Anime Writer's Choice: 5 Noteworthy Winter 2021 Anime Films! Anime Column

The winter 2021 anime season will begin with new shows even before the year changes. There is no time for a New Year's break, as a raging lineup awaits. We have picked up five notable works for this issue! Hataraku Cycle BLACK", a spin-off of a popular work, "Wonder Egg Priority", an original work with an original idea and script by Shinji Nojima, "Kaibutsu Jihen", based on a manga serialized in "Jump SQ.", "Back Alley" by Goro Taniguchi and Kazuki Nakajima, and "SK∞", an original anime produced by Bones. SK Eight" will be introduced.

Hataraku Cell BLACK

An anime spin-off comic of "Hataraku Cell," which anthropomorphizes the body's cells. This one is set inside the body of an indolent host, and its working environment is literally like a black company. As in the original, red blood cells are the main characters, but in this work they are represented as visuals of male characters. The red uniforms are also blackish like real blood, so much so that the harshness of the world is conveyed. There is nothing but despair at the fact that the platelet-chan, who was so cute, is now a skinny little thing in "BLACK.
The narration is by Kenjiro Tsuda, whose tone of voice is frightening as he begins with the words "drinking, smoking, lack of sleep," a far cry from the gentle tone of his voice in the NHK TV series "Yale," as if he were condemning our unhealthy lifestyles. The second season of "Hataraku Cell Hour" will continue to be aired along with the second season of "Hataraku Cell! and will continue to be broadcast as "Hataraku Cell Hour.

Wonder Egg Priority

This is the first anime conceived and written by screenwriter Shinji Nojima. It is a joint project between Aniplex and NTV, with animation production by CloverWorks. Details are unknown due to the original title, but it is revealed to be the story of Odo Ai, a 14-year-old girl who is guided by a mysterious voice and obtains an "egg. What kind of story will the characters with distinctive symbols, including the odd-eyed protagonist, a girl with blond hair and pink mesh, and a boy with a crying face, lead?
In the first PV, the viewer's eyes are drawn to details such as the realistic background art that evokes a sense of serenity, and the egg-cooked rice that depicts each grain of rice. The artist, who has created sensational works such as "High School Teacher" and "Ienakako," which also incorporate social issues, is also concerned about how he incorporates modern elements into his works.

Monster Incident

The story takes place in the present day, where "monsters," or deformed beings, have adapted to human society and are living in it. A young boy, who is abhorred by the villagers and called "Dorotabo," meets an occult detective named Inugamikohachi, who changes his fate.
The second PV begins with a depiction of Kanoko Village that opens the work, inviting viewers into a mysterious world of deer leaping through the forest and dead chickens with their entrails eaten. The second half of the film features a battle scene with foxes and frog monsters, and plenty of flashy action. Directed by Masaya Fujimori of "You Look Good" and "Kaiketsu Zorori: The Secret of ZZ" fame. The creator of masterpiece films featuring dinosaurs and animals depicts a dark fantasy of monsters.

BACK AHEAD

Goro Taniguchi of "Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion" and Kazuki Nakajima of "Promea" team up to create this original adventure action film. The story accelerates when Buck Arrow, a man with amnesia who comes from outside the walls, appears in the walled world of Lingalindo.
The story is set in three different cultures: Edja Village, a remote part of Lingalind; the Empire of Lekka, where valor is the honor of mankind; and the Japanese Empire of Sir Lute, where intelligence is the pride of mankind. There are glimpses of a western atmosphere, with the people of Edja village wearing hats that look like cowboy hats and using whips as weapons. The clear blue sky is impressive, and the expectations for a painful story are high. The setting in which "belief" is manifested by wearing a bracelet called "bindwrapper" and transformed into a giant robot called Bryheid is also intriguing. Scheduled to be broadcast in two consecutive seasons.

SK∞ SK8

An original coming-of-age anime about a high school sophomore, Reki, who is obsessed with skateboarding and challenges "S," a dangerous race with no rules. The PV, in which a closed mine is used as the race site, is filled with the exhilaration of skating down from the top of a mountain in one fell swoop, and is a must-see. While the contestants are lined up with handsome characters, the presence of Shadow, who wears black metal-like corpse paint, shines through and makes you want to cheer for him.
Other quirky characters include Cherry blossom (Cherry Blossom), who controls an AI-equipped skater, and the Venetian masked man, Ai Harmu (Adam), played by Takehito Koyasu, who is sure to enjoy a race full of kaleidoscopic charm. Although the catchy aspects of the game may catch your attention, the third PV also features a scene of realistic skating on the street. The stylish action, which mixes hard and soft elements, is sure to be a treat to watch.

(Text by Katsunori Takahashi)

(C) Shigemitsu Harada, Issei Hatsukaya, Akane Shimizu/Kodansha, CODE BLACK PROJECT
(C) WEP PROJECT
(C) Aimoto Matsu/Shueisha, "Kaibutsu Jihen" Production Committee
(C) Goro Taniguchi, Kazuki Nakajima, ANIPLEX/Back Alley Production Committee
(C) BONDS, Hiroko Utsumi/Project SK∞