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Akiko Shikata to Perform Yona of the Dawn Anime's 2nd Ending
posted on by Sarah Nelkin
The official website for the television anime adaptation of Mizuho Kusanagi's Akatsuki no Yona (Yona of the Dawn) announced on Wednesday that singer-songwriter Akiko Shikata will perform the second ending theme song for the anime, which will premiere when the series enters its second cour (fourth of a year). The title of the song has not yet been announced.
Shikata commented on the collaboration, saying:
At the meeting we had for the ending theme, I first met the director and staff, and I was touched at their passion toward [Akatsuki no Yona]! I'll do my very best to not lose to their love for the work, and help make the anime even just a little bit better with my ending theme.
Shikata has composed and sung for video game developer Gust's Ar Tonelico series and Ciel nosurge, as well as its sequel Ar nosurge. Shikata has also performed theme songs for A Dark Rabbit Has Seven Lives, Tales of Symphonia the Animation: Tethe'alla Episode, and Umineko When They Cry among others, and also composed the soundtrack for the currently-broadcasting Sunrise anime CROSS ANGE Rondo of Angel and Dragon.
Funimation describes the story of the anime:
Upon her sixteenth birthday, the cheerful Princess Yona intended to tell her doting father of her love for SuWon, but her life was turned upside down after witnessing the man she loves cruelly assassinating her father. Heartbroken by this painful betrayal, Princess Yona fled the palace with her loyal servant Hak. Now, she will take up the sword and the bow on a quest to gain new allies and protect her beloved people.
Kazuhiro Yoneda (technical director on Gekijō-ban Tiger & Bunny -The Rising-, Aquarion Evol) is directing the anime at Studio Pierrot (The World Is Still Beautiful). Shinichi Inotsume (Hayate the Combat Butler, Zettai Karen Children) is in charge of the series scripts, and Maho Yoshikawa (Amnesia) is designing the characters. Kunihiko Ryo (The Twelve Kingdoms, Emma) is composing the music with sound director Yukio Nagasaki (Ao Haru Ride, Love Live!).
Mizuho Kusanagi, the creator of Mugen Spiral, Game X Rush, and NG Life, launched the Akatsuki no Yona manga in 2009, and Hakusensha published the 15th volume in September. The ninth and 15th manga volumes bundled drama CD adaptations.
The anime premiered in Japan in October. Crunchyroll streaming the series as it airs in Japan, and Funimation has licensed the series for North American home video release.
Update: Added comment from Akiko Shikata.
this article has been modified since it was originally posted; see change history