Twin Engine enticed anime enthusiasts by unveiling the full trailer and main visual for the highly anticipated film, Gekijōban Mononoke: Karakasa (Paper Umbrella), on Thursday. Elevating the excitement, the trailer revealed additional cast members and offered fans a preview of the theme song “Love Sick” performed by the talented Aina The End. Accompanying the vibrant visuals were images showcasing the main cast, further immersing fans into the film’s intriguing world.
The newly disclosed cast lineup introduces several compelling characters, voiced by well-known talents in the anime industry. Among them, Kana Hanazawa lends her voice to Kitagawa, a maid admired by Asa, and Haruka Tomatsu as Botan Ōtomo, a lady-in-waiting hailing from a prestigious family. Adding to the diverse cast are Yōko Hikasa as Fuki Tokita, who, despite her commoner status, finds favor with Tenshi, and Yūko Kaida voicing Awashima, a subordinate maid. Yukana, Yūki Kaji, Jun Fukuyama, Daisuke Hosomi, Miyu Irino, and Kenjiro Tsuda also join the ensemble, portraying characters that enrich the narrative’s depth.
Set to premiere across Japan on July 26, the production’s journey to the big screen experienced setbacks, including a delay from its original launch date slated for last year. This postponement was accompanied by a significant cast change; Takahiro Sakurai, initially cast as the Medicine Seller, was replaced by Hiroshi Kamiya in the lead role, citing unforeseen circumstances. Returning to the helm of this cinematic endeavor is Kenji Nakamura, who directed the original Mononoke anime series. The film’s production is spearheaded by Twin Engine, promising to deliver a visually stunning and narratively rich experience to fans and newcomers alike.
The Mononoke anime series, a continuation of the enthralling “Bakeneko” arc from Ayakashi – Samurai Horror Tales, premiered in 2007 to critical acclaim. Spanning 12 episodes, it explored various arcs led by the enigmatic Medicine Seller, culminating in the “Bakeneko” story. Renowned for its unique art style and compelling storytelling, the series was directed by Kenji Nakamura with character design and chief animation direction by Takashi Hashimoto. The atmospheric music that accompanied the series was composed by Yasuharu Takanashi.
Source: Press release
Source
