The movie “Rakoguro Senki 2: The Future We Want” was released on Friday, November 7, 2025. This is the first new work in five years since the release of the Japanese dubbed version of the previous work, ``Rakoguro Senki: The Future I Choose.''
"Luo Xiaohei Senki" is an anime work produced by Chinese animation directors Mutou (MTJJ) and Kanki Haruka (HMCH) Studio. The current work, ``Rakoguro Senki 2: The Future We Want,'' depicts the world two years after the previous work.
Xiaohei was spending peaceful days with his master Mugen. The peace of the fairy world is threatened by an attack that occurs at a certain hall. Separated from Mugen, who is under suspicion, Xiaohei sets off on a new adventure in search of the truth with his sister and disciple, Ruie.
We hope you will enjoy the deep world view, moving story, and action scenes that are delivered on a scale that exceeds that of the previous film. A black cat fairy born from the gathering of nature spirits. We asked Kana Hanazawa, who plays Xiaohei (Oguro), to talk about the appeal of the work.
Interaction with sister disciple Ruie who sensed Xiaohei's growth
──Please tell us your honest thoughts when you heard that the sequel, “Rakoguro Senki 2: The Future We Want,” would be released.
Kana Hanazawa (hereinafter referred to as Hanazawa):I was happy. I had heard through rumors that they were making a movie, but I was so happy to hear that it would be released five years later, and that a short anime series would be broadcast on TV at the same time.
``Luo Xiaohei Senki'' has a lot of die-hard fans, and some people say that of the characters I voice, Xiaohei is their favorite. That's why I thought there must be a lot of people waiting for it, so I thought, "We did it!" (laughs)
──Please tell us one memory you have of your previous work, “Rakoguro Senki: The Future I Choose.”
Hanazawa:After all, the final scene where he shouts "Master!" really left an impression on me. It's a great scene that makes me cry no matter how many times I watch it. There aren't that many scenes that stay in my heart for a long time, so I was looking forward to seeing what kind of scenes I would be able to perform next time.
──This is the scene where Xiaohei chooses his place. It was a very impressive scene, from the way the tears were drawn to the layout. “Rakoguro Senki 2: The Future We Want” takes place two years later. In other words, the world after Xiaohei spends two years as a disciple of Mugen (CV. Mamoru Miyano) is depicted. Please tell us your impressions of the story.
Hanazawa:This time, Xiaohei leaves Mugen and goes on an adventure, and the people watching are thinking, ``Is it okay?'' It's like running an errand for the first time (lol). I think it will make you want to watch it. However, Xiaohei chooses the path that she thinks is right and moves forward, so I thought it was very reliable and the content showed Xiaohei's growth. Also, the highlight is definitely the action scenes!
──Mugen, strong! That's what happens (lol).
Hanazawa:Mugen is the best. I almost wish Mugen would do everything (lol). Haruka Samki (HMCH) Studio's unique action direction was really interesting, and I thought that only the director could create this kind of slow and slow action. It was a lot of work to record, so I want everyone to watch it!
──What do you think of Xiaohei in this work?
Hanazawa:His main idea is that he wants to protect the people he cares about, whether they are humans or fairies, and that hasn't changed at all, but there is a scene where he gets into an argument with his older sister, Louie (CV. Yuki Aoi), because of their different ways of thinking. The way I expressed my intentions there was no longer that of a child, so I felt that I had grown a lot.
Two years ago, I think I would have been even more angry and excited. However, I am presenting my opinion as an equal. I've become much stronger physically, but I've also strengthened my mind, and I thought to myself, ``I've improved a lot in the past two years, Xiaohei!'' (lol) However, the way I go to places I don't know, go to luxury hotels and have fun, and get excited when I eat food hasn't changed at all, so I thought that my innocence remained.
──It is true that Xiaohei has become quite strong.
Hanazawa:I hope you'll draw plenty of those two years later (lol). In this work as well, there's a happy exchange between Mugen and Xiaohei towards the end, and I really like that. It made me think that he must have been like this all the time, even during his training. Of course, I think he's been training properly, but at times he suddenly starts to look like a larger-than-life boy. I thought that there was still a part of him that was being spoiled by Mugen.
--He's only 8 years old (Mugen is 439 years old). This time, I will be working with my sister and disciple Louie, but please tell me your impressions of Louie from your perspective.
Hanazawa:As for Xiaohei, at first I thought he was a really unpleasant person and didn't think well of me either. From there, when I saw her abilities, I thought she might be cool, and there are some things that are a bit clumsy, but we definitely have different ways of thinking. However, I felt that my impression of her gradually changed during Xiaohei.
From my point of view, I thought it was amazing that after seeing Louie's past depicted through this movie, he was able to recover from it and move forward. I thought it was amazing how Mugen opened up Ruie's heart, so the relationship between the two is also good.
──The way Rouie and Mugen's past was depicted was also wonderful.
Hanazawa:I agree. Because of her tragic past, she had no one to turn to and was mentally unstable. But I thought that Mugen was there for me. I knew that he was kind to Xiaohei and how he guided her, so I thought that he must have been there for Lu Ye in the same way.
──There was something about it that wasn't overly explained in words, and it was interesting to read between the lines.
Hanazawa:I'm sure if you want to talk about it, you can make it as emotional as you want, but it's better not to do that! It's a technique that can be done, including knowing Mugen's personality from the previous work. I also liked that the flashback scene of Louie made me imagine what he was saying.
──Personally, I felt the influence of Japanese anime from that point as well.
Hanazawa:There's a lot of respect for Japanese anime, right? It has a nostalgic feel to it, and I think it's an anime that combines the good points of Japanese anime with the director's own creativity and imagination.
──And, throughout the story, a bond is formed between Xiaohei and Luie.
Hanazawa:They are also Mugen's disciples, and as they spend time together, they realize that they are not bad people, so I think that bond has developed properly. That's why the battle scenes between the two were worth watching. Recording was difficult, but...
The action scenes were tough, and the difficulty of finding the breath that the original sound put in was also...
──Do you all record the recordings yourself?
Hanazawa:Just like the previous movie, everyone was a bit disjointed. I started recording quite early on, so I didn't really listen to everyone's voices while recording. There was only one person in the previous work, so this time it was no different. But even if we record together, it will definitely be recorded separately. The battle scenes are intense, and the dialogue also overlaps a lot.
There was also the original sound, so I thought that was very different from normal recording. It's easier to interact with than zero.
──How much of the atmosphere of the original sound do you utilize and how much do you express it in Japanese?
Hanazawa:First of all, the acting of the original sound is wonderful, so of course I use it as a reference. Also, the part where Xiaohei turns into a cat was done faithfully, and the sound was basically added where the original sound was included in the action.
In terms of expression, it's been like this since the previous work, but rather than tracing the original sound, I performed with what I felt. Even in the direction, they didn't say, ``This is the original sound, so I want you to do it this way,'' so I acted while thinking that it would be okay to do it this way.
──Was the breathing difficult for the action?
Hanazawa:I agree. And I'm breathing a lot. It's easy to include scenes where the battle is really tough and you're gasping for air, but there's really a lot of detail in the scenes. I knew it was an important point because it connected to Xiaohei's childishness and cuteness, but the original sound video I received contained a variety of sounds, so it was really difficult to find the right breath. So, during the dubbing that day, the staff wondered, ``Isn't there some breath in here too?'' (laughs)
Also, the action is fast and the pace is amazing, so if you're just reading the script and watching the footage, you won't be able to catch up. It was quite difficult because you had to memorize a series of movements before you could do it.
──I felt like there were a lot of sharp breaths that sounded like kung fu, like “Ha!”.
Hanazawa:I agree. The script says "Ya!", but in the parts where it doesn't have to be that way, I used different breathing techniques and other things, so for me, I want you to hear both sounds. Both the original version and the dubbed version have their merits.
──The number of characters that appear in this work has increased, but are there any characters that you are interested in?
Hanazawa:I'm weak against gaps, so I really like Mugen. When the strongest person is a little timid or kind, people get upset about it, so I thought Mugen was cunning and I liked him (lol).
Although he is not a very easy-to-understand person, I think that because he was always by Louie's side, she was able to move forward together with him, and that kind of kindness and tolerance is what will give her such a long life! That's what I thought (laughs).
──Did you have a favorite scene?
Hanazawa:After all, it was the first time I talked about it, when I had a different opinion with Louie, I properly conveyed my intentions. I thought that scene was very adult.
──I think you've become an adult in terms of being able to understand the situation.
Hanazawa:That's true, isn't it? He says he thinks he may have said too much, but he can reflect on it. That's another good thing about Xiaohei!
──Finally, please give a message to your fans.
Hanazawa:I think it's a really easy-to-watch animation. Although it was made in China, I think it will be well received by people who have watched anime in Japan, and it will also give them a bit of a nostalgic feeling. However, it is a great video with a new feel, so if you haven't seen the previous movie, ``Ra Shogoku Senki: The Future We Choose'', it is also available for streaming, so please watch it and then watch ``Ra Shogoku Senki 2: The Future We Want.'' I think that way you can enjoy the more powerful feeling of this work!
Also, the theme is about how humans and fairies coexist, and I think there are some overlaps with today's brutal world. It teaches us that it is important to think carefully and to be considerate of each other, so please enjoy it as entertainment while also overlapping various events. Also, I think it would be a waste not to see this movie in a movie theater, so please go see it there.
[Text & Photos by Junichi Tsukagoshi]
Work information
Synopsis
Two years later, an attack on a hall threatens the long-held peace of the fairy world.
Xiaohei and Mugen are separated by a mission from the Fairy Hall, and their fates begin to be shaken up.
While facing the threats that appear one after another, Xiaohei sets off on a new adventure in search of the truth with her sister and disciple, Ruie.
Faced with a sudden trial and an unexpected enemy, Xiaohei is forced to make a big choice...
cast
Mugen: Mamoru Miyano
Louie: Yuuki Aoi
Nata: Inori Minase
Yudi: Yohei Tadano
Lin Yao: Kazuhiro Yamaji
Seamuse: Akira Ishida
Chinen: Junichi Suwabe
Old man Kyu: Cho
Panjin: Yoshitada Otsuka
A: Junya Enoki
B: Tsuchiya Kamiha
(C)2025 Beijing HMCH Anime Co.,Ltd
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