight both factions—the dog team and the cat team. The visuals were designed to clearly convey each character’s personality, even to viewers unfamiliar with WanPre.
Seeing these three distinct series unite under the Precure banner showcases their unique individual qualities, which I believe creates a thoroughly engaging dynamic.
Interviewer: There is only a little time left until the premiere. Please give a message to those looking forward to the release.
Ueda: Being a fan of Precure myself, I have constantly gained inspiration from witnessing them persevere and stand proud, even in the face of hardship. I infused this film with a wealth of those very themes, and I genuinely hope you find it a joy to watch.
Hanako Ueda’s Additional Note!
Karin & Alan & Rain Production Secrets: Alan and Rain’s motif is the Husky dog!
We thought of Alan and Rain’s character roles as Karin’s guard dogs. So, when creating those designs, we started by researching dog breeds. While looking for photos of various dogs to see what type would be good, I came across an incredibly cute photo of a Husky. Even though it had a large body, it had very round, adorable eyes, and I instantly thought this is it! Based on that photo, I drew a rough sketch on my end and had character designer Emiko Miyamoto design the two of them.
As for Karin, we initially thought of her as an introverted girl. However, as we fleshed out the scenario, she shifted to a girl whose first impression is bright and kind, who can talk to anyone with a smile, but in reality, she is a girl who tries too hard to match her surroundings. Miyamoto-san added that nuance for us, and we landed on this current look. I feel that both her design and her presence turned out very cute.
Yoshimi Narita
Screenplay: Yoshimi Narita
Profile: Screenwriter. Her main works include series composition and screenplays for The Villainess Is Adored by the Crown Prince of the Neighboring Kingdom and the Wonderful Precure! series, among others.
We had Karin take on the role of an ‘ordinary girl.’
Interviewer: It’s been a while since you worked on a Precure movie script, Narita-san. The last one was Tropical-Rouge! Precure the Movie: The Snow Princess and the Miraculous Ring! back in 2021, right? What was on your mind while writing the script for this movie?
Yoshimi Narita: I brainstormed with Director Ueda and the producers about how to add that special movie magic without straying from the TV series’ themes. Through our meetings, Director Ueda mentioned wanting to make a “gentle lie” the core theme, so we ended up building the story around that. I brought up how the companion fairies play a huge role in the TV show, so I wanted to weave that element into the movie’s original characters as well. That’s how Alan and Rain came about. And we wrote Karin, the girl who looks up to them, to be a different kind of girl compared to Anna and the rest. The whole crew at the CUREtto Detective Agency is smart, proactive, and capable of overcoming obstacles through their own willpower. They don’t really have a lot of flaws, so we figured we’d have Karin fill the “ordinary girl” role.
Interviewer: Could you tell us what you kept in mind for the mystery-solving scenes, since those are a total must-have in “TanPre”?
Narita: First off, I really value that classic “Precure vibe.” In the TV series, they usually solve a mystery over the course of a single episode, but we can’t really do that format in a movie. A movie is roughly three times as long, so just solving a mystery wouldn’t hold the pacing for that entire time. Because of that, I made sure to really focus on the drama side of Precure, where the girls are trying their best for someone else’s sake. And we had Cure Answer, Anna, and our guest character Karin mostly carry that drama.
Interviewer: The Precure from You and Idol Precure and Wonderful Precure! also show up in this film. What were you picky about when bringing in past Precure teams?
Narita: I wanted to make sure there was a clear reason and need for the KimiPre and WanPre teams to join the fight, so it wouldn’t feel like just any random Precure could have shown up to help. To pull that off, I created a flow where they first meet during everyday scenes, learn each other’s names, and then finally come to the rescue at the end. The slice-of-life scenes I had the most fun writing were the ones where Purirun, Pochitan, and Komugi are all goofing around together. I just knew they’d definitely hit it off if all three of them met, and when I actually got to writing the script, Komugi kind of started moving on her own, which was a huge help (laughs). We also had Uta sing a TanPri song, and I’m glad we were able to show off her personality in that scene too.
Interviewer: We are so close to the premiere now. Could you share a message with everyone eagerly waiting for the release?
Narita: One of the themes in this movie is “taking a step forward,” so I’d be absolutely thrilled if everyone who watches this film walks away with the courage and energy to take a step forward themselves. Please definitely head to the theaters and enjoy it as many times as you like.
Emiko Miyamoto
Character Design / Chief Animation Director: Emiko Miyamoto
Profile: Key Animator, Character Designer. Main works include Character Design for Maho Girls Precure! and Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai, and others.
Karin’s Design, Created With an “Inconspicuous, Ordinary Girl” in Mind
Interviewer: Please start by telling us how you came to serve as the character designer for this work.
Emiko Miyamoto: I was helping out with the animation on last year’s You and Idol Precure film, and following that, they reached out and asked me if I would do the character designs for this year.
Interviewer: Regarding the designs for the movie original characters Karin, Alan, and Rain, what kind of requests did you get from Director Ueda and the producers?
Miyamoto: I received rough sketches from Director Hanako Ueda, and based on those, I asked about the key points for each character. Truthfully, in the initial design, Karin didn’t really have any defining features. Keeping an “inconspicuous, ordinary girl” in mind, I didn’t give her any major distinguishing traits in her hairstyle or clothing. However, as the scenario progressed, she shifted from just being introverted to a girl whose first impression is bright and kind, who can talk to anyone with a smile, but in reality, she is a girl who tries too hard to match her surroundings. They had me add that nuance to the character, and in the end, out of the several hairstyles we considered, the one where the bun part is heart shaped was adopted. The hair color went from celadon green to pink, didn’t it?
Interviewer: Alan and Rain are characters with a different image compared to the companion fairies in Star Detective Precure, aren’t they?
Miyamoto: I designed Alan and Rain’s fairy forms based on Siberian Huskies. I also submitted their human forms at the same time as their fairy forms, and both were approved on the first draft. The only thing we adjusted was Alan’s cape. If we made it a cape that covered his whole body, his silhouette would get a bit heavy, so we changed it to a style draped over his shoulders.
Interviewer: Please tell us about the Precures’ casual clothing designs as well.
Miyamoto: Regarding Anna and the others’ casual clothes, the only request was “summer,” so I designed them freely with a refreshing image while following the silhouettes from the TV season. I incorporated a marine taste into Anna’s casual clothes, keeping the colors childlike. For Mikuru’s casual clothes, I incorporated the fashion tastes of the year 1999. However, if I made it too strictly tied to that era, it wouldn’t resonate with the kids of the Reiwa era, so I kept it to just accent points. Kurea’s casual clothes follow her TV season characteristics, making the exposed navel and slit the focal points. Luluka’s outfit is imagined as a summer version of her TV season casual clothes. I gave her short puff sleeves and left a gap between the collar and the frills on her chest to show some skin.
Interviewer: There is only a little time left until the premiere. Please give a message to those looking forward to the release.
Miyamoto: Lots of mysteries are scattered throughout the story, such as the cause behind the Dame-Dame outbreak, the relationship between Alan and Rain, and how Karin gets involved with them. Please try your hand at solving the mystery from the same perspective as the Precures, and definitely enjoy the drama centered around Anna and her three friends.
Mao Nakagawa and Kanako Tada
Producer: Mao Nakagawa x Kanako Tada
Mao Nakagawa’s Profile: Affiliated with Toei Animation. Serves as Assistant Producer for Star Detective Precure.
Kanako Tada’s Profile: Affiliated with ABC Animation. Serves as Producer for Star Detective Precure, Wonderful Precure!, Delicious Party Precure, and Healin’ Good Precure.
Interviewer: Please start by telling us about your relationship with one another.
Nao Nakagawa: I work as an Assistant Producer for the TV series at Toei Animation. Movie and TV series production requires close coordination, so I am handling this work concurrently with my AP duties.
Kanako Tada: I am a producer at ABC Animation, and I am in charge of the movie just like the TV series.
Nakagawa: The project started with the initial idea of wanting to make a movie with a high Precure concentration, and began by reaching out to scriptwriter Yoshimi Narita who had been supporting Precure for a long time, and first time director Hanako Ueda who was in charge of impressive storyboard direction for both KimiPre and WanPre.
Before the scenario meetings, I brainstormed opinions and ideas together with Director Ueda regarding the core of the movie’s story. The director brought up the topic of what exactly is the “true” in the theme “See for yourself, feel for yourself, think for yourself, and produce the true answer.” We decided to place that at the core of the movie and proceed with the planning.
Tada: On top of that, I made a request, saying I want to aim for something that will also resonate with parents. When it comes to watching TV at home, it can sometimes be difficult for busy parents to watch a whole episode, but with a movie, they watch the entire thing while parenting. I wanted the whole family to be able to take home the feeling that it was fun after watching the film.
In the work, the Precure solve a mystery while aiming to resolve the worries of someone in trouble. We had quite a few discussions regarding the direction and age demographic of those worries. That is because it was a worry that would pierce adults, too. There was a possibility the children might not be able to understand it. But the worry the Precure solve is an important part that bears the guiding principle of the movie’s theme. Even if they don’t understand it now, the lines will remain in their memory, and it was decided to make it a realistic, familiar worry for us adults as well, so that one day when they grow up, they will realize its meaning.
Interviewer: How did you think about the way to feature the Precure from You and Idol Precure and Wonderful Precure?
Nakagawa: TanPre explicitly states that 1999 is its setting, so partially to ensure temporal consistency, the setting is a place called Karin’s Garden instead of Makoto Mirai City. The flow is that the KimiPre and WanPre gang also get caught up in Dame-Dame incidents in their respective worlds and arrive at Karin’s Garden.
Also, the TanPre crew are very grounded characters, as you would expect from people solving mysteries. So when the KimiPre and WanPre gang are there, the tension rises more than usual and the screen instantly brightens up. Therefore, speaking from a production standpoint, it takes some resources, but it was great to include an episode featuring the KimiPre and WanPre members in their pre-transformation states.
Tada: I would be delighted if you could cheer on Cure Answer and the others at the theater as they face hardships alongside the previous generations of Precure.
