by The beloved magical-girl anime “More! Ojamajo Doremi” is returning in a newly remastered Blu-ray BOX, giving longtime fans and a new generation another opportunity to experience the series.
To celebrate the upcoming release, Chiemi Chiba (Doremi Harukaze), Tomoko Akiya (Hazuki Fujiwara), Yuki Matsuoka (Aiko Senoo), Rumi Shishido (Onpu Segawa), and Nagami Miyahara (Momoko Asuka) took part in a special cast roundtable discussion.
More than 25 years after the series first aired, the five cast members looked back on their recording days, memorable classmates, favorite costumes and sweets, and the themes that still resonate with them today. They also shared their hopes for the future of the Ojamajo Doremi franchise, including the possibility of a new anime.
The digitally remastered “More! Ojamajo Doremi” Blu-ray BOX is scheduled to be released on December 2, 2026.
A Blu-ray BOX Made Possible by Fan Support
“More! Ojamajo Doremi” is the third television series in the long-running Ojamajo Doremi franchise. The story follows Doremi and her friends as they balance their lives as witch apprentices with school, friendships, and the everyday problems of growing up.
The series also introduced Momoko Asuka, a new witch apprentice who had grown up in the United States and initially struggled with the Japanese language and culture.
The Blu-ray BOX project was launched as a fan-supported initiative, with the release dependent on reaching a target of 500 pre-orders.
When the cast members learned about the project, they were thrilled to see fans immediately expressing their excitement.
Chiemi Chiba recalled being surprised that a Blu-ray BOX had not already been released. She was especially encouraged by comments from fans saying they had been waiting for such a release.
Yuki Matsuoka also actively promoted the project on social media, explaining that she wanted fans to have the series in high-quality Blu-ray form. She even viewed the campaign as something like completing a quest in a video game.
For the cast, reaching the pre-order target was not simply a commercial milestone. It was proof that the series continues to have a dedicated audience more than two decades after its original broadcast.
“Ojamajo Doremi” Still Connects Generations
One of the most striking points raised during the interview was how the series continues to attract new viewers.
Nagami Miyahara explained that she and Chiba have continued appearing together at Ojamajo Doremi events and have had many opportunities to meet fans.
Among those fans are people who discovered the series only recently, as well as viewers from overseas.
That continued interest is particularly meaningful for a franchise that began more than 25 years ago.
The cast members also discussed how people who watched Ojamajo Doremi as children are now adults—and, in some cases, are introducing the series to their own children.
This generational connection has become one of the most enduring aspects of the franchise.
The Cast Still Meets Like a Class Reunion That Never Ends
Despite the passage of 25 years, the cast members said their relationships have remained remarkably strong.
The five performers have continued to meet for recordings, events and anniversary projects, meaning that their reunions do not necessarily feel like traditional reunions at all.
Miyahara recalled recording for the 20th-anniversary anime film “Looking for a Witch Apprentice” and being invited to a yakiniku dinner by producer Hiromi Seki.
According to Miyahara, the atmosphere was almost the same as it had been during the original television series. They laughed, talked, and enjoyed one another’s company as though no time had passed.
Matsuoka similarly said she still finds it difficult to believe that 25 years have passed since “More! Ojamajo Doremi” aired.
For fans, this chemistry between the performers has become part of the charm of the franchise itself.
Memorable Classmates Still Stand Out to the Cast
The Ojamajo Doremi series was not only about the five main witch apprentices. One of its strengths was the large supporting cast and the way individual classmates received their own stories.
The cast members each recalled characters who had left a particularly strong impression on them.
Aiko and Nobuko’s Complicated Friendship
For Yuki Matsuoka, Nobuko Yokokawa was especially memorable.
Nobuko was one of the classmates with whom Aiko developed an important relationship. Their friendship did not begin smoothly, as the two initially had a major disagreement.
However, their repeated arguments and reconciliations eventually helped create a deeper bond.
Matsuoka noted that this was one of the things that made Ojamajo Doremi special: friendships were not always portrayed as instantly perfect. Characters sometimes had to misunderstand each other, argue, and gradually learn how to communicate.
That realistic approach remains one of the series’ most relatable qualities.
Tamaki’s Unforgettable Laugh
For Chiemi Chiba, Reika Tamaki remains one of the most memorable classmates.
Chiba recalled being impressed by Ai Nagano, who voiced Tamaki, because she could laugh loudly and energetically even during morning recording sessions.
Years later, Chiba found herself playing another character who laughed loudly and came to understand how much energy such a performance requires.
She also joked that she eventually realized Tamaki must have genuinely been having a wonderful time every time she laughed.
Miyahara agreed that Tamaki’s personality remained just as energetic during the recording of “Looking for a Witch Apprentice.”
Hazuki and Yada
Tomoko Akiya remembered Masaru Yada as one of the classmates who made the strongest impression on her.
Because Yada and Hazuki had several interactions throughout the series, Akiya recalled feeling slightly embarrassed while performing some of their scenes.
She also remembered the episode involving Nobuaki Yamauchi, particularly because it explored Hazuki’s fear of ghosts.
The arrival of Momoko made those situations even more entertaining, as the two characters could become frightened together.
The cast members laughed while remembering the exaggerated expressions and reactions from those scenes.
The Appeal of the Patissier Costumes
One of the most recognizable visual elements of “More! Ojamajo Doremi” is the reversible witch-apprentice costume that transforms into a cute patissier outfit.
The cast members were unanimous about their affection for the designs.
Rumi Shishido particularly praised the ribbon around the neck and said she had even met people who became pastry chefs after being inspired by the series.
The costume therefore represents more than just a cute design. For some viewers, it became connected to childhood dreams and future ambitions.
Matsuoka also recalled how merchandise sold during the original broadcast faithfully reproduced the reversible costume concept.
Tomoko Akiya said that whenever she is asked about her favorite costume in the entire franchise, she often chooses the “More! Ojamajo Doremi” patissier outfit.
For Akiya, the design was filled with things she loved as a child, including frills and large ribbons.
Momoko’s costume was particularly meaningful because the character initially communicated through an intercom, making her relationship with the patissier outfit even more distinctive.
Why Does “Ojamajo Doremi” Have Such a Strong Connection to Sweets?
Sweets are much more than background decoration in “More! Ojamajo Doremi.”
Many episodes revolve around the characters completing missions while making different desserts.
The series introduced memorable fictional sweets with colorful designs and playful names, giving the baking scenes a strong sense of identity.
The cast particularly remembered “My Beloved Tourbillon”, whose distinctive swirling appearance made it unforgettable.
Shishido also recalled the coffee-flavored cookie ice cream from Episode 23 and the various desserts created throughout the series.
Another memorable moment involved pumpkin pudding, which was made to help Hana overcome her dislike of vegetables.
The cast joked that an official More! Ojamajo Doremi cookbook would be a welcome addition to the franchise.
The Cast’s Own Experiences With Cooking and Baking
Interestingly, despite spending so much time portraying characters who make sweets, several cast members admitted that they are not particularly skilled at baking.
Miyahara said she enjoys cooking but does not often make sweets because she is not confident about accurately measuring ingredients.
Akiya recalled making sweets while the original television series was airing, although she admitted that she often relied on intuition rather than precise measurements.
Matsuoka remembered making homemade Valentine’s Day chocolates when she was in high school.
Chiba, meanwhile, joked that she does not really cook or make sweets.
The conversation eventually turned into a humorous discussion about whether the five of them could actually run a real-life MAHO-do sweets shop.
The conclusion was that they might have trouble finding someone to handle the baking.
A Magical-Girl Anime That Does Not Always Solve Problems With Magic
Perhaps the most important part of the interview was the cast’s discussion about why Ojamajo Doremi remains meaningful.
Although the series is a magical-girl anime, the characters rarely use magic to solve the major emotional problems they encounter.
Chiba pointed out that magic is often used for relatively small things, while the bigger problems have to be solved through communication, courage and personal effort.
This is one of the defining characteristics of Ojamajo Doremi.
The characters face ordinary problems involving school, friendships, family, jealousy, fear and growing up. Rather than simply casting a spell and making everything disappear, they have to confront those situations themselves.
That message is one reason the series continues to work for adult viewers.
Friendship Is at the Heart of the Series
Matsuoka explained that many fans have told her they learned important lessons about life from Ojamajo Doremi.
The series carefully depicts how friendships develop.
Doremi and Hazuki were close from the beginning, while other relationships took more time to develop. Characters sometimes argued before becoming friends, and every relationship had its own unique path.
This realistic approach made the friendships feel more believable.
Miyahara also spoke about how much she appreciates the way the characters accept each other’s differences.
They have different personalities, strengths and weaknesses, but they support one another when someone is struggling.
For many viewers, this may be one of the reasons the series still feels comforting after 25 years.
“More! Ojamajo Doremi” Tackled Difficult Topics
Rumi Shishido emphasized another important aspect of the series: it was willing to address problems that children genuinely experience.
The anime did not limit itself to lighthearted magical adventures.
It also explored issues such as physical development, insecurity, discrimination, and differences in family or cultural backgrounds.
Momoko’s story was particularly important because the character came from a different environment and initially struggled to communicate with the other girls.
Through Momoko, the series emphasized that people can have very different backgrounds while still finding common ground.
Shishido said that these themes are part of the reason she believes the series deserves to be watched again, especially in the present day.
The Cast Wants a New “Ojamajo Doremi” Anime
When asked what they would like to see from the franchise in the future, the answer from the group was immediate:
“A new anime!”
Matsuoka expressed interest in seeing the “Ojamajo Doremi 16” light novel series adapted for television.
She has a particularly strong connection to the novels because she was involved in supervising the Kansai dialect used in later installments.
She said she would love to perform the characters again if the novels were ever adapted into an anime.
Chiba jokingly added that they should make it happen while the cast members are still healthy enough to participate.
Miyahara also expressed interest in a remake of one of the existing television series.
She wondered what Ojamajo Doremi would look like if it tackled the problems faced by children today while retaining the warmth of the original.
Fans Also Want the 20th-Anniversary Events Revived
Rumi Shishido brought up another hope: reviving events that were canceled during the COVID-19 pandemic.
One particularly memorable example is the planned “Ojamajo Doremi 20th Anniversary Grand Thanksgiving Festival” at Tokyo International Forum.
The cast members expressed their desire to eventually hold such an event.
Chiba recalled how emotional it was to see younger fans attending recent events.
Some people who watched Ojamajo Doremi as children are now adults, while others have begun bringing their own children.
For the cast, seeing multiple generations together is a powerful reminder of the franchise’s lasting influence.
The performers also noted that overseas fans continue to express their desire to see the cast and attend events.
This has led to hopes for future international appearances and new footage featuring the original cast.
Why “More! Ojamajo Doremi” Still Matters 25 Years Later
The cast members’ final messages highlighted a common theme: the series changes meaning as viewers grow older.
Rumi Shishido explained that when she first worked on the series, she could only understand certain aspects of the characters. After experiencing more of life herself, she now finds new meanings in the same stories.
Tomoko Akiya similarly encouraged fans to return to the series whether they are having a difficult day or simply want to feel better.
She also praised the anime’s music, which remains full of energetic and uplifting songs.
Nagami Miyahara said that she continues to empathize with the series even after 25 years and notices something different whenever she watches it again.
Yuki Matsuoka believes the anime is particularly suitable for parents and children to watch together. Parents who watched it as children may now interpret the story differently, while younger viewers can experience it from the perspective of Doremi and her friends.
Chiba summed up the sentiment by emphasizing that the series remains fresh because generations of fans continue to love it.
“More! Ojamajo Doremi” Blu-ray BOX Release Date and Contents
The digitally remastered “More! Ojamajo Doremi” Blu-ray BOX is scheduled for release on:
Release date: December 2, 2026
The release is being prepared as a commemorative project for the series’ 25th anniversary and is designed to allow longtime fans to revisit the anime in improved video quality.
The Blu-ray BOX will also include bonus material, including a special booklet featuring interviews with cast and staff members.
Pre-orders are currently being accepted through retailers including Amazon Japan.
For fans who grew up watching the series, the Blu-ray release provides an opportunity to revisit an important part of their childhood. For newcomers, it offers a chance to discover why Ojamajo Doremi remains one of the most fondly remembered magical-girl anime franchises.
Final Thoughts
“More! Ojamajo Doremi” is more than a nostalgic magical-girl anime. Its stories about friendship, family, insecurity, communication,o n and growing up are the reasons the series continues to resonate with audiences 25 years later.
The upcoming Blu-ray BOX is therefore not simply a remastered release. It is also a celebration of the relationship between the anime, its cast and the generations of fans who have continued to support it.
With the cast openly calling for new anime projects, a possible adaptation of “Ojamajo Doremi 16,” revived anniversary events and even a potential remake, the future of the franchise remains a topic of excitement.
For longtime fans, December 2 will be an opportunity to return to a beloved series. For new viewers, it could be the perfect time to discover Doremi, Hazuki, Aiko, Onpu and Momoko for the first time.
As the cast repeatedly emphasized during the discussion, Ojamajo Doremi is a work that can feel different depending on when you watch it—and 25 years later, there is still plenty left to discover.
