[All] [2025 Latest] Who are the Japanese voice actors in Zootopia 2? What's the full story of the stellar cast and what are the highlights?

Who will be the voice actors for the Japanese version of the film "Zootopia 2"? This comprehensive guide covers the details of the star-studded cast, including Aya Ueto, Toshiyuki Morikawa, Masahiro Takashima, Akira Emoto, Hiro Shimono, and Ryosuke Yamada, who were selected through auditions in the US. It covers everything from character development to behind-the-scenes stories and nationwide promotional information.

 

 

table of contents   1. Zootopia 2 Japanese voice actors and character details 2. The appeal of the main cast and new characters, and recorded episodes 3. The change in Judy and Nick's relationship and the core of the story 4. Plans to turn Japan into a Zootopia and expectations for its release 5. Why Zootopia 2 is said to be "better than the original" 6. Zootopia 2 Japanese voice actors Q&A

1. Zootopia 2 Japanese voice actors and character details

 

The Japanese dubbed version of "Zootopia 2" features voice actors who have been retained from the previous film, as well as the addition of new, talented voice actors who passed auditions in the US, giving the film's worldview an even richer and more diverse feel. Ueto Aya, who plays Judy, a struggling police officer, and Morikawa Toshiyuki, who plays her partner Nick, remain the same as in the previous film, providing audiences with a sense of security and familiarity. Meanwhile, new characters are involved in the core of the story, and the voice actors have been cast with distinctive personalities.

To help you understand the work, below is a table listing the main characters and their voice actors.

 

◆ Japanese dubbing cast list

character	explanation	Japanese voice actors
Judy	A rabbit police officer pursuing his ideals	Aya Ueto
Nick	Ex-con Fox	Toshiyuki Morikawa
Gary	The snake that holds the secret to Zootopia	Hiro Shimono
Nibbles	Bieber Streamer	Noriko Eguchi
Paubert	Heir to the family that founded Zootopia	Ryosuke Yamada
Chief Bogo	Police Chief's Water Buffalo	Kenta Miyake
gazelle	Pop Star	Dream Ami
Mayor Winddancer	Charismatic Horse Politician	Masahiro Takashima
Haysus	A lizard lord living in hiding in Zootopia	Akira Emoto
Clawhauser	Receptionist Cheetah	Shigeo Takahashi
Anthony	Crime Organized Anteater	Wataru Takagi
Milton Linksley	Paubert's father, a businessman	Tomio Umezawa

 

In particular, the new characters play an important role in uncovering the secret behind Zootopia's creation, and the voice actors' performance plans are deeply connected to the core of the story. Thanks to the direct involvement of the US casting team, it is impressive how each character's voice quality and personality match up so closely.

 

 

2. The appeal of the main cast and new characters, and recorded episodes

2-1. The sense of security brought by the continued roles of Aya Ueto (Judy) and Toshiyuki Morikawa (Nick)

Although nine years have passed since the previous film, the story is set just one week after Judy and Nick became partners. Ueto was worried about whether she could produce a voice that didn't convey the nine-year gap, but as the recording progressed, she felt like Judy's voice was naturally returning. Meanwhile, Morikawa described Nick's sarcastic yet kind-hearted character as having a "cool voice," and said that the subtle change in the distance between the two characters is a highlight of this film.

 

The two were in perfect sync at the event, and the moment Morikawa said "Nick and Judy," Ueto immediately responded with "Judy and Nick," which was a symbolic moment. Following on from the previous film, they reaffirmed their presence as a "great duo."

 

 

2-2. The overwhelming presence of those who passed the US auditions

 

Among the cast members, three who attracted a lot of attention were Masahiro Takashima, Akira Emoto, and Tomio Umezawa. They won their roles after auditions in the US, and were highly praised for their vocal expressiveness and affinity with their characters.

Masahiro Takashima plays the role of the horse mayor, Wind Dancer. Utilizing his horse riding experience, he tried to incorporate the nuances of conversations with horses and the neighing of horses into his voice, but the director warned him to "reduce the horse-like feel," which is a very memorable story. It can be said that this episode was born out of the closeness he felt to the character.

 

Heysusu, played by Akira Emoto, is an extremely important character involved in the long-standing mystery of why there are no reptiles in Zootopia. Emoto said that he wanted to know how his own voice sounded, revealing his own unique stance on acting.

 

Tomio Umezawa will be playing businessman Milton Linksley, and expressed great joy at passing his first audition. While he said he couldn't say much about the similarities between him and the character, he said he sees him as a "very kind father," raising expectations for the character's background.

 

 

2-3. The new cast members' characters and voice actors' personalities matched surprisingly well

 

Kumamoto Pro-Wrestling plays Inspector Hogbottom, a straightforward and tough boar-like detective. Kumamoto said he was convinced to take on the role because of the commonality between them, namely their power, and reflected on his own background, having grown up surrounded by Disney films since childhood.

 

Jumbo Takao plays Captain Russ, a walrus who he describes as "almost me." He says that the character's inherent cheerfulness and sense of security miraculously matched his own style of comedy, and he is confident that the dubbing "just felt right."

 

Thanks to this clever casting, the characters in this film are portrayed as more vivid beings.

 

 

 

 

3. The changing relationship between Judy and Nick and the central theme of the story

 

In the previous film, Judy and Nick overcame their differences in abilities and values ​​to deepen their bond, but in this film, we see further developments in their relationship. Morikawa said, "The highlight is what will happen from their relationship that is more than just friends," and expectations are also high for the romantic overtones that may be hinted at.

 

The story centers around the mystery of the absence of reptiles, a hidden theme in the birth of Zootopia. The presence of a snake named Gary and the appearance of a leading lizard named Heissus serve to guide the audience to the heart of the issue. The story is faster-paced than the previous film, and although there are comical scenes throughout, the second half is structured to leave viewers with a heart-wrenching sadness.

 

Furthermore, the cast all agreed that the music and animation are more refined than in the previous film, and that they are drawn into the world of the work visually and aurally from the very beginning.

 

 

 

 

4. The nationwide "Zootopia Plan for Japan" and expectations for its release

 

Promotions for "Zootopia 2" are not limited to the film, but are also being carried out in large-scale collaborations across Japan. The world of Zootopia is being recreated with different effects in each area, including Ikspiari in Maihama, Hibiya Midtown, Midland Square in Nagoya, Hankyu Sun Plaza in Osaka, and JR Tower in Sapporo.

The highlight of the event was the illumination of Zojoji Temple as "ZOOJOJI," and the sight of all 10 voice actors gathered together symbolized the excitement just before the film's release. The film's message and universal themes already provide the foundation for it to be loved by audiences both in Japan and overseas for a long time.

 

Aya Ueto, who plays Judy, hinted at the depth of the film by saying, "There are hints to finding the perfect partner through Zootopia 2." As with the previous film, the themes of modern society are relatable to both children and adults, suggesting the film has the potential to become a social phenomenon.

 

 

 

 

5. Why is Zootopia 2 said to be "better than the original"?

 

The reason why "Zootopia 2" is expected to surpass its predecessor worldwide is that it is not just an expanded sequel, but has also seen major advances in three areas: script structure, character depth, and themes.

What is most noteworthy is that the story centers around the secret of Zootopia's birth. While the previous film focused on themes of diversity, prejudice, and coexistence, this time the driving force behind the entire story is a question that goes to the very core of the world of the story: "Why were there no reptiles in Zootopia?" The key to unraveling this mystery lies with Gary the snake and Heisus the lizard, both of whom are deeply intertwined in the story. Furthermore, while the script has a strong mystery element, it maintains Disney's signature humor and tempo, so it is structured to draw the audience into the story without stress from the very beginning.

 

In terms of music, Shakira's song "Zoo" adds a lot to the film's atmosphere, and the visuals have been dramatically improved in terms of the handling of light, the character's fur, and the depiction of the fantastical city. While retaining the charm of the previous film, the depth of the story and the visual impact have increased dramatically, making it a complete sequel that will satisfy a wide range of audiences, from children to adults.

 

 

 

 

6. Zootopia 2 Japanese Voice Actors Q&A: A thorough look at frequently asked questions

Q1. Will all the cast members from the previous film be returning?

The main characters Judy (Ueto Aya), Nick (Morikawa Toshiyuki), Chief Bogo (Miyake Kenta), and Gazelle (Dream Ami) are continuing to appear from the previous film, allowing the audience to immerse themselves in the story without losing the atmosphere of the previous film.

 

 

Q2. Why are the new cast members so impressive?

This time, the roles are extremely important as they touch on the "fundamental mysteries of the Zootopia world." As a result, the home side conducted a strict selection process for each character, and actors with excellent acting skills were chosen from Japan.

 

 

Q3. When is the release date?

The film will be released in Japan on December 5, 2025, at roughly the same time as other countries around the world, including the US.

 

 

Q4. Which Japanese voice actors passed the auditions in the US?

Masahiro Takashima, Akira Emoto, Tomio Umezawa and others have been selected for roles after passing auditions in their home countries, and are praised for their extremely high level of matching with the characters.

 

 

Q5. What will happen to Judy and Nick's relationship?

Comments from the cast suggest that the film will depict a "change in distance" that is an extension of friendship, making it an element of interest for fans of the series.

 

 

Q6. Is this a work that can be enjoyed by both children and adults?

Like the previous film, the story has humor and adventure on the surface, but deep inside it is packed with layered themes that reflect modern society, making it a structure that will resonate more deeply with adults.

 

 

 

 

summary

 

In "Zootopia 2," the characters are more appealing than in the previous film, and the performances of the stellar voice actors enhance the tension and emotional fluctuations of the story. The story is deeper, the direction is more spectacular, and the themes have evolved to be more suitable for adults, so there is always something new to discover no matter how many times you watch it.

The diverse personalities of the Japanese voice actors enrich the worldview of the work, and once the film is released, there will likely be major changes in the balance of character popularity.

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