Balancing Whimsy and Realism: A Talk with 'Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia's English Co-Stars

Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia is a series deeply rooted in history, weaving together a rich tapestry of cultures and beliefs. This unique blend, while at times volatile, ultimately creates one of the most distinctive anime experiences of 2026. Cgmagazine had the opportunity to speak with co-stars Cristina Vee, the voice of Sitara, and Yussef Benelbar, who voices Muhammad, about their experiences in localizing this developing series.

With fewer than a dozen episodes released at the time of this writing, Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia is a recent creation from Science Saru, with its English dub following closely behind. This makes it an opportune moment to delve into the lead cast's involvement with this historical fiction anime.

Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia centers on the story of Sitara, a young slave girl raised in a scholarly household. Her life takes a tragic turn with the onset of the Mongol invasion, forcing her to join their ranks. Could you describe the process of bringing Sitara to life, particularly considering the many personas she adopts throughout the series?

Cristina Vee: That's a fascinating point. I was just mentioning to Yussef how I do something similar in my own life, which I call "Christina V. Hours" at home. Sitara has essentially learned to survive by adopting a persona that's demure, sweet, and a little bit naive. She even raises her voice slightly. It's all part of the role she's playing. However, I appreciate that we get to see her inner world through narration and her internal thoughts. You'll notice her inner voice is actually deeper and calmer. It's been incredibly enjoyable to portray this duality that constantly simmers beneath the surface.

Although Sitara and Muhammad share limited screen time, their connection is a crucial element of the entire series. Given that voice acting is typically performed in isolation, did this separation aid in developing their on-screen dynamic?

Yussef Benelbar: Absolutely. I believe I recorded before Cristina, so I heavily relied on the direction of Shawn Gann, who is phenomenal. Despite not having extensive interaction with the character Sitara from the outset, I found their connection to be exceptionally special and found myself rooting for them throughout. Muhammad is driven by his thirst for knowledge and his desire to impart it to Sitara, and witnessing her reactions to it in real-time was truly remarkable and heartwarming. As the episodes unfold, you can see their bond strengthening through their shared passion for learning. It's a vital relationship that is established early on and significantly impacts the plot. Even though my presence is primarily felt in the first episode, I feel my impact on Sitara resonates with her as the series progresses.

Jaadugar's distinct historical setting carries significant personal stakes. What aspects of adapting this material for the English dub did you both find personally exciting?

Cristina Vee: For me, this project has been unlike anything I've ever worked on before. I'm captivated by how charming the character designs are, especially when juxtaposed with the often intensely serious subject matter. It's a very intriguing contrast. I also admire the stylized way the 13th century is brought to life.

Yussef Benelbar: Echoing Cristina's sentiment, I, too, appreciate the duality and dichotomy between the serious themes and the endearing character designs. Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed infusing my own essence into the character. Towards the end of the first episode, Muhammad utters "Salaam alaikum," meaning "peace be upon you." As an Arab person, this phrase holds deep meaning for me, and it felt incredibly special to incorporate it into Muhammad's character, allowing English-speaking audiences worldwide to hear it.

Jaadugar is grounded in realism. How does this influence your approach to your characters compared to more typical fantasy anime?

Cristina Vee: I feel the performance becomes a bit more intimate, if that makes sense. There are fewer extreme highs and lows, fewer outlandish moments, although some do exist. We do experience moments of over-the-top humor at times, but for the most part, the performances remain grounded.

Yussef Benelbar: I believe, as Cristina mentioned, it's a historical drama, set in 13th-century Persia. Consequently, it can be challenging to find overtly zany or purely comedic moments in such a narrative, especially since my character's appearance is limited to the initial episodes. However, I knew there would be opportunities to play around with the character. There are moments where I aim for more maturity, and others where I can express a "that's not cool" sentiment. I also get to experience fun moments where my character is playfully teased, and I can respond with a "hold up, hold up." This dynamic makes the relationship incredibly enjoyable and rewarding to portray. Generally, going into this project, I was aware of the narrative trajectory, having read the manga beforehand, which gave me a sense of the overall vibe and direction of the entire production. This made it somewhat natural to approach each scene with a clear understanding of the intended execution.

Do you have any final thoughts or reflections on your experience with the Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia dub?

Cristina Vee: We've only recorded up to episode eight so far, so I'm still discovering the unfolding story. I'm consciously avoiding watching ahead; I want to experience it organically. I genuinely love the show and am incredibly eager to see how it progresses.

Yussef Benelbar: Indeed. I've been watching the series weekly as it's released every Saturday, and it's simply astounding to witness the narrative's progression. Sitara is brimming with ideas and plans for her interactions with various characters. You truly develop a strong connection with Sitara, Shira, and all the other characters introduced throughout the plot. I believe it's a genuine treat for fans to see how everything culminates. I'm very excited about the future of the show.