MAPPA’s international fans are in for a treat this January as the animation studio officially announced the worldwide release dates of both its original anime series Bucchigiri?! and original movie Maboroshi at Anime Festival Asia (AFA) 2023.
After much anticipation from fans residing outside of Japan, the MAPPA panel at Sunday’s Day Stage, which was represented by Producer Makoto Kimura, Anime Director Yuichiro Hayashi, and Anime Director and Screenwriter Mari Okada, revealed that Bucchigiri?! is set to hit the small screen worldwide on Jan 13, while Maboroshi will be available to stream on Netflix from Jan 15 next year.
Image: Bucchigiri?! Official Website
The announcement came with the preview of Bucchigiri?!’s official trailer that was initially released on Nov 24 in Japan only.
Directed by Hiroko Utsumi, the trailer also gave excited fans in the audience a sneak peek into Takahiro Kagami’s dynamic character designs, the action-packed battle scenes written by Taku Kishimoto, and the adrenaline-pumping music composed by Michiru Oshima that were all promised with the initial news of the anime’s production.
“It is especially interesting to see Hiroko Utsumi take on the Director role for a yankee-style anime, something that is not usually of her type considering some of the other fan-favourites she has directed in the past, like Free! and Banana Fish,” said Kimura.
“Fans can expect to see some very interesting and unique characters in a fleshed-out storyline that the team has put a lot of effort into developing. We are looking forward to seeing how much fans all over the world enjoy Bucchigirl?!.”
Tokyo Revengers meets Arabian Nights as protagonist Araji Tomoshibi finds himself meeting some of the toughest yankees – or delinquents – after he transfers to Ichizu High School, a school that is infamous for such gangs. However, the official trailer proves that Bucchigiri?! will not be your usual run-of-the-mill yankee action anime with the humorous introduction of a genie named Majin Senya.
Students shall earn their respect through fierce battles in this exhilarating anime original that also hints at comedic, romance and fantastical elements.
Dystopian film Maboroshi sparks emotional rollercoaster with complex portrayals of love
Image: Maboroshi Key Visual
AFA’s Day Stage attendees on Sunday were also given the first glimpse of the international trailer release of Mari Okada’s Maboroshi, a dystopian animated film that promises stunning visuals and a captivating storyline that will have viewers on the edge of their seats.
Maboroshi follows the story of Masamune Kikuiri, a third-year middle school student who lives in a town with mysterious changes following the sudden explosion of a local steel mill. The effects of the explosion ripples throughout Masamune’s hometown, time has now stopped and residents spend their days hoping that everything will return to how it was before.
In the current dystopian society, changes are forbidden. As Masamune relives winter for the 14th year, the trailer leaves viewers wondering how his unexpected encounter with a mysterious girl will ultimately decide the fate of his hometown.
With elements of pain and agony mixed with love and the thrill of forbidden chance encounters, Maboroshi is sure to bring fans on a rollercoaster of emotions.
“With Maboroshi, we wanted to express the complexity of what it really means to love. More often than not, people seem to associate love with just the heart-fluttering moments but there are also feelings of pain and struggle that come with it. Having this concept layered onto the storyline, we encourage fans to fully immerse themselves in the emotions the film will evoke and share their cinematic experience with us,” said Okada.
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