A premiere stage greeting for 劇場版 前橋ウィッチーズ ～魔女見習いのエモエモリーズ～ (Maebashi Witches: Majo Minarai no Emo Emories) was held at Shinjuku Piccadilly in Tokyo on October 25. The event brought together the film’s five lead voice actresses — Kasuga Sakura (Akagi Yuina), Sakikawa Hinano (Nisato Azu), Motomura Reina (Kitahara Kyoka), Minami Haruka (Mitsumata Choco), and Momose Hana (Uezumi Mai) — alongside director Yamamoto Junichi and series composer/screenwriter Yoshida Erika.
The film, which opened on October 23, is a compilation movie that restructures all 12 episodes of the 2025 TV anime 前橋ウィッチーズ (Maebashi Witches) into a two-hour theatrical cut, with new episodes and new songs added. Stage greetings had already been held in Gunma Prefecture — the setting of the story — on October 23 and 24, making the Tokyo event the first in the capital. The audience included fans who had already seen the film four or more times, as well as self-described “true citizens” who had traveled from Maebashi City in Gunma.
Director Yamamoto Spoils the Film — Right at the Start
Since the event was held before the screening, a special rule was in place: anyone who spoiled the film would be “ejected” from the stage. Director Yamamoto promptly broke this rule early on, letting slip details of a specific scene while describing what had surprised him most during production. He began heading offstage in mock shame, drawing loud laughter from the audience. The moment was quickly “rewound” with a wave of in-universe magic, and the talk resumed.
Yamamoto had emphasized that the compilation film was never part of the original plan during TV anime production, and that it came to fruition thanks to the support of fans and the cast, who had performed live together over 100 times. He also said he had “a lot of fun” drawing storyboards from Yoshida’s script again after some time away.
The “Gardening Form” Costumes and Motion Capture Secrets
When the topic turned to impressions of the finished film, Minami Haruka confessed she “sobbed” at the preview screening and praised the main theme song “雨晴れMake up.” Sakikawa Hinano noted that the new “Gardening Form” costumes worn by the characters in that song were originally real-life stage outfits used by the Maebashi Witches performers, now “reverse-imported” into the animation. Kasuga Sakura added a behind-the-scenes detail: because the costume features a voluminous three-dimensional skirt, the motion capture actors had to wear hula hoops around their waists to simulate it during recording.
Yoshida Erika: “I Want to Keep Building on This Bond”
Yoshida described screenwriting as work that “starts first and ends first,” but said this compilation was different — she watched the footage alongside the team and shaped the script in real time, calling it a rare experience. “Being able to do that with Director Yamamoto is a treasure,” she said. “I want to keep making more so that the bond we’ve built doesn’t break.” Yamamoto echoed her sentiment, recalling how they repeatedly reviewed edits together and reworked dialogue, and thanking her for staying with the process throughout: “It was an incredibly happy time.”
Yoshida also turned her words to the audience, saying, “The warm gaze of everyone watching the Witches is too precious. My heart is completely full.”
The Cast Reflects on the Creators’ Love
During closing remarks, Kasuga Sakura urged the audience to “take in what those two said and enjoy the film.” Sakikawa Hinano described the movie as “a work packed with the dedication and love of Director Yamamoto and Yoshida.” Motomura Reina revealed that before the event started, the whole group — including the director and screenwriter — had done their signature chant “We are 前橋ウィッチーズ!” backstage together, and said simply, “前橋ウィッチーズ really is the best.”
Minami Haruka said she felt genuinely lucky to be part of the project and hoped to keep “blooming flowers in the hearts” of fans. Momose Hana said she had long sensed the creators’ love through social media and interviews, and told the audience: “I believe we are walking forward under the love of everyone here. I’m so glad you came today, and I hope we can keep walking this path together.”
For the finale, Director Yamamoto called on the audience to share their feelings about the film widely, then declared: “I hope we can make a continuation — please support Season 2!” The announcement drew a wave of applause, and the event closed with everyone on stage and in the audience joining together in one final “We are 前橋ウィッチーズ!”
Film Details
Staff
- Original Work / Production: Sunrise
- Director: Yamamoto Junichi
- Series Composition / Screenplay: Yoshida Erika
- Original Character Design: Yu Inami
- Character Design: Tachibana Kino
- Music: Habuka Yuri
- Music Production: Bandai Namco Music Live
- Production: Bandai Namco Film Works, PROJECT MBWM
Cast
- Akagi Yuina: Kasuga Sakura
- Nisato Azu: Sakikawa Hinano
- Kitahara Kyoka: Motomura Reina
- Mitsumata Choco: Minami Haruka
- Uezumi Mai: Momose Hana
- Keropppe: Sugita Tomokazu
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