MONONOKE Anime Film Postponed Beyond 2023, Main Lead Cast Member Replaced

 

The official Twitter account for the MONONOKE anime franchise announced today in both English and Japanese that the completely new anime film has been delayed from 2023 and that the lead voice actor for the “Medicine Seller” – a strange being who exorcises supernatural evil with the aid of a mystical sword – will be replaced.

 

 

【Notice of postponement of the release of the movie “MONONOKE” and the change of cast】 pic.twitter.com/fqowRk8jsY

— アニメ『モノノ怪』公式＠劇場版制作決定！ (@anime_mononoke) February 28, 2023

 

 

The above announcement states that the film’s setting is Ooki, “historically the women’s quarters of Edo Castle” with a story “that tries to depict the suffering and remedy of women.” Because of this, the producers have decided to change the voice actor of the “Medicine Seller.” It was previously confirmed that Takahiro Sakurai, who voiced the seller in the original TV anime, would return for the film.

 

This comes after Sakurai, who is best known as the voice of Reigen in Mob Psycho 100, was reported to have been engaged in a 10-year extramarital affair with a writer from his radio show by Weekly Bunshun in October. Sakurai’s agency confirmed the report and apologized for the behavior of the voice actor, who ended the radio show the day after the report was released. Sakurai has also been replaced in the upcoming original TV anime AYAKA, as well as not appearing in an upcoming Ranking of Kings event, where he voiced Despa.

 

RELATED: Mononoke: The Movie Hits Theaters in Japan in 2023

 

Mononoke aired for 12 episodes from July 12, 2007, to September 9, 2007, and was animated at Toei Animation, which describes the series as such:

 

Mononoke is a spin-off of Bakeneko- a story part of the series Ayakashi – which scored the highetsaudiences ratings on Fuji networks late night animation slot at thetime of its broadcast.The mysterious medicine seller is back. He continues his travel onthe roads of Edo Japan and faces various types of dangerous spiritsknown as “Mononoke”.Acclaimed by both viewers and critics in Japan, Mononoke combines breathtaking stories with fascinating stylistic innovations.

 

Source: Mononoke on Twitter

 

—-

Daryl Harding is a Japan Correspondent for Crunchyroll News. He also runs a YouTube channel about Japan stuff called TheDoctorDazza, tweets at @DoctorDazza, and posts photos of his travels on Instagram.