The original anime Ayaka, a collaborative project between GoRA, a group of seven artists known for the anime “K”, and King Records, has revealed a character trailer featuring the main characters Yukito Yanagi, played by Yuuto Uemura, and Jingi Sagawa, played by Takuma Terashima. The anime will premiere sometime in 2023.
Set on the archipelago of Ayaka, a chain of seven islands, the story depicts a sad yet beautiful bonding story of the relationship between partners, teachers and students, good rivals, and the men who each have their own destiny to fulfill.
The story begins when Yukito, a boy who grew up in an orphanage, is taken away to his hometown Ayaka, by an outrageous young man, Jingi, who claims to be a disciple of his deceased father. The character PV focuses on the relations between both characters and includes key scenes from the story, such as the childhood connection between them.
The series is composed and written by GoRA and directed by Nobuyoshi Nagayama. Illustrator redjuice is credited as the original character design. The animation is handled by Studio Blanc. The opening theme song “AYAKASHI” is performed by angela, and the ending theme song “Flashback” is performed by saji.
▍Ayaka Anime Characters & Cast
■ Yukito Yanagi – CV: Yuuto Uemura
A boy who grew up in an orphanage on the mainland and returned to his hometown on the island of Ayaka for the first time in ten years. He was born with the power to manipulate water, but when he let it go out of control, he put the children in the orphanage in danger. Since then, he has been kept at a distance from others, and Yukito himself has given up trying to be a part of the social circle. Still, deep down inside, he strongly longs to connect with others.
■ Jingi Sagawa – CV: Takuma Terashima
The third disciple of Masato Yanagi, known as the “Great Hermit”. As a pulse grafting, he specializes in the art of manipulating water, which is the same type of ability as Yukito. He is a troubled young man who enjoys drinking and gambling to the fullest and will not work unless he is in need of money. Even so, he is surprisingly well-liked by the people of the island because of his deep-seated cheerfulness and friendliness.
■ Haruaki Kurama – CV: Takahiro Sakurai
He is the most prominent disciple of Masato Yanagi and currently serves as the head priest of Sannoshima’s shrine. He treats everyone with the same kindness and calmness as a good-natured old man, with the exception of his fellow apprentice, Ibuki. He is quiet and shows glimpses of cold anger.
■ Aka Ibuki – CV: Yuichiro Umehara
Director of Ayaka Security, an organization that specializes in exterminating Aramitama disguised as a security company. He is the second apprentice who studied under Masato Yanagi, and fights aramitama using special bullets loaded with techniques. He and his fellow apprentice Kurama used to be close friends and rivals, but they are now at odds.
▍Ayaka Anime Story
Yukito Yanagi is a young boy who grew up in an orphanage on the mainland. One day, an unruly young man named Jingi Sagawa, who claims to be his late father’s apprentice, arrives and takes him away to his hometown Ayaka, a strange chain of islands with many legends of fire and water dragons, and mysterious beings called “Aramitama” inhabit the island as if they were natural inhabitants.
Yukito begins to live on Ayaka with his father’s three disciples, who are said to have been hermits who preserved the harmony of the island. Here in Ayaka, where harmony has begun to break down, Yukito faces the truth…
▍Ayaka Anime Staff & Production
Original Story: GoRA, King Records
Director: Nobuyoshi Nagayama
Series Composition/Screenplay: GoRA
Original Character Design: redjuice
Character design: Misaki Kaneko
Production Design: Naoya Tanaka
Music: Kana Shibue
Music Production: King Records
Sound Director: Ryo Tanaka
Sound Production: Bit Grooove Promotion
Animation Production: Studio Blanc
▍Ayaka Anime Cast
■ Yukito Yanagi – CV: Yuuto Uemura
■ Jingi Sagawa – CV: Takuma Terashima
■ Haruaki Kurama – CV: Takahiro Sakurai
■ Aka Ibuki – CV: Yuichiro Umehara