×
  • remind me tomorrow
  • remind me next week
  • never remind me
Subscribe to the ANN Newsletter • Wake up every Sunday to a curated list of ANN's most interesting posts of the week. read more

Anime Spotlight - Drifters

by Chih-Chieh Chang,
On air starting October 7, 2016 (in Japan)

Key Staff

Director: Kenichi Suzuki
(Gundam Evolve (OAV), JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (TV))
Series Composition: Hideyuki Kurata
(Kannagi: Crazy Shrine Maidens (TV), The Labyrinth of Grisaia (special), Oreimo (TV), The World God Only Knows (TV), Welcome to THE SPACE SHOW (movie))






Story

The year is 1600, a decisive battle in Sekigahara --
Toyohisa Shimazu, a military commander for the Shimazu clan in Satsuma, escaped jaws of death after the strategic withdrawal which he volunteered to lead and was wandering the mountains all alone. In the pouring rain, he arrived at a room that looked like a corridor with countless doors -- and without time to question "Murasaki", the mysterious man who was there, Toyohisa is sent to the other side of a stone door.
--It was a world where a country named Orte ruled, an alternate universe where humans and "non-humans" called demi-humans lived.

Along with Nobunaga Oda, Yoichi Nasu No, and various war heroes who have drifted here from differing generations, Toyohisa and his unwavering ideas as a samurai to rush through the battlefields of an alternate universe!

Characters

Toyohisa Shimazu (CV: Yuichi Nakamura)

A military commander in Satsuma during the Japanese Civil War era. Full name Toyohisa Nakatsukasa-shoyu Shimazu.
Participated in the battle of Sekigahara as part of the western army. During the retreat, stands up prepared to die to stop the enemies who were assaulting his uncle. He escaped the jaws of death and was wandering around when he is sent to an alternate universe by "Murasaki". Has an excellent sense for battle, and a daring and resolute personality that doesn't hesitate to risk his own life to attack. Rewarding obligations and angered at cruelty, he is one with much chivalrous spirit.

Nobunaga Oda (CV: Naoya Uchida)

A feudal lord of Owari in the Japanese Civil War era. Full name Nobunaga Sakinoufu Oda.
Has an exceptional eye for strategy. With the slogan "Unify the Nation by Force" and many guns (a new weapon at the time), he sought to unify Japan. Right before his ambitions came to fruit, he was betrayed by his follower Mitsuhide Akechi, and was supposedly killed in Honnouji Temple.
Even in the alternate universe, his strategems are present, and uses his resources both inside and outside battle as the strategist for Toyohisa's entourage.

Yoichi Nasu No (CV: Mitsuki Saiga)

A military commander under Genji towards the end of the Heian era. Full name Yoichi Suketaka Nasu No.
Born the youngest of 11. Served under Yoshitune Minamoto No during the Genpei War. He has extraordinary archery skills, such that in the battle of Yashima, he shot through a target drawn on a hand fan while swaying in the ocean waves.
Since being sent to the alternate universe, he had used a ruined castle as his home base along with Nobunaga.
So beautiful that many mistake him as a woman.

Hannibal Barca (CV: Yutaka Aoyama)

Genius strategist of Carthage which was laid to ruins by Rome. An old man with one eye.
In the Punic Wars, he entered the peninsula of Italy by going over the Alps, and caused much confusion in Rome.
Shows signs of weakening due to old age, but sometimes regains his abilities as an illustrious general and advises Nobunaga and company.
He and his rival Skipio are like cats and dogs. Loves raspberries.

Scipio Africanus (CV: Hiroshi Yanaka)

A general in the republic of Rome.
The hero who, in the Battle of Zama, broke through the Carthaginian force led by rival Hannibal to mark the end of the Second Punic War.
After arriving in Orte, he has been under the protection of the October System along with Hannibal.

Haruakira Abe No (CV: Takahiro Sakurai)

Active onmyouji in the capital of Kyoto in the Heian era. A super-multitasking man whose capabilities range from a professor of astronomy to Harima governor (bureaucrat). As the head of the "October System", a magical syndicate, he watches over and protects the "drifters". Looks young, but apparently is an 83-year-old man.

Olmine (CV: Shiho Kokido)

Haruakira Abe No's apprentice and magician in the October System.
Can use magical talismans to translate or make stone walls appear.
Nicknamed "Olmine the Sarcophagus". Under her master's command, watches over Toyohisa and company that use a ruined castle as their base.
Due to her large breasts, Nobunaga makes a perverted mistake concerning her name.

Cafeto (CV: Masakazu Nishida)

A magician belonging to the October System.
Under Haruakira Abe No's orders, watches over and protects the "drifters".
Seems to be rather high up to speak to Seimei as peers, but his true nature is unknown.

Kokuo (CV: Taiten Kusunoki)

The leader of the "Ends" that seeks destruction of the world.
Leads an army of demi-humans and calls himself the determined disaster.
He dons a tattered linen cloth, and expressions cannot be seen on his face that has turned into deep shadows.
Has supernatural powers to proliferate cells to increase food supply or heal wounded bodies.

Jeanne d'Arc (CV: Junko Minagawa)

Led the French army in the Hundred Years' War against England. Guided many battles to victory but was captures, and was burned at the stake as a heretic. In the Kokuo army, she shows an insane and battle-hungry demeanor. Wears armor adorned with a reverse cross, and along with her short hair, her gender is unclear at first glance. Has very small breasts.

Gilles de Rais (CV: Kenji Nomura)

Fought for liberation of his country alongside Jeanne d'Arc in the Hundred Years' War. After Jeanne's death, he delved into alchemy and black magic, ultimately kidnapping and slaughtering several hundred boys.
Acts in concert with Jeanne even after becoming part of Ends. Using his extraordinary physique and toughness, he brandishes a large spear.

Anastasia Nikolaevna Romanova (CV: Junko Kitanishi)

Born as the 4th princess to Nicholas II, the last emperor of Russia, but dethroned in the Russian Revolution of 1917. One year later, she was shot to death at a young age of 17.
A cold-hearted, mysterious, beautiful woman. Within Ends where many have stepped into the world of madness, her behavior is relatively decent, and also has the calmness to extensively analyze the situation.

Rasputin (CV: Masahiko Tanaka)

A "strange priest" that supposedly controlled the tail end of the Russian empire from the shadows by currying favors with the emperor Nicholas II. Assassinated by forces that were dissatisfied with Rasputin's intervention in political matters.
While taking on the role of strategist for Kokuo's army, he stands by Anastasia's side like her shadow. Casts magic using paper talisman, and creates written language, making him rather versatile.
Normally a very calm man, but when his own plans go out of whack, he tends to fall apart.

Toshizo Hijikata (CV: Hiroki Yasumoto)

Vice-captain of the Shinsengumi. Active as the demonic vice-captain, he was feared even by his soldiers. Travels all around during the Boshin War, but is killed in action during the defense of Goryokaku.
Due to the happenings in the Boshin wars, has a strong hatred towards Satsuma and Shimazu. Even as part of Ends, his swordsmanship is spectacular, and can slice through walls and doors with one slash. Has the special ability to call forth the spirits of the Shinsengumi during battle.

Naoshi Kanno (CV: Tatsuhisa Suzuki)

A pilot for the Japanese Imperial Navy. Captain of the 301st Combat Squadron, nicknamed "Shinsengumi".
In the Pacific War, he shot down many enemy planes and showed great war results.
Went missing on August 1, 1945, after communications that his machine gun accidentally went off.
Very frank, and habitually says "you idiot" and "damn you".

Butch Cassidy (CV: Daisuke Ono)

Formed the Wild Bunch robbery group during the American Old West era.
As the leader, along with his partner Kid, repeatedly robbed banks and trans to infamy.
Even in the alternate universe, acts in tandem with Kid. Wields two pistols.

Sundance Kid (CV: Wataru Takagi)

Active member of the Wild Bunch robbery group during the American Old West era.
Unlike Butch, he has a commonplace, sturdy personality.
Acts in tandem with Butch even in the alternate universe. Wields a gatling gun.

Murasaki (CV: Mitsuru Miyamoto)

A mysterious man that keeps sending Drifters to an alternate universe.
Reticent and a heavy smoker. At odds with EASY who keep sending Ends into the world.
Has a desk in the center of the strange corridor that has many doors lined up, and performs his tasks matter-of-factly.
By reading a newspaper that automatically shows what is going on in the alternate universe, he has a grasp of what the Drifters and Ends are up to.

EASY (CV: Kanae Ito)

A mysterious girl that keeps sending Ends to an alternate universe.
Unlike Murasaki, her expression of emotion is plentiful. Has a rather hysterical personality.
At odds with Murasaki who keep sending Drifters into the world.
Checks what the Drifters and Ends are up to with a computer that automatically sends messages.

Yoshitsune Minamoto No (CV: Akira Ishida)

A military commander in the tail end of the Heian era. Full name Yoshitsune Kurou Hougan Minamoto No.
In the Genpei Wars, he defeated the Taira clan using unconventional tactics that doesn't hesitate to use unfair methods.
A mysterious figure that is unknown whether his allegiance is with the Drifters or with the Ends. A pleasure-seeker.

Cast

Toyohisa Shimazu
Yuichi Nakamura
Nobunaga Oda
Naoya Uchida
Yoichi Nasu No
Mitsuki Saiga
Naoshi Kanno
Tatsuhisa Suzuki
Hannibal
Yutaka Aoyama
Skipio
Hiroshi Yanaka
Butch
Daisuke Ono
Kid
Wataru Takagi
Haruakira Abe No
Takahiro Sakurai
Olmine
Shiho Kokido
Cafeto
Masakazu Nishida
Yoshitsune Kurou Hougan Minamoto No
Akira Ishida
Kokuo
Taiten Kusunoki
Jeanne d'Arc
Junko Minagawa
Gilles de Rais
Kenji Nomura
Anastasia Nikolaevna Romanova
Junko Kitanishi
Rasputin
Masahiko Tanaka
Toshizo Hijikata
Hiroki Yasumoto
Murasaki
Mitsuru Miyamoto
EASY
Kanae Ito
Shara
Jyunji Majima
Mark
Tomoko Tsuduki
Marsha
Sayori Ishizuka

Staff

Original Story
Kouta Hirano (Serialized in YOUNG KING OURS)
Director
Kenichi Suzuki
Series Composition/Screenplay
Hideyuki Kurata
Screenplay
Yosuke Kuroda
Character Design/Chief Animation Director
Ryoji Nakamori
Art Director
Kenichi Tatefuji (SEE THROU STUDIO)
CG Director
Tomoyuki Takae (Lucky Pictures Ltd.)
CG Producer
Garyo Tanaka (FelixFilm)
Color Coordinator
Haruko Nobori (Hiyori)
Color Coordinator Assistant
Ryoji Nagasawa
Director of Photography
Yasuhiko Abe (Rare Trick)
Editing
Kiyoshi Hirose
Sound Director
Yota Tsuruoka
Music
Yasushi Ishii / Hayato Matsuo
Ending
Maon Kurosaki
Setting Documentation
Seiichi Shirato
Calligraphy Design
Setta
Animation Production
HOODS DRIFTERS STUDIO

discuss this in the forum (3 posts) |
bookmark/share with: short url

back to Anime Spotlight Fall 2016 - The List
Anime Spotlight homepage / archives