On August 17, 2026, singer and voice actor LiSA appeared at a thank-you stage greeting for the animated film Minions & Monsters in Tokyo, where she offered glowing praise for the comedy duo Batteriiz—calling their monster characters "warm monsters" despite being meant to frighten. The event brought together the Japanese-dub cast, costume-clad Minions, and an enthusiastic audience for a celebration of the film's success just ten days after its Japanese theatrical release on August 7, 2026.
What made LiSA's comment so memorable, and what exactly happened during that stage greeting? We're breaking down the full story—who voiced which characters, what the playful on-stage antics looked like, and why this marks a special milestone for both LiSA and the first-time voice actors she praised.
The Quick Version
- LiSA and comedy duo Batteriiz appeared at the Minions & Monsters thank-you stage greeting in Tokyo on August 17, 2026.
- LiSA described Batteriiz's monster characters Phillips and Howard as "warm monsters"—scary yet charming and cute.
- The event featured a lively gesture game with costumed Minions James and Henry, with LiSA playfully directing the action.
- This is LiSA's fifth Minions-franchise film and Batteriiz's voice-acting debut.
- The film opened in Japanese theaters on August 7, 2026.
What LiSA Said About Batteriiz's "Warm Monsters"
During the August 17 stage greeting, LiSA took a moment to praise the voice work of Batteriiz—a comedy duo consisting of members Ace and Teruya—who voiced monster characters in the Japanese dub of Minions & Monsters. Ace voices Phillips, while Teruya voices Howard, a pair of creatures intended to be menacing antagonists in the film's story.
LiSA's assessment was both affectionate and specific. She told the audience that the duo's wonderful qualities shone through in their performances, creating what she called "warm monsters." Even though Phillips and Howard are supposed to be scary, she explained, Batteriiz brought a cute and charming quality to them that made the characters unexpectedly endearing. It's a compliment that speaks to the challenge of voice acting—especially for comedians making their debut in the medium—where personality and warmth can slip through even when playing villains.
This wasn't the first time LiSA had praised their work. At the film's Japan premiere and yellow-carpet event on August 5, 2026, she similarly highlighted how impressive Batteriiz's voice performances were, emphasizing the charm they brought to their monster roles. For two performers stepping into a recording booth for the very first time, that kind of endorsement from a veteran like LiSA carries real weight.
Batteriiz's First-Time Voice Acting Experience
For Batteriiz, Minions & Monsters represents a significant creative milestone: it's their first time doing voice acting for any film. Both Ace and Teruya shared their reactions to the experience, noting how surreal it felt to hear their voices processed and transformed into monster characters. Ace mentioned that hearing Teruya's processed voice made it genuinely feel like talking to a real monster—an uncanny reminder of how sound design can reshape performance.
At the August 17 stage greeting, Ace also recounted feedback from a colleague who loves the Minions franchise and rushed to see the film right after its release. The friend's verdict? "It was the best so far"—high praise from a devoted fan and a moment Ace clearly relished sharing with the audience. It's the kind of validation that matters when you're stepping outside your usual performance medium and hoping your work resonates.
The duo's involvement extended beyond just the voice booth. At the August 5 premiere, Batteriiz appeared in yukata alongside LiSA and the rest of the Japanese cast—including veteran voice actor Yamadera Koichi, actors Matsudaira Ken, Chiba Yudai, and Suzuki Airi—for a special "Minion bon-odori" video shoot, blending traditional Japanese summer-festival aesthetics with the film's playful tone. On the yellow carpet, LiSA joked that Batteriiz didn't escort her, to which Ace responded it was a "sign of trust," while Teruya admitted he had "no composure at all." The banter underscored the warm, slightly chaotic energy the trio brought to the promotional circuit.
LiSA's Role in the Minions Franchise
For LiSA, Minions & Monsters marks her fifth time participating in a Minions-related film—a remarkable run that underscores her close relationship with the franchise. In this latest installment, she voices Mary, a Hollywood actress who serves as the romantic interest of a Minions character in the Japanese dub. LiSA described the role as "very honorable" and expressed her delight at finally getting to play a Minion's love interest after years of involvement with the series.
Beyond her voice role, LiSA also holds the title of special manager for a limited-time "Minions Theater" tied to the film's release—a promotional role that positions her as both a creative contributor and a public face of the franchise in Japan. It's a testament to how deeply embedded she's become in the Minions universe, bridging her music career (she's best known for her anime theme songs, including hits like "Gurenge" from Demon Slayer) with her voice-acting work.
Her enthusiasm for the franchise is genuine and long-standing. After five films, we can see that LiSA has become something of a Minions family member—someone who knows the rhythm of these promotional events and can bring both professionalism and playful spontaneity to the stage.
The On-Stage Gesture Game That Had Everyone Laughing
The August 17 stage greeting wasn't just about speeches and praise—it also featured a delightfully chaotic gesture game that brought Minions characters James and Henry onto the stage in full costume. The game involved audience participation, with performers acting out a phrase for the crowd to guess within a short time limit.
LiSA teamed up with the Minions on the performing side, and when she saw the task card, she immediately took charge in her characteristically direct style. She told Batteriiz, "I'll do this side; you two do that side," issuing instructions with a playful, slightly bossy tone that got laughs from the audience. The task? Acting out "filming a movie."
After fifteen seconds of enthusiastic gestures, the audience correctly guessed the answer, and LiSA exclaimed "Correct!" while celebrating with the Minions in what reports described as "making a big cheerful commotion." She then joked about how the Minions managed to understand her rough, vague instructions—"How did you figure it out from just 'that side'?"—a moment that perfectly captured the kind of spontaneous humor that makes these live events memorable.
It's the sort of unscripted, joyful interaction that fans treasure—proof that even in a carefully orchestrated promotional event, genuine fun can break through.
About the Film: Minions & Monsters
Minions & Monsters (the English working title; Japanese: Minions & Monsters) is the latest installment in the Despicable Me and Minions franchise, which has become a global animation powerhouse over the past decade and a half. The film opened in Japanese theaters on August 7, 2026, and had reportedly been released in the United States on July 1, 2026, following the franchise's typical summer release pattern.
The Japanese-dub cast is notably star-studded, featuring not only LiSA and Batteriiz but also veteran voice actor Yamadera Koichi (a legend in the Japanese dubbing world), actors Matsudaira Ken, Chiba Yudai, and Suzuki Airi, and performers Ginga Banjo, Terai Saori, and Ono Yu. The ensemble reflects the franchise's strategy in Japan: blending experienced voice actors with celebrities and newcomers to create broad appeal across age groups and fan communities.
By the time of the August 17 thank-you greeting—just ten days after the Japanese opening—the film was already being celebrated as a hit, warranting the special event. The timing suggests strong box-office performance and positive word-of-mouth, typical for the Minions brand but never guaranteed.
What People Are Saying
"LiSA calling them 'warm monsters' is so perfect. Batteriiz really did bring something special to those characters—you can tell even from the trailers that they're not your typical villains. I love when comedians try voice acting and actually nail it."
— Minions fan on social media
"This is LiSA's fifth Minions movie? I had no idea she was that deep into the franchise. It makes sense why she's so comfortable on stage with them—she's basically part of the family at this point. And getting to be the love interest this time feels like a well-deserved milestone."
— Japanese entertainment blog commenter
"The gesture game sounds adorable. I would pay good money to see LiSA bossing around costumed Minions and then laughing about it. These stage greetings are always such a treat—they show a side of the actors you never get in interviews."
— Animation news forum user
"Ace sharing that his friend said it's the best Minions movie so far is huge. Fans of this franchise are loyal and picky, so if it's winning over longtime followers, that's a really good sign for the film's quality."
— Film Twitter user
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Minions & Monsters open in Japan?
The film opened in Japanese theaters on August 7, 2026, about a month after its reported U.S. release on July 1, 2026.
Who does LiSA voice in the film?
LiSA voices Mary, a Hollywood actress character who serves as the romantic interest of a Minions character in the Japanese dub. This is her fifth Minions-franchise film.
Is this Batteriiz's first voice-acting role?
Yes, Minions & Monsters marks the comedy duo's debut in voice acting. Ace voices the monster character Phillips, and Teruya voices Howard.
What happened at the August 17 stage greeting?
LiSA, Batteriiz, and costumed Minions James and Henry appeared at a thank-you event in Tokyo, where LiSA praised Batteriiz's "warm monsters," and the group played a gesture game with the audience that involved acting out "filming a movie."
Where can I watch Minions & Monsters?
As of mid-August 2026, the film is playing in theaters in Japan and was released in U.S. cinemas in early July 2026. Streaming or home-video availability has not yet been announced.
Why "Warm Monsters" Matters
LiSA's choice of words—"warm monsters"—captures something essential about what makes the Minions franchise work across cultures and generations. These films have always thrived on the tension between chaos and heart, between slapstick mayhem and genuine emotional warmth. By bringing that same balance to their villain roles, Batteriiz proved that even first-time voice actors can tap into the franchise's core appeal when they let their natural charm and humor guide the performance.
For LiSA, this event represents another chapter in a long relationship with a beloved franchise, one where she's grown from participant to something like an ambassador. For Batteriiz, it's a successful leap into a new creative medium, validated by both a superstar peer and enthusiastic audiences. And for fans, it's a reminder that the magic of these films often happens as much in the recording booth and on promotional stages as it does on screen—when performers bring warmth, spontaneity, and a willingness to play along with a pair of costumed Minions trying to act out a movie scene.
The August 17 stage greeting offered a snapshot of why Minions & Monsters has resonated in Japan: a blend of veteran talent, fresh voices, and the kind of joyful, unguarded moments that make live events worth attending. Whether you're a longtime Minions devotee or simply curious about LiSA's latest project, the film and its promotional journey showcase what happens when skilled performers meet material they genuinely enjoy—and aren't afraid to let that enjoyment show.
