TV Tokyo unveiled plans for an exciting addition to its lineup with the introduction of a new Sunday night anime programming block. The inaugural show to grace this new slot will be “Blue Archive The Animation,” the much-anticipated television anime adaptation of the popular Blue Archive smartphone role-playing game developed by Yostar and Nexon Games.
Scheduled to premiere on April 7 at 11:45 p.m. JST, the anime aims to captivate audiences across TV Tokyo and its affiliates, promising a fresh approach to anime viewing. This strategic move by the network is geared towards expanding the reach of anime content to a wider audience.
Following its TV Tokyo debut, “Blue Archive The Animation” will also air on BS11 starting April 8 at 24:00 JST (effectively April 9 at 12 midnight JST). Additionally, Japanese viewers can catch the anime via streaming platforms such as the d Anime Store, U-NEXT, Amazon Prime Video, and other local streaming sites.
The official X (formerly Twitter) account for the anime made the premiere announcement on Monday, accompanied by a captivating version of the main visual featuring the premiere date. Building anticipation further, the anime’s staff treated fans to a character promotional video for Haruka Igusa, voiced by Erika Ishitobi, released on Sunday.
Fans can expect “Blue Archive The Animation” to adapt the thrilling “Countermeasures Committee” arc from the original game. The anime is poised to make a splash at the upcoming AnimeJapan 2024 event scheduled for March 23-24.
The star-studded cast includes Konomi Kohara as Arona, Yui Ogura as Shiroko Sunaōkami, Yumiri Hanamori as Hishino Takanashi, Ayaka Ōhashi as Serika Kuromi, and more, promising a stellar performance under the direction of Daigo Yamagishi, known for works like “YuruYuri” and “Show By Rock!! Stars!!.”
Behind the scenes, the anime boasts a talented team with Shunji Maki as assistant director, Hiroshi Ohnogi and Yamagishi overseeing series scripts, and Hiromitsu Hagiwara serving as character designer and chief animation director. Notable staff members include Kazuhiro Arai as art director, Koji Hamaoka handling color design, and Haruka Gotō as director of photography.
With Yostar Pictures and Candy Box at the helm of animation production, fans can anticipate top-notch visuals and storytelling, building on the success of previous collaborations such as “Azur Lane: Slow Ahead!” and “Arknights: Prelude to Dawn.”
Nexon, the mastermind behind the original game, has already hinted at the possibility of future anime projects should “Blue Archive The Animation” resonate with audiences. The game’s intriguing storyline, set in a city where academies vie for dominance amidst mysterious disappearances, promises a captivating narrative rich in action, romance, and friendship.
“Blue Archive” initially launched in Japan on February 4, 2021, before its global release on November 8, 2021, garnering a dedicated fanbase with its free-to-play model and immersive gameplay experience.
As anticipation mounts for the premiere of “Blue Archive The Animation,” anime enthusiasts eagerly await to embark on this thrilling new adventure set to unfold on TV screens and streaming platforms alike.
