It has been announced that the TV anime "Sword of the Demon Hunter: Kijin Gentosho", based on the popular fantasy novel by Motoo Nakanishi, will enter the "Bakumatsu Arc" from episode 14. A new visual has been released showing Jinya holding his sword Yorai, facing off against a demon with red eyes and a large horn. It has also been announced that additional cast members will include Toshihiko Seki as Kenichirou Matsuda as Tsuchiura, and Kazuya Nakai as Kiichi Okada.
The artists performing the theme songs for the second season were also announced, with the band [Alexandros] performing the opening theme (OP) "Ash" and the music unit "FAKE TYPE." performing the ending theme (ED) "Enrin."
A special program, "A special retrospective of the TV anime ' Sword of the Demon Hunter: Kijin Gentosho '," featuring Taku Yashiro, who plays Jinta/Jinya, and Ai Kayano, who plays Ofu, will be streamed on ABEMA from 8:00 pm on July 13th.
Seki, who plays Hatakeyama Yasuhide, commented, "Living in the late Edo period when the samurai class, like Jinya and the others, was becoming unnecessary, Hatakeyama Yasuhide wanted to resist the ruthless flow of the times they now faced and leave his mark as a samurai, so he continued to resist to the end...But history swallowed up not only Hatakeyama, but all people, including Jinya, and transcended time. I took to the microphone feeling that this was an interesting piece of work that is rarely seen anywhere else."
Matsuda, who plays Tsuchiura, said, "It is because they have strong feelings and beliefs that they are struck by tragedy and caught up in their fate...However, I feel hope in the characters, Jinya and the others, who resist such absurdity...I think that is the appeal of this work. Tsuchiura is one such character. He is a man who seems somewhat fragile despite his appearance. It is his fragility that makes him cling to his beliefs...This is largely due to his own upbringing and past. I hope that viewers can feel Tsuchiura's deepest feelings and his rebellion against fate."
Nakai, who plays Okada Kiichi, said, "I tried to make sure that the meaning of the sword that Okada speaks about would strike a chord with Jinya, his opponent. His thoughts may seem fanatical, but I hope I was able to express it in a way that shows his high level of mastery as a swordsman, rather than just being strong and rough. I enjoyed using the old-fashioned expressions that were pleasant to speak, and I enjoyed acting in the role."
Yohei Kawakami of [Alexandros], who is performing the opening theme, commented, "I have another favorite anime added to my collection. I am honored to be able to create the theme song for such a work. We tried and tested various things to decide what kind of song it would be, but I'm glad that in the end it matched the sound that the band wanted to create. I'm looking forward to the opening theme."
Regarding "FAKE TYPE.", they commented, "Enrin is based on the beginning of the story of ' Sword of the Demon Hunter: Kijin Gentosho' and is our own interpretation of the connection between Jinta and Suzune and the world view of the original work, and we were conscious of coloring it with sounds and words that are a little different from the usual FAKE TYPE. We think that our unique color comes out in the different atmosphere, so we would be happy if you check out this song along with the anime. This is the first time FAKE TYPE. has been in charge of the ending theme for an anime, so we are looking forward to it airing."
"Kijin Gentosho" is a "Sword of the Demon Hunter: Kijin Gentosho" fantasy that tells the story of a demon who travels through the incredible time of about 170 years from the Edo period to the Heisei period. The novel is published by Futabasha. It has also been made into a comic book. The anime is directed by Kazuya Aiura and produced by Yokohama Animation Lab. It is currently airing on TOKYO MX, MBS, and other stations.
◇Cast (titles omitted)
Jinya: Taku Yashiro▽Yasuhide Hatakeyama: Kenichirou Matsuda ▽Takaichi Okada: Kazuya Nakai▽Kibei's shopkeeper: Yoji Ueda▽Ofuu: Ai Kayano ▽Naoji Miura: Seiichiro Yamashita