Fans of Blue Archive, the enthralling smartphone-based role-playing game created by Yostar and Nexon Games, are in for a treat as the anticipated television anime adaptation—”Blue Archive The Animation”— is slated to hit the airwaves this April.
Broadcast stations such as TV Tokyo, its associated channels, and BS11 will feature the anime series, bringing the “Countermeasures Committee” storyline to life. To ramp up excitement, the anime will make an exciting appearance at AnimeJapan 2024 this March.
Meet the Dynamic Voice Cast
The series will feature a vibrant cast of voice actors bringing the beloved characters to life:
- Konomi Kohara as the tenacious Arona
- Yui Ogura lending her voice to the gentle Shiroko Sunaōkami
- Yumiri Hanamori portraying the earnest Hishino Takanashi
- Ayaka Ohashi as the spirited Serika Kuromi
- Chiyuki Miura giving life to the thoughtful Nonomi Izayoi
- Sayaka Harada as the determined Ayane Okusora
- Reina Kondo voicing the playful Aru Rikuhachima
- Yukiyo Fujii as the resourceful Kayoko Onikata
- Erika Ishitobi playing the caring Haruka Igusa
- Rumi Okubo as the ever-optimistic Mutsuki Asagi
Experienced Talent Behind the Scenes
Esteemed director Daigo Yamagishi, who has previously delighted audiences with works like “YuruYuri,” and “Show By Rock!! Stars!!,” takes the helm for this production at Yostar Pictures and Candy Box. Yamagishi collaborates with both Hiroshi Ohnogi in script supervision, and Hiromitsu Hagiwara who serves as the character designer and guides the animation. Shunji Maki complements the team as assistant director.
Key roles in the creative team are filled by:
- The visionary Art Director: Kazuhiro Arai
- Meticulous Color Design by: Koji Hamaoka
- Haruka Gotō, a proficient Director of Photography
- Editing maestro: Ayumu Takahashi
- Sound Director, Ryousuke Naya, orchestrating the audio experience
- Impeccable Sound Production courtesy of Studio Mausu
Yostar Pictures has already made a name for themselves, expertly animating the game’s trailers for numerous events and bringing to life previous anime shorts such as “Blue Archive: 1.5th Anniversary Short Animation” and “beautiful day dreamer.” They joined forces with Candy Box on other notable adaptations including “Azur Lane: Slow Ahead!” and select episodes of “Arknights: Prelude to Dawn.”
Emphasizing the anime’s potential success, The Korea Economic Daily reported in June 2023 about Nexon’s consideration for a subsequent anime or film project, contingent on the initial reception.
The Origins of Blue Archive
The romanticized city of Kivotos, brimming with academic institutions, finds itself fractured when the General Student Council’s president vanishes. Leadership dwindles, and chaos ensues, unraveling the very fabric of Kivotos. Enter Schale, the Federal Investigation Club, Kivotos’ newest and last approved group before the disappearance. Under the guidance of their Sensei, Schale stands ready to quell the mounting incidents and restore order to the city.
Armed with personal weaponry and smartphones, students navigate a world steeped in military action, camaraderie, and budding romance within Academy City.
Nexon Games, originally NAT Games, a subsidiary of the stalwart Nexon, debuted Blue Archive first in Japan on February 4, 2021, followed by an international rollout on November 8, 2021. Embracing the freemium model, the game offers in-app purchases to enhance the playing experience.
Sources: Blue Archive The Animation’s website, Gamer
Final Thoughts
As the world of Blue Archive makes its grand leap from the virtual realm of mobile gaming to the vibrant storytelling canvas of anime, expectations are soaring high. With a star-studded voice cast and a seasoned production team at the helm, “Blue Archive The Animation” is poised to enliven the engrossing tale of Schale and the spirited students of Kivotos. Fans old and new should mark their calendars for April, when this blend of action, mystery, and academy life unfolds in an anime adventure that’s not to be missed.
