Alongside this news, a tantalizing teaser visual, created by the anime’s character designer Haruko Iizuka, was unveiled, whetting the appetites of excited viewers.
Dynamic Duo Returns
Reviving their roles from the 2015 drama CD, Yūki Ono and Mai Nakahara will lend their voices to the protagonist Mira and the titular Magical Girl, Byakuya Mimori, respectively. This news is sure to delight fans who have cherished their performances in the past.
Creative Minds Behind the Magic
The anime production is being crafted under the expertise of director Akiyo Ohashi, known for The Stranger by the Shore, with the reputable studio BONES orchestrating the animation. The script and series composition are being helmed by Yuniko Ayana, who brings the storytelling prowess displayed in BanG Dream!.
Haruko Iizuka, celebrated for their character design in Horimiya, is shaping the series’ visual identity, while MAYUKO, the talent behind Cells at Work!‘s memorable music, is composing the show’s score.
A Touching Legacy
Cocoa Fujiwara’s original manga began serialization in Square Enix’s Gangan Joker magazine in September 2013. Tragically, the manga remained incomplete due to Fujiwara’s untimely passing in March 2015. With respect to her legacy, Square Enix, in consultation with Fujiwara’s family, released the manga’s third and conclusive volume in March 2016.
The manga’s storyline follows Mira, the cunning mastermind of a nefarious organization. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she encounters Byakuya Mimori, a magical girl who challenges the organization and captures Mira’s heart with her valor and grace.
Leaving a noteworthy mark in the manga industry, Fujiwara launched her career with the short story “Calling” in 1999 and achieved further acclaim with the romantic comedy, Inu × Boku SS, serialized in Gangan Joker from 2009 to 2014.
The series also spawned a 2012 television anime adaptation, Inu X Boku Secret Service, which found its way to North American audiences thanks to Sentai Filmworks.
Sources: website, Comic Natalie
Final Thoughts
The upcoming anime adaptation of early The Magical Girl and The Evil Lieutenant Used to Be Archenemies is a heartfelt tribute to Cocoa Fujiwara’s imaginative world. The launch of this production carries her vision forward, inviting both old fans and new to experience a story that blurs the lines between good and evil, all the while exploring the complexities of love in the most unexpected of scenarios. As July draws near, anticipation builds for a series that promises to honor its creator’s memory with every spell cast and every twist unveiled.
