The official website for Shōji Kawamori’s original animation film Labyrinth (Meikyū no Shiori) has announced an additional 18 cast members, further bolstering the star-studded lineup for the highly anticipated movie. The new additions include a roster of prominent voice actors, many of whom have previously collaborated with Kawamori on his acclaimed works. The film is set to open in Japan on January 1, 2026.
Veteran Talent Joins Labyrinth Ensemble
The newly revealed cast features a wealth of experienced voice actors, though their specific character roles have not yet been disclosed. These include:
- Yūichi Nakamura
- Yūma Uchida
- Inori Minase
- Kana Hanazawa
- Yōko Hikasa
- Aya Endō
- May’n
- Megumi Nakajima
- Ami Koshimizu
- Kiyono Yasuno
- Minori Suzuki
- Nao Tōyama
- Nozomi Nishida
- Kenjirō Tsuda
- Yūki Kaji
- Soyogi Soyogi (Yūki Kaji’s voice AI project)
- Takuma Terashima
- Hiroki Nanami
This extensive list underscores the film’s ambition and the connections Kawamori has forged throughout his illustrious career, bringing together a diverse group of talent.
Previous Cast Announcements and Key Details
These 18 cast members join an already announced lineup that includes:
- Suzuka of the pop group Atarashii Gakkō! as the protagonist Shiori Maezawa and her alternate self, Shiori@Revolution. This marks Suzuka’s voice acting debut.
- Taizō Harada as Komori, a rabbit sticker.
- Aoi Itō as Kirara Kurashina, Shiori’s childhood friend.
- Jun Saitō as Kento Yamada, Shiori’s classmate.
- Takuto Teranishi as Suguru Kagami.
- Shō Hayami as Keizō Maezawa (Shiori’s father).
- Maaya Sakamoto as Yoriko Maezawa (Shiori’s mother).
- Tomokazu Sugita as Tōsaka (Shiori’s homeroom teacher).
The Story of Labyrinth
Labyrinth centers on Shiori Maezawa, an ordinary high school girl whose life takes an unexpected turn when her smartphone suddenly breaks. She finds herself transported to a deserted parallel version of Yokohama. The mystery deepens when she discovers photos of herself on her social media accounts that she doesn’t recall posting. To prevent her “other self” from spiraling out of control, Shiori must navigate the strange “Labyrinth” within her smartphone.
Creative Team Behind the Film
Shōji Kawamori, renowned for his work on franchises like Macross and Aquarion, is directing Labyrinth. This project marks his first original feature-length animated film not based on an existing franchise. The animation production is handled by SANZIGEN. The original story concept is credited to Slow Curve, Vector Vision, GAGA, and Fuji Television, with Slow Curve also managing the planning and production. Risa Ebata (Macross Frontier, AKB0048) is responsible for character designs, while Taichi Hashimoto (Listeners, Gate Keepers 21) penned the script.
Kawamori has expressed that the film originated from the concept of smartphones as an “another self” that accumulates personal data, aiming to create an emotional, pop entertainment piece that blends song and horror elements. The film is scheduled to premiere on January 1, 2026, in Japan.
