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Japan Anime News Edit by Taimu Tsuji

Voice Actor Yumiko Kobayashi Thrilled to Co-Star with Masako Nozawa at Dragon Ball 40th Anniversary Event

On the 6th, voice actress Yumiko Kobayashi appeared at the world premiere screening event for Dragon Ball’s 40th-anniversary celebration, "Dragon Ball Daimatsuri," held at Tokyo Big Sight. Kobayashi expressed her overwhelming excitement about appearing in the Dragon Ball anime.


Yumiko Kobayashi at the world premiere screening event for "Dragon Ball Daimatsuri" (C) ORICON NewS inc.

Yumiko Kobayashi at the world premiere screening event for "Dragon Ball Daimatsuri" (C) ORICON NewS inc.


Kobayashi, who plays the role of Mini Supreme Kai, adventuring alongside Goku (Mini), voiced by Masako Nozawa, exclaimed with joy, "I’m thrilled to be able to adventure with Goku-san." She added, "As a professional, I shouldn’t get too excited, but I think I might have been during the recording sessions," confessing her excitement during the production.


Masako Nozawa at the world premiere screening event for "Dragon Ball Daimatsuri" (C) ORICON NewS inc.

Masako Nozawa at the world premiere screening event for "Dragon Ball Daimatsuri" (C) ORICON NewS inc.


A self-proclaimed Dragon Ball superfan, Kobayashi reflected, "I entered the voice acting world because I watched Dragon Ball and admired Masako Nozawa-san." When she received news of her audition, she said, "I felt like I had no regrets left." Upon landing the role, she said, "I wondered what I’d do if this was just a dream. Even now, I still get nervous thinking it might be!" expressing her immense enthusiasm.


Scenes from the world premiere screening event for "Dragon Ball Daimatsuri" (C) ORICON NewS inc.

Scenes from the world premiere screening event for "Dragon Ball Daimatsuri" (C) ORICON NewS inc.


The event also featured a special 40th-anniversary ceremony, where Nozawa and executive producer Akio Inou cracked open a ceremonial ball alongside Goku. In addition, the singer-songwriter duo C&K, responsible for the opening theme "Jaka☆Jaan," and artist AI, who performs the ending theme "NAKAMA," debuted their songs live. The event also hosted a screening of the first episode of Dragon Ball DAIMA, a brand-new series set to air on October 11 at 11:40 PM.

Voice actors Koki Uchiyama and Fairouz Ai also appeared on stage.


(From left) AI, KEEN, CLIEVY, Masako Nozawa, Yumiko Kobayashi, Koki Uchiyama, Fairouz Ai, and Akio Inou at the world premiere screening event for "Dragon Ball Daimatsuri" (C) ORICON NewS inc.

(From left) AI, KEEN, CLIEVY, Masako Nozawa, Yumiko Kobayashi, Koki Uchiyama, Fairouz Ai, and Akio Inou at the world premiere screening event for "Dragon Ball Daimatsuri" (C) ORICON NewS inc.


The new series is based on a completely original story written by Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama, who passed away on March 1st. It marks the first brand-new Dragon Ball TV anime series since Dragon Ball Super, which concluded in March 2018, and will be the first in the series to air in a late-night slot.

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Source : ORICON NEWS