Anime Column] Anime writers' picks for the five most noteworthy spring 2017 anime!

According to Akiba Research Institute's anime portal Anipota, there are more than 60 new anime titles for spring 2017. The list of works is so long that your fingers might break from swiping through it. We pick up five works from such a wide variety of new releases!
Look out for "Sakura Quest," an original work by P.A.WORKS, "The Book of Magic Begins at Zero," based on a popular fantasy by Dengeki Bunko, "ID-0" by Goro Taniguchi and Sanzigen, "Laughshelf Man NEW," the return of Fukuzo Mokuro, and "A Night of Lust with a Monk," where you are played by a handsome monk. New", and "A Night of Sexual Desire with a Monk...", in which a handsome monk plays a trick on the audience.

Sakura Quest

Following "Hanasaku Iroha," which is set in a long-established hot spring inn in Ishikawa Prefecture, and "SHIROBAKO," which looks behind the scenes of anime production, this is the third in P.A. WORKS' work series. The film depicts the days of the main character, Yuno Kiharu, who has failed in her job search and has yet to receive a job offer after interviewing with more than 30 companies, as she becomes the king (=tourist ambassador) of the desolate city of Manoyama and takes on the challenge of revitalizing the town at a rural tourism association.
In the teaser visual, Yuno appears wearing a crown while still in her recruitment suit. Her unbalanced and striking appearance became the talk of the town. At the event, the cast, including lead actress Ayaka Nanase, also appeared in suits, expressing the world view on stage as well. We look forward to a refreshing work that portrays work and youth in the same way as the previous installments in the series.

Starting from Zero: The Book of Magic

The fantasy novel that won the grand prize at the "20th Dengeki Novel Award," which had the largest number of entries of all time, has been adapted into a TV anime. It is a beast meets girl story in which a nameless half-animal, half-human mercenary meets a witch who calls herself "Zero. The mercenary, who looks like a tiger but has a kind heart, and Zero, a noble girl who calls herself "I". Their relationship changes through their journey to recover a book of magic that has the power to destroy the world.
In this work, magic and witchcraft are distinguished as different entities. The PV shows a world reminiscent of medieval Europe and scenes of encampment in the wilderness. This work is recommended for those who want to enjoy a royal fantasy.

ID-0

Full 3DCG animation directed by Goro Taniguchi of "Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion" and Sanzigen of "Arpeggio of the Blue Steel -Ars Nova-". The series composition is by Yosuke Kuroda, who worked together on "Infinite Leviathan," his first TV animation film. Although details of the storyline have not been revealed due to the original work, the story is set in a space corporation that uses large robots, I-machines, to mine ore, and it is said to have elements of a work anime. This genre is typical of Taniguchi, who specializes in depicting organizations, such as "Planetes," which depicts a debris collector, and "Activ Raid - Mobile Assault Room Section 8," in which the special forces of the Metropolitan Police Department are active.
On the official website, a job guide for the Escavate company where the heroine, Mikuri Maya, works is now available. However, there are some dubious words such as "high-paying job just digging up asteroids" and "a homey company. The finished product foreshadows a story that will not be easy to follow.

Laughing Man NEW

Fujiko Fujio A's original TV animation "Laughshelf Man" will be revived after 28 years. The role of the mysterious salesman Mokuro Fukuzo is played by Tetsuaki Genda, who was nominated by the late Toru Ohira as his successor. and an eerie laugh. The TV spot is sure to be another traumatic experience that will strike fear into the hearts of the viewers.
A different guest voice actor is used for each episode to play the customer who is Mokuro's target. The popular cast includes Takuya Eguchi, Kana Asumi, Toshihiko Seki, and Soma Saito. Animation production was handled by Shin-Ei Animation, as in the past. The music is also by Tanaka Kohei, and the familiar theme song enlivens the black humor of the world.

On a night of lustful sexual intercourse with a monk...

University student Mio Fukaya reunites with her first love, Takahide Kujo, but for some reason his head is shaved! In fact, he has taken over the family temple and become a monk. Mio, who had been told that he was a monk (see ......), was taken home by Takahide, who then told her, "I'm a man before I'm a monk. He also introduces her to his parents, and they start living together at a temple. What will happen to the two of them after they enter into a false engagement?
This is a TV anime adaptation of a unique teen love manga in which the dating partner is a monk. Takahide is a priest and boasts of his great technique. In the original work, he made Misao melt in love with him with his amazing technique, but how far will he be able to express this in the anime? The character drawing on the official website depicts her in her underwear, and an R-15 version is scheduled to air on AT-X. There is no doubt that this will be one of the most erotic spring anime.

(Text by Katsunori Takahashi)

(c) 2017 Sakura Quest Production Committee
(C) 2016 Toranosuke Kakeru/KADOKAWA Ascii/Media Works/Zero no Majutsu Shidan
(C) ID-0 Project
(C) FUJIKO STUDIO / Laughshelf NEW Production Committee
(c) Mashin Leon/Kujo-kun no Kuzoku wo Mamoru Kai