Miyazaki films- "Live action" japanese actors over seiyuu?

[Arnold]

One of the things I've noticed looking at the credits of Miyazaki films is that in the last several years he tends to cast actors who tend to have more experience in live action work, and not so much anime voice acting experience. I mean, looking at the filmographies of the original Japanese cast of Ponyo, I can't find much if any Japanese voice acting experience.

However, this was not always the case. Going back to the 80s and early 90s, you see names like Sumi Shimamoto, Kappei Yamaguchi, Rei Sakuma, Noriko Hidaka, playing major characters in Miyazaki films, and they all have lengthy anime voice acting resumes.

Has anyone ever shed any light on why this is?

[ffl]

I would assume that it's the same reason you have well-known big-name stars voicing roles in animated and CG movies here rather than relatively less known VAs. A star's popularity may pull in a fanbase that wouldn't usually check it out.