The anime "Demon's Crest," based on the latest work by Reki Kawahara, known for popular light novels such as "Accel World" and the "Sword Art Online(SAO)" series, will be exclusively streamed worldwide on Prime Video starting November 6th. It was also announced that singer Ado will be performing the opening theme song, "Shinka." Additional cast members have been revealed, with Yuya Hirose playing Kenji Kondo, a classmate of the protagonist Yuma Ashihara, and Satomi Amano playing Mizuna Chano.
A key visual featuring the four main characters, Yuma Ashihara, Sawa Ashihara, Kenji Kondo, and Mizuna Chano, has been released. The visual depicts the world of "Actual Magic," the world's first full-dive VRMMO-RPG, with the four characters happily playing, alongside the real world, which has an unsettling atmosphere, with Yuma Ashihara looking back as if he has noticed something. This visual symbolizes the existence of two worlds in this work.
The first promotional video, which depicts Yuma Ashihara and others participating in a test play of Actual Magic, has also been released, along with character visuals of the four characters wearing the uniforms of Yukihana Elementary School.
Hirose, who plays the role of Kondo Kenji, commented, "I'm Yuya Hirose, and I'll be appearing as Kondo Kenji (Konken)! I've been watching Kawahara Reki's works since before I aspired to become a voice actor, so when I was offered the opportunity to audition, I was filled with joy, emotion, and a lot of other feelings, thinking, 'Finally! I get to audition for an anime by Kawahara-sensei!' So I was very happy to be able to participate this time! Konken is a mischievous boy, a bright character that you'd want to have in your class or among your friends! His straightforwardness, innocence, and manliness! I'm working hard on the voice recording to convey all of his various charms! We don't know all of what's going to happen next either, so we're approaching each episode with excitement and anticipation! Please look forward to the world that is both a game and reality!"
Amano, who plays the role of Chano Mizuna, said, "From the first time I read the work, I was thrilled by the dense world of this death game that comes into view as each of the unique classmates is put in the spotlight. I am truly honored to be able to be involved in this work. Mizuna is truly the 'ideal girl' for me. She is cute and has a dangerous side that makes you want to take care of her, but she also has the inner strength to clearly express her feelings. I will do my best to portray such an honest and relatable character. I am also looking forward to seeing the world of the game 'Actual Magic' and the exhilarating battles that are unique to this work brought to life in the anime. Thank you for your support!"
Ado said, "'Shinka' was written by Vocaloid producer Yurii Kanon. It's about how 'reality' and 'games' encroach on each other, where true feelings lie, what is an illusion and what is real, and even amidst various anxieties and conflicts, you have to believe and move forward. Those are the feelings that are put into it. Please look forward to the anime 'Demon's Crest' and the new song 'Shinka'!"
"Demon's Crest" depicts a death game set in a mixed reality (MR) world where the game world and reality merge. In 2031, elementary school students who participated in a test play of "Actual Magic," the world's first full-dive VRMMO-RPG, lose consciousness after playing. When they wake up, they find themselves in a "new world" where the game world and reality have merged...
The anime will be directed by Shinji Ushiro as general director, Kenichiro Komaya as director, Eiji Umehara as series composition writer, and Yukiko Horiguchi as character designer. It will be produced by Production IG.
◇Staff (titles omitted)
Chief Director: Shinji Ushiro▽Director: Kenichiro Komaya ▽Series Composition: Eiji Umehara ▽Character Design: Yukiko Horiguchi▽Chief Animation Directors: Shuji Kawakami, Kazuya Kise▽Color Design: Chiaki Kitabayashi▽Art Director: Katsumi Takao▽CG Director: Motohito Nasu▽Director of Photography: Keiichi Saito▽Editing: Yoshiaki Kimura▽Sound Director: Hitoshi Aketagawa▽Music: Yuki Hayashi, Naoyuki Chikatani▽CG Production: Rails▽Animation Production: Production IG
◇Cast (titles omitted)
Yuma Ashihara: Haruka Shiraishi; Sawa Ashihara: Konomi Inagaki; Kenji Kondo: Yuya Hirose; Mizuna Chano: Satomi Amano
