It has been revealed that singer-songwriter Ai Higuchi will be performing the ending theme "Now, This Heart is Beating in My Heart" for the TV anime "Snowball Earth," which is based on the manga by Yuichiro Tsujitsugu currently being serialized in "Monthly! Spirits" (Shogakukan). It has also been announced that high school student singer-songwriter tuki. will be performing the opening theme "Zero," and the opening and ending themes have been unveiled in the main promotional video.
Additional cast members announced include Tomokazu Sugita as Sagami Itseki, leader of Vierde, a group of monster tamer who stand in the way of the main character, Yabusame Tetsuo, and his friends; Kengo Kawanishi as Izumi Nayuta, a member of Vierde; Tomohiro Ono as Sakurai Tamiya; Naradaira Manami as Uzuki Yuma; Nagase Anna as Kou Otsuichi; Morinaga Chisai as Saionji Makoto; and Maki Kawase as Akagi Riko.
The main trailer begins with Tetsuo and his robot friend Yukio being warmly welcomed by the villagers, including Ao Nogi and Hagimura Hagino, at Mishima Mall, the base of surviving humanity, and forging new bonds. In the second half of the video, the atmosphere changes completely, as they are confronted by the mysterious organization E-RDE, Vierde, led by Itseki Sagami. Facing the threat of these menaces, who control monsters and relentlessly attack Mishima Mall, Tetsuo and Yukio must defend their "new home."
A key visual featuring characters such as Tetsuo and Yukio was also released, along with the tagline, "Melting despair with a passionate bond."
A collaborative illustration between the series and Higuchi, drawn by original author Tsuji Tsugu, has been released. Tsuji commented, "I am deeply grateful that Higuchi Ai will be creating the ending theme. When I first heard the song, I felt the strengths and weaknesses of the people who strive to live on this frozen planet, as well as a passionate kindness that seems to affirm all humanity. Just listening to it inspires the soul; it's a wonderful song! With this song concluding each episode of "Snowball Earth," I believe we will be able to watch the adventures of Tetsuo, Yukio, and friends with hope, even in the face of adversity. I am really looking forward to those wonderful days!"
Sugita, who plays Sagami Itseki, commented, "Those who admire heroes cannot control their twisted emotions and desires. But how many people can truly blame him? When I see the face he shows to the children of Sagami, it always makes me think. I dare not ask for your cooperation."
Kawanishi, who plays Izumi Nayuta, said, "I read the original work and became completely absorbed in it, and I'm really looking forward to seeing how it will be portrayed in the anime. There's still a while until it airs, but I hope you'll look forward to it."
Ohno, who plays Sakurai Tamiya, said, "I'm really happy to be able to take part in a work that I read while crying my eyes out. People clash in an icy world. I myself am passionate about this work! I will show my side of justice as well. I will follow the Colonel with all my might! Please look forward to the broadcast!"
Narahira, who plays Uzuki Yuma, said, "I am truly happy to be able to live in such a wonderful work. I think I will cry as I empathize with the small quarrels between humans that are depicted in the midst of the big battle with the monsters. I also find Yuma's strong-willed and devoted devotion to her savior endearing. Our production of 'The Light of E-RDE' will also have original parts for the anime! Please look forward to it. The Colonel's coolness will finally be known all over the world."
Nagase, who plays Ko Otsuichi, sent a message saying, "I was strongly drawn to the worldview of the work, and how the elements of 'a world covered in snow,' 'robots,' and 'monsters' are all connected. I will portray Ko Otsuichi's beliefs and loyalty to Colonel Sagami with quiet passion. Please look forward to the broadcast!"
Morinaga, who plays Makoto Saionji, said, "When playing Makoto, I always try not to forget her 'childlikeness.' She genuinely admires the Colonel, genuinely enjoys fighting, genuinely laughs and cries...I think she's a girl who can clearly express her emotions. All the members of 'The Light of E-RDE' are very unique, so I'm doing my best not to be outdone by them!"
Kawase, who plays Akagi Riko, said, "Riko will work to achieve the Colonel's dream. It's frustrating that there are still many things I can't reveal about the story, but each member of 'Vierde' has a very strong personality, so I hope everyone will pay attention to them all! I'm also looking forward to seeing how the frozen Earth, 'Snowball Earth', will be portrayed through images and sounds!"
The story is a sci-fi, monster, and robot action story set on Snowball Earth, an Earth covered in snow and ice. The comic has sold over 800,000 copies in total.
The anime will be directed by Munehisa Sakai and produced by Studio KAI. It will star Takuto Yoshinaga as Yabusame Tetsuo, Daisuke Hirakawa as Yukio, Ami Koshimizu as Nogi Ao, and Yoshi Tamura as Takimura Hagione. It will air every Friday at 11:30 pm on Nippon Television's anime slot "FRIDAY ANIME NIGHT (Fura-Ani)" from April 3rd.
◇Staff (titles omitted)
Director: Sakai Munehisa▽ Assistant Director: Iwata Takeshi▽ Series Composition: Murakoshi Shigeru▽ Character Design, Chief Animation Director: Kono Toshiya▽ Mecha Design: Kim Sejun▽ Monster Design: Yanagi Ryuta▽ Art Director: Fujino Mari▽ Color Design: Noji Hirono▽ CG Director: Motooka Hiroki▽ Motion Graphics: Oshiro Takemune (Production IG)▽ Director of Photography: Hayashi Kenta, Kodera Shota▽ Editing: Nagasaka Tomoki▽ Music: Kato Tatsuya, Tsutsumi Hiroaki, YUKI KANESAKA▽ Animation Production: Studio KAI▽ Production: "Snowball Earth" Production Committee▽ Opening Theme: tuki. "Zero"▽ Ending Theme: Higuchi Ai "What is Beating in This Heart Now"
◇Cast (titles omitted)
Yabusame Tetsuo: Takuto Yoshinaga ▽ Yukio: Daisuke Hirakawa ▽ Nogi Ao: Ami Koshimizu ▽ Takimura Hagione: Yoshimi Tamura ▽ Izumi Kengo Kawanishi: Kengo Tomohiro Ono ▽ Uzuki Yuma: Manami Naradaira ▽ Kou Otsuichi: Anna Nagase ▽ Saionji Makoto: Maki Kawase Morinaga ▽ Akagi Riko: Maki Kawase ▽ Sagami Itseki: Tomokazu Sugita
