Directed by Mizushima Seiji, an original anime film that depicts the growth and friendship of rookie hula girls will be released in the early summer of 2021.
It has beenwas announced that Dean Fujioka and Yamada Yuuki are playing essential characters surrounding Natsunagi Hiwa, played by Fukuhara Ai, and the hula girls. Comments from them have arrived along with the announcement.
“Hula Fulla Dance” is an original anime film created with full support from the leisure facility Spa Resort Hawaiians in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, which has a dancing team known as the “Hula Girls”.
Following the steps of her sister, Natsunagi Hiwa becomes a hula girl and works hard with her colleagues to perform a hula no one else can to put a smile on everyone.
Dean Fujioka is playing Suzukake Ryouta, the adored senior employee at Spa Resort Hawaiians, where the main characters work at.
This is the first time for Dean, who was born in Fukushima, where the story takes place, to challenge voice acting. He said, “I’ve always wanted to try voice acting, so I’m thrilled that I can be a part of this film,” and added, “I went to the recordings with the mindset of an eternal rookie,” raising our hopes to see a new side of him.
Yamada Yuuki is playing the manager, Taira Kazuto, who is dopey but is compassionate, riding the emotional roller coaster along with Hiwa and her friends.
Yamada, who loves anime, is known for being a big fan of general director Mizushima, who worked on “Fullmetal Alchemist” and “Mobile Suit Gundam 00 the Movie: A Wakening of the Trailblazer”. They have been acquainted with each other since Yamada talked to him at a stageplay from a few years ago. And explained how excited he was when he was offered the role by general director Mizushima himself, “I was so happy, I instantly called my manager to take the job.”
The original anime film “Hula Fulla Dance” will be released in the early summer of 2021.
Let’s see the chemistry between the rookie hula girls, who have no idea what they’re doing, and the two very different characters who support them.
<Full comments are as below>
【Dean Fujioka as Suzukake Ryouta】
I’ve always wanted to try voice acting, so I’m thrilled that I can be a part of this film.
Also, this story is set in Fukushima, my hometown, and I got an opportunity to think of my connection to my hometown and what I can do for it.
I believe this film has the power to teach us how important it is to make the best of your situation and never give up.
I wish this story reaches as many people as possible.
【Yamada Yuuki as Taira Kazuto】
I’m flattered that general director Mizushima, the director I’ve always loved since my debut, has offered me a role in his work. It’s important to look back, but I think the message of the story is to move forward for the future right in front of you that you can change. I hope everyone that watches it will feel the same way.
The video they showed me as a reference was amazing, and I’m confident that it’ll become something even better than what I expect, so I myself am also looking forward to seeing the completed film.
(C) BNP, Fuji TV / Oshare Salon Natsunagi