News

NIS America Adds Love Live! School Idol Project Anime

NIS America confirmed with ANN on Wednesday that it acquired the Love Live! School idol project anime for North America. The media service Crunchyroll had previously listed NIS as the publisher of its streams of the anime, which will begin on January 8 at 11:00 a.m. EST.

NIS America describes the story:

Otonokizaka High School stands on the border of three cities: Akihabara–a pop culture mecca that's evolving by the minute; Kanda–a conservative, cultured city where history and tradition reign supreme; and Jinbo–a quiet area reserved for a more mature, sophisticated population. Amidst this culture clash, the school now faces closure due to the enrollment of fewer and fewer students.

With the school planning to close within three years, nine female students come together with one thing in mind—form a pop idol group to revive the school's popularity and keep it from shutting down. “In order to protect our beloved school, there's only one thing we can do...become pop stars!”

Their goal is simple: Become an overnight sensation and use their nationwide media exposure to promote their school and bring in a wave of new students to the ailing area. A simple but solid plan, they figure. Naturally, they're nervous and wonder if this plan can really succeed, but for better or worse their new journey has begun...

“All we can ask for is just a tiny bit of support from you. We truly believe that with your help, we can change the world around us. We will make our dreams come true!”

Takahiko Kyōgoku (episode director on Un-Go, Accel World) is directing the anime at Sunrise. Jukki Hanada (Steins;Gate, Robotics;Notes, Nichijō) is in charge of the series scripts, and Asako Nishida (Ground Control to Psychoelectric Girl, Vampire Knight) is serving as character designer and animation director.

The cast includes:

• Emi Nitta (Horizon in the Middle of Nowhere) as Honoka Kosaka
• Yoshino Nanjō (Joshiraku, ROBOTICS;NOTES) as Eri Ayase
• Aya Uchida (Kiddy Girl-AND, Strike Witches) as Kotori Minami
• Suzuko Mimori (Detective Opera Milky Holmes, BTOOOM!) as Umi Sonoda
• Riho Iida as Rin Hoshizora (anime debut role)
• Pile as Maki Nishikino (anime debut role)
• Aina Kusuda (Yamato 2199) as Nozomi Tojo
• Yurika Kubo (Total Eclipse) as Hanayo Koizumi
• Sora Tokui (Detective Opera Milky Holmes, ROBOTICS;NOTES) as Niko Yazawa

Thanks to Tratious for the news tip.

Image © Project Love Live!