'Fairy Tail -Dragon Cry-' Premiere Event Report

Your Otaku Friend in Japan

The premiere of Fairy Tail -Dragon Cry- based on Hiro Mashima’s manga Fairy Tail took place at TOHO cinemas Shinjuku on 6 May 2017. After the movie, there was a talk event with Tetsuya Kakihara, the voice of Natsu, Aya Hirano (Lucy), Rie Kugimiya (Happy) as well as the artist of the theme song, POLKA DOTS.

Even though the movie played early in the morning, it was sold out within minutes. Fairy Tail is very popular and most fans were eagerly waiting for this day.

The cast finally reconnected with the fans

The movie came out roughly one year after the last episode of the anime series. Kakihara said of the cast’s reunion, ‘When I thought about seeing Natsu, Lucy, and the others again, I was really happy and recorded everything full of excitement!’

Hirano explained, ‘I am so happy to be able to work on this series and with these members again. I am also so happy to be standing here on stage. When I just said “I am Lucy Heartfilia” again after such a long time, I got really excited.’

When the host asked if Natsu’s facial features resembled Kakihara’s, he jokingly said: ‘Well, yes. His eyes seem to have slanted. Hiro-san also said to me, “While I was drawing, his eyes became Kakki’s!” The Natsu from the beginning of the series had a cuter face.’

It has been seven years since the anime series started airing and the cast said that they had grown in many ways since then.

A screening full of enthusiasm

The cast was asked to comment on the movie line that left the biggest impression on them.

Kakihara replied, ‘The perfect answer would be “every single line.” [laugh] It’s hard, but if I had to choose one, it’s “Lucy, what do you see me as?”’ Hirano agreed, ‘It’s the same for me.’

Then they commented on the special present given to the cinema-goers during the first week of the movie, the 200-page storyboard bonus book by Hiro Mashima, ‘There is something important written in the last scene, so take a good look at it.’

Then Hiro Mashima appeared as a secret guest and was greeted with a huge round of applause. He had fun talking with the cast members, who he hadn’t met in a long time. Kugimiya said that Mashima held a dinner party during the recording of the TV series which she really enjoyed, and when asked what he is like, she said, ‘He is a really frank and wonderful person.’

Kakihara, who is good friends with Mashima, said he was invited by Mashima on a spontaneous trip to France for three days, paid for by Mashima! Hirano and Kugiyama begged to be invited next time as well.

The story enters the beginning of the end

Because of the title of the movie, Dragon Cry, the next question was ‘When was the last time you cried?’

Mashima answered, ‘It actually hasn’t been that long… To be honest, I was drawing a manuscript this morning and it was the last scene of an important person. Normally, I don’t cry because of my own manga, but one tear was shed.’ The cast listened in shock and asked, ‘But none of us are going to die, right?’

Facing the fans, Mashima said, ‘The manga has entered its final phase. Because it’s facing the end, it seems quite sad, but I will make it an end that everybody will say “That was good!” So please look forward to it!’

Kakihara said, ‘I am confident that we have created a good movie. If you watched the movie and it touched your heart, please spread the news to your friends and family.’

In the end, he screamed ‘Dragon!’ to which the audience answered with ‘Cry!’ and everybody went home in a good mood.