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Mia REGINA Performs Opening Theme for Matoi the Sacred Slayer Anime

The official website for WHITE FOX's original television anime Matoi the Sacred Slayer announced on Wednesday that Mia REGINA will perform the opening theme song "Choumusubi Amyuretto" (Bowknot Amulet). The single will be available for purchase on October 26 for 1,200 yen (roughly US$12).

Singers Fūri Uebana, Waka Kirishima, and Risuko Sasakama, debuted as Mia REGINA in August. The members have all performed for the Aikatsu! television anime, and as a group they performed the ending theme song "ETERNAL EXPLORER" for Momokuri.

The website also announced that the ending theme song by voice actress unit Sphere (made up of Minako Kotobuki, Ayahi Takagaki, Haruka Tomatsu, and Aki Toyosaki) is titled "My Only Place."

The site describes the anime's story:

It is 2016. Matoi Sumeragi, a second-year junior high school student, works part-time as a shrine maiden at Tenman Shrine in the city of Kamaya. Ever since being separated from her mother in early childhood, Matoi has been entrusted to her grandparents on her father's side, but three months ago, she finally began to live with her father Shingo. In those circumstances, she only wishes for a peaceful, normal life.

Her close friend and part-time workmate Yuma Kusanagi is part of the family of the shrine's chief priest, and is a candidate to be the successor shrine maiden. For generations, her family has performed exorcisms of evil spirits. She invites Matoi to one of these exorcism ceremonies, a so-called "Divine Possession" that she will attempt.

One day, Matoi and Yuma walk from the school to the shrine as usual, but when they arrive, they are greeted by the shrine's now damaged grounds, and Yuma's parents have both collapsed from their wounds. Matoi's father Shingo, a police detective, launches an investigation, and he comes upon a man who does not seem entirely sane: his only witness. When he holds down the man, Yuma begins the ritual of Divine Possession.

Something strange then happens, not with Yuma, but with Matoi. Matoi Sumeragi, who had only wanted a normal, peaceful life, takes the role of a god, and gains the power to banish evil spirits! To get her precious everyday life back, Matoi must conduct exorcisms!

The anime's cast includes:

Ayaka Suwa as Matoi Sumeragi, a 14-year old second year junior high school student who works part-time at Tenman Shrine as a shrine maiden. After her mother went missing, she lived for a long time with her grandparents on her father's side, but currently lives with her father, Shingo. She takes care of all the housework her mother used to do, and has become quite mature for her age. She dreams of being able to live with both of her parents and live a normal life one day, but because the spirit of a god is drawn to her, she can perform transference, and has her hands full performing exorcisms.

Naomi Ōzora as Yuma Kusanagi, a 13-year old first-year junior high school student, and the candidate for the next shrine maiden of Tenman Shrine. She is a naive and energetic girl who is liable to not look before she leaps. She has longed to become the shrine's Exorcist Shrine Maiden, a position her family has maintained for generations, and cannot stop herself from believing it will be her. As a result of bringing out a divine treasure, she is responsible for giving Matoi the power of transference.

Haruka Tomatsu as Claris Tonitolus, a 15-year old member of Fatima, the Vatican's secret service. Fatima exists outside the boundaries of the law, and exists as special exorcists. Claris herself studied under a priest to learn exorcism, marking herself as one of the children known as the Anti-Creed. She is dispatched to Japan, and encounters Matoi and Yuma.

Masayuki Sakoi (Celestial Method, Princess Resurrection) is directing the anime at WHITE FOX, and Yousuke Kuroda (My Hero Academia, Mobile Suit Gundam 00, Big Windup!) is overseeing and writing the scripts. Mai Toda (animation director for Baby Steps, One-Punch Man) is the character designer and chief animation director, and Seiichi Shirato (Jormungand, Drifters, Joker Game) is in charge of setting research. Tatsuya Katou (Love Live! Sunshine!!, Celestial Method) is composing the music.

The anime will have a stage event at the Kyoto International Manga and Anime Fair 2016 on September 17, and will also host an advanced screening on the same day in Kyoto.

[Via Ota-Suke]