AnimeJapan2019】"Azul Lane", the first event after the announcement of the TV anime adaptation, with a star-studded cast on stage!

AnimeJapan 2019, one of the world's largest anime events, was held at Tokyo Big Sight for two days on March 23 and 24, 2019.On March 23, the first day of the event, the first event for the upcoming TV anime "Azur Lane" was held on the ROSE RED Stage. Azur Lane" is a TV animation series that will be adapted into a TV anime.

Azur Lane" is a popular smartphone game application distributed by Yostar that has more than 6 million registered users and is based on the theme of anthropomorphic ships. In addition to the smartphone game, it is a popular work that has also been adapted into a radio program, a manga, and a novel. In the original game, the player becomes a commander and fights against enemies in a shooting game, leading a fleet of anthropomorphic ships that he or she has trained and built.
⇒ The popular application game with over 6 million registered users is now being adapted into a TV anime! Azure Lane" teaser visual and PV unveiled!

The first event for a TV anime was held at the ROSE RED stage at AnimeJapan2019 held at Tokyo Big Sight on March 23 (Sat). Four cast members, including Nozomi Yamane (Javelin), Kaori Daichiha (Ayanami), Yui Ishikawa (Enterprise), and Mai Nakahara (Akagi), appeared on stage for a talk show and mini-games. Here is the official report from the event.

Official Report

(From left) Ms. Yamane, Ms. Daichi, Ms. Ishikawa, and Ms. Nakahara

When the four gorgeous cast members took the stage, the audience gave them a big round of applause.

This work is based on a simulation and shooting game for smartphones, in which the players train anthropomorphic girls to fight against warships, aircraft carriers, and other "vessels. The appeal of this work lies not only in the powerful battles against the Sirens, a deformed enemy that suddenly appears from the sea and threatens mankind with its overwhelming strength, but also in the beautiful girl characters who appear in the game.
First, the characters played by each of the actors were introduced.

Javelin, played by Ms. Yamane, belongs to the "Royal" and is one of the initial ships in the game. She is a lovely girl who is always close to her commander. She is always full of energy. She is always full of energy. Ayanami, played by Daichi-san, belongs to the "Jusakura" and is also one of the initial ships. Ayanami is a character who is basically expressionless, but has a lonely heart inside. He introduced Ayanami as "basically expressionless, but she is a lonely character on the inside. The Enterprise, played by Mr. Ishikawa, is the strongest ship in the "Union" of the "Azur Lane" team. I have the impression that she is strong anyway. She is cool, cool, and dependable. He is cool, cool, and dependable," he commented. Akagi, played by Ms. Nakahara, is an aircraft carrier that leads the "Shigesakura" fleet of the rival "Red Axis" team. She is a Yandere (laughs). She is a character who loves her commander so much that she can't stop loving him. She is a character who is full of love for her commanding officer and can't stop. He touched on the fascinating characters, each with their own unique personalities.

At this point, Mr. Junnosuke Ito, the producer of the anime, took the stage to talk about the anime adaptation in more detail. Xu Late, the director of the original game, who is also involved in the anime production, joined the panel as the "voice of heaven.
First, when asked about the background of the anime adaptation of this work, Mr. Ito said, "The original game has been highly popular since its inception. This time, Vively Animation Studios and a team of talented and gorgeous staff members enthusiastically proposed the anime adaptation to the original creators." He explained. Mr. Ishikawa also asked about his own character, who makes an impressive appearance in the PV, "What is the position of Enterprise in the anime ......? Mr. Ito answered, "Basically, we consider all the characters to be the main characters. However, in this anime, the Enterprise will play a central role in the story. Mr. Ishikawa looked pleased with this answer. Mr. Ito also talked about the state of the production staff and said, "The staff is working feverishly on the production. The anime has not even started yet, but they are already talking about the second season. The comment conveyed the enthusiasm of the production staff.

In addition to the anime, there was also a training exercise for the anime, with Yamane and Ishikawa playing "Azure Lane" and Daichi and Nakahara playing "Red Axis".
The first was an intellectual showdown, with each team predicting how many characters would appear in the first episode of the anime. After an exchange in which the cast members asked questions to the audience to try to find the answers, they answered "200" (Azure Lane team) and "about 170" (Red Axis team). The Red Axis team that answered closer to the correct answer was the correct answer, although the number of correct answers was not revealed until the broadcast of the main program.
When the cast members were secretly asked the number of correct answers by the MC, they exclaimed "Wow," "I see! and "I see!" They seemed unable to hide their surprise at the fact that so many characters appeared in the anime.

The next game was a gunfight to hit a target at a distance using a "300 mm cardboard gun" made of cardboard. While each cast member struggled, Mr. Nakahara successfully destroyed all the targets.
The result was a great victory for the Red Axis team, and the audience gave them a big round of applause.

At the end of the exciting event, each member of the cast gave a message of thanks to the fans.

Ms. Yamane said, "The event went by so fast. I wished there was more time. Please give us another chance. Please continue to support "Azur Lane."

Mr. Daichi: "I thought the information about the first episode that you just gave us in secret was really great. I think everyone should have high expectations for it! There are many things planned for the anime and in the future, so I, as a fan, will enjoy it together with you all."

Mr. Ishikawa: "Just the other day, I had the opportunity to participate in the first anniversary event, where the announcement of the anime was made. I think it is thanks to everyone's support that the anime adaptation has been decided even though it has only been a year since the work was created. I am sure that your favorite characters will appear in the anime, so please look forward to it."

Mr. Nakahara: "The other day, I recorded the consumer game version that will be released in August. I think you will see a slightly different side of the characters. I hope you will love the anime and the game all together, and I ask for your continued support."

Summary of the TV anime "Azur Lane" Special Stage】※敬称略略略
Date: Saturday, March 23, 2019
Venue: AnimeJapan2019/ROSE RED Stage
Appearance: Nozomi Yamane (Javelin), Daichiha (Ayanami), Yui Ishikawa (Enterprise), Mai Nakahara (Akagi), Junnosuke Ito (anime producer), Xu Xiao (voice only/Yostar producer)
MC: Management M (Yostar PR)

Production Information
TV animation "Azur Lane

Staff＞ ＜Originally written by
Based on "Azur Lane" (Smartphone application game for Android/iOS) by Manjuu Co.,Ltd. and Yongshi Co.,Ltd.
Director: Tenshu
Series Structure: Jin Kouya
Animation Production: Vively Animation Studio

<Cast
Enterprise: Yui Ishikawa
Akagi: Mai Nakahara

(C)Manjuu Co.,Ltd., Yongshi Co.,Ltd. & Yostar Inc./Animation "Azur Lane" Production Committee