News

Laidbackers Theatrical Anime Project Previews Kizuna Ai's Theme Song in Video

Flying Dog began streaming a new video on Saturday for Studio Gokumi's Laidbackers theatrical anime project that previews "virtual YouTube character" Kizuna Ai's theme song "Precious Piece." The video features the character introducing herself before previewing the song with footage from the film. The CD featuring the theme song will ship on April 3.

The studio is billing the anime as the "final original theatrical anime of the Heisei era" (Japan is set to enter a new era after April 30, 2019 when the current emperor abdicates). The anime project will begin screening on April 5 in Japan, and will screen for two weeks.

The cast includes: (name spellings are not confirmed)

Rina Hidaka as Harami Mitsuno, a 15-year-old girl who used to be a warrior before she was reincarnated. Now she is self-indulgent and freewheeling, and has the soul of an elementary school-aged boy.

Himika Akaneya as Mai Maisaka, a 14-year-old girl who used to be a martial artist before she was reincarnated. Now she is aiming to be an idol and is very active on her blog and performing live events.

Yō Taichi as K. Kusanagi, a 17-year-old girl who used to be a mage before she was reincarnated. Now she is obsessed with her otaku hobbies and the occult.

Maria Naganawa as Ran (Valvaran), an 11-year-old girl who used to be the demon king before she was reincarnated. Now she is an elementary school student. Before she was reincarnated, she caused the "demon king fragments" incident where her magical power was scattered.

Yumi Uchiyama as Arnelia, 18 years old. Before she was reincarnated she was a princess knight, and the leader of a liberation army, but is now in the form of a dog. Since being reincarnated she has forgotten her mission, and has a very serious personality.

Yumiri Hanamori as Kumi Honamanuma, 18 years old. She is a self-funded student who moved to Kyoto to study at an arts college in order to take over the candy store that she inherited from her late grandmother.

Saki Fujita as Yuko Saginomiya, 25 years old. She is an attractive and mysterious elementary school teacher. She is the temporary guardian of the magical power that Ran lost.

Katsuyuki Konishi as Leonard, the owner of an Indian restaurant next door to the candy shop.

Jun Fukuyama as Ron, the owner of a Chinese restaurant next door to the candy shop.

Hiroyuki Hashimoto (Slow Start, Is the order a rabbit? both seasons, Magical Girl Raising Project) is directing the anime at Studio Gokumi. Kiyomitsu Sato (Yuki Yuna Is a Hero, Trinity Seven, No. 6 episode director) is the chief director. Makoto Uezu (Assassination Classroom, The Heroic Legend of Arslan, KONOSUBA - God's blessing on this wonderful world! 2 TV series and film) is the scriptwriter and Jiro Suzuki (Higurashi no Naku Koroni manga's Tatarigoroshi-hen, Umineko When They Cry manga's E2 - Turn of the golden witch) is the original character designer. Kei Tsuchiya (Aruvu Rezuru - Kikai Jikake no Yōsei-tachi) is adapting those designs for animation and is also serving as chief animation director. kz (livetune) is composing the music, and Takayuki Yamaguchi (Girls Beyond the Wasteland, planetarian) is the sound director. Klock Worx is distributing the film.

kz is performing a song titled "Kamogawa Stampede" for the project.

The anime takes place in modern Kyoto. Kumi is a college student who moves to Kyoto in order to take over the candy store inherited from her late grandmother. The house accompanying the candy store was supposed to be unoccupied, but there Kumi meets three women (Harami, Mai, and K) and a dog. The four are heroes who were reincarnated from their world into this one. One day the former demon king, who messed up her reincarnation and is now in the form of an elementary school student, appears and asks, "will you please collect the demon king fragments together with me?"

Source: Flying Dog's YouTube channel