News

Drifters TV Anime's Promo Video Previews Story

The official website for the television anime of Kouta Hirano's Drifters manga began streaming a promotional video for the anime on Friday. The video previews the ending theme song "Vermillion" by Maon Kurosaki.

The story of the manga centers around Shimazu Toyohisa, the real-life samurai who fought in the pivotal Battle of Sekigahara. In his dying moments, Shimazu is transported to a world of magic with other famous warriors throughout history. These warriors are forced to fight each other in an endless battle.

The previously announced cast members include:

• Yūichi Nakamura as Shimazu Toyohisa
• Naoya Uchida as Oda Nobunaga
• Mitsuki Saiga as Nasu no Yoichi
• Takahiro Sakurai as Abe no Seimei
• Shiho Kokido as Olminu
• Masakazu Nishida as Kafeto
• Junko Minagawa as Jeanne d'Arc
• Kenji Nomura as Gilles de Rais
• Junko Kitanishi as Anastasia
• Masahiko Tanaka as Rasputin
• Hiroki Yasumoto as Hijikata Toshizo
• Mitsuru Miyamoto as Murasaki
• Tatsuhisa Suzuki as the pilot Naoshi Kanno
• Daisuke Ono as Wild Bunch gang founder Butch Cassidy
• Wataru Takagi as Wild Bunch gang member Sundance Kid
• Akira Ishida as Minamotono Kurou Hougan Yoshitsune

The anime celebrates the 70th anniversary of Shonengahosha, the publisher of the original manga. Kenichi Suzuki (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders series director) is directing the anime. Hideyuki Kurata (The World God Only Knows, Tokyo Ravens, Maria the Virgin Witch) is handling the series composition and writing the scripts. Yousuke Kuroda (Hellsing Ultimate, Gungrave) is also writing the scripts along with Kurata. Ryoji Nakamori (Hellsing Ultimate) is designing the characters and also serving as chief animation director.

The anime will premiere in Japan on Tokyo MX on October 7, and will exclusively stream on the AbemaTV service at the same time the anime airs on Japanese television, starting on October 7 at 11:00 p.m. Eight theaters throughout Japan will screen episodes of the anime on October 22 (episodes 1-4), November 19 (5-8), and December 22 (9-12). Funimation has acquired the home video, video on demand, broadcast distribution, and streaming rights for the anime from NBCUniversal.

The special limited-pressing Blu-ray Box for the anime will go on sale on December 24 for 35,000 yen (about $341) plus tax. The set will include the complete edition of all 12 episodes (with added unaired footage planned). The special limited pressing will also include an exclusive box illustrated by Hirano, a 200-page animation sketch collection by chief animation director Ryoji Nakamori, a 52-page booklet, a bonus extras disc, a two-CD original soundtrack, and a form for advance ticket sales for an event.

The bonus extras disc will contain a short anime "Kokuō-sama O-Ranshin," promotional videos, and other materials. "Kokuō-sama O-Ranshin" is also the title of the manga shorts published at the end of the main manga's book volumes. People who pre-order the box from participating retailers before November 6 will receive an exclusive illustration card set.