The main visual for the TV anime "Chuzenji-sensei Mononoke Kogiroku," based on a spin-off manga that depicts the prequel to Kyogoku Natsuhiko's popular novel "Night Parade of One Hundred Demons Series," has been released. The visual features all the members of Kyogokudou, including Akihiko Nakazenji, also known as Kyogokudou, schoolgirl Kana Kusakabe, Reijiro Enokizu, Tatsumi Sekiguchi, and Shutaro Kiba. It was also announced that the TV anime will be broadcast on TV Tokyo, BS TV Tokyo, and AT-X from April 7th.
It was also announced that additional cast members will include Mitsuru Miyamoto as Reijiro Enokizu's older brother Soichiro Enokizu, and Kaoru Sakura as Yukie, a friend of Chizuko and Tatsumi Sekiguchi. The opening theme "She's in the Labyrinth Now" will be performed by "HoneyWorks feat. Kafu" by the creator unit "HoneyWorks" and virtual singer Kafu. The first promotional video was released on YouTube, showcasing the opening and the ending theme "What You Don't Know" by the music project "Sizuk".
Miyamoto, who plays Enokizu Soichiro, commented, "I like stories from the Showa era, especially those shortly after the war. People recovered from the ravages of war, they helped each other even though they were poor, and the town had a lively, warm feeling to it. Although I only appeared in the show a few times, I was able to enjoy immersing myself in the fascinating Showa world that the work exudes. I hope you all enjoy it too!"
Sakura, who plays Yukie, said, "I couldn't be happier to be able to provide a voice role in a work that once made my heart flutter. The bizarre events that lurk in everyday life, the eccentric yet hilarious people...I would be happy to be able to play the warm-hearted Yukie amidst all of this. Let's all look forward to the series airing in April!"
Kafu said, "This song, created by HoneyWorks, depicts the attraction to one's doppelganger. The feeling of 'it's me, but not me' is the complete opposite in terms of their different appearance, but I feel that it is a feeling that connects to myself, as I have a virtual avatar and am active in the world. How do you get closer to and get to know someone who is 'like yourself'? I sang the song while thinking about the wishes that are contained in the lyrics. I am really looking forward to the broadcast of the anime!"
Shunryu of "Sizuk" commented, "It expresses a morbid curiosity, an emotion that many people have felt when they wonder whether they should proceed or stop. I tried to make people feel that having strange things spinning in their heads is also a part of growing up. The delicate breathing sound by ANCHOR, who arranged the song, gives a feeling of the story's early Showa era, while also having a pleasant intensity of modern times. I would also like people to pay attention to Shihori's lyrics, which are mysterious yet comforting. I hope that you can feel the scent of the books in Professor Nakazenji's library preparation room through AYAME's singing voice, which has a youthfulness and strength."
The manga, illustrated by Aki Shimizu and written by Hanzō Tamura, began serialization in 2019 in Shonen Magazine Edge (Kodansha, currently out of print) and moved to the web manga service Comic Days (Kodansha) in 2023. It is a prequel to the series, depicting the high school teacher days of Akihiko Nakazenji, otherwise known as Kyogokudō from the Hyakki Yagyo series, and follows female student Kana Kusakabe and Akihiko Nakazenji as they confront various incidents involving supernatural phenomena.
The anime will be directed by Chihiro Kumano and produced by 100studio. Kaori Maeda will play the protagonist, schoolgirl Kana Kusakabe, and Katsuyuki Konishi will play Akihiko Nakazenji.
◇Cast (titles omitted)
Kana Kusakabe: Kaori Maeda▽Akihiko Chuzenji: Katsuyuki Konishi ▽Reijiro Enokizu: Shinnosuke Tachibana▽Tatsumi Sekiguchi: Shuya Nishiji▽Shutaro Kiba: Takanori Hoshino▽Atsuko Chuzenji: Ai Furuhata▽Chizuko Chuzenji: Ai Kayano ▽Soichiro Enokizu: Mitsuru Miyamoto▽Yukie: Kaoru Sakura
