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NISA's Love Live! Release Slated for September

NIS America announced on Friday the details of the release of its upcoming Love Live! School idol project anime premium Blu-ray set, as well as the release date of September 2.

The set will come in a collector's box, with two Blu-ray discs compiling all thirteen episodes of the anime with Japanese audio and English subtitles, a hardcover art book with 28 pages containing an episode guide, character information, and full-color illustrations.

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) directed the anime at Sunrise. Jukki Hanada (Steins;Gate, Robotics;Notes, Nichijō) was in charge of the series scripts, and Asako Nishida (Ground Control to Psychoelectric Girl, Vampire Knight) served 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

The first season of the anime aired in Japan last year, and the second season premiered last month. NIS America has licensed both the first and second season of the anime for North American release. Crunchyroll streamed the first season as it aired, and is currently streaming the second season.

Image © NIS America