The 23rd installment of the popular anime series "Pretty Cure," "Detective Pretty Cure!", has been airing on ABC TV and TV Asahi from 8:30 AM since February 1st. The motif of "Detective Pretty Cure!" is "detective," and the theme is "see, feel, think, and find the 'true' answer for yourself." The main characters are girls who work as detectives with the desire to "help people in need," and Cure Answer/Akechi Anna is guided by a mysterious power and travels back in time from 2027 to 1999. This is a "Pretty Cure" that has never been seen before, with a "detective" and "time travel" theme. We spoke to Senga Hikari, who plays Cure Answer/Akechi Anna, and Hondo Kaede, who plays Cure Mystic/Kobayashi Mikuru, about their thoughts on the "Pretty Cure" series.
◇200% full effort
-Have you been watching "PreCure" since you were a child, Senga-san?
Senga: I've been watching them since I was about 3 or 4 years old. Every time a new "PreCure" series started, my sister and I would look forward to it, wondering, "What kind of PreCure will it be this time?" and I loved the transformation scenes. My favorites were "Yes! PreCure 5" and "Heartcatch PreCure!". I liked how each character in "5" had a different personality, and I loved the ending song of "Heartcatch," and I used to dance along with my friends.
--Mr. Hondo has commented that he didn't watch much anime as a child...
Hondo: I grew up without much exposure to anime, dramas, music, or anything else. As a child, I played games with my family and with my dog, but I didn't have any particular hobbies. As I worked as a voice actress, I came into contact with various works and learned that "PreCure" is the hope and dream of everyone, and before I knew it, it had become one of my own goals. I never thought I would be able to become a "PreCure."
--Hondo-san has appeared in "PreCure" before.
Hondo: I played a child in the Christmas episode of "Maho Girls PreCure!", and in "Kirakira☆PreCure A La Mode" I played the role of Akira Kenjou's younger sister, Miku. I felt the greatness of the "PreCure" series, and this audition might be difficult, but I thought I'd give it my all! I gave it my all without any time to get nervous, and then I was given this wonderful opportunity. I'm filled with gratitude and joy from the bottom of my heart, and I intend to give 200% of my effort to everything I can do.
◇Were you nervous about your first transformation?
--Mr. Senga, did you feel like it was fate when you were auditioning?
Senga: I played Answer and Mystic in the tape audition, and Answer's way of thinking is more similar to mine, so I was able to do it easily. I went on to the studio audition, and I also thought of it as a commemorative audition. If you get too excited about wanting to pass, you'll get too worked up and strain yourself, which is a shame. I told myself that it was just a commemorative audition, so I was able to approach it in a relaxed state. I was able to concentrate really well, and I felt quite confident. Right after the audition, I ate katsudon with my manager, and while I was hoping to win, I told myself that I would probably fail because I would be sad if I didn't.
--What about Hondo?
Hondo: I auditioned for Answer, and when I saw the character's visuals at the studio audition, the image of his face was a little different from what I imagined. He was calmer, kinder, and more compassionate than I had imagined, so I acted a little more restrained than I had expected, and I didn't feel like I'd given it my all. I was feeling frustrated, but then someone asked me on the spot, "Can I also play Mystic?" When I saw the visuals for Mystic at the venue, there were parts of Mystic that I could play more openly, and when I actually performed the role, it was actually very easy. I really think it was fate. I felt it was fate.
-What do you keep in mind when acting?
Senga-san Answer is an honest and straightforward girl, so I try to convey those feelings to her. I also try to make sure that her emotions are conveyed properly to the children who watch the anime.
Hondo: When I actually saw Mystic during the recording, I was surprised to see that she had more expressive faces than I had imagined, and that she could make faces like that! I also felt that she had a surprisingly childlike side to her, and I hope that this cute side of her can be conveyed to everyone who watches. So I acted honestly from my heart, adding happiness and joy to the end of my sentences, and trying out a bit of playfulness, and I'm experimenting.
-Were you nervous when recording your first transformation scene?
Senga-san was very nervous!
Hondo: I felt like "Your dream is coming true!" when I was playing Mikuru, and Mikuru was nervous, but I was able to play that Mikuru naturally, so in that sense I wasn't very nervous. What made me nervous was when we were reciting our lines together.
In the scenes where the two of us with Senga were matching our lines, there were some slight misalignments at first, but as we continued recording, it gradually started to come together.
Hondo-san and Hikari-san give me breathing instructions, so I match that to theirs.
◇ Children's energy is our strength
-Was this the first time you two worked together?
This is my first time meeting Senga-san . I only made my debut in 2024, so I don't have much experience...
Hondo: I also auditioned for Answer, so I had the impression that it was very difficult, but when we recorded together and saw Hikari's acting for the first time, I felt relieved and thought, "This is it!" Hikari is polite, refined, considerate, and truly wonderful on set. She's straightforward, just like Answer. I feel like that comes across in her acting.
Thank you, Senga-san ! (Hondo-san) is a really reliable senior. There are times when I worry about whether what I'm doing is really okay, but Hondo-san gives me advice like, "Just think about how Anata feels and prioritize your emotions, and you'll be fine!", and that's how I was able to do it. I've always thought it was great working with him.
--What do you feel is unique to "PreCure" during the recording?
I'm really happy when I get to see Senga-san's toys.
Hondo: When we press the button, the voices we recorded play, and it really brings home to me that we are playing PreCure, and it's a very strange feeling. There are various projects, such as recordings for the show, and I feel happy that this is something that can only be done in a work with such a long history.
It's all new to Senga-san . I have almost no experience in interviews, so I'm still embarrassed about taking photos. I don't know what poses to make, but it's a fresh experience and I'm excited. There's also a press conference, so I didn't know what to do, but after thinking about it, I decided it was fine just the way it was! (laughs)
Have you ever been to a show?
I went to the show "Kimi to Idol PreCure♪" by Senga-san , and the energy of the children was amazing!
Hondo-san: It was so adorable to see the children, with their small bodies, performing the same movements as the PreCure characters. I would be so happy if "Detective PreCure!" resonates with even more children in this way.
Mr. Senga, it's very moving to think that in the future, children will become engrossed in the plays that we have imbued them with, cheer them on, and be happy, and that this will become something important in their lives.
-What would you like to challenge yourself with as a PreCure voice actor in the future?
Hondo-san, it may be a little early, but I'm looking forward to having a Thanksgiving event. I can't help but imagine the smiles on the faces of those who watch.
I would be happy if I had the opportunity to act in a film. I'm looking forward to it with excitement. There are so many things I want to try.
--This is a "PreCure" unlike anything we've seen before, with themes like "detective" and "time travel."
Mr. Senga: The "detective" motif alone is appealing. And then there's the added element of "time travel." There's still a lot we don't know, but we're getting excited and excited as we think about it.
Hondo: I also keep in mind the theme of "Detective PreCure!" - "See, feel, think for yourself, and find the 'true' answer," and I truly think it's a wonderful idea. We live in a convenient age where we can easily communicate, and we may sometimes get carried away, but I think there's meaning in thinking about what it is that we want to do. Please look forward to it. (Anima Mitsuru/MANTANWEB)
