Grand Guests Appear! Kazuki Yabuchi "New" Director, Rika Matsumoto Department Head, and ≒JOY Cheer for New Students at the 2026 Academic Year Entrance Ceremony

Yoyogi Animation Academy Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, President: Taro Ito) held its 2026 academic year entrance ceremony at each Yoyogi Animation Academy campus on April 3, 2026. Kanadevia Hall (formerly TOKYO DOME CITY HALL) hosted the joint entrance ceremony for the Tokyo and Ikebukuro campuses, featuring a video message from Director Kazuki Yabuchi, Department Head Rika Matsumoto, and other special guests including ≒JOY, who delivered messages of support to celebrate the enrollment of new students aspiring to work in the entertainment industry. ■ Entrance Ceremony Program [Director's Address] Director Kazuki Yabuchi [Guest Speeches] Mr. Katsuya Shirai, Representative Director and Chairman of Heroes Co., Ltd. Animation Director Mr. Yasutaka Yamamoto (Alumnus) Voice Actress Ms. Marika Kouno (Alumna) Space Pirate Go☆Jyas-sama (Alumnus) *Order of appearance [Special Talk Session] ≒JOY's Aiba Ichihara, Manami Ozawa, Yuka Murayama Taro Ito, Representative Director and President of Yoyogi Animation Academy Co., Ltd. / Head of =LOVE, ≠ME, ≒JOY Management [Congratulatory Song] Department Head of the Voice Actor & Entertainer Department, Ms. Rika Matsumoto ■ From "Like" to "Career Path": The Day Your First Step Begins New students aspiring to work in the entertainment industry, such as anime, voice acting, manga, and illustration, gathered here with their respective aspirations. Feelings they have held as "likes" will, from this day forward, begin to move as their "career path." Amidst slightly nervous expressions, it was a time filled with anticipation for the days ahead. ■ Looking Towards "Work" Beyond Learning At the ceremony, messages were delivered to the new students by the distinguished guests. [Director's Address] We received a video message from Mr. Kazuki Yabuchi, who took office as the new Director in April. here> https://www.yoani.co.jp/overview/message/special/ ≪Kazuki Yabuchi Profile≫ Voice actor and actor. Major works include "ONE PIECE" (Franky, Bon Clay, Jango), "Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ" (Judo Ashta), "Super Beast Machine God Dangaioh" (Shinobu Fujiwara), "Anpanman" (Horaman), and "Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor" (Kitami), among others. [Special Talk Session] Aiba Ichihara, Manami Ozawa, and Yuka Murayama from ≒JOY took the stage with Taro Ito, the head of management, for a "Teach New Students! Entertainment Industry Job Talk," answering various questions. ≪≒JOY Profile≫ ≒JOY (Nearly Equal Joy) is an idol group produced by Rino Sashihara. The group name embodies Rino Sashihara's wish: "We want members and fans who support us to feel joy and happiness when they meet." [Congratulatory Song] At the end of the ceremony, as a surprise, Department Head of the Voice Actor & Entertainer Department, Ms. Rika Matsumoto, appeared. She sang the popular anime theme song "Mezase Pokémon Master" as a cheer for the new students. The new students seemed to be envisioning their future selves while absorbing each word spoken. ≪Rika Matsumoto Profile≫ Born in Kanagawa Prefecture. With a father who was a theater troupe director, she studied traditional Japanese dance, piano, and shamisen from childhood, and has been active as an actress. She was in charge of the opening theme for the anime "Pokémon" series, achieving double-million sales. She voiced the main character Satoshi for 26 years. She has appeared in numerous acclaimed anime and foreign dramas, and is widely active as a singer, talent, and director.