NHK Anime "Piano no Mori" Announces Voice Actors: Souma Saito, Junichi Suwabe, Natsuki Hanae, and More! The ED theme is by Aoi Yuuki!

The key visual of "Piano Forest," which will begin airing as an anime in April 2018, has been revealed, and information on the main staff and cast has been unveiled.

Piano no Mori" (written by Makoto Isshiki), which was serialized in "Morning" (Kodansha) until 2015, follows the story of the main character, Kai Ichinose, who grew up using an abandoned piano in the forest as a toy. The masterpiece classical music manga depicts how Ichinosekai's piano talent blossoms through his encounters with Sousuke Ajino, once called a genius pianist, and Shuhei Amamiya, the father of a great pianist, until he eventually challenges the Chopin Competition.
It was announced that it will be aired on NHK General from April 2018.
⇒ "Piano no Mori" serialized in " Morning" will be adapted into a TV anime on NHK Sogo from April 2018!

The main staff, main cast, key visual, and ending artist information has been released.

The production staff includes Manabu Nakatani, who worked as a CG supervisor for "Madagascar 3" and "Hiccup and the Dragon" at DreamWorks Animation in the U.S., and will direct a Japanese TV animation series for the first time. Animation production will be handled by GAINAX Studio.

The main cast includes Soma Saito as the main character, Umi Ichinose (played by Yu Mizuno of "Sanrio Boys" and Hermes of "Kino's Journey -the Beautiful World- the Animated Series"), Junichi Suwabe as Sousuke Ajino (played by Keigo Atobe of "The Prince of Tennis" and Victor of "Yuri! on ICE" as Victor Nikiforov) and Natsuki Hanae as Shuhei Amamiya ("April is Your Lie" as Kimio Arima and "Tokyo Ghoul: re" as Coffee Sasaki).

Aoi Yuuki, who is also active as a voice actress, has been chosen as the artist in charge of the ending theme of the film. The song will be "I have a place to go back to" (scheduled for release on April 25, 2018 from Nippon Columbia), which was written for this work.

In addition, a "TV anime "Piano Forest" Support Group Twitter Campaign" will be held from January 31, 2018. Those who post their favorite character from "Piano Forest" and the reason with the specified hashtag will be selected in a drawing to receive a TV anime "Piano Forest" Cheering Squad certified sticker (not for sale), so be sure to check out the official Twitter page.

Cast comments】 ※Titles omitted

Souma Saito

I am very happy to be involved as a cast member of "Piano Forest," which is loved by many people. I had read the original story halfway through before, but I read it again this time and found it so interesting that I finished it in one sitting. I will enjoy playing the role of Kai and the others as they face the piano and struggle through their lives with all my heart. Thank you very much for your cooperation!

Junichi Suwabe
When I decided to participate in the audition for this film, I read the original story again and found it so interesting that I couldn't stop turning the pages and finished reading the whole book at once. I couldn't stop turning the pages and finished reading the entire book in one sitting. I have also been listening to the complete works of Chopin. I would like to put my heart and soul into my performance so that I can help express the lovely brilliance that the story and the characters radiate in the animation. Please look forward to my performance!

Natsuki Hanae
When I was auditioning, I read the original story and was very impressed.
So I was very happy when I heard that I was accepted. I hope that fans of the original work will enjoy watching it, and I will do my best to play the role of Shuhei so that more people will know about this work when it is made into an anime.

【Music information】

■ TV anime "Piano Forest" ending theme "There's a Place to Go Home"
Artist: Aoi Yuki
・Sale date: April 25, 2018 (tentative)
・Sold by: Nippon Columbia

[Production information

■ TV animation "Piano Forest"
Scheduled to air on NHK Sogo TV from April 2018

<Main Staff> ・Original story: Makoto Isshiki
Original story: Makoto Isshiki (Kodansha's "Morning")
Director: Manabu Nakatani ("Madagascar 3" CG supervisor)
Series Composition: Aki Itami ("Curse of the Children"), Mika Abe ("Danchi Tomoo")
Character Design/ Chief Animation Director: Sumie Kinoshita ("Girlish Number")
Animation Production: GAINAX STUDIO ("Piece of My Heart")
Production: Piano Forest Animation Partners

Original Drawing: Sumie Kinoshita
Background: Hirotsugu Kakoi
Painting: Tomoe Yoshimura
Lighting: Gaku Nakatani

＜Main Cast＞
・Kai Ichinose: Souma Saito
・Sousuke Ajino: Junichi Suwabe
・Shuhei Amamiya: Natsuki Hanae
・Kai Ichinose (elementary school student): Ryoko Shiraishi
・Shuhei Amamiya (elementary school student): Leaf Daichi

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