Original anime "AYAKA" teaser PV released! Yusho Kamimura, Takahiro Sakurai, and others join the main cast!

GoRA and King Record have teamed up to create a completely new original animation "AYAKA -Ayaka-" and announced that the animation project will start in 2023.

A completely new original animation "AYAKA -Ayaka-" is created by the writer group GoRA. Set on the island of Ayaka, a chain of seven islands, the film depicts a sad yet beautiful bonding story of the relationships between partners, mentors, rivals, and brothers, and the men who bear their own fates.

The original character designs are by redjuice, an illustrator who has drafted numerous well-known works. The animation is directed by Nobuyoshi Nagayama and produced by Studio Blanc.

Teaser visual and teaser PV released!

The teaser visual released shows the four main characters. Yusho Kamimura plays the role of Yukito Yagagi, a boy standing in the center of the scene and looking ahead; Takuatsuatsu Terashima plays the role of Tadayoshi Sagawa, who is crouching on the right side and smiling; Takahiro Sakurai plays the role of Haruaki Kurama, dressed in costume and holding a fan; and Yuichiro Umehara plays the role of Shu Ibuki, wearing a slim suit and red tie.

The contrast between vermilion and blue, the brightly lit starlit sky as if drawing a circle of light, the rough-looking earth, and the trees with shimenawa (sacred straw rope) hanging from them - not only the "colors" but also the objects dyed in vermilion and blue are depicted in a contrasting manner.

Teaser PV

The teaser PV begins with a scene of Yukito, who was born with the ability to "manipulate water," drifting in the water. The main characters appear one after another: Yukito and Tadayoshi heading for Ayagashima, the townspeople welcoming them, Haruaki, who knows of Yukito's return as a human-shaped shikigami, and Shu, who calls out to Yukito upon their reunion, "It's been 10 years, hasn't it?

What will happen when these people with destinies come together? ......The film raises expectations for the relationship between these four people and their story.

Character/Cast Comments

In the comments from the cast members, they talk about how they felt when they read the script, which is an original work, and their enthusiasm for the characters they play.

■Yukito Yanagi cv Yusho Kamimura
A boy who grew up in a children's home on the mainland and returned to his hometown on the island of Ayagami for the first time in ten years.
He was born with the power to manipulate water, but he lets it go out of control and puts the children in the orphanage in danger. Since then, he has been kept at a distance from others, and Yukito himself has given up trying to be a part of the human circle.
Still, deep down inside, he strongly longs to connect with others.

<Cast Comments
Q1: What was your impression of this film when you read the script?
The setting of the unique space of Ayagashima is interesting, and it is exciting to imagine the lives of the fortunate people. I found myself thinking, "What is going to happen next? "Who is this person? I really enjoy reading through the script because it is filled with many exciting elements. It is also a story of Yukito's growth, so I look forward to seeing how he changes with the support of the islanders who warmly watch over him. The battle scenes are also a point of interest, as each character has his or her own personality.

Q2: What is your impression of the character you play and how do you feel about the role?
Yukito is a boy who has given up contact with people and closed his mind because of his abilities. Through his encounters with the unconventional Tadayoshi and other fascinating characters, he discovers his former self and his new self. I am trying to play the role with importance of gradual changes, so I am fine-tuning the distance between people and the amplitude of joy, anger, sadness, and humor. I like the warm atmosphere that is typical of "AYAKA" that is created in the dialogue, and I hope to enjoy playing the role of Yukito's growth!

Jingi Sagawa cv Takuatsu Terashima
He is the third disciple of YANAGI Masato, who was called the "Great Hermit. As a pulse grafting, he specializes in the art of manipulating water, the same genus as Kohito's ability.
He is a troubled young man who enjoys drinking and gambling to the fullest and will not work unless he has to pay for it. Even so, he is surprisingly well-liked by the people of the island because of his deep-seated cheerfulness and friendliness.

<Cast Comments
Q1: What was your impression of this work when you read the script?
As a viewer who has enjoyed GoRA's works up to now, I feel that the charm of this work lies in its well-crafted setting. The combination of a worldview similar to our own with the powers used by the Tadayoshi and other mysterious beings such as Mitama makes for a very exciting production.
Since it is an original work, we, the voice actors, do not yet know what will happen next, and we look forward to receiving the script every time we receive it.

Q2: What is your impression of the character you play and how do you feel about the role?
Currently, he is just a drunk. I am surprised at the unbelievable fact that 90% of the time from the first time I voiced Sagawa Tadayoshi until now, I have had alcohol in my body (laughs).
(laugh) I have said what is necessary for Yukito, but I am not sure if I am reaching him properly... What will happen after this is still unknown, but for now, I will do my best to express the drunkenness that will make both Yukito and the audience think, "I hate this person..." (laugh). I'd like to do my best.

Kurama Haruaki cv Sakurai Takahiro
He is currently the head priest of the Hizumi Shrine on Minoshima.
He is an excellent pulse-juggler, and when requested, he solves cases involving Mitama with his disciples Chataro and Yagu.
He treats everyone with the same kindness and calmness as a good-natured old man, with the exception of his fellow apprentice, Ibuki. He is quiet and shows glimpses of cold anger.

<Cast Comments
Q1: What was your impression of the film when you read the script?
It is a work with a world view and a unique sense of tempo. I enjoy the retro look and the mysterious nostalgia that softly wafts through the air.
I hope you will enjoy the pop and light-hearted story woven by the characters.

Q2: What is your impression of the character you play and how do you feel about the role?
Kurama Haruaki is aloof and difficult to see inside.
He is a somewhat superior person in the guise of an elder, but he has a laid-back atmosphere that gives off no such impression, which is appealing.
At the same time, he can be described as enigmatic, so I hope to express him in a way that makes the most of his character's characteristics.

Aka Ibuki cv Yuichiro Umehara
The head of Ayaka Security, an organization specializing in the extermination of aramitama disguised as a security company.
He is the second apprentice who studied under Yatsunagi Masato and fights aramitama using special bullets loaded with jutsu.
He and his brother Kurama were close friends and rivals, but they are now at odds because of their different ways of being as a pulse grafting artist.

<Cast Comments
Q1: What was your impression of this film when you read the script?
There is an existence called Mitama on a fictional island in Japan, and there are people who subdue those who have become aramitama who do evil. It sounds like a difficult story, but if you understand that it is like an Onmyoji, I felt that it is familiar to the Japanese, where Animism is deeply rooted.
I could also sympathize with the fact that the story is about a volcanic eruption caused by a runaway dragon, which is a kind of major disaster.
The characters in the film are also full of individuality and live their lives with their own agendas and thoughts, which I felt was very realistic.

Q2: What is your impression of the character you are playing and how do you feel about the role?
The character I am playing, Ibuki, has a deep-seated anger and will not choose any means to achieve his goals, which worries me, but I also find it cool.
I think the danger that comes with his strong beliefs is what makes him so appealing.
He is a character who has many things to worry about, such as how he will change now that Yukito has returned to the island, and his relationship with Kurama.
I will do my best to play the anger and sadness in his heart.

■Original author GoRA comment
It's finally been announced. Well, I have been waiting for it for a long time. This will be the first original anime that I have written and scripted as part of the GoRA project since the "K" anime about 10 years ago. After many training camps, the script is completely finished. All other work is also on track. It is a story of an idyllic island, mysterious arts, family and feuds. If you like "K" and other works of GoRA project, I am sure you will enjoy it. Please look forward to it!

*Comments are in Japanese only.

AYAKA" will surely move your heart with its intricate story written by GoRA and portrayed by the spirited staff members as men with their own destiny. On the official Twitter page, a campaign has started to give away a colorful paper signed by the cast to three people each on four consecutive days.

In addition, the SNS will be releasing the production making and contents as needed, including the setting images of the work.

Production Information
Completely new original animation "AYAKA
2023 Anime Project Starts!
Official website: # #AYAKA
Official Twitter: @AYAKA_animePR

<Staff> Original story: GoRA/KING KING
Original Story: GoRA/KINGRECORDS
Director：Nobuyoshi Nagayama
Series composition/Screenplay : GoRA
Character Design：redjuice
Character Design：Misaki Kaneko
Production Design：Naoya Tanaka
Music: Natsuna Shibue
Music Production: King Record
Sound Director: Ryo Tanaka
Sound Production: Bit Groove Promotion
Animation Production: Studio Blanc

＜Cast
Yukito Yatsunagi: Yusho Kamimura
Sagawa Tadayoshi: Terashima Takuatsu
Kurama Haruaki: Sakurai Takahiro
Akemi Ibuki: Yuichiro Umehara

<Introduction
GoRA and King Record have teamed up to create a completely new original animation "AYAKA -Ayaka-".

Set on the island of Ayaka, a chain of seven islands, GoRA, a group of writers, depicts a sad yet beautiful story of the relationship between partners, masters and disciples, good rivals, and brothers, and the sad yet beautiful bond between men who each have their own destiny to fulfill.

The series is composed and written by GoRA, the original characters are designed by illustrator redjuice, who has drafted numerous famous works, directed by Nobuyoshi Nagayama, character design by Misaki Kaneko, production design by Naoya Tanaka, and animation production by Studio Blanc.

Everyone will be fascinated by the detailed story written by GoRA and the completely new animation by the up-and-coming staff, and will be moved by the men who bear the fate of the world.

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