It has been announced that the TV anime "The Blue Wolves of Mibu," based on a manga about the Shinsengumi by Yasuda Takeshi, who is also known for the soccer manga "DAYS," will enter the "Aizu Clan Arc" from the fifth episode, which will air on November 16th. Additional cast members who will play characters from the "Aizu Clan Arc" have been announced, including Ishii Makoto as Matsudaira Katamori, the lord of the Aizu Clan; Hamada Kenji as Fujita, a samurai; Miyamoto Mitsuru as Kimura Jutaro, an assassin who tries to kill an Aizu samurai; Sakurai Toru as Kyoshiro; and Murase Ayumu as Seto, the son of a wealthy kimono shop owner.
Ishii, who plays Matsudaira Katamori, commented, "For the shogunate, for the emperor. I am playing the role with such wishes in mind. I hope that it will come across as his earnest, honest and straightforward feelings. This passionate story of people who struggled during the end of the Edo period progresses at a good pace while also incorporating the hustle and bustle of everyday life. I hope you enjoy 'The Blue Wolves of Mibu.'"
Hamada, who plays Fujita, said, "Perhaps because he is a samurai or by nature, Fujita is an earnest man who finds it difficult to accept the existence of the Mibu Roshigumi. How will he feel about Miburo and the others through this incident? Enjoy!"
Murase, who plays Seto, said, "When I first got the offer, I was shocked to hear Kyoto dialect?! (laughs). After reading the original work, I somehow understood why I was cast, but I wanted to naturally convey the feeling and atmosphere of his inner thoughts, and with the support of my supervisor, I worked hard to master the Kyoto dialect, which is a difficult area to understand! This character will add color to the story. I hope you will look forward to it!"
Miyamoto, who plays Kimura Jutaro, said, "Kimura Jutaro's actions are cruel, but he has his own sense of justice and ideals, but he is so caught up in those ideals that he loses his humanity. It was difficult to play that role, but it was rewarding. Even so, the young people at that time were all adults. And short-lived... Although it was just voice acting, I was nervous about the serious battle with Okita Souji, but I was able to spend a very intense time with him."
Sakurai, who plays Kyoshiro, said, "In the end of the Edo period, when people were questioning who they were and what they wanted to be, the Kyoshiro I played seems to act with an ideal image of how they should be. He's a bit mischievous, but he has convictions and lives without hesitation. It was a lot of fun to be able to play such a character."
"The Blue Wolves of Mibu" has been serialized in "Weekly Shonen Magazine" (Kodansha) since 2021. Set in Kyoto at the end of the Edo period, it depicts the way of life of the Shinsengumi. The story is about a boy named Chirinunio who is honest, kind, and family-oriented, but deep down he has a burning desire for justice, and who meets Hijikata Toshizo and Okita Souji of the Mibu-nami, a group of hated ronin.
The anime is directed by Habara Kumiko, who has worked on "I'm Standing on a Million Lives," and produced by MAHO FILM. It is currently airing every Saturday at 5:30 pm on the Yomiuri TV and Nippon TV networks. It will be broadcast for two consecutive seasons.
