It has been announced that Ryosuke Yamada of the popular group Hey! Say! JUMP will be performing the opening theme "Blue Noise" for the new series "Serizawa Assassination Arc" of the TV anime The Blue Wolves of Mibu , which is based on the manga by Tsuyoshi Yasuda Takeshi about the Shinsengumi. The song will be under the name "Ryosuke Yamada," and will be Yamada's first time performing an anime opening as a solo artist.
Yamada commented, "I was so happy when I was asked to write the opening theme song for ' The Blue Wolves of Mibu.' This song, 'Blue Noise,' is a brand new song for Ryosuke Yamada, combining elements of rock, hip hop and Japanese culture. The lyrics were written with ' The Blue Wolves of Mibu' in mind, and faithfully capture the worldview of the show. What's more, the sound has a fast-paced feel, so I think it's a song that fits in well with the worldview of ' The Blue Wolves of Mibu.' I hope everyone enjoys it."
It was also announced that singer-songwriter Soushi Sakiyama will be performing the ending theme, "Utakata." Sakiyama said, "They are precious friends. I was deeply influenced by this chapter, in which each of their hidden feelings intersect, and I began composing the song with the opening lyrics, 'Even though I know it all too well, there are truths that I don't understand the more I dull it.' No matter how harsh it may be, precious memories never change, and I want to believe in their warmth. I hope that one day I will encounter your kindness again. This is the kind of song it is. As a fan, I can't wait to see them moving in the animation of the Serizawa Assassination Arc. I also hope that you will enjoy the song, "Utakata."
A new promotional video for the anime, featuring the opening theme "Blue Noise" and ending theme "Utakata," has also been released on YouTube. Additional cast members have been announced, including Kazuki Ura as Shintaro Hayashi, Rikuya Yasuda as Totaro Asano, Kosuke Takaguchi as Yashiro Ozeki, Ryo Sugisaki as Masajiro Ozeki, Mitsuki Saiga as Kogoro Katsura, and Junya Enoki as Junya Enoki Sakamoto.
"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, the story depicts the lives of the Shinsengumi . The story follows Chirinunio, a boy who is honest, kind, and family-oriented, but who also has a burning desire for justice deep in his heart, as he meets Hijikata Okita Soji of the Mibu-Ran, a group of ronin who are hated by others.
The first season of the TV anime aired on Yomiuri TV and Nippon TV from October 2024 to March 2025. The new series, "The Assassination of Serizawa," will air on the same stations every Saturday at 5:30 pm starting December 20th.
Comments from the additional cast members are as follows:
◇ Kazuki Ura
I'm Kazuki Ura, and I'll be voicing Hayashi Shintaro, a new member of the Shinsengumi. He speaks in Kansai dialect and at first glance seems elusive, but he's actually a charming character who shows his flaws as a person. He also has sharp insight and gives off an aura that's different from the other rookie members. I hope you'll keep an eye on how his high perspective, which stands out among the new members, will affect Miblo, and how the story will unfold as the number of members increases and the group becomes larger.
◇Rikuya Yasuda as Totaro Asano
My name is Yasuda Rikuya and I will be voicing Asano Totaro from the Serizawa Assassination Arc onwards. Actually, I had the opportunity to appear in different roles several times in the first season, and the original author Tsuyoshi Yasuda and I share the same last name, so I felt a small, one-sided connection to this work. Please look forward to the broadcast to see what kind of roles Asano and the others will play in the new "Inspection" organization that handles interrogations for the squad, and the new characters that appear in the second season!! Thank you!!
◇ Kosuke Takaguchi, who plays Ozeki Yashiro
I will be playing Yashiro, the older brother of the Ozeki brothers who will appear in the second season. My name is Takaguchi Kosuke. Yashiro is a man of fiery muscles. He's quick to shout, get carried away, and be very intimidating. He's a good guy at heart, but he's also a bit of a green man. Recording has just begun, so I don't know what to do, but I'm really looking forward to seeing how Yashiro will live his life in the Shinsengumi alongside his younger brother, Masajiro. I want to live a passionate and green life alongside Yashiro, in the heat of the late Edo period, and in the passionate group that is the Shinsengumi.
Ryo Sugisaki, who plays Masajiro Ozeki
I will be playing Ozeki Masajiro. My name is Sugisaki Ryo. I joined the cast for the second season, but the atmosphere on set is cohesive, typical of a male household, and the harmonious atmosphere makes recording very enjoyable. In the story, the everyday scenes are laid back and fun, just like on set, but there are also scenes that are serious and tense, and I think that this contrast is one of the highlights of the series. I will do my best not to be outdone by the unique members of Mibro, so please look forward to the exploits of the invincible Ozeki brothers (lol)!
◇ Mitsuki Saiga, who plays Kogoro Katsura
Katsura is one of the three great men of the Meiji Restoration. When I looked into the literature, I found that he had a really high reputation, so I tried to portray him with the hope that I could convey that feeling even a little! He had a gentle yet nuanced character, so I was really curious to see what happened afterwards, but at least it seems like O-kun had a good impression of him, so I'm glad (laughs).
◇Junya Enoki, who plays Junya Enoki
I'm Junya Enoki, and I will be voicing Sakamoto Ryoma. It was interesting to see how Sakamoto Ryoma is portrayed in "The Blue Wolves of Mibu"! The Tosa dialect was also supervised, and we were able to record in a great atmosphere, so please be sure to check it out!
