Netflix's "The Ribbon Hero" has finally arrived, bringing Osamu Tezuka’s iconic manga "Princess Knight" to life as Princess Sapphire fights to become a hero in Goldland after losing her homeland Silverland to the disaster Nergal. To mark the film's August 8 global launch and the feature directorial debut of Yuuki Igarashi (Jujutsu Kaisen), we spoke with voice actor Koki Uchiyama about playing Velvet—an executive of the religious group Mithra who seeks to manipulate Sapphire—and his surprising connection with Director Igarashi.
Understanding the World to Deliver Conviction: Uchiyama’s Approach to Velvet
──To start off, could you give us your honest thoughts after seeing the finished film?
Koki Uchiyama, voice of Velvet (hereafter, Uchiyama): To be honest, I was completely overwhelmed by the visuals. We finished the voice recording about six months ago, and even though the animation wasn't 100% complete back then. I remember thinking, "This is an incredible visual work," even at that stage, but seeing the final completed product, it was leveled up even further.
The action and battle scenes were extremely captivating, and I was really impressed by the detailed rendering of the characters' changing expressions and subtle gestures. It’s not just the leads, either—the background characters and the crowd scenes were handled with such care. Everything felt so natural. Visually speaking, it felt like an extraordinarily satisfying film to watch.
──Let’s talk about your role as Velvet. Did you go through an audition process for this?
Uchiyama: Yes, I auditioned and was selected for the role. Rather than going to a studio to do a voice test in person, the process involved recording my own audio files and submitting them.
When I first read the script, my impression was that the world-building and the setting were quite complex. Velvet, in particular, has a lot of expository dialogue in the first half of the film. I felt that in order to deliver those lines effectively, I had to fully understand all that context myself first. If I didn't truly digest and internalize the information about the world, I knew I wouldn't be able to deliver the lines with conviction.
──Was there anything specific you focused on or felt particularly picky about when portraying Velvet?
Uchiyama: When I saw the character designs during the audition phase, my first thought was, "He has quite a cute look." He has long hair and a very slender, delicate frame. I’ll admit, I was a bit worried at first whether my natural voice would actually fit that look.
However, while I didn't want to stray too far from the impression given by his design, I also didn't want to force myself into a voice that felt unnatural. If I twisted my performance into something I don't normally do, there’d be no point in me playing the role. I recorded my audition tape by trying to find that perfect balance between the visual aesthetic and my own identity as an actor.
──Did you feel like you had a good "read" on the character during the audition?
Uchiyama: I wouldn't say I had zero confidence, but I certainly wasn't certain that I had nailed it. When I heard that I actually got the part of Velvet, I was honestly surprised. It was one of those "Oh, they actually want me for this?" moments.
Velvet: A Complex Character Wrapped in Mystery
──What was your impression of the rest of the cast once you heard them in action?
Uchiyama: Everyone is just spot-on. They fit their characters perfectly. Sapphire is great, of course, and the scenes where Pine sings are just phenomenal. It really made me feel like the casting was brilliant across the board.
──During the recording sessions, did the staff give you any specific direction on how they wanted Velvet played?
Uchiyama: Before we actually started recording, I had the chance to sit down in a circle with Director Yuuki Igarashi and Sound Director Keiichiro Miyoshi.
As I mentioned before, I had several questions about the world and the characters after reading the script. I asked the director about everything—even the small details, like "What exactly is Nergal?" He explained everything so thoroughly and patiently that it really deepened my understanding. Because of that talk, I was able to deliver my lines with total confidence.
In terms of the acting itself, they mostly gave me a lot of creative freedom. One thing that did evolve through direction was the volume of his voice. Velvet is essentially a cool, intellectual character, but he’s also a high-ranking official in Mithra. In scenes where he’s giving orders to the public or his subordinates, I was told to be "more powerful" or "a bit louder."
My initial instinct was that Velvet was someone who speaks quietly without ever raising his voice. But as we went along, the direction was to make sure his commands were clearly heard by everyone in those moments, so I adjusted my performance accordingly.
──Velvet is a complex character. He’s enigmatic—you can’t tell if he’s a friend or a foe. He follows the Pope, yet he exudes a sense of loneliness. Did that require a lot of careful layering in your performance?
Uchiyama: Definitely. From the beginning through the middle of the story, I felt it was important to maintain that sense of mystery and intrigue.
A Connection with Director Igarashi
──The official website describes Velvet as a "cool man blessed with beauty and tactical brilliance." You’ve played many "cool" characters in the past—is there a specific mindset you bring to those types of roles?
Uchiyama: I think there are many different types of "cool." Some people act that way because they want to be seen that way, while others just naturally come across that way to others. "Cool" is just one way a character is perceived, but it’s fueled by all sorts of underlying emotions. That’s why you have to think about it differently for every character.
It might sound like a cliché, but I try not to force them into a pre-set mold. A character ends up looking "cool" as a result of their life experiences and the way they think. For this project, the most important thing for me was imagining, "In Velvet's case, what led him here?"
──Did you find Velvet to be a character you could easily relate to or understand?
Uchiyama: Velvet’s true intentions gradually become clear in the latter half of the film. Once you know what he's really thinking, his actions from the beginning start to make perfect sense. Understanding what he was harboring deep in his heart allowed me to realize, "I see, so that's why he acted as a member of the organization while still pursuing his own personal goals."
──In this film, Velvet undergoes changes through his encounters with Sapphire and others. Have you personally had any "Sapphire-like" encounters or events that brought about a major change in you?
Uchiyama: A change... is it? Let's see. Being a voice actor means being involved with so many different projects constantly. Today I’m doing an interview for this film, but tomorrow I might be recording for a game or another anime.
Because of that, it’s hard to pin down just one thing as the "biggest influence." I'm always meeting various works and people and getting stimulated by them, and I'm influenced through the accumulation of all those experiences. I think that's one of the most enjoyable parts of doing this job.
Even when I first got the audition offer, seeing Director Igarashi’s name made me think, "I definitely want to be a part of this." His work on the "Jujutsu Kaisen" ending was so highly acclaimed and visually striking. Since I also performed in "Jujutsu Kaisen" (as Toge Inumaki), I felt a bit of a destined connection there.
The Haunting Impact of "Black Jack"
──This project is deeply rooted in Osamu Tezuka’s "Princess Knight." Do you have any personal memories of Tezuka’s work?
Uchiyama: To be honest, I hadn't read "Princess Knight" before this, so I went into the project without deep prior knowledge. On the other hand, I grew up reading "Black Jack." I’m not sure if I read every single chapter, but I definitely went through a huge chunk of it.
I started reading it in elementary school and found it fascinating. Each story is so memorable, but it also has those eerie, almost macabre depictions, like the surgery scenes. As a kid, I felt like I was "looking at something I wasn't supposed to see." Even the origin of Pinoko was a shock. It left a massive impression on me.
──Finally, do you have a message for everyone looking forward to the film?
Uchiyama: I truly believe this is a project that people across generations can enjoy. The world and the setting are incredibly well-crafted, and the characters are captivating. It’s the kind of movie that makes you want to sit back and ponder, "What is the state of this world?" or "How is this organization structured?" after the credits roll.
In that sense, adults will find plenty to dig into, while the visual charm and characters make it a great watch for kids as well. Everyone will find a different way to enjoy it.
The visuals are so dense that I think people will want to go back and watch certain scenes again. I’d be happy if people watched it multiple times to fully soak in the world.
As for Velvet, he’s a character whose image will likely change by the time you finish the film. He might seem mysterious at first, but I hope you’ll stick with him until the very end to see who he truly is.
──Thank you very much!
[Interview & Text by Risuku Son]
About This Anime
Synopsis
Princess Sapphire of the lost kingdom.
Stripped of everything in her homeland, Silverland,
by the calamity known as "Nergal," she arrived in Goldland
at the very depths of despair.
While carrying the weight of her past,
she began to find a glimmer of hope through the kindness of the people.
Yet, as if mocking her peaceful daily life,
the calamity "Nergal" appears once more.
The same despair that reduced her homeland to ashes
is now threatening to steal the light from this land as well.
No more loss for me. No more loss for anyone.
Wiping away her tears of sorrow, the young girl takes up her sword.
This is the story of a hero who ties her ribbon and resolves to defy fate.
Cast
Sapphire: Saaya (Laland)
Pine: Seiran Kobayashi
Velvet: Koki Uchiyama
Zilcho: Mayumi Shintani
Rock: Yoshimasa Hosoya
Hecate: Mito Tsukino
Chorogy: Yusuke Tezuka
Chick: Lunlun
Tac: Debidebi Deiru
©TWIN ENGINE
© Animate Times
*Some parts of this text have been translated using machine translation
