It has been announced that the TV anime "Awashima Hyakkei," based on the manga by Takako Shimura, who is also known for "Aoi Hana" and "Hōrō Musuko," will be broadcast on Fuji TV every Thursday from 1:45 a.m. starting Getsuku. It has also been announced that Mika Nakashima will be performing the ending theme, "Hikari."
The cast for the trio of close friends who are preparatory students who enroll at Awashima Opera School out of admiration for the school has also been announced. Kana Ichinose will play Takanashi Sara, a bright and friendly girl; Shimizu Risa will play Fujisawa Eri, who enrolled at Awashima Opera School after being hurt by relationships in middle school; and Asuna Tomari will play Gagakugawa Shizuka, who appears quiet at first glance but has a deep passion in her heart.
The story is set at Awashima Opera School, where girls from all over the country gather to dream of performing on stage. It is a coming-of-age graffiti that depicts the irreplaceable days of Wakana, a freshman who enrolls with the dream of becoming a musical star, Kinue, the dorm supervisor who continues to study while carrying the hopes of her best friend, and Emi, a beautiful scholarship student with an overwhelming presence. It also garnered attention when it was selected for the Excellence Award at the Japan Media Arts Festival, an award given by the Agency for Cultural Affairs.
The anime will be directed by Morio Asaka, known for "Chihayafuru" and "My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999," and produced by Madhouse. Nakabayashi Arika will play Tabata Wakana, a preparatory student at Awashima Opera School who dreams of becoming a museum star, while Daichi Yo will play Takehara Kinue, a regular student who pursues a career in theater, carrying the hopes of her best friend.
◇Comment from Mika Nakashima
I am very happy to be in charge of the ending song for "Awashima Hyakkei." This song also contains the message, "Even if you are lost, there is always light at the end of the path you walk," and "I hope you will find your own light and let it shine." I can't wait for the anime to air! I hope you enjoy the song as well.
◇Comment from Kana Ichinose
I hope you will watch over the dazzling and bittersweet atmosphere that flows through the world of "One Hundred Views of Awashima," the small changes that occur within it, and the thoughts of each of the women, with a gentle feeling of empathy.
◇Comment from Shimizu Risa, who plays Fujiwara Eri
I was deeply moved by the delicate emotions of these dreamy girls and read the story with great enthusiasm. I have felt that the "emotional wounds" we carry from the past remain on our bodies stubbornly like scabs. Eri has a bright and honest personality, but I tried to carefully capture the feelings deep within her during the dubbing. Please take a look.
◇Comment from Asuna Tomari, who plays Gagakugawa Shizuka
When I came into contact with the world of "One Hundred Views of Awashima" through Shizuka, it was as if the wind of those days was gently coming back to me. I performed the role with care, while experiencing the difficulties of acting. I hope that the scent of the Awashima wind reaches everyone.
◇Staff (titles omitted)
Director: Morio Asaka ▽ Character design: Kunihiko Hamada ▽ Series composition: Yasuhiro Nakanishi ▽ Art director: Gouki Nakamura ▽ Color design: Harue Ohno ▽ Director of photography: Junko Sakai ▽ Music: Takahiro Obata ▽ Animation production: Madhouse
◇Cast (titles omitted)
Wakana Tabata: Arata Nakabayashi▽Kinue Takehara: Daichiha▽Ryoko Ueda: Ai Kayano ▽Emi Okabe: Natsumi Fujiwara ▽Keiko Ibuki: Ayumi Tsunematsu ▽Sara Takanashi: Kana Ichinose ▽Eri Fujisawa: Risa Shimizu▽Shizuka Gagakugawa: Asuna Tomari
