What You Need to Know:
- Sentai is back with a huge list of acquisitions of new anime coming this year and to home video!
- Check out the announcements below and get ready to add new series to your collections.
- And that is it, folks! Make sure to support Sentai and HIDIVE by visiting the link, here: https://www.sentaifilmworks.com/
Paranormal Comedy Series “Phantom of the Idol” Joins Sentai’s Summer 2022 Lineup
Sentai announced that it acquired exclusive rights to the laugh-out-loud paranormal comedy anime series Phantom of the Idol. Sentai will premiere the series exclusively on HIDIVE, its anime-focused streaming service, during the Summer 2022 simulcast season.
Most idols are fueled by their love of performing before adoring fans. Yuya, however, is fueled by his love of an easy paycheck! Yuya is one half of the idol duo ZINGS, but his supreme laziness (not to mention his disdain for idol fans in general) has him on the brink of getting blacklisted from the business. In a chance backstage encounter, he meets the spectral Asahi, a mysterious former idol who’s eager to stage her own comeback by any means necessary… including assuming complete control of Yuya's willing body and aiming to become the best idol in the world together! Is their zany partnership a match a made in heaven, or is it pure idol hell?
Phantom of the Idol is produced by Studio Gokumi (Yuki Yuna is a Hero series, Kin-iro Mosaic series) and directed by Daiki Fukuoka (Yuki Yuna is a Hero: The Washio Sumi Chapter, Danganronpa 3 director). The series’ music is by myu (Utawarerumono, The Legend of the Legendary Heroes).
The series stars, Fumiya Imai (Project SEKAI COLORFUL LIVE feat. Miku Hatsune) as Yuya Niyodo, Nao Toyama (My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU, MacrossΔ, Nisekoi) as Asahi Mogami, Shun Horie (Akudama Drive, Sarazanmai, Rent-a-Girlfriend) as Kazuki Yoshino, and Sho Hayami (Ascendence of a Bookworm, Bleach, Macross 7) as the Narrator.
Phantom of the Idol will premiere exclusively on HIDIVE in Summer 2022 with a home video release to follow.
Sentai to Debut Anime Adaptation of “Shinepost” in Summer 2022
Sentai announced that it has acquired exclusive rights to SHINEPOST, the beautifully crafted anime series based upon the light novel of the same name by Rakuda, author of ORESUKI: Are you the only one who loves me? Sentai will stream the series exclusively on HIDIVE during the Summer 2022 simulcast season.
Although the idol group TiNgS is chasing after big dreams, so far their accomplishments have only been small — and now, suddenly, they're facing a potential break up! Hope seems lost, but when a new manager with a special skillset takes them under his wing, the members of TiNgS find themselves shooting for the stars all over again.
SHINEPOST is part of a multimedia project from Konami Digital Entertainment and Straight Edge that includes music videos, concerts, a mobile game, and manga and anime adaptations. Sentai will add SHINEPOST to its stunning lineup of fan-favorite idol shows, including BanG Dream!, Revue Starlight, Wake Up, Girls!, D4DJ First Mix and the mega-popular Utano Princesama franchise. The series’ music is produced by Yohei Kisara, who has been involved in and produced many hit anime series such as Love Live! (μ's) and Azure Lane.
Animated by Studio Kai (Uma Musume: Pretty Derby Season 2, Skeleton Knight in Another World), SHINEPOST is directed by Kei Oikawa (My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU TOO!, Hinamatsuri, Uma Musume: Pretty Derby, Pretty Derby Season 2). Original creator Rakuda and Tatsuo Higuchi (Toradora!, Hanasaku Iroha: Blossoms for Tomorrow, D.Gray-man Hallow) provide the series’ script. The series’ animation direction is led by Yoshihiro Nagata (MACROSS series).
SHINEPOST stars Sayumi Suzushiro (86, Kaguya-sama: Love Is War, High Score Girl) as Haru Nabatame and Yuko Natsuyoshi (To Your Eternity, The Misfit of Demon King Academy, Show by Rock!! Stars!!) as Rio Seibu. They are joined by Rika Nakagawa as Momiji Ito and Rimo Hasegawa as Yukine Gionji. Moeko Kanisawa, who will play the role of Kyoka Tamaki, will make her debut as a voice actress in SHINEPOST.
The series will premiere exclusively on HIDIVE in Summer 2022 with a home video release to follow.
Sentai Acquires “Chimimo” for Summer 2022
Sentai announced that it acquired exclusive rights to Chimimo, the hellishly heart-warming comedy anime from the anime studio behind the iconic Doraemon and Crayon Shin-chan. Sentai will premiere the series exclusively on HIDIVE and its anime-focused streaming services this Summer 2022.
Meet hell's most adorable messenger. Chimimo might be an average demon, but he and his horde of minions have big dreams of unleashing hell on earth! Too bad a portal to the human realm drops him into the middle of the Onigami household, where the family’s three unflappable sisters rule the roost with iron fists. Now Chimimo is stuck as their freeloading roommate, and his ambitions of unleashing the apocalypse will have to wait until he can summon the willpower to get off the couch!
Produced by Shin-El Animation (Teasing Master Takagi-san Season 3, Sweetness & Lightning, Doraemon), the series is directed by pinoalto. Kimiko Ueno (Carole & Tuesday, Space Dandy, The Royal Tutor) provides series composition. Mikako Komatsu (Nisekoi, Welcome to the Ballroom, K) performs the series’ ending song. Popular illustrator Kanahei is in charge of character design.
The series stars Junichi Suwabe (Black Clover, Yuri!! On Ice, Jujutsu Kaisen) as Jigoku-san, Ai Kakuma (Amagi Brilliant Park, Monster Musume: Everyday Life with Monster Girls, Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation) as Hazuki Onigami, Yuria Kozuki (Ponyo) as Mei Onigami and Mamiko Noto (CLANNAD, Kimi ni Todoke, Hell Girl) as Mutsumi Onigami.
Chimimo will premiere exclusively on HIDIVE in Summer 2022 with a home video release to follow.
Sentai Stacks Summer Deck With CARDFIGHT!! VANGUARD will+Dress
Sentai announced that it acquired rights to CARDFIGHT!! VANGUARD will+Dress, the follow-up to the 2021's CARDFIGHT!! VANGUARD overDress series, for select English-speaking countries including USA, Canada, UK, Australia and New Zealand, for select Spanish-speaking Latin American countries, and for select Nordic countries. The series will stream on HIDIVE as part of the Summer 2022 simulcast season, where fans can enjoy both series.
From trading card and collectibles hitmaker, Bushiroad (Revue Starlight, BanG Dream!), and with production by Kinema citrus (MADE IN ABYSS, Star Wars: Visions), Gift-o’-Animation, and STUDIO JEMI, this latest installment of the Cardfight!! Vanguard franchise is sure to deliver as it adds more than a dozen new players to the mix. Teen runaway, Yu-yu, whose empathy is matched only by his inability to say no to others, meets Megumi Okura. Megumi invites him to a mysterious destination, Dreamland Wonder Hill amusement park. There, he discovers intensely competitive groups like Team Blackout gather to play an exhilarating and alluring game called Vanguard. Yu-yu is drawn into this world of high stakes competition where he must balance new friendships against his drive for victory.
The Japanese production team includes director, Satoshi Mori (The Rising of the Shield Hero monster designer) and assistant director, Ryutaro Suzuki (Revue Starlight movie unit director) together with Hiroyuki Saita (Revue Starlight character designer) as character designer and chief animation director. Scripting is helmed by Natsuko Takahashi and Satoshi Mori. The series draws on character designs by CLAMP.
The seiyuu cast includes Shouta Aoi as Yu-yu Kondo, Yuki Ono as Danji Momoyama, Yuma Uchida as Tohya Ebata, Amane Shindo as Megumi Okura, Masahiro Ito as Zakusa Ishigame, Hikaru Tono as Tomari Seto and Yuki Nakashima as Mirei Minae.
Sentai will stream CARDFIGHT!! VANGUARD will+Dress on HIDIVE.
Sentai Harvests “I’ve Somehow Gotten Stronger When I Improved My Farm-Related Skills”
Sentai announced that it acquired exclusive rights to fantasy series I've Somehow Gotten Stronger When I Improved My Farm-Related Skills, based on the light novel series of the same name. Sentai will premiere the series exclusively on HIDIVE, its anime-focused streaming service, Fall 2022.
Al Wayne loves farming — and we don’t mean the video game sim. He wants to be a literal farmer, but in the process of improving his agriculture skills, he somehow winds up maxing out his overall character stats! He’s superpowered in the most unexpected of ways with abilities even the strongest of heroes would envy. Alas, all he wants is an idyllic farmer's life, but with demons and monsters invading the realm, Al may have to take up the mantle of hero just to keep his dreams from withering away!
I've Somehow Gotten Stronger When I Improved My Farm-Related Skills is based upon the light novel series originally published on the Shosetsuka ni Naro digital publishing site and later in Futabasha’s Monster Bunko imprint, where it sold over 700,000 copies.
The series is animated by Studio A-CAT (Frame Arms Girl, Getter Robo Arc, Battle Game in 5 Seconds). It is directed by Norihiko Nagahama (episode director for Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit, Trigun, Cardcaptor Sakura) with series composition from Touko Machida (scriptwriter for Space Brothers, My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU, KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World! 2). Takuro Iga (Tsuki ga Kirei, Kakuriyo: Bed and Breakfast for Spirits, Aria the Avvenire) composed the series’ musical score.
The series stars Junya Enoki (Jujutsu Kaisen, Dorohedoro, TONIKAWA: Over the Moon For You) as Al Wayne, Minami Tanaka (Kakegurui, Hanayamata, Zombieland Saga) as Fal Ys Meigis, Rumi Okubo (Place to Place, Death Parade, Talentless Nana) as Helen Lean and Ayaka Suwa (The Fruit of Grisaia, Tanaka-kun is Always Listless, Riddle Story of Devil) as Ruri.
I've Somehow Gotten Stronger When I Improved My Farm-Related Skills will premiere exclusively on HIDIVE during the Fall 2022 simulcast season with a home video release to follow.
Sentai Announces Multi-Year Merchandising and Programming License for “Chiikawa”
Sentai Holdings announced that it entered into a multi-year merchandising and programming license for Chiikawa, the vibrant, adorable new franchise taking Japan by storm. Originally launched as a web comic, the series together with its joyously cute characters is delighting millions of Japanese fans and producing record sales. The franchise and characters were created by the talented illustrator nagano, who has collaborated with other popular series such as Pokémon and Sanrio, and whose illustrations and works have touched countless fans over the years. The world of Chiikawa is all about small, cute things but it is already a top trending franchise in Japan. Now these colorful, emotive characters are poised to take on the world!
“We are thrilled to introduce Chiikawa to fans outside Japan and provide a platform for this exciting new franchise,” said John Ledford, President and GM of Sentai. “Chiikawa’s character design lends the IP universal appeal, and we’re confident our forthcoming Chiikawa collection will bring to life the characters fans have already come to know and love in Japan and around the world.”
An anime adaptation of Chiikawa will premiere exclusively on HIDIVE, Sentai’s anime-focused streaming service, during Summer 2022, with additional distribution on select platforms and networks based on upcoming licensing deals. Sentai will distribute the series to audiences in North America, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa, the Netherlands, Scandinavia and Nordic Countries, Spain, Portugal, Central and South America, the Middle East and North Africa.
The anime series is produced by Doga Kobo studios (Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun, Tada Never Falls in Love, Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle) and directed by Takenori Mihara (A Bridge to the Starry Skies). The anime series stars the ten-year-old Haruka Aoki in her first voice acting role as the titular character, Chiikawa.
Chiikawa will premiere exclusively on HIDIVE in Summer 2022 and other select outlets with a home video to follow.
Sentai Picks up “Reincarnated as a Sword” Anime for Fall 2022 Simulcast
Sentai announced that it acquired exclusive rights to Reincarnated as a Sword, the genre-bending isekai anime series based on the light novels by Yu Tanaka, for audiences worldwide (excluding Asia). Tentatively planned as a Fall 2022 simulcast, the series will premiere exclusively on HIDIVE and its anime-focused streaming services.
Some isekai protagonists are reincarnated as powerful warriors or skilled wizards, but our protagonist was reborn in another life as a sentient sword! He’s taken up by Fran, a desperate girl fleeing evil-doers intent on selling her into slavery. With her new weapon’s help and guidance, she’s able to strike down her captors and secure her freedom. Together, this unconventional master-student duo embark on an epic journey to liberate those in need and exact justice on the cruel of heart.
The Reincarnated as a Sword light novel series upon which the anime is based began as a web novel on the Shousetsuka ni Narou site, with over 2 million copies sold and 250,000 daily views. The series comprises 12 novels published by GC Novels (publisher of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime), a manga adaptation published by Gentosha, and a spin-off manga series in Micro Magazine.
The Reincarnated as a Sword anime series is produced by C2C (Tsukimichi -Moonlit Fantasy-, Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina, WorldEnd: What do you do at the end of the world? Are you busy? Will you save us?) and directed by Shinji Ishihara (Log Horizon, Fairy Tail, Sasaki and Miyano). The illustrator of the light novels, LLO (Unbreakable Machine-Doll, Oreshura, Mushi-Uta), provides original character design. Yasuharu Takanashi (Log Horizon, Zombieland Saga: Revenge, Mononoke) provides the series’ music.
The series stars Ai Kakuma (Amagi Brilliant Park, Monster Musume: Everyday Life with Monster Girls, Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation) as Fran and Shinichiro Miki (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Pokémon, Nisemonogatari) as Shishou.
Reincarnated as a Sword will premiere exclusively on HIDIVE in Fall 2022 (tentative) with a home video release to follow.
Sentai Sets up “Peter Grill and the Philosopher’s Time” Season 2 for 2022
Sentai announced that it acquired the second season of Peter Grill and the Philosopher’s Time, the outrageously irreverent comedy anime series based on Daisuke Hiyama’s manga of the same name that delighted anime fans with laugh-out-loud humor and cheeky innuendo. The series will premiere on HIDIVE in 2022.
Peter Grill is back and ready for action! Between quelling a goblin incursion, improving trade negotiations with the dwarves and placating a watchful sister who might just go berserk to keep him in line, Peter has his work cut out for him. He’s the most sought-after hero in the land…and that’s before counting the myriad woman interested in his “other” talents. It will take every last scrap of Peter’s willpower to keep his focus on heroing in another raunchy season of Peter Grill and the Philosopher’s Time - Super Extra!
Produced by returning animation studio Wolfsbane (Banished from the Hero's Party, I Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside) and joined by studio Seven (I Can't Understand What My Husband Is Saying), the series is directed by Tatsumi (Peter Grill and the Philosopher’s Time Season 1), who also serves as the series’ new chief animation director.
The second season of Peter Grill and the Philosopher's Time stars returning seiyuu Hiro Shimono (Log Horizon 2) as Peter Grill, Ayana Taketatsu (Queen’s Blade Rebellion) as Mimi Alpacas, Hibiku Yamamura (Frame Arms Girl) as Lisa Alpacas, Sayaka Sembongi (Ahiru no Sora) as Piglette Pancetta, Akari Uehara (WorldEnd: What do you do at the end of the world? Are you busy? Will you save us?) as Vegan Eldoriel, Mikoi Sasaki (Kemono Friends) as Gobco Ngiel and Suzuna Kinoshita (DOREIKU: The Animation) as Lucy Grill. They are joined by Shiori Izawa (MADE IN ABYSS) as Misslim Netherlant and Kana Yuki (Black Clover) as Fulltalia Eldoriel.
Peter Grill and the Philosopher’s Time - Super Extra will premiere on HIDIVE in 2022 with a home video release to follow.
Sentai Snaps up “Ragna Crimson” Anime Series for 2023
Sentai announced today that it acquired exclusive rights to Ragna Crimson, the action-packed fantasy anime adaptation of the manga by Daiki Kobayashi. Tentatively planned as a 2023 simulcast, the series will premiere exclusively on HIDIVE and its anime-focused streaming services.
Dragons reign terror over the earth, sea and sky. If sworn dragon hunters like Ragna are to have any hope of dealing death to these seemingly invincible, fire-breathing beasts, they must find a way to level the odds. Ragna teams up with a mysterious man named Crimson who has likewise sworn to stand against the dragons menacing the world. But although Crimson’s motivations may be mysterious, his goal and Ragna’s perfectly align, and together they’ll fight to vanquish the dragons once and for all.
The manga series upon which the anime is based is published in Square Enix’s monthly Gangan Joker magazine, which has previously published hit titles such as Akame ga Kill!, Is it Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? On the Side: Sword Oratoria and The Case Study of Vanitas.
Ragna Crimson will premiere exclusively on HIDIVE in 2023 (tentative) with a home video release to follow.
Source: Official Press Release