Let’s be real for a second. If you grew up in the mid-2000s, there was something visceral about hearing that first electric guitar riff of a Naruto opening. When Naruto Shippuden the Movie dropped in 2007, the stakes felt massive. It wasn't just another filler episode stretched into ninety minutes; it was the first time we saw the "older" versions of our favorite ninjas on the big screen. Looking back at the Naruto Shippuden the Movie cast, it's basically a time capsule of voice acting royalty.
You’ve got the legends. Junko Takeuchi. Maile Flanagan. These names are synonymous with the orange jumpsuit. But the movie introduced us to Shion and Mōryō, characters who forced the Leaf shinobi into a supernatural-horror-meets-prophecy plot that felt darker than the usual "retrieve the stolen scroll" missions.
The Voices Behind the Leaf
When people talk about the Naruto Shippuden the Movie cast, they usually start with Junko Takeuchi. Honestly? Her performance as Naruto Uzumaki is the glue. By the time this film went into production, she had already been voicing the character for years, but Shippuden required a shift. Naruto was taller, his voice was a fraction deeper (though still raspy and energetic), and he was dealing with the heavy burden of being the village’s last hope. Takeuchi’s ability to pivot from "bratty kid wanting ramen" to "warrior facing his own death" is why she’s a GOAT in the seiyuu world.
On the English side, Maile Flanagan brought that same gritty determination. There’s a specific scene where Naruto reacts to the prophecy of his own demise—Flanagan plays it with this weird mix of stubbornness and subtle fear that makes the character feel human. It’s easy to forget that these actors are recording in booths miles apart, yet the chemistry feels like they're standing on the same battlefield.
Then you have the supporting heavy hitters. Chie Nakamura as Sakura Haruno. Showtaro Morikubo as Shikamaru Nara. These actors didn't have as much screen time as they did in the series, but they grounded the film. Sakura, in particular, was transitioning from the "healer on the sidelines" to the "powerhouse medic," and Nakamura’s vocal delivery reflected that newfound confidence.
New Faces and the Priestess Shion
The real curiosity of the Naruto Shippuden the Movie cast lies in the guest stars. Ayumi Fujimura voiced Shion, the priestess of the Land of Ogres. Fujimura is one of those versatile actors you’ve heard in Hunter x Hunter (as Neferpitou) or Gundam UC. For Shion, she had to play a character who was essentially a mirror to Naruto—someone burdened by a fate they didn't ask for.
Her performance starts off cold, almost annoying. But as the movie progresses, Fujimura peels back the layers. You start to hear the vulnerability. It’s a masterclass in character arc through vocal tone alone. If she hadn't landed that performance, the whole "Naruto is going to die" hook wouldn't have worked. We needed to believe Shion’s visions were real.
And let’s not ignore the villains. Seizō Katō voiced Mōryō. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because Katō was a titan of the industry, voicing Megatron in the Japanese dub of Transformers. He brought a prehistoric, looming dread to the role. When Mōryō speaks, the ground feels like it’s shaking. It’s that deep, cavernous bass that makes a villain memorable even if their actual screen time is limited.
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Why the Dub Cast Matters
For many Western fans, the English Naruto Shippuden the Movie cast is the definitive version. Viz Media didn't slack here. They kept the core group consistent, which is something many anime movies fail to do.
- Kate Higgins as Sakura: She brings a certain "older sister" energy that was vital for the early Shippuden era.
- Laura Bailey as Shion: Yes, the Laura Bailey. Before she was every major video game character on the planet, she was voicing Shion. Her performance is arguably more emotive than the original Japanese, giving Shion a sharper, more cynical edge that softens beautifully by the third act.
- Daran Norris as Taru: If you recognize the voice of Cosmo from The Fairly OddParents, hearing him play a sinister antagonist in a Naruto movie is a trip.
The consistency of the cast is why the movie still holds up. When you hear the familiar banter between Naruto and Sakura, it feels like coming home.
The Underappreciated MVP: Hidetoshi Nakamura
In the Japanese version, the character Yomi was voiced by Hidetoshi Nakamura. He’s one of those "voice of a thousand faces" actors. In this movie, he plays the vessel for Mōryō. He has to balance being a human antagonist while slowly being consumed by a demon. It’s a subtle, creepy performance that often gets overshadowed by the big flashy fights, but it’s essential for the movie's darker tone.
How the Cast Handled the "Death" of Naruto
The marketing for this film was wild. "Naruto Dies!" was plastered everywhere.
To make that believable, the Naruto Shippuden the Movie cast had to play it straight. There couldn't be any wink-and-a-nod to the audience. Takeuchi and Flanagan both had to lean into the exhaustion of the character. This wasn't just another day at the office; this was a kid realizing he might not make it to see the sun come up. That emotional weight is carried entirely by the vocal performances during the climax at the volcano.
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A Look at the Production Reality
Behind the scenes, voicing a feature-length film is a different beast than a weekly episode. The budget is higher, the ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement) is more meticulous, and the actors often get to see the high-quality animation before they record. This leads to a more "cinematic" delivery. You can hear it in the breath control and the timing of the grunts during the fight scenes. It’s tighter. More polished.
The movie also featured a few "blink and you'll miss it" cameos from the wider Leaf village cast. Even if they only had two lines, the original actors like Nana Mizuki (Hinata) and Satoshi Hino (Sai) were brought in. This commitment to the ensemble is what kept the Naruto brand so strong during its peak.
Technical Skill vs. Emotional Resonance
Acting is acting, whether it's in a booth or on a stage. The Naruto Shippuden the Movie cast faced the unique challenge of "filling" a theater with their voices. In a TV show, you can be subtle. In a movie, everything is magnified.
The Japanese cast, coached by veteran sound directors, leaned into the theatricality of the script. When Naruto yells "Rasengan!" in this movie, there’s a sustained power to it that feels different from the TV show. It’s a subtle shift, but for the hardcore fans, it made the ticket price worth it.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Voice Actors
If you're looking back at this movie or interested in how these performances work, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Study the Contrast: Watch the scene where Shion first meets Naruto. Notice how Fujimura (JP) and Bailey (EN) use a higher pitch to show arrogance, then drop it into a lower register as the character becomes more honest. This is a classic technique for showing character growth.
Voice Health is Key: Both Takeuchi and Flanagan have spoken in interviews about the strain of voicing Naruto. If you're an aspiring VA, the "Naruto voice" is dangerous. It’s a throat-heavy, raspy sound. These pros use specific breathing techniques to ensure they don't blow out their vocal cords during the screaming matches.
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Context is Everything: The Naruto Shippuden the Movie cast succeeded because they understood where their characters were in the timeline. This was Naruto right after he returned to the village—he was desperate to prove he’d grown. That "chip on the shoulder" is present in every line of dialogue.
Tracking the Cast Today
Where are they now? Most are still at the top of their game.
- Junko Takeuchi is still the voice of Naruto in Boruto, though she’s playing him as a tired, overworked dad now.
- Maile Flanagan continues to be a staple at conventions, meeting the generation of fans who grew up with this movie.
- Laura Bailey has become one of the most prolific actors in gaming (The Last of Us Part II, Gears of War).
Looking back at the Naruto Shippuden the Movie cast, it's clear that the film served as a bridge. It took the energy of the original series and injected it with the maturity of Shippuden. It wasn't perfect—no anime movie is—but the voices made it feel real. They made us believe, even if just for a second, that the hero might actually fall.
If you haven't revisited the film in a while, it's worth a rewatch just to hear the nuance. Skip the subtitles for a minute and just listen to the raw emotion in the voices. That’s where the real magic of the Hidden Leaf lives.
Go back and listen to the final confrontation between Naruto and Mōryō. Note the way the actors layer the exhaustion of the battle with the triumph of the finish. It’s not just shouting; it’s a rhythmic, planned out performance that requires incredible lung capacity and emotional timing. That’s why these names remain legendary in the industry.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check out the "Behind the Scenes" features on the DVD/Blu-ray releases of Naruto Shippuden the Movie to see the recording booths in action.
- Compare the Japanese and English dubs of Shion’s prophecy scene to see how different languages handle the "foreboding" tone.
- Follow the current projects of the main cast members to see how their vocal range has evolved from the 2007 era to today.