On the 15th, voice actress Haruka Tomatsu attended the stage greeting for Mononoke: The Fire Rat, the second installment in the Mononoke film series, held in Tokyo. She shared behind-the-scenes insights from the production.

Dressed in a vibrant ensemble—a tangerine dress layered with a yellow bustier and a purple blouse—Tomatsu’s outfit subtly echoed her character, Botan. Speaking about her experience recording with Yoko Hikasa, who plays her on-screen rival, Fuki, she smiled and said, "We were able to perform live together, going head-to-head, and I truly enjoyed it."

Director Kiyotaka Suzuki revealed an interesting tidbit about the animation process, explaining how the cast’s performances significantly influenced the film’s visuals.

"Once we received the voice recordings, we actually had to adjust the animation quite a bit," Suzuki admitted. "The performances breathed life into the characters. We constantly thought about how to maximize their impact for the audience, even making changes during production."

One of the key adjustments involved Botan’s pivotal scene with her father. Suzuki explained, "In the final moments, Botan was much more resolute in rejecting her father than we had initially envisioned. Her delivery was so compelling that I realized, ‘This is even better than my interpretation!’ So, we changed the animation accordingly." Hearing this, Tomatsu humbly bowed in appreciation.

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