It was 2015. Fans were still reeling from the end of the original Naruto manga. Then, Kishimoto dropped a bombshell with a film that felt less like a spin-off and more like a passing of the torch. Most people don’t realize how high the stakes were. If the boruto naruto the movie cast didn't land perfectly, the entire sequel era would have crashed before it even started. Honestly, the pressure on these voice actors was insane. They had to embody characters we’d known for fifteen years while simultaneously introducing a new generation that, quite frankly, a lot of fans were skeptical about at first.
You’ve got the old guard. Junko Takeuchi. Noriaki Sugiyama. They’re icons. But then you bring in Yūko Sanpei as Boruto, and suddenly the dynamic shifts. It wasn't just about sounding like Naruto's kid; it was about capturing that specific brand of "bratty but lonely" that defines the early Boruto era.
The Voice Behind the New Protagonist
Yūko Sanpei took on a monumental task. Boruto Uzumaki is a polarizing kid in the beginning of this movie. He’s loud, he’s resentful, and he’s desperate for his dad's attention. Sanpei had to deliver a performance that made him likable even when he was being a jerk. She’s a veteran, though. You might recognize her as Renton Thurston from Eureka Seven or Tsubasa from Captain Tsubasa. She has this specific rasp that conveys youth and rebellion without sounding too high-pitched or annoying.
In the film, there’s this specific moment where Boruto is caught cheating with the Kote (the Shinobi Gauntlet). Sanpei’s voice cracks just enough to show the shame beneath the arrogance. It’s a nuanced performance that most people overlook because they’re too busy looking at the flashy Rasengan variations.
The Return of the Legends
Then there's Junko Takeuchi. She is Naruto. By the time this movie rolled around, she had to transition from the "Number One Hyperactive, Knucklehead Ninja" to a tired, overworked Seventh Hokage. It’s a subtle shift. The energy is still there, but there’s a weight to it. When she interacts with the rest of the boruto naruto the movie cast, especially Sugiyama (Sasuke), you can hear the decades of history in their banter.
Speaking of Sugiyama, his Sasuke in this film is arguably the best version of the character. He’s the cool uncle. He’s the mentor. Sugiyama lowers his register, giving Sasuke a paternal vibe that he never really had in Shippuden. It’s grounded.
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Breaking Down the Supporting Players
It isn't just about the Uzumakis. The movie introduced us to the new Team 7, and the casting choices here were pretty inspired.
- Kokoro Kikuchi as Sarada Uchiha: Kikuchi had the hardest job. She had to sound like Sakura’s daughter but with Sasuke’s intensity. She nails that "intelligent but emotionally observant" vibe. Interestingly, Kikuchi also voiced the young Boruto in the The Last: Naruto the Movie epilogue, but Sanpei took over for the main film to give Boruto a more distinct, older sound.
- Ryūichi Kijima as Mitsuki: Mitsuki is... weird. He’s an enigma in this movie. Kijima plays him with this airy, detached politeness that is genuinely unsettling but also kind of charming. It’s a very "Orochimaru's kid" performance.
- Daisuke Namikawa as Momoshiki Ōtsutsuki: We need to talk about the villains. Namikawa is a powerhouse. He’s Hisoka in Hunter x Hunter and Oikawa in Haikyuu!!. He brings this sense of divine superiority to Momoshiki. He doesn't just sound evil; he sounds bored by the humans he’s fighting. That’s a key distinction.
The chemistry between the boruto naruto the movie cast works because they spent weeks in the booth together, which isn't always the case in modern dubbing or subbing workflows. They recorded a lot of the group scenes as an ensemble, which is why the dinner table scenes or the moments in the Hokage's office feel so lived-in.
The English Dub Perspective
For those who watched the English version, the stakes were just as high. Amanda C. Miller took the reins as Boruto. She had to find a middle ground between Maile Flanagan’s legendary Naruto voice and something entirely new. It’s more tomboyish, more aggressive. Cherami Leigh as Sarada was a stroke of genius—she brings a certain "no-nonsense" energy that anchors the team.
Many fans argue about which version is better. Honestly? Both casts understood the assignment. They knew this movie was a bridge.
Why This Specific Lineup Changed Everything
If you look at the production notes from Studio Pierrot, they were very careful about how they integrated the old and new voices. They didn't want the veterans to overshadow the rookies.
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Think about the Chunin Exams sequence. The background cast includes Nana Mizuki as Hinata and Showtaro Morikubo as Shikamaru. These are massive stars in the seiyuu world. Yet, the sound mixing and the script prioritize the kids. It’s a meta-narrative about the next generation taking over.
One thing that often gets lost in the shuffle is the performance of Akira Ishida as Gaara. He’s only in the movie for a short time, but his voice has aged significantly since the original series. It’s deeper, more authoritative. It’s these small details in the boruto naruto the movie cast that reward long-time fans who have been listening to these voices for twenty years.
Behind the Scenes Tensions
There’s a rumor that Kishimoto himself was very involved in the casting for Mitsuki. He wanted someone who sounded "synthetic" but not robotic. Kijima was a relatively newer name at the time compared to the titans surrounding him, but he fit the bill perfectly.
The movie also features Hiroki Yasumoto as Kinshiki. If you know Bleach, he’s Chad. He has one of the deepest, most resonant voices in the industry. Putting him next to Namikawa’s higher-pitched, snarky Momoshiki created a vocal contrast that made the villains feel like a balanced duo. It’s basically "the brawn and the brain" expressed through sound.
Practical Takeaways for Fans and Collectors
If you're looking to dive deeper into the performances or collect the work of the boruto naruto the movie cast, there are a few things you should do:
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- Watch the "Day Naruto Became Hokage" OVA: Most versions of the movie include this. It features the same cast but in a much more comedic, domestic setting. It shows the range of Takeuchi and Sanpei.
- Compare the Movie to the Series: The Boruto anime eventually retold the movie's plot (the Momoshiki Arc). While the cast is mostly the same, the performances in the movie are often tighter and higher budget. The movie was recorded with a theatrical focus, meaning the actors were given more time for multiple takes.
- Check out the Interviews: The Japanese Blu-ray release has an incredible "Making Of" segment where Sanpei and Takeuchi discuss the "father-son" dynamic. It’s actually quite emotional to see Takeuchi talk about passing the lead role to someone else.
The legacy of the boruto naruto the movie cast isn't just about one film. It’s about how they set the template for hundreds of episodes of television that followed. They took a franchise that was "finished" and gave it a new voice—literally.
To truly appreciate the nuance, pay attention to the scene where Naruto gives Boruto his old, jacket. It’s a quiet moment. No explosions. Just two actors, Takeuchi and Sanpei, finding the heart of a father and son who finally understand each other. That’s the real magic of this cast. They made us care about a kid we were prepared to dislike.
Go back and watch the final battle. Turn the volume up. Listen to the way the voices overlap during the "Parent and Child Rasengan." It’s not just a cool visual; it’s a vocal culmination of two decades of storytelling. That's why this cast remains the gold standard for the franchise.
Next Steps for Enthusiasts:
- Audit the credits: Look for the "Additional Voices" in the English dub; many of them are actually veteran VAs like Robbie Daymond or Max Mittelman playing minor roles before they got bigger parts in the series.
- Analyze the vocal shifts: Listen to Naruto's voice in the first episode of the original series versus his voice in this movie. The subtle drop in pitch Takeuchi employs is a masterclass in "aging" a character through voice alone.
- Explore the video games: The Ultimate Ninja Storm series uses the same cast and often features "what-if" dialogue that you won't hear in the movie, providing more depth to the characters' relationships.