The new "DRAGON BALL" (DB) anime film "DRAGON BALL SUPER Super Hero" will be released in theaters on June 11. The film, the 21st in the series of theatrical animated films, is based on the original story, script, and character design by Akira Toriyama, and depicts an epic battle against the world's worst army, the "Red Ribbon Army," which has been revived.

We asked Masako Nozawa, who plays Son Goku/Son Gohan/Goten, and Toshio Furukawa, who plays Piccolo, about the reasons why the work continues to be loved, their memories of the recording sessions, and the influences the work has had on them.

■" I'm curious to see what's inside Mr. Akira Toriyama's head" (laugh), the creator of "DRAGON BALL".

DRAGON BALL" has sold a total of 260 million copies worldwide. 38 years have passed since the original series was first serialized, and 36 years have passed since the first anime adaptation, and the series continues to enjoy great popularity not only in Japan but also around the world.

What is the reason why "DRAGON BALL" continues to be loved?

To a simple and difficult question, Nozawa replied, "I think it is the fact that Mr. Toriyama has captured the hearts of young people. Usually, sold manga are drawn by adults, so somewhere in the manga, you sense an "adult world" and feel a sense of discomfort while reading them. DRAGON BALL" doesn't have that, and I think it is good that we can enter into the world of the manga and walk through it together. I personally have that impression of "adventuring together" is the magical essence of "DRAGON BALL".

In response to the same question, Furukawa said, "I think the charm of this movie is that it can be seen by parents and children of three generations together, since it contains thematic elements such as dreams, friendship, love, and adventure. Nozawa nodded in agreement and said, "It's wonderful, isn't it! I'm curious to see what's inside Mr. Toriyama's head (laughs)".

Nozawa said, "Toriyama-sensei is a very friendly person," and added, "He never wears a suit and always wears a jumper wherever he goes".

So I once asked him, 'Sensei, it's not that you don't like suits, is it?' I once asked Mr.Toriyama, and 'Actually, I don't like them. I love jumpers,'" he said."This might have been a secret though", she chuckled.

■Masako Nozawa's favorite scene is" when Goku's tail breaks off for the first time as a boy."

When we asked the two voice actors, who have performed in many famous scenes, about their favorite scenes and lines, Nozawa said, "The scene where Goku's tail was cut off for the first time. Furukawa replied, " Because I play Piccolo, I am particularly fond of the episode between Gohan and Piccolo."

Nozawa chose the scene in Shonen Goku's childhood. This was the scene in which Goku first turned into a giant monkey and had his tail cut off in order to restore his body to its original state. As for why Nozawa chose this scene, she said, "Goku used his tail to keep his body balance, so when he lost it, he falls down with a thud (laughs). That was very funny, and I love that one scene," she said with a big grin on her face.

Nozawa then talked about the situation at the time of the anime adaptation. "I got the roles in both the hit TV show "Gegege no Kitaro" and "DRAGON BALL" through voice actor auditions. In the audition for DRAGON BALL, there was a script on the table when I entered the studio, and I was told, 'I want you to play 'this character,' so I did it," Nozawa recalls.

She continued, "For 'DRAGON BALL,' 'GeGeGe no Kitaro,' and 'The Galaxy Express 999,' the original manga creator himself chose me. When I met Mr. Toriyama, I told him that I was very happy to hear that he had chosen me through the audition," looking back on those days with nostalgia.

■Toshio Furukawa's favorite scene is "the training of Gohan and Piccolo." I realized the change in popularity through fan letters.

The scene Furukawa chose was the episode in which Piccolo takes Gohan out for training to prepare him for the attack of Vegeta and other Saiyans on Earth. Furukawa chose this scene because "I think it was actually Gohan who made Piccolo such a fascinating character and made him who he is. If it weren't for the episode I chose, (Piccolo) would have been just a villain," he said, referring to the importance of this scene.

Furukawa added, "I read on the official website of 'DRAGON BALL' that Professor Toshihiko Endo of the University of Tokyo discussed the scene and stated that Piccolo's unique way of teaching was actually the essence of education. At the time, I immediately thought, 'I see! I thought, 'I get it! Wow！'I

Piccolo may seem to be negligent at first glance, but he is always watching over everyone from somewhere. Piccolo is a strong, villainous character, but he has a kindness that is the opposite of a villain, which made that scene good. I feel that it enhanced Piccolo's charm and popularity," he said with deep emotion.

Nozawa added, "I will never forget that scene that Mr. Furukawa chose. Just one apple on the table made me think, 'Piccolo is a good person' (laughs)." Furukawa nodded and said, "The gap between the way Piccolo is usually portrayed and the way he acts is interesting. I think this gap is what makes the character so appealing. The fan letters to me (for Piccolo and Furukawa )since the training episode with Gohan got more and more favorable responses," he said.