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Sukima Switch Perform Song, Voice-Act in The Last -Naruto the Movie-

The male duo Sukima Switch are not only performing the theme song for December's The Last -Naruto the Movie-, but also voice-acting ninja characters in it. Members Takuya Ōhashi (leftmost in photo) and Shintarō Tokita (rightmost) entered a Tokyo studio to record their dialogue on October 15.

Since this will be the finale in the Naruto film series, producer Takuyuki Hirobe asked the duo to make a song that invokes a gentle yet powerful outlook of the world. The theme song is "Hoshi no Utsuwa" (Star Vessel), a "magnificent medium-tempo number about friendship and the bonds between people." It will go on sale on December 3.

The Last -Naruto the Movie- will open in Japanese theaters on December 6, and it will be the first Naruto film in two years. The film is also part of the larger "Naruto Shin Jidai Kaimaku Project" (Naruto's New Era Opening Project) marking the 15th anniversary of the original manga. Manga creator Masashi Kishimoto is credited with the original story, character designs, and chief story supervisor of the film. In particular, he is drawing new designs for the title character in the movie, as well as for other characters. Tsuneo Kobayashi (The Twelve Kingdoms, Emma: A Victorian Romance, Kurokami The Animation) is directing the film.

Songwriters Takuya Ōhashi and Shintarō Tokita formed Sukima Switch in 1999. Ōhashi's vocals and Tokita's sound production led to a string of hits, and the duo marked the 10th anniversary of their label debut in 2013. They already performed theme songs for The Beast Player Erin, Doraemon: Nobita no Kyoryu [2006], Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Pokémon Zoroark: Master of Illusions, Silver Spoon, Space Brothers, and Tokyo Marble Chocolate. This past summer, they contributed opening theme song "Ah Yeah!!" for the Haikyu!! anime. They had previously voice-acted in the 2006 film version of Doraemon: Nobita no Kyōryū.

A new Naruto film has debuted in Japan every year between 2004 and 2012. The ninth film, Road to Ninja: Naruto the Movie, opened in Japan in July 2012 and became the highest grossing film in the franchise. Viz Media has released several of the films in North America, and it presented Road to Ninja: Naruto the Movie in select cities on in August.

Shueisha stated earlier this month that the Naruto manga will end in five more chapters. A stage play will open in Tokyo next March.

Source: Sankei Sports