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

Type-Moon’s visual novel PC game Mahotsukai no Yoru: Witch on the Holy Night will be getting an anime film adaptation by ufotable (The Garden of Sinners, Fate/stay night: Heaven’s Feel, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba). A teaser trailer for the project has been released on the Aniplex YouTube channel.

Witch on the Holy Night Teaser Trailer

More details will be released soon, so stay tuned!

©奈須きのこ・TYPE-MOON / アニプレックス・ノーツ・ufotable

Serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump since 2001, the manga series Bleach has become one of the best-selling series in history, with over 120 million volumes sold. During the Jump Festa 2022 event, it was announced that the manga’s final story arc, the Thousand Year Blood War, would receive an anime adaptation in October 2022. Along with the good news, a teaser visual and teaser trailer were announced. Comments from the main staff have also been released!

The new visual shows protagonist Ichigo Kurosaki, wearing a torn version of his Soul Reaper uniform as he holds his Zanpakuto. 

The teaser video for Bleach Thousand-Year Blood War features looks at the main cast of the series at the time of the anime series’ conclusion. Protagonist and Substitute Soul Reaper Ichigo Kurosaki, his friends Orihime, Chad, Uryu, and Soul Reapers Rukia, Yoruichi, Urahara, and Renji are featured. We also get a glimpse of captains Byakuya Kuchiki, Soi Fon, Toshiro Hitsugaya, Shinji Hirako, Kensei Muguruma, Rose Otorimashi, Sajin Komamura, Jushiro Ukitake, Retsu Unohana, Kenpachi Zaraki, Mayuri Kurotsuchi, Shunsui Kyoraku, and Genryusai Yamamoto. The antagonist this time around is Quincy King Yhwach. If the music sounds familiar, it’s a new rendition of “Number One,” an iconic Bleach theme. 

Tomohisa Taguchi will direct the series, while Shiro Sagisu is returning to compose the music. Studio Pierrot will be in charge of the new arc.

Comments from Main Staff and Illustrators

Based on the Series by Tite Kubo

Comment from Tomohisa Taguchi (Director)

“I’m incredibly honored to contribute to such an incredible piece of work. I was just another reader when the manga series was first published, and I can remember thinking how amazed I was that something so cool existed. The staff and I are working hard every day to bring audiences the most exciting animation possible. Although there’s still some time to wait before the anime premieres, please look forward to it!”

Comment from Masashi Kudo (Character Designer)

“10 years. 

Since the series ended years ago, I’ve heard a single question not only from fans in Japan but from fans around the world. 

‘Will the series ever continue?’ 

For years, I could only respond with ‘I don’t know.’ 

After answering that way for so many years, I finally have a different response. 

‘Yes, more episodes of Bleach are coming!’”

Comment from Shiro Sagisu (Composer) 

“When I create music for Bleach, all the sounds just come pouring into my head as if they were coming from Soul Society. Now, all I have to do is keep listening and get it done. I don’t write music. The songs simply tell me ‘this is how I want to be written.’ 

Now, it’s time for me to experience that incredible feeling once again!” 

©久保帯人／集英社・テレビ東京・ｄｅｎｔｓｕ・ぴえろ

Announced at Jump Festa 2022 on December 19, a new Rurouni Kenshin anime project is coming soon! The series is being led by studio LIDENFILMS, known for working on Tokyo Revengers and Blade of the Immortal.

More details will be released soon!

Rurouni Kenshin Teaser Trailer

Premiering in Shonen Jump+ in January 2019, Mato Seihei no Slave (Slave of the Magic Capital’s Elite Troops) has been a certified hit, selling over 1 million copies. Cast information for the upcoming anime series was just announced at Jump Festa 2022!

The ongoing Mato Seihei no Slave manga series is set in a world where a demonic gate has unleashed monsters called Shuki. A special peach tree can grant special powers to those in need, but only if they are women. A boy named Yuki Wakura meets Uzen Kyoka, a girl who has gained the power of the peach, and the captain of the 7th Anti-Demon squad.

Mato Seihei no Slave Teaser Video

Three new voice cast members have been announced for the 7th Anti-Demon Squad. Yume Miyamoto will play Himari Azuma, Mari Hino will portray Shushu Suruga, and Hina Tachibana will play Nei Okawamura.

It was previously announced that Yuya Hirose (Takuya Yamamoto in Tokyo Revengers) would play Yuki Wakura, while Akari Kito (Nezuko in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba) would play Kyoya Uzen. More information is coming soon!

Ⓒタカヒロ・竹村洋平／集英社・魔防隊広報部

Yaoi slice-of-life series Sasaki and Miyano is getting an anime series in January 2022. Ahead of release, more details regarding Volume 2 of the series’ Drama CD series, including the cover image, have been unveiled! The CD will be released on January 26, 2022, and will feature an illustration by original author Sho Harusono. 

The second volume is based on a bonus chapter centered around the possibility of Sasaki and Miyano being roommates in a dormitory. 

Animate Bonus: A5-size Mini Clear Folder with Original Jacket Illustration

Sasaki and Miyano Drama CD Vol. 1 – The Spring Charity Bazaar

Those who purchase Volume 2 at Animate will receive a special A5-size clear folder with the new illustration. Those who buy both available volumes will receive a newly-recorded cast talk on CD!

Animate will also be holding a campaign to give away cast autographs by lottery. Those purchasing both volumes together will be entered into the giveaway.

A preview of the first volume has also been released. It features an original story by Sho Harusono and takes place when Sasaki is in his third year and Miyano is in his second.

Story

Miyano witnesses a fight between Kuresawa, his classmate and friend, and several other students. Too afraid to step in, he calls for help over his phone, when Sasaki, a second-year student, steps in to dissolve the quarrel.
A new bond is formed when Sasaki meets Miyano again a few months later, and he becomes especially interested in Miyano’s hobby: Boy’s Love manga.
Though Sasaki has no idea what seme, uke, or moe means, he is eager to read more in order to get closer with his underclassman.

©2022 春園ショウ/KADOKAWA/「佐々木と宮野」製作委員会

Digimon Con, an online event held by Bandai, will be held in February 2022! The event will be open to fans around the world, and the Digimon Illustration Competition is now open to fans of the series in Japan and the United States.

Digimon Con

This free online event will feature a unique lineup of content related to the long-running Digimon franchise, including an anime segment, a game information segment, a live performance, and more!

Dates:

JST: February 27, 2022 at 10:00
PST: February 26, 2022 at 17:00
EST: February 26, 2022 at 20:00
Where to Watch: The Official Bandai YouTube Channel

Digimon Illustration Competition

Starting December 17, fans from both the US and Japan can send in their best Digimon art until February 7, 2022. Detailed information, including requirements, can be found on the special Digimon Illustration Competition website!

Digimon Illustration Competition
Details/Submissions: https://compe.japandesign.ne.jp/digimon-ic-2022/
Submission Period：

JST: December 17, 2021 at 10:00 – February 7, 2022 at 12:00
PST: December 16, 2021 at 17:00 – February 6, 2022 at 19:00
EST: December 16, 2021 at 20:00 – February 6, 2022 at 22:00

■Theme: Cute or Cool Digimon
Choose one of the following eight Digimon and draw them in either a cool or cute scene!

Agumon

Patamon

Terriermon

Gammamon

Numemon

Devimon

Lillymon

Machinedramon

Application for Participation: Fill out the form found on https://compe.japandesign.ne.jp/digimon-ic-2022/
Eligible Countries: Japan, United States
Eligibility: Applicants must be recognized as an adult in their country of residence. 

Prizes: 

Grand Prize（1 Winner）
・¥300,000
・Winning Illustration Used in the Digimon Trading Card Game

Award of Excellence（7 Winners）
・¥100,000
・Winning Illustrations Used in the Digimon Trading Card Game
　

Judges’ Special Prize（Number Undetermined）
・¥50,000

©本郷あきよし・東映アニメーション　©本郷あきよし・東映アニメーション・フジテレビ　©BANDAI

Urusei Yatsura is one of the most beloved anime series of all time. The show’s theme song Lum’s Love Song is still a fan-favorite 40 years after its release in 1981. To celebrate the anniversary of the track, the original composer Izumi Kobayashi has released a self-cover only available on streaming services. A worldwide remix project based on the song is also underway and will continue into the new year. 

On November 17, Izumi Kobayashi released Lum’s Love Song (Reboot) along with Limited Toss, a trackmaker she met in London. The B-side of the single is another self-cover of Bambutsuruten, the theme to Tokyo Gambo. 

Izumi Kobayashi wrote a number of anime songs in addition to Lum’s Love Song, such as tracks for Sasuga no Sarutobi and Stop!! Hibari-kun! After working as an artist, session musician, and playwright in the 1980s, she moved to the UK and worked alongside Depeche Mode and SWING OUT SISTER, while also supporting the overseas activities of Ken Ishii, Denki Groove, and DJ KRUSH.

In addition to this self-cover project, Lum’s Love Song is now being remixed by a number of talented artists from around the world. The first EP of the remix project, ‘Lum’s Love Song (Reboot) Mimix EP.1’ was released digitally on December 8. It features remixes by Kenmochi Hidefumi of Wednesday Campanella, Chinese trackmaker 3asic, and Osaka-based Limited Toss. 

Upcoming Lum’s Love Song remixes will be provided by Korean music producer T.WON and SKYTOPIA, along with tofubeats. ‘Lum’s Love Song (Reboot) Mimix EP.2’ will be released on January 12, 2022.

Rumiko Takahashi, the original creator of Urusei Yatsura, was inducted into the Harvey Awards Hall of Fame in October 2021, one of the most prestigious U.S. comic awards. 

Comment from Izumi Kobayashi

“It’s been a long time since I’ve released a new album!

Everyone involved in this project is so excited, and we know that something amazing is going to come from it. As it’s the 40th anniversary of Lum’s Love Song, I created a new cel cover for it. I’m just thrilled!

Thank you to everyone who listens!”

小林泉美

The upcoming anime series My Isekai Life (also known as My Isekai Life: I Gained a Second Character Class and Became the Strongest Sage in the World!) has released its first teaser trailer and cast announcements. The series will air in 2022. 

The series is being adapted from the light novel series of the same name and is being animated by REVOROOT. Pony Canyon is producing the show’s music. 

Teaser Trailer

Chiaki Kobayashi (Makoto Edamura in Great Pretender, Langa Hasegawa in SK8 the Infinity) will take on the rule of Yuji. The fairy Dryad will be played by Azumi Waki (Sanae Katagiri in The Idolmaster Cinderella Girls, Maika Sakuranomiya in Blend S), while Proudwolf will be portrayed by Wataru Takagi (Eikichi Onizuka in GTO, Obito Uchiha in Naruto). 

Comment from Chiaki Kobayashi (Yuji) 

Yuji has an incredible amount of mental strength from working at a terrible company. Even after his reincarnation in a new world, he is relatively unfazed by the new world around him. Although he’s tough, I hope I can express his more kind and charming side. Please enjoy!

Comment from Azumi Waki (Dryad)

I’m thankful to have been chosen for the role of Dryad! She is a spirit of the forest and is very gentle and healing, so I hope I can express that to the audience. (Although, I promise the slimes that appear in the show are equally cute, lol.) The interactions between Yuji and myself are hilarious, so I hope you’ll enjoy those as much as the battle scenes!

Comment from Wataru Takagi (Proudwolf) 

Although Proudwolf is usually quite timid, as Yuji’s right-hand man, I hope that I can convey some of his strength. There are also a ton of cute slimes in the series! I’m looking forward to working with so many new people, and to see what we can create together. 

The My Isekai Life novel was published in 2017 with a light novel series beginning in 2018 and continuing to this day. A manga series also began in 2018, and is licensed in North America by Square Enix. 

My Isekai Life follows Yuji Sano, who works at a company that is horrible to its employees. After heading home to do some overtime work, he gets a message on his computer reading “You have been summoned to an alternate world!” This game-like world is complete with status bars and special skills, and Yuji quickly becomes aware of his own magical powers. His journey in this other world begins when he follows a slime, the weakest of all monsters.

An exact date for the anime’s premiere will be announced soon.

©進行諸島・SBクリエイティブ／転生賢者の製作委員会

FIREBUG studio and animation planning and production company Enishiya have teamed up for a new short anime, Massara. The animation itself was inspired by the song of the same name by Kiyoe Yoshioka, the lead singer of the popular pop duo Ikinonogakari. This was her first original solo song. 

The animation is a cross between a music video and a brief anime. The story follows a singer-songwriter, Nazuna (Voiced by Yoshioka), who is about to stop chasing her dream, along with a shy girl, Yuna. As they meet, they influence each other to keep running towards their respective dreams. Yuna is voiced by Kana Hanazawa, known for voicing Mitsuri Kanroji in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. Both the music video and short anime are available to watch on the official Ikimonogakari YouTube channel, so check it out!

Comments from Performers and Staff

Kiyoe Yoshioka (Nazuna) 

“I tried as hard as I could, and when I realized how much I was putting into the role, it was over in an instant. The animation was so beautiful that I was drawn in and was able to enjoy working on it. I was very moved by the scene where Nazuna and Yuna, the two main characters’ thoughts and inner struggle for the songs are depicted, and their feelings really connected with each other. One of the highlights of the film is the faithful reproduction of the scenery of the station where I used to perform on the street when I made my debut. I think this is a kind of work that you can feel ‘real.’ I hope you will all enjoy it.” 

Kana Hanazawa (Yuna)

“The animation was so delicate and captivating that I wanted it to be released in theaters as it was, and I felt that it was a work that was created with great care. I’ve listened to a lot of Yoshioka-san’s singing voice, so I was very happy to be able to participate in such a wonderful project. She was very friendly and talked to me a lot during the recording process. I became more and more a fan of her personality, which is refreshing and gentle, and makes me feel comfortable being in the same space with her. I think the anime has a joy of being able to enjoy Yoshioka-san’s voice to the fullest, and also has the depth of flavor of the songs you listen to while feeling the story!” 

Keita Nagahara (Director)

“Before the actual post-recording session, we had a practice session as a test, where I explained the nuances of the dialogue and the character’s emotions, but Yoshioka already seemed completely capable of capturing Nazuka with very little prep. Her voice is charming, and although she doesn’t have a ton of voice acting experience, I was amazed by her natural talent. The song scene at the beginning was recorded right in front of me, and I was so moved by the power of her voice. This work is beautiful, and I was able to work with an amazing staff to create a short film that really emphasizes the atmosphere in which these characters live. Just as Yuna, who was unable to sing in front of others, was able to take a step forward with Nazuna, I hope that this film inspires someone else to take another step.”

There are plenty of bizarre anime series out there, but at least this one has a helpful message. Lovers Labo has released the second part of ‘Condom Battler Goro,’ a short anime series aiming to spread helpful knowledge about condom use. The new episode is available via YouTube. 

Part One：https://youtu.be/EzD4aOgFxvA
Part Two：https://youtu.be/mkH88T1cf04

The first episode aimed to convey common skills and knowledge about wearing condoms, but the new episode is tackling one very specific issue: unplanned pregnancies. The easy-to-understand story explains that people shouldn’t be embarrassed to ask for or wear a condom and that the prejudice surrounding such a thing is completely false. 

Sure, it’s strange, but it’s a message worth sharing. 

Rock band Survive Said the Prophet will perform the opening theme song for the upcoming anime series Tokyo 24th Ward. The track is titled Paper Sky. 

The series will be written by Nitroplus’s Vio Shimokura and will be his first time working on an anime series. Character designs were done by FiFS, a popular illustrator among women. CloverWorks will handle the animation, popular for other franchises such as Horimiya, Wonder Egg Priority, and the upcoming Spy x Family adaptation. Naokatsu Tsuda will serve as director, known for his work on JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. 

Paper Sky was written exclusively for the series and is an emotional and fast-paced track with the message of taking the future into your hands. Part of the track can be heard in the first preview for the series, which is scheduled to release in January 2022. 

Tokyo 24th Ward – First Preview

Comment from Yosh (Vo)

We were given the opportunity to write the opening theme for Tokyo 24th Ward and subsequently created Paper Sky. 

I imagined the near-future as I sang this track, somewhere within this mysterious 24th Ward. I wanted to express the idea of looking upward and moving forward despite the pain that comes with growing up. 

I hope that you enjoy this series and this new track.

Yosh / Survive Said The Prophet

©Team24東京24区プロジェクト