Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on July 2013

The J. J. Abrams’ Star Trek series is boldly going to box office successes where no film in the franchise has gone before. His 2009 reboot took in over $250 million worldwide and his follow up, Star Trek Into Darkness, took in over $80 million in its first four days in the US. As sci-fi fans gear up for the Japan release in August, Chiaki Kuriyama held a press conference to share her experience providing the Japanese voice for the character Uhura. “Dubbing a character played by another actress is more difficult than voice acting for anime,” the Kill Bill actress said. “I felt a lot of responsibility and pressure to express myself with just my voice.” Kuriyama concentrated on the character, played by Zoe Saldana, and felt like she was on the USS Enterprise, focusing on a mission. “I felt I could really sympathize with Uhura as a woman,” the Japanese star said. “She is really into her work. But she becomes very emotional in the love scenes.”

Star Trek Into Darkness opens in Japan August 23.