Naomi Watanabe Joins Pixar’s ‘Elio’ as US Voice Cast, Attends World Premiere

Key Facts

Naomi Watanabe voices Ambassador Auva in Pixar’s Elio (US version)
Walked the red carpet at Elio's world premiere on June 10 in LA
First Japanese talent to voice the same character in both Japanese and English
Pixar’s Elio opens in Japan on August 1, 2025
Directed by Madeline Sharafian; Pete Docter also present at the event

Japanese entertainer Naomi Watanabe made her official debut as a US voice actor at the world premiere of Pixar’s upcoming animated film Elio. Held at the iconic El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles on June 10, Watanabe appeared on the red carpet in a custom purple dress inspired by her character, Ambassador Auva—a passionate envoy from a peace-loving planet. Notably, she is the first Japanese talent to voice the same character in both English and Japanese versions of a Pixar film, marking a historic crossover in animation casting.

Naomi Watanabe Makes Pixar History with ‘Elio’

Watanabe plays Ambassador Auva, one of the Communiverse members Elio meets in his galactic journey. Speaking in fluent English on the red carpet, she expressed her gratitude for being cast in Pixar’s US production. “It’s such a precious experience to voice a character for the original version,” she said. Her purple gown—complete with cosmic-themed nails and a Japanese-style hairstyle—paid homage to Auva’s look and personality.

Pixar Creators Praise Watanabe’s Performance

Pixar CCO Pete Docter praised Watanabe’s vocal work: “It’s amazing! The animators took inspiration from her voice to create the performance.”
Director Madeline Sharafian also noted, “Her voice captured the curiosity and sweetness of Auva perfectly—we’re grateful to have her on both versions.”
Watanabe was visibly moved, especially when she saw “OVA - Naomi Watanabe” appear in the end credits: “It made me cry—what a dream come true!”

About Elio – Pixar’s Next Big Sci-Fi Adventure

Elio tells the story of a lonely boy who is mistakenly identified as Earth’s ambassador by a group of interstellar civilizations. As he navigates the cosmic world of the Communiverse, he forms a deep bond with an alien boy named Glordon. Directed by Madeline Sharafian and produced by Mary Alice Drumm, the film explores themes of identity, loneliness, and friendship—classic Pixar territory.

FAQ

Q: Who does Naomi Watanabe voice in Elio?
A: She plays Ambassador Auva in both the English and Japanese versions.

Q: When is Elio coming out in Japan?
A: The film will premiere in Japan on August 1, 2025.

Q: What makes Watanabe’s role historic?
A: She’s the first Japanese artist to voice the same character in both language versions of a Pixar film.

Q: Who else is in the voice cast?
A: The cast includes Yonas Kibreab (Elio), Brad Garrett (Lord Grigon), Jameela Jamil (Questa), Shirley Henderson (OOOOO), and more.

Elio Official Trailer

Source : ORICON NEWS