Anime Writer's Choice: 5 Noteworthy Fall 2022 Anime Films! Anime Column

According to Akiba Research Institute, there are more than 60 new anime titles for fall 2022. Here are some of the highlights. Mobile Suit Gundam: Witch of Mercury", the latest in the Gundam series, "Urusei Yatsura" broadcast on Fuji TV's "Noitamina", "Chainsaw Man", a popular work serialized in "Weekly Shonen Jump", "Bocchi Za Rokku! and the mini-anime "2022 Dezi-Charat" from Bushiroad and Broccoli.


⇒Click here for the list of fall 2022 anime.

Mobile Suit Gundam: Witch of Mercury

The first TV anime in 7 years in the Gundam series adopts a female protagonist for the first time. Set in Astycasia High School, the story follows the activities of Sletta Mercury, a transfer student from Mercury, and her Gundam Aerial. While the story incorporates elements of a school, which is rare in the Gundam genre, the backbone of the story cannot be overlooked: the school is run by a giant group that is the largest in the mobile suit industry, and an economic zone has been established by a number of companies. The new Gundam by Sunrise, which has become a brand name as a result of the reorganization, will be the focus of attention.
Prior to the broadcast, a prequel to the main story, "PROLOGUE," is now being distributed. The protagonist of the Gundam series is destined to be watched with curiosity as to when and how the moment of her first defeat will come, but Sletta is terrifying because she shot down three planes on her fourth birthday. With a cursed past worthy of the name "witch," what kind of future will she seize?

Urusei Yatsura

Rumiko Takahashi's debut work is adapted into a completely new anime to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Shogakukan. Ataru Moroboshi, a high school student in love, and Ram, an alien from a demon tribe, will once again cause mayhem over the course of four cool episodes.
The second PV shows the characters screaming to the theme song, which is a noisy and lively performance typical of the "Urusei" series. The performances by the new cast, including Hiroshi Kamiya as Ataru and Sumire Uesaka as Ram, are original and respectful of the voice actors from the previous episode, making the audience eagerly await the broadcast just to hear their voices. It is sure to be a hit with a new generation of fans. It has also been announced that select episodes from the original work will be filmed this time, and it will be interesting to see how the glasses, which had an unusual presence in the previous work with the addition of original elements, will be handled.

Chainsaw Man.

Denji is a young boy who spends his harsh days as a devil hunter hunting demons to pay off his debts. After losing his life due to betrayal, he makes a contract with the chainsaw demon Pochita and is resurrected as a chainsaw man with the heart of a demon. MAPPA, whose "Jujutsu Kaisen" was a big hit, is in charge of this dark action film depicting the battles of public safety devil hunters. The fact that MAPPA is 100% financing the film, rather than a production committee of multiple companies, shows the enthusiasm that the company has for this project.
The main trailer shows a powerful scene in which a deformed hero with chainsaws attached to his hands and head dances and chops demons as he runs through the air. While the eyes of the characters are shown one after another, the oddity of the chainsaw man without eyes stands out. In addition, the film runs through all 12 episodes with a gorgeous production that is outside the regulations, including the use of a different artist for the ED theme each time.

Bokuchi za roku!

Based on a band manga serialized in "Manga Time Kirara MAX. Bokuchi-chan (Goto Hitori), who started playing the guitar because she longed to be in a band but is extremely shy and has no friends, becomes a member of a girls' band, the Band of Unity, and starts a new life. In the first PV, Yoshinoh Aoyama, who plays the role of Bokuchi-chan, gives a monologue and carefully depicts her feelings about the challenge of performing at a live house. Reality is scary. But I have a feeling that a lot of fun things are waiting for me from now on." This line foreshadows a coming-of-age story.
The story takes place in Shimokitazawa, which is said to be a sacred place for band members. In addition to the live performance scenes, the audience will be able to enjoy the unique atmosphere of a live house, including the large number of stickers on the walls and the dark entrance at the bottom of a narrow and steep staircase. The promotion of the film, including an advance screening at Tower Records, is another nice touch that only a band anime can offer.

De Ji Carat in 2021

De Ji Carat," born in 1998, has launched a new project in the world of Reiwa. Dejiko," who has been active as the mascot character for the hobby store Gamers and has taken the world by storm with her cat ears, maid clothes, and other moe elements, and her habit of saying "niyo" at the end of words, is going on the rampage again. Although several "Dejikot" animations have been produced, this one is clearly based on the "Wonderful Version" that was aired on a late-night variety show. Expectations are high for the chaotic developments shown in the former series, such as the appearance of an unidentified high-energy character named "Ranrenbo" and the destruction of Akihabara by live-action natto.
Dejiko's YouTube room," which announces the project, is also being distributed. In the 13th installment, Dejiko herself interviewed director Hiroaki Sakurai directly. What does "Dejiko" mean to the director? Dejiko's talent as a writer is evident in the fact that she does not hesitate to ask the most direct question an interviewer should not ask. If only I had this kind of guts, I would be jealous of .......

(Text by Katsunori Takahashi)

(C) Sotsu, Sunrise, MBS
(C) Rumiko Takahashi, Shogakukan / "Urusei Yatsura" Production Committee
(C) Tatsuki Fujimoto/Shueisha, MAPPA
(C) HAMAJI Aki / HOBUNSHA, Aniplex
(C) BROCCOLI illustration:Koge-Donbo*.