Via Comic Natalie: additional cast members have been announced for the stage play adaptation of “Spirited Away“, which is scheduled to premiere at the Tokyo Imperial Theater in 2022. The adaptation of one of Studio Ghibli’s finest and most acclaimed films was organised to commemorate the 90th anniversary of Japanese film company Toho’s founding. After playing in Tokyo in late February to early March, the production will also travel to Osaka in April, Fukuoka in May, Hokkaido in early June, and Aichi in late June and early July.

Joining popular actresses Kanna Hashimoto and Mone Kamishiraishi — who will both be playing the role of “Chihiro”, Kotarou Daigo and Hiroki Miura as “Haku”, Koharu Sugawara and TOmohiko Tsujimoto as “Kaonashi”, Miyu Sakihi and Fu Hinami as “Rin”, Tomoroyo Taguchi and Satoshi Hashimoto as “Kama-jii”, and Mari Natsuki and Romi Paku as both “Yubaba” and “Zeniba”.

“Spirited Away” was released in 2001 and won the Academy Award for Best Animated Film in 2003. The adaptation and direction will be by John Caird, an honorary associate director of the Royal Shakespeare Company in the United Kingdom, who worked on the premiere of the musical “Les Miserables”. Caird was originally a big fan of “Spirited Away”, and came to Japan to talk with Studio Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki and director Hayao Miyazaki, for permission to adapt their movie for the stage.