Series based on Chika Umino's manga premieres on October 8
NHK began streaming a two-minute "highlight introduction" video on Sunday for the television anime of Chika Umino's March comes in like a lion (Sangatsu no Lion) manga. The video previews the show's animation for the first time, and also features interviews with the show's cast.
(Note: Click on the image below to view video on YouTube.)
NHK had revealed the footage on Saturday during its "NHK Premap" program. The anime will premiere on October 8.
The anime's previously announced cast includes:
- Kengo Kawanishi as Rei Kiriyama
- Ai Kayano as Akari Kawamoto
- Kana Hanazawa as Hinata Kawamoto
- Misaki Kuno as Momo Kawamoto
- Nobuhiko Okamoto as Harunobu Nikaidō
Akiyuki Simbo (Puella Magi Madoka Magica and Bakemonogatari) is directing the anime at SHAFT. Nobuhiro Sugiyama (ef: a tale of memories, Arakawa Under the Bridge, Nisekoi - False Love) is designing the characters for animation. Seiki Tamura (The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, K-ON!, Mr. Osomatsu) is credited for art direction, while Yasuhiro Nakura (Nekomonogatari (Black),Monogatari Series Second Season, Hanamonogatari key animation) is credited for art setting. Yukari Hashimoto (Toradora!, Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun, Mr. Osomatsu) is composing the music, while Toshiki Kameyama (Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei, Nisekoi - False Love, Kan Colle) is the sound director. NHK listedthe anime with 22 episodes.
BUMP OF CHICKEN will perform the anime's opening theme song, and the anime will use the band's song "Fighter" as its ending theme song. BUMP OF CHICKEN collaborated with March comes in like a lion in 2014 for an animated music video for "Fighter."
The story of the March comes in like a lion manga follows a solitary shōgi player named Rei and his relationships with a neighboring family. He becomes acquainted with Akari, and two young girls, Hinata and Momo, who also have have a large number of cats.
Umino started the series in Young Animal in 2007, and Hakusenshareleased the 11th compiled volume last September. Hakusensha will ship the 12th volume on September 29. The series has won several awards including the Manga Taisho award and Kodansha Mangaaward in 2011. The manga also won the 18th Tezuka Osamu Prizes' Top Award in March 2014.
The manga is also inspiring two live-action films starring Ryunosuke Kamiki in the lead role, and Keishi Ōtomo directing. The films will open in Japan in 2017.
[Via Nijimen]
