It has been announced that the TV anime "The World's Strongest Rearguard: Newbie Explorer in the Labyrinth Country," based on a popular light novel published on the novel submission site "Let's Become a Novelist," will begin airing in July. It will be directed by Takeyuki Yanase and produced by MAHO FILM. It has also been announced that Yoshitsugu Matsuoka will play Arihito, who is reincarnated in another world, as well as Aoi Koga as Theresa, Sakura Nakamura as Kyoka, Yui Ishikawa as Elitia, and Saori Hayami as Suzuna.
The story follows the protagonist, Arihito, who is reincarnated in the Labyrinth Country, as he grows alongside a unique heroine as the strongest support role "rear guard" capable of attacking, defending, and healing. The comic adaptation has also gained popularity, with the total number of copies of the series published exceeding 1.8 million.
Director Yanase commented, "Congratulations on the anime adaptation of 'The World's Strongest Rearguard'. (I can finally say it...!) I face the action of Arihito, Theresa and the others every day ☆ We are working hard on the production, borrowing the wisdom, courage and strength of everyone! We'll do our best!!! Please look forward to it!"
Matsuoka, who plays Arihito, said, "The Arihito I play is an overly kind person. He is a man who acts with firm convictions, and is someone who ends up losing out because he is so kind. This also comes into play in the story later on. The work has a great balance of serious and comedic moments, so I hope that many different people will see it! And please don't blame Arihito, because he doesn't mean any harm (laughs). We all worked hard to create the world's strongest rearguard. I hope you will all enjoy it!"
Koga, who plays Theresa, said, "When I first read the story, I was intrigued by the fresh idea of the main character being a rear guard, and the strange realism that somehow overlaps with the real world, even though it's set in another world, and I was really looking forward to seeing how it would be portrayed in the animation. Theresa, whom I voice, has a distinctive, cute appearance, but is also very reliable in combat. I think her presence plays an important part in the story, so I hope you will pay close attention to her. Thank you!"
Nakamura, who plays Kyoka, commented, "Kyouka was Arihito's former boss. Before his reincarnation, he was rough with people, abusive, and dictatorial... But as he goes on his adventure, he shows his caring and hardworking side, and is a very cute character. The bonds he forms with his unique companions and the battle scenes in which he uses his skills to conquer the Labyrinth Country are also part of the charm of this work! This is the story of Arihito, who chose the slightly unusual profession of "rear guard," and his companions' adventures in another world! Please enjoy the adventure with us in the anime♪."
Ishikawa, who plays Ellytia, said, "Ellytia has such high fighting abilities that she is nicknamed the Death Sword, and she is a girl with more experience than the others. Perhaps because of that, I get the impression that she is very reliable for her age. She has a strong sense of responsibility and is very caring towards her friends, but she also seems to have a mysterious past...I played her with the hope that I could create a character that everyone will want to root for. Please look forward to the broadcast!"
Hayami, who plays Suzuna, commented, "Suzuna is a serious, kind, and considerate girl. Even in the world she is reincarnated into, she works hard to contribute to the party alongside Arihito and Ellithia. She is adorable when she occasionally shows embarrassed expressions and makes sarcastic remarks, so it was fun to be in front of the microphone during the dubbing. At the dubbing studio, all the cast members had fun recording the unique characters interacting with each other in a harmonious atmosphere. I hope you will watch to see how the world of the work is portrayed in the anime. Please look forward to the broadcast!"
◇Staff (titles omitted)
Original work: Towa (published by Kadokawa BOOKS) ▽ Character design: Fuka Fuka ▽ Director: Takeyuki Yanase ▽ Series composition: Deko Akao ▽ Main character design: Eriko Yanagimoto ▽ Animation production: MAHO FILM
◇Cast (titles omitted)
Arihito: Yoshitsugu Matsuoka ▽ Theresa: Aoi Koga ▽ Kyoka: Sakura Nakamura ▽ Ellytia: Yui Ishikawa ▽ Suzuna: Saori Hayami
