Miyuki Sawashiro first appearance in the anime "Sazae-san"

It has been announced that Miyuki Sawashiro will be appearing as a voice actress in the one-hour special of the popular anime "Sazae-san" (Fuji TV), titled "Sazae-san Spring Outing Special." This will be Sawashiro's first appearance in "Sazae-san," and she will be playing Minami, Sazae's high school classmate, in the episode "Sazae Goes to Meet the Orca!"

"Sazae Goes to See the Orcas!" is an episode in which the Sazae family visits Kamogawa Sea World in Kamogawa City, Chiba Prefecture, with Minami appearing as a rookie zookeeper. Sazae reunites with Minami, who has fulfilled her dream of becoming an orca trainer, at a class reunion, and is invited there, which leads to the entire Isono family visiting the park.

Sawashiro recalled her feelings when she received the offer to appear in the show, saying, "I was so happy like a child, saying, 'What?! Are you sure I'm the right person?!' But then, when I calmed down, my legs started shaking...!" Regarding playing Minami, Sazae's classmate, she said, "I never imagined that the day would come when I would be classmates with Sazae-san! And I never imagined that the day would come when I would be able to call her by her first name...! I stood in front of the microphone with a heart full of determination to convey the charm of SeaWorld to the Isono family and all the viewers!"

Sawashiro described her impression of "Sazae-san" as "a symbol of the joy of the weekend," and added, "The message Minami conveyed to Wakame-chan has become a message I also want to pass on to the children who are watching. For adults, there would be nothing more I could ask for than for it to inspire you to want to go see a dolphin show with your friends, family, or children. Aquariums are fascinating, but to borrow Minami's words, Sazae's family is truly fun and wonderful. Please do watch it!"

The "Sazae-san Spring Outing Special" will feature four stories: "Sazae Goes to Meet the Orcas!", "The Isono Family Gets Their Home Tidy!", "What Happens to the Cherry Blossom Viewing Party?", and "Tara-chan Sleeps with Her Family." It will air on March 22nd at 6 PM.