Anime “Maebashi Witches” – Sakura Kasuga & Rena Motomura Appear! Candid Talk About People They Met During Their Early Careers & What They Gained from Part-Time Jobs

On ABEMA, June 6, 2025 (Friday) from 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM, “SHIBUYA ANIME BASE” #ShibuAni (pronounced: ShibuAni) episode #49 was broadcast live.

This time, Sakura Kasuga, who voices Yuina Akagi, and Rena Motomura, who voices Kyoka Kitahara from the anime “Maebashi Witches,” appeared in the studio. Besides discussing the appeal of the series, the latter half of an interview with anisong legend Hironobu Kageyama was presented.

Iwai, who said he loves the anime “Maebashi Witches,” cited as a highlight of the show, “The more you like anime, the more you’ll be surprised,” and spoke about this particular aspect: “In the first and second episodes, you think it’s going to be a work featuring cute, sparkling girls, but that expectation is shattered at every turn. The developments subvert the anime tropes you’ve seen until now, making you feel ensnared by the script. Your feelings are completely manipulated as the story unfolds.”

Kasuga commented, “The worries of the characters in ‘Maebashi Witches’ are very real, just like the viewers’ concerns. Because they’re real, the show touches on topics that are otherwise difficult to address. And what’s realistic is that things aren’t simply solved; instead, everyone grows together and moves towards resolution.”

Motomura added, “While there are painful moments and things that pierce right to the heart, it’s not just about those parts. The show also depicts the fun everyday lives everyone shares. Since ‘Maebashi Witches’ is an original anime, I really hope people who haven’t watched much anime or aren’t familiar with cute-girl anime will give it a try. I think it brings a little more joy to everyday life, which is part of its appeal.”

Kasuga also reflected on how she felt when she was cast for this series: “Actually, I hadn’t auditioned for Yuina Akagi. I auditioned for Azu Niisato and Kyouka Kitahara. So when they told me, ‘You’ll be playing Yuina-chan,’ I was really shocked.”

Motomura shared, “This is my first time voicing a character with a name and so many lines, so when I passed the audition, Nakamura-san, my senior at the agency, was incredibly happy for me.” Hearing this, her “senior at the agency,” Nakamura, said, “You’re going to keep excelling, so use me through barter for gigs! I’m counting on you!” energizing the studio.