It has been announced that the TV anime "Gnosia", based on the popular indie game by the game development group "Petit Depot", will begin airing in October. The main cast has also been announced, with Chika Anzai playing the protagonist Yuri, Ikumi Hasegawa playing Setsu, Akari Kito Akari playing SQ, Nanami Hiroki playing Rakio, and Asami Seto playing Jina. A promotional video and key visual featuring the characters played by the five have been released.
The anime will be directed by Ichikawa Ryoya, with series composition and scriptwriting by Jukki Hanada, character design by Matsuura Arisa, and music by Fukasawa Hideyuki. It will be produced by domerica, which Ichikawa represents.
Yasumi, who plays the amnesiac protagonist Yuri, commented, "I will be the voice of the player in the game. Yuri speaks, thinks, and fights just like everyone who has played the game, so I hope that through Yuri you will feel nostalgic or gain new realizations. I hope you will look forward to the excitement of seeing the in-game system animated, and the excitement of seeing the characters moving and talking! And for those who are encountering 'Gnosia' for the first time through this work, I would be happy if it makes you want to play the game! Thank you for your support!"
Hasegawa, who plays Setsu, a soldier in charge of eliminating the unknown enemy, Gnosia, said, "My first, honest reaction was, how are they going to adapt this work into an anime? I open the script with excitement every episode. I am very honoured to be entrusted with the role of Setsu in this work that is cherished by so many people. I hope you will also look forward to the anime 'Gnosia'!"
Kito, who plays SQ, a character who is always playful and has an elusive personality, commented, "I'm playing the free-spirited and cute SQ, hoping that I can add spice to the work in a good way. The more you get to know about this work, the more you are drawn to it, and I am looking forward to seeing how it will be portrayed in animation!"
Nanami, who plays the logical and highly thought-provoking Rakio, said, "I am very happy to be able to voice Rakio. Rakio is a difficult genius with sharp deductive powers, which means he is constantly in conflict with those around him. But I think that strength is what makes him so appealing. I will do my best to express the conflict and aesthetics that lie behind his logic and pride. "Gnosia" is a story of the constant search for the truth in a loop where logic and doubt intersect. I hope you will enjoy this world view in the anime, where you will find out what awaits at the end of the loop."
Seto, who plays Jina, who tends to give off a cold impression but is actually kind-hearted, commented, "In order to survive, it is necessary to suspect others. The warmth of the words spoken, the distance, movements, and the way facial expressions are portrayed all affect many of these things, so I am very much looking forward to seeing how the story will be constructed and portrayed. I will do my best to carefully portray the kind Jina and the movements of her heart."
Director Ichikawa said, "We are currently working hard on the anime "Gnosia." We are going through a process of trial and error to find how to express the tension of the story and the appeal of the characters. All of our staff are working hard on the project so that we can deliver an interesting anime based on the original work, which is beloved by fans. Film production always comes with many challenges, but we will overcome them and make it to the end. Please wait in the promised world line. Enjoy!"
Petit Depot's representative, Kawakatsu Toru (Mezukare), said, "Gnosia can be enjoyed twice. Those who have played the game can enjoy the viewing experience as an observer of the anime's protagonist, Yuri. Those who became interested in Gnosia through the anime can become the protagonist of the game and enjoy their own unique playing experience. If the game is perfect, then the anime, which aims to be another complete form, will be a work with many highlights, incorporating various elements such as psychological warfare, heated dialogue, and the original story, as well as new direction and episodes depicted from Yuri's perspective. Producer Kimura Yoshitaka and I are truly grateful for the good fortune of having all of the creators and cast members that we had hoped for participate, and we promise to work with you all to the fullest until the anime is completed."
Aniplex producer Kimura commented, "I think everyone has a formative experience that made them fall in love with anime. For me, that was the film version of 'The Garden of Sinners.' More than 15 years have passed since it was made into an anime, but it hasn't faded in the slightest for me, and I think the impact I had when I saw the 'Overhead View' will always be there. That was when I first came into contact with 'Gnosia.' I thought this work could become that kind of thing for someone. I thought it would definitely become an anime that they would love forever, and that they would never let go of their heart."
"I met Kawakatsu from Petit Depot three years ago. Since then, not a day goes by that we don't talk. I have had many script meetings with director Ichikawa and screenwriter Hanada. The truth becomes clear through repeated conversations, and if that is the nature of the work 'Gnosia', then I believe that the production of the anime 'Gnosia' truly embodies that. The universe of the anime 'Gnosia' is the culmination of the efforts of all the staff involved. And the anime is only complete when it is watched by all the fans. I hope you will enjoy that moment with me. As a 'Gnosia' fan, I promise to do my best in preparation for the broadcast."
The game was released for PSVita in 2019 and has also been deployed on Nintendo Switch, Steam, and other platforms. It has attracted the attention of game fans since its release and has gained popularity, including being selected as the number one player in the Dengeki Indie Awards 2022. The story takes place on a spaceship, where several crew members are mixed in with the unknown enemy Gnosia that attacks humans. Every night, the Gnosia attacks one crew member at a time, destroying them from the universe. Players can play the game as either the human side or the Gnosia side.
◇Staff (titles omitted)
Director: Ichikawa Ryoya▽Series composition and script: Jukki Hanada ▽Character design: Matsuura Arisa▽Art director: Kamata Mayumi, Takada Mari▽Director of photography: Nomura Tatsuya▽Music: Fukasawa Hideyuki▽Sound director: Naya Ryosuke▽Sound effects: Kawada Kiyotaka▽Sound production: Studio Mouse▽Werewolf supervision: Matsuzaki Fumiya▽Produced by: Kawakatsu Toru (Petit Depot), Kimura Yoshitaka (Aniplex)▽Animation production: domerica
◇Cast (titles omitted)
Yuri: Chika Anzai ▽ Setsu: Ikumi Hasegawa ▽ SQ: Akari Kito ▽ Rakio: Nanami Hiroki ▽ Gina: Asami Seto