Western video game fans aren’t as obsessed with mobile games as those in the East, but Deemo is one title that has crossed borders. The rhythm game was originally released in 2013 and has been downloaded over 28 million times worldwide on iOS and Android, with Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 ports coming in 2017. Announced in 2019, DEEMO Memorial Keys is an animated film inspired by the rhythm game due to release across Japan on February 25, 2022. Previously announced voice cast members include Ayana Taketatsu and Akari Nibu of idol group Hinatazaka46. In addition, Gaku Hamada, Naomi Watanabe, Issey Ogata, Kouhei Matsushita, and Koichi Yamadera have been added to the cast list.
Gaku Hamada will play Mirai, a stuffed cat living in the mysterious castle that Alice, played by Ayana Taketatsu, falls into. He is the leader of the three dolls following Alice on her adventure, along with the Nutcracker and Fragrant Sachet. These characters accompany Alice through the castle as she attempts to retrieve her lost memories.
Naomi Watanabe will take on the role of the Fragrant Sachet, the calmest and most fashionable of the three dolls. The elderly Nutcracker will be performed by Issey Ogata, who is sure to make audiences cringe with his dad jokes. The actor noted that he played the role using his entire body during recording.
Kohei Matsushita plays Hans, a master pianist who lost his parents and currently lives with his aunt and baby sister. The actor played the piano during the recording process, channeling the spirit of the character into his music. Alice’s piano teacher Professor Valensky is played by Koichi Yamadera.
Comment from Gaku Hamada (Mirai):
Mirai looks cute, but he has a bad mouth and constantly pokes fun at the other characters. I felt it was an important role, and I was lucky–everyone had already recorded their lines by the time I was in the booth, so it was much easier to get into the right headspace. Hearing everyone’s voices helped me to relax and inspired me to do my best, just like Alice in the film. This movie was created by a group of real Japanese pros. I did my best to infuse Mirai with my own unique personality, so I hope you enjoy it!
Comment from Naomi Watanabe (Fragrant Sachet):
This was a type of character I had never played before, so it took me a while to get the role down. So much of the film’s story depended on her lines, and I was constantly nervous that my voice was shaking or that I was slurring my words. I wanted to give her a more gentle voice, and finding the right balance was really tough. The real world is tough these days, and DEEMO is a film that I could so easily lose myself in. I want people who don’t play music games or who have never heard of DEEMO to see it. It’s a movie that reminds me of emotions I haven’t felt since I was a child.
Comment from Issey Ogata (Nutcracker):
The film tells the story about the heart. It’s a film that allows a person to look within, and to stop and have a conversation with themselves. A new DEEMO will be born! This is DEEMO! I hope that those coming to the theater take the time to think deeply about their own feelings.
Comment from Kohei Matsushita (Hans):
Working on DEEMO was my first experience with dubbing, so I was nervous, but the director gave me lots of detailed instructions that made it so much easier. I learned so much. This film has elements of music, movies, and games, so I think it will be entertaining to lots of different people. With so many possibilities, I hope DEEMO will inspire people to dive into the world of music–and the world of anime as well.
An English-subtitled trailer is available to watch on the Pony Canyon Anime YouTube channel. It was originally screened at Anime ExpoLite 2021 in July.
ⓒ2021 Rayark Inc./「DEEMO THE MOVIE」製作委員会
Information
DEEMO Memorial Keys
Starring: Ayana Taketatsu, Akari Nibu (Hinatazaka46) / Akari Kito, Ayane Sakura,
Gaku Hamada, Naomi Watanabe, Issey Ogata, Kouhei Matsushita / Koichi Yamadera
Official Website: https://deemomovie.jp/
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Zombie Zoo, Japan’s first animated adaptation of NFT art, will be released this month! Based on the NFT art collection by Zombie Zoo Keeper, a 9-year-old Japanese boy, Toei Animation is in charge of the series.
The main staff, character designs, and an advanced cut of the live-action portion of the series have been revealed ahead of the project’s official release. YP of YURUPPE is directing the series. Jiro Sameyama is the character designer. The character design settings are now on display in the Metaverse at NFT FESTA 2022 SPRING.
©️Zombie Zoo Keeper
©️東映アニメーション -
Official HiGE DANdism’s new song Mixed Nuts has been chosen as the opening theme song for the upcoming anime adaptation of the SPYxFAMILY manga series. Written and illustrated by Tatsuya Endo, the manga has been serialized on Shonen Jump+ since 2019 and has been incredibly well-recieved, selling over 12.5 million copies. The anime series will premiere in April 2022.
Along with this announcement, the official website for the anime series has posted the full promotional video for the show. The video also previews the opening song.
The ending theme will be Kigeki by Gen Hoshino.
SPY×FAMILY Trailer
The members of Official HiGE DANdism also posted a comment about their track being chosen as the opening theme.
“It’s such an incredible series, and as fans ourselves, we’ve been so pumped for the anime adaptation. The art quality is incredible and we hope that everyone enjoys the show. If you could, be sure to listen to Mixed Nuts while you follow the story of Loid, Yor, and Anya.”
©遠藤達哉／集英社・SPY×FAMILY製作委員会
Information
SPY×FAMILY
Premiering on TV Tokyo on April 9 at 23:00
Airing in North America on CrunchyrollOfficial Site: https://spy-family.net/
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To celebrate the upcoming anime adaptation, the popular manga SPY X FAMILY is teaming up with Tower Records cafe for a special collaboration! From April 13 until May 8, three Tower Records Cafe locations will feature menu items inspired by the series’ characters. The collaboration cafe will take place at Tower Records Cafe Omotesando, Nagoya Sakae SKYLE, and Umeda NU Chayamachi.
Collaboration Menu
Anya’s Hamburger Plate
Loid’s Pesto Pasta
Yor’s Chicken Salad Plate
Anya Pancake
Anya’s Ice Cream Crepe
Loid’s Parfait
Yor’s Apple Pie
Anya’s Strawberry Milk
Loid’s Coffee & Milk
Yor’s Rose Tea
Damian’s Melon Soda
Becky’s Cassis Soda
Franky’s Espresso Tonic
SPY x FAMILY Print Latte (Random)
SPY x FAMILY Take-out Drink
Exclusive Cafe Bonus
Collaboration Merchandise
The collaboration merchandise features new illustrations of Loid, Anya, and Yor playing some jazz. Are you excited about the anime’s premiere?
©遠藤達哉／集英社・SPY×FAMILY製作委員会
Information
SPY x FAMILY Collaboration Cafe
Locations: Tower Records Cafe Omotesando, Nagoya Sakae SKYLE, Umeda NU Chayamachi
Open: [Round 1] April 13 – April 25 / [Round 2] April 26 – May 8, 2022
*Cafe bonuses will feature a different design during each round.
Official Site: https://tower.jp/spyfamily-cafeCollaboration Merchandise
Available at 29 Tower Records locations and at Tower Records Online (https://tower.jp)
Preorders open at noon on March 30
*Items cannot be ordered at the cafe.
Sales begin April 13, 2022
Details: https://tower.jp/spygoods -
Five nostalgic and popular shojo anime series from the 90s and early 2000s are being honored at a limited-time collaboration cafe in Shibuya! Hime-chan’s Ribbon, Akazukin Chacha, Nurse Angel Ririka SOS, Kodomo no Omocha, and Full Moon wo Sagashite are being honored with new character-inspired menu items and exclusive goods until March 21, 2022. The cafe is being held at TOKYO PARADE goods&cafe on the 6th floor of Shibuya PARCO.
Hime-chan’s Ribbon
Hime-chan and Pokota’s Donut Tower / Pokota’s Maple Chicken Donut Sandwich
Goods
Akazukin Chacha
Akazukin Chacha Dessert Plate / Magical Princess Strawberry Milk / Shiine’s Homemade Curry
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Nurse Angel Ririka SOS
Ririka Life Flower Parfait / Nurse Angel Ririka’s Vaccine Soda
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Kodomo no Omocha
Sana and Hayama’s Rice Omurice / Maro-chan’s Chocolate Chestnut Drink
Goods
Full Moon wo Sagashite
Takuto and Meruki’s Green Onion Ramen / Full Full Moon Cheesecake / Takuto’s Apple Vinegar Jelly Drink / Meruko’s Peach Vinegar Jelly Drink
Goods
Bonus: Paper Lunch Mat with Original Design
Bonus: One Randomly Selected Coaster (17 varieties) for Each Drink Ordered
Information
Eternal Shojo Cafe
Running: February 10 – March 21, 2022
Address: TOKYO PARADE goods&cafe (Shibuya PARCO 6F)
Hours: 11:00-20:00 (Last Food Order at 19:00, Last Drink Order at 19:30)
Official Site: https://cafe.parco.jp/parade/ -
Nihon Falcom’s The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel will receive an anime adaptation by Tatsunoko Production in early 2023!
The series will be titled The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel – Northern War and will star an original female protagonist named Lavie. It will take place in North Ambria, located in the northwestern part of the Zemuria continent.
Hidekazu Sato will direct the series. Previously, he worked on Aquarion Logos and Last Hope. More information will be revealed in the near future!
(C) Nihon Falcom Corporation. All rights reserved.Information
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel – Northern War
Airing in Early 2023
Based on Nihon Falcom’s The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel
Official Site: https://tatsunoko.co.jp/
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Shenmue the Animation, based on Yu Suzuki’s game series originally released for the Sega Dreamcast in 1999, is scheduled to be released in 2022! The series is being directed by Chikara Sakurai at Telecom Studios.
Official Trailer
A trailer for the series has been uploaded to YouTube showing Ryo Hazuki’s struggle against his nemesis Lan Di. The show is set in the nostalgic and beautiful city of Yokosuka and follows Ryo as he struggles to understand the death of his father. A key visual was also released alongside the trailer.
The new video footage also highlights the voice cast for the first time, including Masaya Matsukaze as Ryo Hazuki and Takahiro Sakurai as Lan Di. The two actors have also provided comments below.
The opening theme song UNDEAD-NOID will be performed by Kashitaro Ito, whose videos have been viewed over 80 million times.
Cast Comments
Masaya Matsukaze (Ryo Hazuki)
Thanks to the fans, I’ve been able to return to the role of Ryo after 20 years, and in my first anime role no less!
Shenmue has been a very big part of my life.
I hope that longtime fans and new fans alike will enjoy the show and that everyone will be able to experience the world of Shenmue.
I can’t wait to see the finished product either!
Takahiro Sakurai (Lan Di)
I’m Takahiro Sakurai and I’ll be playing the role of Lan Di.
On a personal note, when I started working as a voice actor, I participated as a test voice during the development stages of Shenmue. That was my first encounter with this work.
That was a valuable experience for me.
I was so happy to hear that Shenmue would be reborn as an animated series.
The world of Shenmue has not faded from my memory in over 20 years. I hope everyone can enjoy it with me!© SEGA / Shenmue Project
Information
Shenmue the Animation
Coming in 2022
Official Twitter: https://twitter.com/shenmue_anime
Official Site: https://shenmue-anime.jp/
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Kazutomo Ichitomo’s Handyman Saito in Another World manga series is getting an anime adaptation. The manga launched on Kadokawa’s ComicWalker service in 2018 and has been a smash hit since its release, selling over 300,000 copies to date. Ichitomo drew a special celebratory drawing to commemorate the announcement.
The “heartwarming another world fantasy” series follow Saito, a normal handyman reincarnated into another world. He then forms a dungeon party with the beautiful warrior Raelza; Marok, an old and senile magician; and Lafanpan, a cute fairy.
More details will be announced in the future.
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The voice actor idol unit DIALOGUE+ will release their 5th single Bokura ga Orokadanante Dare ga Itta (Who Says We’re Stupid?) on April 13, 2022. A sing-along version of the track has been released on the group’s official YouTube channel ahead of release.
Bokura ga Orokadanante Dare ga Itta (Who Says We’re Stupid?) – DIALOGUE+[Sing-Along ver.]
The new track will serve as the opening song for the anime series Skeleton Knight in Another World, scheduled to air in April. Tomoya Tabuchi (UNISON SQUARE GARDEN) provided the lyrics and composition. Popular creator of anime and game songs kz (livetune) arranged the music.
The limited-edition version of the release will include a bonus Blu-ray containing the track’s music video and live footage from the group’s Hula Hula concerts held in May, June, and July 2021.
The Blu-ray release of DIALOGUE+’s first nationwide tour ‘DIALOGUE+1’ will be released on March 30. The special features include over 20 minutes of behind-the-scenes tour footage, fixed point dance footage of the group’s more popular songs, and more.
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©PONYCANYONInformation
Bokura ga Orokadanante Dare ga Itta (Who Says We’re Stupid?)
Release Date: April 13, 2022
Limited Edition: ¥5,500 (Tax Included)
Standard Edition: ¥1,400 (Tax Included)DIALOGUE+ Official Site: https://dialogue-music.jp/
Skeleton Knight in Another World Official Site:
https://skeleton-knight.com/ -
DEEMO: Memorial Keys is scheduled to release in select locations nationwide on February 25, 2022, and a new key visual and 90-second trailer filled with brand-new footage just dropped!
The key visual was created by Mebachi, a popular illustrator known for creating the character designs for both DEEMO and the ending animation of Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club.
Against the backdrop of the castle where Deemo lives, a spiral staircase made of piano keys leads guests to a mysterious world. Alice, the main heroine, and Deemo, the masked girl, along with other characters are seen gazing up at the sky. Cherry blossom petals and light pour down from above in this emotional key visual that perfectly encapsulates the story’s world.
DEEMO tells the story of a girl who falls from the sky. She has no memories and finds herself traversing a strange castle. The sound of piano rings out, and the girl must discover the truth of who she is, and where she finds herself.
DEEMO: Memorial Keys Trailer
Based on the popular DEEMO mobile game, many famous tracks from the title will appear in the movie, so fans shouldn’t miss it!
ⓒRayark Inc./「DEEMO THE MOVIE」製作委員会
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Project Pocchama, a limited-time project to support the adorable water Pokemon Piplup, has revealed a new music video on the official Pokemon YouTube channel!
The music video is an ending theme medley of the Pokemon Diamond and Pearl anime series which aired on TV Tokyo from 2006 until 2010.
The video was created to make people happy during these difficult times. As Hikari, a character in the anime series who travels with Piplup, always says, “everything will be okay!”The medley includes an arrangement of four songs: Kimi no Soba de ~Hikari’s Theme~, Ashita wa Kitto, Kimi no Mune ni LaLaLa, and Kaze no Message. How could anyone not be happy after watching this peppy video?
©2022 Pokémon. ©1995-2022 Nintendo / Creatures Inc. / GAME FREAK inc.
©Nintendo・Creatures・GAME FREAK・TV Tokyo・ShoPro・JR Kikaku ©Pokémon
ポケットモンスター・ポケモン・Pokémonは任天堂・クリーチャーズ・ゲームフリークの登録商標です。Information
Project Pochama Special Site: https://www.pokemon.jp/special/project_pochama/pochamaDPMV/
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Masayoshi Oishi and Yukari Tamura to Perform Theme Song for Love After World Domination Anime Series
Masayoshi Oishi has been chosen to perform the theme song for the upcoming anime series Love After World Domination, scheduled to premiere in April 2022. The new track is a duet with popular voice actress Yukari Tamura, and a preview of the track can be heard in the newest trailer.
Based on the manga series written by Hiroshi Noda and illustrated by Takahiro Wakamatsu, the show tells the story of a hero and villain pursuing a forbidden love.
Love After World Domination Trailer
Masayoshi Oishi has also announced a three-stop concert tour! The artist will perform at Zepp Namba on May 6, at Zepp Nagoya on June 9, and at KT Zepp Yokohama on June 17. Ticket details will be announced on the official website at a later date. This will be the first solo concert for the artist in about eight months.
Comment from Masayoshi Oishi
“From the beginning, I wanted to make the opening song a male/female duet track, and I was so thrilled to work with Yukari Tamura! Thanks to her, it became an incredibly emotional song. I hope everyone enjoys the series as much as I enjoyed creating the theme.”
Comment from Yukari Tamura
“Masayoshi Oishi invited me to perform a duet with him! I was so nervous about recording as a guest vocalist in this major track rather than performing a character song, but I ended up really enjoying it! I hope this becomes a famous duet song, please enjoy it!”
©野田宏・若松卓宏・講談社／恋せか製作委員会
Information
Love After World Domination
Airing April 2022
Official Site: https://koiseka-anime.com/
Masayoshi Oishi One-Man Zepp Concert Tour 2022
Zepp Namba: May 6, 2022
Zepp Nagoya: June 9, 2022
KT Zepp Yokohama: June 17, 2022
*Ticket Details to be Posted to Official Website
Masayoshi Oishi Official Site: https://www.014014.jp/ -
The anime series Shadows House premiered in April 2021 to immense acclaim. The show tells the story of a dark mansion filled with people attended by Living Doll partners. Emilico, a young and cheerful Living Doll, serves her mistress Kate, and as the two grow closer, a number of dark secrets begin to emerge. The second season will begin airing in July 2022, and a new teaser visual and cast comments have been released.
Cast Comments
Akari Kito (Kate)
Congratulations to everyone on the second season of Shadows House!
To all the fans anxiously awaiting a second season, I am truly happy to be reprising my role as Kate!
Although the first season of the anime came to an end, the original work has continued, and there are so many scenes I want to see brought to life in season two. I can’t wait to see what happens to Kate and Emilico next.
I promise to give my all in my voice work to meet everyone’s expectations. I hope you enjoy it!
Yu Sasahara (Emilico)
The time has finally arrived!
The second season of Shadows House is coming!
I can’t stop thinking about all the scenes I want to see in the anime…!
I’m looking so forward to performing the role of Emilico again, and I hope the fans enjoy these new adventures!Ⓒソウマトウ／集英社・シャドーハウス製作委員会
Information
Shadows House 2nd Season
Airing July 2022
Official Site: https://shadowshouse-anime.com/
