Getting a lead role in Japan’s animation industry is a monumental task, and sometimes talent takes you on unexpected paths. If you enjoyed Netflix’s Cosmic Princess Kaguya! (Chou Kaguya-hime!), then here’s a fascinating detail from the franchise’s official book. Actress Anna Nagase arrived at the recording studio aiming for the lead role of Kaguya, but after hearing her performance, the directors had other plans.

Unignorable talent

During the rigorous casting, Nagase’s performance was so powerful that it amazed director Seigo Yamashita and the sound director. Although her vocal style wasn’t exactly what they wanted for the title’s protagonist, the executives immediately agreed: they couldn’t let her go. Instead of rejecting her, they quickly decided to give her the role of Iroha Sakayori. The production team confessed her acting was extraordinarily solid from the start, eliminating any need to delay her addition to the final cast.

The secret to a perfect cast

Learning such behind-the-scenes anecdotes helps us understand the high standards in recording studios. For an actress to stand out so much that directors immediately secure her a supporting role speaks volumes about the interpretive quality we’ll see in this adaptation. This revelation has been met with positive responses from fans, who now have a clearer view of how the cast for this unique take on the folk tale was assembled.

With directors having the final say on voice assignments, would you have liked to hear Anna Nagase as the main protagonist, or do you think the team made the right choice giving her the role of Saiba Aya to fully utilize her skills?