Seven Actors to Portray Chihiro in 2026-2028 World Tour
The stage production of Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi has announced the seven actors who will play Chihiro during its 2026-2028 world tour. Returning to the role are Hashimoto Kanna, Kamishiraishi Mone, Fukuchi Momoko, and Mori Rina. Joining them are Inoue Nao of Nogizaka46, Toyoshima Hana, and Hirasawa Kokoro.
The production first opened in March 2022 at Teikoku Gekijou as a Toho 90th anniversary project and was billed as the world premiere. It won the 47th Kikuta Kazuo Engeki Taisho, with the award recognizing the stage production’s cast and staff, and Kamishiraishi Mone won Best Actress at the 30th Yomiuri Engeki Taisho. The show has since had reruns and overseas performances, and the world tour is scheduled from December through 2028.
Returning Cast Members
Hashimoto and Kamishiraishi have portrayed Chihiro since the 2022 world premiere, helping to establish the production’s foundation. Fukuchi joined for the 2024 Teikoku Gekijou rerun, performed in the Japanese-English simultaneous performances alongside the two, and made her London West End debut. She will continue with the world tour. Mori, who has played Chihiro as an understudy, will take on the principal role starting with this world tour.
Hashimoto said, "Because this is a work I have become familiar with, I will once again treasure Chihiro’s surprise and confusion as she first steps into that mysterious world, and the courage to take a step forward. With the joy of ‘coming back’ and the fresh feeling that ‘it starts here,’ I will deliver each performance with all my heart together with everyone in the company."
Kamishiraishi said, "I am very, very happy to be able to travel with Chihiro again. We have toured in Japan and overseas, and in each place I was amazed to feel how much this production receives from theaters and audiences. In new places, I will perform with all my heart while feeling the freshness unique to each location and treasuring what remains unchanged."
Fukuchi said, "We develop the story while sticking as much as possible to human power, and we move the creatures that appear. I think the way you feel it will surely change at each theater. The compatibility with the space is also one of the highlights, so I would be happy if you enjoy that as well."
Mori said, "Meiji-za is a memorable place where I made my professional stage debut in the musical Hakuouki Shitan: Hijikata Toshizou Hen in 2018, and I feel a connection in being able to stand there as Chihiro, which makes me very happy."
New Chihiro Actors Chosen by John Caird
Following auditions led by adaptor and director John Caird, the new Chihiro actors are Inoue Nao, Toyoshima Hana, and Hirasawa Kokoro.
Inoue joined Nogizaka46 as a fifth-generation member and is set to appear in the taiga drama Toyotomi Kyoudai! and Toy Story 5. This production marks her first solo stage performance and first starring stage role. Looking back on the audition, she recalled that six or seven out of ten parts of her conversation with John Caird were about her activities with Nogizaka46. When she told him she loved singing and dancing, he asked her to sing and dance, and she performed the song "Same numbers" on the spot.
Toyoshima appeared as the younger versions of main characters in the TV dramas Amachan, Gochisousan, and the taiga drama Yae no Sakura. Her other credits include Omameda Towako to Sannin no Motootto and Shinkansen Daibakuha. This is her first stage production. She said, "I feel the greatest joy in being allowed to play Chihiro. Because of that joy, I still cannot quite believe it. I am already nervous, but I will do my best while also being conscious of enjoying creating this together."
Hirasawa has appeared in the taiga drama Go ~Himetachi no Sengoku~ and Aya to Majo, and next year she is scheduled to appear in the stage production Uruu no Asagao. "I am really looking forward to living as Chihiro. I will do my best," she said. She also shared an audition episode: she performed the opening scene while nervous, and received advice that because the stage reaches audiences far away, even a monologue must travel that distance. The advice was to perform while feeling the large stage and the many people there. Having worked mainly in video productions, she found that sensation a little difficult, but she also thinks it is one of the interesting aspects of stage performance.
Domestic Tour Schedule
The seven actors are also scheduled to appear in the Meiji-za performances.
The domestic tour of Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi is planned for March-May 2027 at Meiji-za, June at Misonoza, June-July at Umeda Arts Theater Main Hall, July-August at Hakata-za, and August at Sapporo Cultural Arts Theater hitaru.
