Shigeru Miyamoto: "Characters are Explored Even Deeper Than the First Film" — "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" World Premiere at Kyoto Minamiza

The world premiere of "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie," set for nationwide release on Friday, April 24th, was held yesterday, Saturday, March 28th, at the Minamiza Theatre in Kyoto.

The venue, Minamiza, is Japan's oldest Kabuki theatre, situated in Kyoto—the home of Nintendo's headquarters. Designated as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property of Japan with a history spanning over 400 years, this prestigious stage was chosen for the film's first-ever screening. The interior was fully transformed with "Galaxy-themed" carpets, decorations, and even seating. The mystical shimmer of the cosmos layered over the traditional space created an immersive experience, making guests feel as if they had stepped directly into the world of the movie.

■ Hollywood Cast Graces the "Galaxy Carpet"!

On the specially laid "Galaxy Carpet," a star-studded cast appeared in outfits inspired by their respective roles: Chris Pratt (Mario), Anya Taylor-Joy (Princess Peach), Charlie Day (Luigi), Jack Black (Bowser), Keegan-Michael Key (Toad), Benny Safdie (Bowser Jr.), Donald Glover (Yoshi), and Brie Larson (Rosalina).

They were followed by Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri and Shigeru Miyamoto, Representative Director and Fellow of Nintendo and the "father of Mario."

Chris Pratt expressed his joy, saying, "There’s no place on Earth I’d rather be than right here." He revealed he was fully enjoying his stay in Kyoto: "I've been eating a lot of soba and sushi, enjoying the cherry blossoms, walking through beautiful gardens and temples, and talking a lot about Mario."

Anya Taylor-Joy shared her special connection to the location: "It is the greatest honor to be here with my colleagues in Kyoto, the birthplace of Mario." Regarding the historic venue, she smiled and remarked, "It feels like magic."