“Singing Was My Greatest Challenge”

— What was the biggest challenge in bringing Kiros to life?

M: Singing, without a doubt. I’m not a singer, and I’ve always been very self-conscious about it. I’d never sung in front of others before, so this was a first for me. It’s a beautiful song, and I didn’t want to ruin it. Knowing that the film features some incredible singers only added to the pressure. But if they had wanted a professional singer, they would’ve cast one. They wanted me for the character, not as a singer, and I approached it from that angle.

— Did you prepare specifically for the singing scenes?

M: (Laughs) I simply worked with a vocal coach. We warmed up together and then got to work. He gave me excellent advice and introduced me to a world of techniques I knew nothing about. I learned a lot.

— What’s your favorite song from the film?

M: Naturally, the one I performed feels closest to me right now. But I also love the theme song, Milere. It’s an incredibly beautiful piece.

“Disney Tells Stories That Resonate Universally”

— Did revisiting this work evoke any particular thoughts or feelings?

M: I think Disney’s success lies in making its characters deeply relatable. These are obviously heightened characters—I don’t know anyone quite like Kiros—but their traits are recognizable. As I often say, it’s Shakespearean storytelling. Whether it’s the 20th century or the 14th century, the human traits are familiar. Disney excels at this: life and death, brotherhood, the rise and fall of kings, and as they say, the Circle of Life. It’s on par with Shakespeare’s work in its timelessness.

— Japanese fans adore you. What do you hope they’ll take away from this film?

M: I hope Japanese audiences, like everyone else, take away the universal themes this film offers. If you’re a fan of the original The Lion King, this is a must-see to understand how Mufasa became the lion we know. It’s a beautifully self-contained story, but it’s also deeply connected to the original. It retains the classic animation’s spirit, which I think we all cherish.

— Thank you for your time. We can’t wait to see the film!

M: (In Japanese) Arigatou.

Source : ORICON NEWS