It has been announced that "Zenshu", an original TV anime by MAPPA, known for "Jujutsu Kaisen" and "Chainsaw Man", will be broadcast on TV Tokyo and other networks from January 5, 2025. The protagonist of the work is Natsuko Hirose, a genius new anime director. The main PV released shows Natsuko suddenly collapsing in the anime studio and waking up in the world of her favorite anime, "The End of the World". A key visual of Natsuko holding a pencil and other items was also released.
It was also announced that the band "BAND-MAID" will be in charge of the opening theme "Zen," and singer Sou will be in charge of the ending theme "Just As You Are." It was also revealed that additional cast members will include Park Romi as Justice and Iwami Manaka as Destiny Heartwarming.
SAIKI of BAND-MAID commented, "BAND-MAID has a lot of songs with a fast-paced feel, but with our latest work "Zen" we wanted to make a song that feels more story-like, based on the concept of 'drawing', so the instruments don't get too technical, but rather place emphasis on the melody and weave the sound with a solid stance. I'm really looking forward to seeing how this song will be portrayed in the hearts of each of you who listen to it. Let's take our time and enjoy it together."
Sou said, "'Just As You Are' is the ending theme, and it's a dramatic song with a fast-paced, grand and powerful chorus and a dizzying development.It's also a cheer for Natsuko, so I hope you'll listen to it while paying attention to the lyrics."
The title "Zenshu" is an anime term meaning "to fix everything/all retake." The protagonist is Natsuko Hirose, who became an animator after graduating from high school, and her talent blossomed, leading to her directorial debut in no time. Natsuko's first directorial work was a huge hit that became a social phenomenon, and her next work was decided to be a theatrical romantic comedy about first love, but Natsuko, who has never fallen in love with anyone, is unable to draw storyboards and is stuck. One day, Natsuko loses consciousness while working on the storyboard, and when she wakes up, she finds herself in the world of "The Haunted Story," an anime she was obsessed with as a child...
The film will be directed by Mitsue Yamazaki, known for "Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun," and written by Kimiko Ueno, known for "Little Witch Academia." Anna Nagase will play Natsuko.
◇Staff (titles omitted)
Original work: Yamazaki Mitsue, Ueno Kimiko, MAPPA▽Director: Yamazaki Mitsue▽Screenplay: Ueno Kimiko▽Character concept and world setting: Tsujino Yoshiteru▽Character design and chief animation director: Ishikawa Kayoko▽Chief animation directors: Takahara Shuji, Hayakawa Kazuko, Sumimoto Etsuko▽Assistant director: Noro Sumie▽Art director: Shimada Akio▽Color design: Suenaga Ayako▽Director of photography: Fujita Kenta▽Editor: Takemiya Mutsumi▽Music: Hashimoto Yukari▽Sound production: dugout▽Casting manager: Tanimura Makoto (Sound Wing)▽Animation Producer: Ogawa Takahiro▽Production: MAPPA▽Produced by: Twin Engine▽Production: Zen Shu. Production Committee
◇Cast (titles omitted)
Natsuko Hirose: Anna Nagase▽Luke Braveheart: Nozomi Urawa▽Unio: Rie Kugimiya▽Memerun: Minori Suzuki▽QJ: Akio Suyama▽Justice: Romi Park▽Destiny Heartwarming: Manaka Iwami
