Voice actress Yoko Hikasa attended the stage greeting event for Mononoke: The Movie – Chapter Two: Fire Rat on the 15th in Tokyo, where she discussed her character and nearly made a verbal slip, leading to a humorous exchange with Hiroshi Kamiya.

Yoko Hikasa’s Passionate Interpretation of Fuki

Hikasa appeared in an outfit reminiscent of her character Fuki, wearing a colorful shirt, a leather corset, and a vivid yellow-green skirt. When asked about the challenges of playing Fuki, she revealed:

"Among all the women in the story, she’s the only one who fully expresses her emotions. There are even scenes where she loses her temper in front of the Empress, and I kept wondering, 'Why is she the only one displaying such emotions in front of the Empress?' Once I started thinking about it, I couldn’t stop."

A Humorous Exchange with Hiroshi Kamiya

Hikasa further elaborated on her interpretation of the character, saying,
"It felt as though all logical thought had been stripped away, leaving only a raw, writhing passion inside her. In the confines of the inner palace, she uses her very body as a weapon to survive. That unwavering resolve, that relentless drive, was something I felt deep in my core while portraying her."

Reflecting on Fuki’s transformation throughout the story, she attempted to explain,
"When she finally lets it all out, it’s like… a full-force ‘vom—’ ah, wait, ‘morning sickness’?"

Realizing her slip, Hikasa’s words triggered laughter from the audience. Trying to brush it off, she turned to Hiroshi Kamiya, saying, "Right, Kamiya-san?"

Without missing a beat, Kamiya shot back, "How should I know!?", drawing even more laughter from the crowd.

Mononoke: The Movie – Chapter Two: Fire Rat (Kaso)

The Mononoke franchise originated from the 2006 anime anthology Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales with its popular Bakeneko arc. The series received its own anime adaptation the following year and has remained a cult favorite for 18 years.

Following the first theatrical installment, Mononoke: Karakasa, released in July 2024, this film is the second in a planned trilogy. It preserves the unique washi-paper textures and vivid, artful storytelling that define the series while expanding on the mysterious world of the Medicine Seller.

A Tale of Power Struggles in the Inner Palace

Following the first chapter, the story continues within the Ooku (Women’s Inner Palace), where noble families engage in ruthless schemes and conflicts over succession. As the women’s burning emotions manifest into a Mononoke, the Medicine Seller must once again confront this supernatural force.

The event featured Hiroshi Kamiya, Yoko Hikasa, Haruka Tomatsu, Kenyuu Horiuchi, director Kiyotaka Suzuki, and chief director Kenji Nakamura.

Source : ORICON NEWS