The event is ending with a screening of episode 12 from the Ojamajo Doremi Na-i-sho original video anime project. The first Ojamajo Doremi anime series originally premiered in Japan in 1999.

The staff for Majo Minarai o Sagashite (Looking for Witch Apprentices), the brand-new anime filmcommemorating the 20th anniversary of the Ojamajo Doremi magical girl anime franchise, unveiled the film's story, additional staff members, visuals, and May 15 opening date at Tokyo International Film Festival on Tuesday.

The story follows 27-year-old Tokyo office worker Mire Yoshizuki who just returned to Japan, 22-year-old fourth-year college student Sora Nagase who aspires to be a teacher, and 20-year-old boyish, part-time Hiroshima okonomiyaki shop worker and freelancer Reika Kawatani. What draws together these three women from completely different walks of life is a magic gem. A 'New Magical Story' begins when they are mysteriously brought together by chance and embark on a journey.

Kenichi Tajiri is serving as art designer, and Shinzo Yuki and Yukie Yuki are co-designing the MAHO Temple. Kunio Tsujita is serving as color key artist.

As previously announced, Junichi Sato (Sailor Moon, Aria, Princess Tutu), the director of the original Ojamajo Doremi anime, is directing the new film alongside Yū Kamatani (Precure franchise episode director) at Toei Animation. Midori Kuriyama (episode scriptwriter for Lovely Complex, Heartcatch Precure!) and Yoshihiko Umakoshi (Boys Over Flowers, Mushi-Shi) are also returning from Ojamajo Doremi as scriptwriter and character designer, respectively, and Umakoshi is also credited as chief animation director. Shōko Nakamura (Doukyusei -Classmates-) is also credited as animation director for the film, and Hiromi Seki is leading her team as producer.

The guests for the special talk event include producer Hiromi Seki, directors Junichi Sato and Yū Kamatani, writer Midori Kuriyama, and character designer and chief animation director Yoshihiko Umakoshi. The free event at Tokyo's outdoor Roppongi Hills Arena screened two earlier films (Ojamajo Doremi Sharp and Mo~tto! Ojamajo Doremi Kaeru Seki no Himitsu) before the guests discussed the new film. The event is ending with a screening of episode 12 from the Ojamajo Doremi Na-i-sho original video anime project.

The first Ojamajo Doremi anime series originally premiered in Japan in 1999, and 4Kids began broadcasting a heavily edited version of the series in the United States in 2005 under the title Magical DoReMi.

Sources: Tokyo International Film Festival coverage (Egan Loo), press release

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