Magical Princess Minky Momo Returns With First New OVA in 32 Years, Adds Tomohito Takatsuka and Yoko Hikasa to Cast

Magical Princess Minky Momo has announced additional cast members for its first completely new OVA in 32 years, Magical Princess Minky Momo: A Duo of Sincerity Toward a Dream of Longing, which opens in theaters in Japan on November 13. Tomohito Takatsuka will voice Rubato, a young man who plays a central role in the story, while Yoko Hikasa will voice Peter.

Tomohito Takatsuka and Yoko Hikasa Join the New Minky Momo OVA

Tomohito Takatsuka voices Rubato, a young man who once dreamed of becoming a pianist and serves as one of the key figures in the story. Yoko Hikasa plays Peter, a boy who set out into the world in search of a country inhabited only by children. Comments from both cast members have also been released.

Magical Princess Minky Momo tells the story of a girl named Minky Momo who uses magic to transform into an adult as she works to restore the dreams of people who are beginning to forget them. The first television series aired in 1982, followed by a second series in 1991.

The franchise is known as one of the foundational works of the magical girl anime genre. Its inventive scripts, which challenged the conventions of magical girl anime, and its highly polished animation attracted a large fan base. It also became popular as a fantasy series that adults could enjoy. The franchise helped drive the magical girl boom of its era and produced numerous OVA titles, continuing to attract devoted support across generations.

The new production is the first completely new OVA in 32 years, following the 1994 release of Minky Momo in The Station of Your Memories. It was produced to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Ashi Productions.

The story is set in Deginarsa, a land of dreams and hope whose existence is sustained by dream energy. As humans lose their dreams and hopes, the amount of dream energy begins to decline, putting the kingdom in danger of disappearing.

As a final hope, the king sends three companions, Chamocha, Dettabook and Pipilupi, to seek Minky Momo's help. On her 12th birthday, Momo receives a smartphone. Her encounter with the three companions awakens her as Minky Momo, and she steadily begins gathering dream energy. Meanwhile, a mysterious app starts becoming popular among the public.

Kurumi Haruki voices Momo and Minky Momo, while Fukushi Ochiai plays Dettabook, Natsumi Fujiwara voices Chamocha, and Rie Kugimiya plays Pipilupi.

Comment from Tomohito Takatsuka as Rubato

“I truly feel as though I am living a dream to be able to take part in the Minky Momo series, which has been loved by so many people.

I would be very happy if Rubato, the character I voice, can connect with the feelings of everyone watching and help them discover something important.
It is a story that can be enjoyed by both children and adults, so I hope you will experience it in theaters!”

Comment from Yoko Hikasa as Peter

“I am truly happy to have the opportunity to be part of this newly born world of Minky Momo as a new theatrical production.

Before and during recording, I spoke many times with the director and sound director about the worldview and themes of the story.

I do not know whether I was able to reach the same depth of thought and perspective as the director, but I believe I was able to incorporate my own interpretation into Peter.

I hope everyone can come to see this work almost as an extension of themselves. I hope you enjoy it!”

Source : ORICON NEWS