More is revealed for the upcoming “Sarazanmai” series as a stage presentation at the Animate Girls Festival 2018 event reveals the story and character designs for Kunihiko Ikuhara’s original television anime project.
“Sarazanmai” is an anime project that was first revealed back in March and is set to premiere in April 2019 and will air on Fuji TV’s Noitamina programming block. Prior to this update, the series had its staff and cast lists were confirmed.
The story of the series sets in Asakusa and tells of three second-year middle school students named Kazuki Yasaka, Toi Kuji, and Enta Jinai along with two policemen named Reo Niiboshi and Mabu Akutsu. With the three boys, they one day meet a kappa-like creature named Keppi, who is the self-proclaimed heir to the throne of Kappa Kingdom.
Upon their meeting, the three end up having their shirikodama (a mythical organ kappa steal through a person’s anus) taken and are transformed into a kappa. Keppi then informs them, “If you want to return to your former selves, you need to connect in ‘that way’ and you must bring me the shirikodama of zombies."
Meanwhile, with the two policemen, they try to do something at the police box where they are stationed.
The cast and characters are listed and described as follows:
Ayumu Murase as Kazuki Yasaka, a second-year middle school student. He used to love soccer and used to have a bright personality, but now he’s obsessed with “that.”
Kouki Uchiyama as Toi Kuji, a second-year middle school student who transferred into Kazuki’s class. Due to a nasty rumor, he is isolated from the rest of the class.
Shun Horie as Enta Jinai, Kazuki’s childhood friend. When they were in a soccer club together, they were called the "Golden Combo.
Junichi Suwabe as Keppi, a kappa-like creature who calls itself the heir to the throne of the Kappa Kingdom. When it pulls out humans’ shirikodama, they turn into kappas.
Mamoru Miyano as Reo Niiboshi, a policeman who works at a police box, and Mabu’s partner.
Yoshimasa Hosoya as Mabu Akutsu, a policeman who works at a police box, and Reo’s partner.
The series will be directed by Ikuhara who will also be overseeing the scripts alongside Teruko Utsumi. Acting as chief director of the upcoming anime is Nobuyuki Takeuchi who recently worked on the “Fireworks, Should We See it from the Side or the Bottom?” as its director.
Adapting Migi’s original character designs is Kayoko Ishikawa who previously worked as a key animator. Composing the music is Yukari Hashimoto. Credited for the “Ikunirappa” and producing the anime is MAPPA. Other than this, Ayaka Fujii will be handling the background art with Studio Pablo and both Katsunori Shibata and Maimu Matsushima are credited with conceptual design.
In addition to the reveal of the story and character designs, it was also announced that the anime will have a radio program. Set to start in January the program is titled “Prezanmai” and will be featuring Junichi Suwabe and Ikuhara. What’s more, a Twitter account has been launched by the staff for the characters Reo and Mabu which will update “almost” every day through March 31.
Source: AnimeNewsNetwork