Japanese dubbing cast press conference for the movie "Wicked: Two Witches"

As a fan of the Wicked series, I've been eagerly awaiting its release since the film's production was announced. I was thrilled to learn that I would be voicing Elphaba. I'm also a huge fan of Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba, so the idea of ​​providing my own voice for her performance was deeply moving. Being able to be involved in this series throughout its entire run has been a truly joyful and rewarding experience for me. The songs are all so wonderful, precisely because they've been beloved for so many years. Singing them was both a joy and a rewarding experience. Singing the songs, especially in "The Wizard and I," set against the stunning visual beauty of the film, gave me a unique feeling of being part of that world. This song depicts a scene in which the cool Elphaba reaches a turning point in her life, revealing her sweetness and sensitivity, so I was conscious of trying to capture that side of her.
I think "Wicked" is a wonderful film, with a lot of energy poured into everything, including the music and visuals. I hope everyone will experience this moving experience at the cinema.

Waka Watanabe, second-year student at International Christian University

I've been a big fan of Ariana Grande, and have been listening to and singing her songs since I was a student. I knew that she had aspired to play the role of Glinda in "Wicked," so when it was decided that I would be the voice actor for the film, which had made her dream come true, I was filled with surprise and joy. At the same time, I felt the weight of responsibility.
During the recording, I was conscious of expressing Glinda's facial expressions and gestures in detail. "Popular" in particular is a song that really captures her personality, so I enjoyed performing the dialogue with Elphaba while varying the volume and tempo. Being involved in this production as a voice-over was a new challenge for me as a singer, and a great experience for me personally.
This film is a fantasy set in a magical world, but it also realistically depicts the relationships, conflicts, and growth between people. I think it's a film that many people can relate to, so I hope you'll see it in the theater.

Karin Ishimatsu, second-year student at Tsuda University

I first learned about "Wicked" when I saw the performance at the Tony Awards in 2004. Since then, I have never forgotten the emotion I felt at that time, and it is a work that I have a strong attachment to, and I have watched musicals whenever I had the chance. I felt very honored to be involved in this production as the Japanese voice actor for Fiyero. It is an important work that continues to be loved by many people, including myself, so I braced myself to do my best to live up to the expectations.
The creators of the Japanese dubbed version have lovingly created the music and acting, and I hope that many people will enjoy the Japanese dubbed version as well as the original version.

Waka Watanabe, second-year student at International Christian University

I love "Wicked" so much that it could be said to be my youth, and I would save up my pocket money to go to the theater to see it, so I am truly honored and happy to have been able to take part in the production in this way. I am very happy that this wonderful work will be able to be seen by many more people by being made into a movie.
I love games, and the other day I saw Miisa's social media and found out that we play the same game. I'm looking forward to communicating with her through that game someday! I've been in contact with Miisa, but I finally got to meet her at this press conference!

Hinata Amie, a third-year student at Sophia University

I had seen the stage version of "Wicked" many times, so I was really surprised when I was chosen to play the role of Bok. I still vividly remember the excitement I felt when I saw the play in London in my twenties. It was like a dream come true that I could be involved in that production.
Bok is a pure and straightforward character, but he undergoes significant changes throughout the story. In acting, I was conscious of portraying his growth and conflicts. In particular, there were moments when his feelings for Glinda are unrequited and he is eventually at the mercy of fate, which stirred my emotions while I was acting.
I hope that many people will enjoy Wicked, which is full of the unique charm of a musical film.

Karin Ishimatsu, second-year student at Tsuda University

I've always been a big fan of this work, and have seen the musical nearly 10 times. In the US where I live now, it was released last year and became such a hot topic that it became a social phenomenon, so I'm really excited that it's now coming to Japan.
I've talked about Wicked a lot on social media up until now, so I couldn't believe that I would be involved in the dubbing this time. I'd seen the movie several times in America, and it's a film that gives you courage and encourages you when you take on a new challenge.
It's like a dream come true to be involved like this.
I've been posting everything about my private life since I was about 16 years old, so there's probably nothing about me that people don't know about yet. I can't cook, and my room is as messy as a flea market, so I think it's just as you'd imagine. (laughs)

Hinata Amie, a third-year student at Sophia University

When I saw the news I got really excited and thought, "It's going to be made into a movie!?", and when I heard that Michelle Yeoh would be in it I immediately thought, "I want to do that!" I'm so happy that it's come true and I'm standing here today.
I have had the opportunity to do dubbing with Michelle Yeoh many times, but although there have been action scenes, there has never been a singing scene, so this was the first time.However, her adorable expressions were so embodied in the song that it was as if the words had unconsciously become a melody, so I tried not to ruin the conversational feel of the song.
As someone who has lived much longer than most of you here, I can say that the way others see you is often your true self (laughs), and that this is also one aspect of your true self.

Hinata Amie, a third-year student at Sophia University

Wicked: The Two Witches movie

Nationwide release from Friday, March 7, 2025!
Distributor: Toho Towa

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