To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the TV anime Motto! Ojamajo Doremi, a digitally remastered Blu-ray BOX is set to release on December 2, 2026. The project was confirmed after surpassing 500 pre-orders, and the cast recently gathered to reflect on the series, their memories, and why it remains relevant today.
The cast members—Chiba Chiemi (Harukaze Doremi), Akiya Tomoko (Fujiwara Hazuki), Matsuoka Yuki (Senoo Aiko), Shishido Rumi (Segawa Onpu), and Miyahara Enami (Asuka Momoko)—shared their thoughts on the Blu-ray BOX, the recording days, and the enduring appeal of the series.
Cast Reflect on the Blu-ray BOX Project
—The Blu-ray BOX project was confirmed after reaching 500 pre-orders. How did you feel when you first heard about it, and when the goal was achieved?
Chiba: I was surprised that a Blu-ray BOX hadn’t been released yet. When the project was announced, I saw many comments on social media saying, “We’ve been waiting for this!” It made me happy. With so many people waiting, I felt confident we would reach the goal.
Matsuoka: Blu-ray has beautiful picture quality, and more episodes can fit on a single disc, making it more compact. I really hope everyone can have it in their hands. If this project succeeds, it might lead to the next series, Ojamajo Doremi Dokkaan! So I put extra effort into promoting it on X (formerly Twitter). It felt like we were all working together toward a quest in a game.
Miyahara: I was truly happy when we reached the goal. I’ve been doing events with Chiba for a long time, so I’ve had many chances to meet fans of the series. It’s wonderful that this work is loved across generations and that people are still watching it. Some fans discovered Ojamajo Doremi just last year, and some came from overseas. I hope the Blu-ray BOX will help the series continue to connect with people.
Akiya: Many people around me watch the series. They tell me they rewatch it and feel nostalgic. I hoped we would reach the goal, and I also thought it would be nice to have another project in the future.
Shishido: When I heard about the Blu-ray BOX, I honestly thought, “I want one too!” So I did my best to promote it on X and elsewhere. I’ll keep spreading the word until the release date.
—After recording the series, did you often get together as a group of five?
Chiba: We actually met quite often. There were many recordings and events related to Ojamajo Doremi, so it never felt like a reunion.
Miyahara: After recording the 20th anniversary film Majo Minarai o Sagashite, producer Seki Hiromi took us out for yakiniku, just like during the TV series. We all chatted and laughed, and the atmosphere hasn’t changed at all from 25 years ago.
Matsuoka: I still can’t believe 25 years have passed since Motto! Ojamajo Doremi (laughs).
Memories of Recording and Memorable Classmates
—The series is known for giving each classmate their own spotlight episodes. Which classmate left an impression on you?
Matsuoka: Aiko only ever recognized Yokokawa Nobuko as her best friend outside of the MAHO堂 members. Every time Nobuko appeared, it was a paired episode with me. She was the one person I was always curious about. But when they first met, they had a big fight. The episode title was “Lies Are the Beginning of Friendship” (Ojamajo Doremi episode 5). They deepened their friendship through repeated fights and reconciliations—an important classmate.
Chiba: During recording, Tamaki (Reika) stood out to me. The series was recorded from 10 a.m., and I admired Nagano Ai, who played Tamaki, for doing that loud laugh in the morning. Later, I played a character with a similar laugh in another show, and I understood how good that felt. So Tamaki was having a great time every time she laughed (laughs).
Miyahara: During the recording of Majo Minarai o Sagashite, Tamaki was exactly the same.
Chiba: Including Tamaki, nobody has changed!
Akiya: I was impressed by Yada (Masaru). He’s inseparable from Hazuki. There were scenes where they both blushed, and I always felt a bit shy while acting. In Motto! Ojamajo Doremi, the episode with Yamauchi Nobuaki (episode 29, “The Terror! The Curse of the Well Ghost”) also stuck with me. Before, Hazuki would be the only one scared of ghosts. But when Momo appeared, she could be scared together with someone, and that made it even more fun.
Matsuoka: The faces they made when scared were hilarious (laughs).
Akiya: It was a lot of fun to act.
Miyahara: It was a great stress reliever. Like Tamaki’s laugh, there was a sense of accomplishment.
Shishido: The classmates I was curious about were Nagato Kayoko and Shimakura Kaori. The cast came from various backgrounds—comedians, singers, and more. They all had unique acting styles, which was very entertaining. Misaki Fuyuko, who played Kayoko, was a stage actress, and I loved her performance. That’s why I really liked Kayoko’s episodes. Shimakura Kaori was always a lively mood-maker. I personally thought she might have been modeled after Koda Mikan from Gokinjo Monogatari, so she left an impression.
Miyahara: I still remember the voice of Yamada Kinoko, who played Shimakura Kaori. Even now, I can hear it in my head. The SOS Trio (Sagawa Yuji, Ota Yutaka, Sugiyama Toyokazu) also stood out to me. They always made silly jokes. They were trying hard but also gave off a relaxing, comforting vibe.
Patissier Outfits and Sweets
—The reversible witch apprentice outfits that turn into patissier uniforms are popular. What do you like about them?
Shishido: The ribbon at the neck of the patissier uniform is so cute! I’ve met people who became patissiers after watching this show. It’s a dream uniform.
Matsuoka: Among all the witch apprentice outfits, these are especially cute. The reversible design was faithfully reproduced in the children’s costumes sold at the time, and I thought, “Amazing!” If I could have worn that as a kid, I would have been overjoyed.
Miyahara: Momoko initially communicated through an intercom, so the patissier uniform has special meaning for me. The white base with each character’s image color on the trim and shoe soles is adorable.
Akiya: Whenever someone asks which outfit I like best, I always say the patissier uniform from Motto! Ojamajo Doremi. As a child, I loved frills and big ribbons, and this outfit has all of that. If I were young, I would have begged for it.
Chiba: It really is cute. By the way, how was the design for the series’ outfits decided?
—Producer Seki Hiromi explained that the concept was to create outfits that would work worldwide. For Ojamajo Doremi, the ballet tutu was the motif for the witch apprentice outfits.
Matsuoka: The tutu was the motif? When I was little, I told my mom I wanted to be a ballerina, but she took me to a Japanese dance class instead.
Chiba: Then you got to wear a tutu in your role, so your dream came true!
Matsuoka: Maybe (laughs)? But I still haven’t worn pointe shoes!
—The scenes of making sweets in the patissier outfits were also memorable. Was there a particular sweet that stood out?
Matsuoka: Everyone remembers “Itoshi no Tourbillon.”
Chiba: The swirl design is striking.
Shishido: I also remember the coffee-flavored cookie ice cream from episode 23. It was nice to have a not-too-sweet treat. The subtitle “Nagisa no Hamaguri” is lovely too. In Motto! Ojamajo Doremi, it was fun to see everyone working on missions while making sweets. The names like “El Dorado sweets” were memorable. I also recall making pumpkin pudding to help Hana-chan overcome her dislike of vegetables (episode 31, “Let’s Fix It! Vegetable Hater”). I think some fans would like to recreate these, so I hope they release official recipes someday.
Miyahara: I want a Motto! Ojamajo Doremi cooking book!
Matsuoka: In the episode where they made sweets with vegetables, we also sang the insert song “Oh! Yasai Samba.” That song is tough to perform at events (laughs). But if it helped some kids start eating vegetables they didn’t like, that would make me happy.
—Did any of you actually try making sweets?
Miyahara: I like cooking, but I don’t make sweets. I’m not good at measuring ingredients.
Akiya: I used to make sweets when the TV series was airing. But I went by feel, so it didn’t always work out. Even now, around Christmas, I remember Kayoko’s episode (episode 45, “Everyone! Merry Christmas”) and feel like making a cake.
Matsuoka: In high school, I used to make chocolate for Valentine’s Day. I was practicing for someone I might give it to someday (laughs).
Chiba: I don’t like cooking or sweets, so I never made any!
Shishido: I haven’t made sweets either.
—If you tried to open a MAHO堂, there would be no one to make the sweets (laughs).
Miyahara: I could make milk pudding. But it’s just dissolving gelatin and sugar in milk—a simple version.
Chiba: People who are really bad at cooking might fail at dissolving the gelatin!
Miyahara: Let’s stop talking about cooking (laughs).
Matsuoka: As adults, we understand how hard it is to make sweets. But if I had watched Motto! Ojamajo Doremi as a child, I might have wanted to become a patissier.
Akiya: I know what you mean. When I was little, I dreamed of working at a crepe shop. I secretly wanted to fulfill that dream for a long time.
Life Lessons from the Series
—What did you gain or feel from your encounter with the Ojamajo Doremi series?
Matsuoka: I’ve heard fans say they learned important life lessons from Ojamajo Doremi. I truly agree. The series depicted realistic elementary school emotions—how to interact with friends, what to say first. The MAHO堂 members weren’t all friends from the start; only Doremi and Hazuki were. They often fought first and eventually became best friends. The different ways of making friends were unique to Ojamajo Doremi.
Chiba: It was refreshing that even though it’s about witches, they didn’t solve problems with magic. They used magic for trivial things like whether to serve steak or not (laughs). Since it’s an anime with magic, they could have done anything. But the consistent message was that you can’t resolve your worries without facing them with human strength. Also, the stories were set in everyday school life, so they felt relatable. They didn’t fight against outlandish or useless things. That’s why I could imagine Doremi facing situations head-on, even when she could run away. But during the TV series, I was so focused on voicing the character that I didn’t think that deeply. After rewatching calmly, I realized the appeal is not just for kids but also for adults.
Miyahara: Now that my son is in first grade, I hope he makes friends like the characters in Ojamajo Doremi. They are all so honest. The way they support each other is wonderful. They recognize each other’s individuality and help when someone is in trouble. That kind of friendship is great.
Akiya: I have friends from elementary and middle school who are like Doremi and the others. They each have their own personalities and talents, and I can talk to them about anything. Sometimes they say harsh things, but they also listen and give advice. Having friends you can be yourself with is precious, and I’m grateful for that.
Shishido: As the title suggests, this series delved deeper into the unique worries of children that age. I was surprised that it touched on physical development differences (episode 10, “I Don’t Want to Become an Adult!”). Momo’s episodes also addressed discrimination, showing that even if you grow up in different environments, everyone is the same. It reminded me of the importance of communication, and I think it’s a show worth revisiting in today’s era. Also, I’ve always used Onpu-chan as a guide in my life. Playing her made me think I need to be proper myself.
Hopes for the Future
—What would you like to see happen in the Ojamajo Doremi series going forward?
All: A new anime!
Matsuoka: I’d love to see the light novel series like Ojamajo Doremi 16 adapted into anime. I even helped supervise the Kansai dialect in the novels from a certain point, so I have a strong attachment. It would be wonderful to voice them again, and if it were a TV series, that would be amazing!
Chiba: Please do it while we’re all still energetic!
Miyahara: I’d also like to see a remake of the TV series. I wonder how the world of Ojamajo Doremi would depict the problems children face today. Because it’s a warm show, it could tackle those issues in a unique way.
Shishido: I want the events that were canceled due to the pandemic to be revived! Especially the “Ojamajo Doremi 20th Anniversary Thanksgiving Carnival” that was planned for Tokyo International Forum. I’m sure fans would gather again.
Chiba: Let’s do a revenge event soon! At last year’s event, the audience looked so happy. It was wonderful to see the kids who watched the anime back then growing up and attending, some even bringing their own children.
Matsuoka: I watch them with a parent-like feeling, thinking, “You’ve all grown up!” (laughs).
Miyahara: I’ve also heard from overseas fans that they want to see, buy, and meet more, but it’s difficult.
Chiba: I want to take new visuals and go overseas with everyone!
—Finally, please give a message to the readers.
Shishido: This is a precious work that still makes us all excited, and I want to meet the other cast members again. I rewatched it recently, and each episode moved me so much that it took a lot of energy. During recording, I might have only empathized with certain characters. But after experiencing various things in life, I can understand more characters now. It’s a show you can enjoy forever, so I hope you’ll spread the word and many people will watch it.
Akiya: The fact that we have this chance to talk about Motto! Ojamajo Doremi together is thanks to all of you who have kept loving the series. Whether you’re feeling down or happy, I hope you’ll watch the Ojamajo Doremi series again and again. The music is full of uplifting songs, so please watch it when you need energy.
Miyahara: Even after 25 years, I still empathize with Motto! Ojamajo Doremi. It’s the show that makes me feel how much fans have watched and loved it. Every time I watch, I notice a different perspective, so I hope you’ll enjoy it many times.
Matsuoka: I think this is a work that parents and children can watch together, and it hasn’t faded even after 25 years. If you’re a parent now, you’ll have different feelings when you watch it, and I hope your children can enjoy it from the same perspective as Doremi and her friends. The Blu-ray BOX will be in your hands, so please give it another look.
Chiba: Thank you to everyone who has watched it from the beginning and to those who are new. Because so many people say they love this work, we can come together like this again. The deep thought put into this show has been embraced by fans, and it has become a work that doesn’t feel dated even after all these years. Watching it as an adult changes how you feel, and I think you can enjoy it no matter how many times you watch. If you haven’t seen it yet, I hope you’ll give it a chance. I’d love to deliver the Ojamajo Doremi series in a new form someday!
Miyahara: I could probably act better now (laughs).
Chiba: The earnestness of trying something new might have been good too! Without the voices saying “I want to watch this again” or “I love it,” it would be hard to deliver it in a new form. Please continue to support us!
The Motto! Ojamajo Doremi Blu-ray BOX is scheduled for release on December 2, 2026, and is available for pre-order. It includes a special booklet with interviews with the cast and staff, along with other bonuses. This beloved series, cherished across generations, is now available to enjoy repeatedly at home.
Present Campaign
To commemorate the release of the Motto! Ojamajo Doremi Blu-ray BOX, one lucky winner will receive a signed message board from six cast members.
Signatures from:
Chiba Chiemi (Harukaze Doremi)
Akiya Tomoko (Fujiwara Hazuki)
Matsuoka Yuki (Senoo Aiko)
Shishido Rumi (Segawa Onpu)
Miyahara Enami (Asuka Momoko)
Ootani Ikue (Hana)
How to Enter
1. Follow the Anime! Anime! X account (@AnimeAnime_jp).
2. Repost the campaign post.
Deadline
August 28, 2026, 23:59 (JST).
(C) Toei Animation
