Kotono Mitsuishi: not confirmed yet as Usagi in Sailor Moon (2013)

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At the Kodansha USA panel yesterday, we asked company representative Dallas Middaugh whether, in light of reports that Kotono Mitsuishi would reprise her role as Usagi/Sailor Moon in the upcoming 2013 anime remake, any of the other original seiyuu from the 1990s anime would return to their roles.

Mr. Middaugh said that this was based on a mistranslation of Mitsuishi’s comments, and that while she would like to return to the role, she was not confirmed in it, nor has any of the casting been done for voices. The only confirmation was on the theme song.

We received a report at this point that Mitsuishi’s blog indicated otherwise, and that Kodansha USA—a manga distributor—would not necessarily be privy to such information. Then another twitterer indicated just the opposite. At that point we decided to look at the sources ourselves and translate Mitsuishi’s blog entry in question:

来年夏のセーラームーン新作アニメ!
うひゃ〜〜〜!

早く演じたくてうずうずしてる!
しかし、敵はダークキングダムではない!
あの頃のがむしゃらだった自分!

Next year summer Sailor Moon’s new anime!
Uhyaaaa!

I’m feeling itched to act as soon as possible.
But my enemy is not Dark Kingdom.
I was recklessly working at that time.

Based on our Japanese translator’s judgment, this entry appears to be in line with Mr. Middaugh’s assertion that she has only indicated a desire, not confirmation, to work on the series. Other news outlets, such as Anime News Network and io9, support this view. We thus believe that Mitsuishi-san is not yet confirmed as Usagi in Sailor Moon 2013.

The only official news says Momoiro Clover Z is singing the theme song for the new Sailor Moon. It does not mention anything about the casting of the seiyuus.

Thanks to Rome, our translator, for assisting with this story. We hope this helps clarify the situation.

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Author: gendomike

Michael lives in the Los Angeles area, and has been into anime since he saw Neon Genesis Evangelion in 1999. Some of his favorite shows include Full Metal Alchemist, Honey and Clover, and Welcome to the NHK!. Since 2003 he has gone to at least one anime convention every year. A public radio junkie, which naturally led to podcasting, he now holds a seminary degree and is looking to become Dr. Rev. Otaku Bible Man any day now. Michael can be reached at mike.huang@animediet.net. You can also find his Twitter account at @gendomike.

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