Tatsunoko Celebrates its 55th Anniversary with an Original Anime

A new original anime is announced in commemoration of the 55th anniversary of the anime studio Tatsunoko Productions. Titled as “Egao no Daika” a.k.a. “The Cost of Smiles,” cast, staff, and other details have been confirmed for the film.

Working on the series as the director is Toshimasa Suzuki, the director behind “Heroic Age.” With him as the scriptwriter is Shinichi Inotsume, a writer known for having worked on the “Hayate the Combat Butler” series. Credited for the original character designs is “Musasino’s!” artist, NOB-C. In addition to this, they have been credited for the original story concept with Hikaru Yuasa. As for the character designs for the animation, it will be taken on by Naoto Nakamura, the artist behind the “High School Fleet” character designs.

Other staff members to work on the series are Kazuya Tanaka as sound director and Tsubasa Itō will be working on the music composition. On the note of music, both the opening and ending theme of the series has also been revealed along with the performers. Performing the opening theme song “Egao no Kanata” (Beyond the Smiles) is Chiho feat. majiko. The ending theme song “Kono Sekai ni Hanataba” (A Bouquet For This World) will be performed by artist kimi no orphée.

Back in March at AnimeJapan 2018, Tatsunoko teased the anime with a visual. The text that was on it read: “A girl who only had her smile to protect her, a girl whose smile will save the world."

Now the studio reveals the story as follows:

On a planet far from Earth, there is a kingdom full of smiling faces. Princess Yūki is 12 years old, and about to enter a sensitive age in a person’s life. Every dayEvery day, she cries, laughs, and sometimes, her heart throbs with excitement. All the while, she lives merrily in the royal palace.
Filling her days with color are her loyal vassals: her tutor Reira, Izana who assists in political affairs, the leader of the chivalry Harold … and then, there is her childhood friend and aide Joshua.

This is a story of two girls born on distant planets.

Two cast members have been confirmed to star in the anime. Playing the role Yūki Soleil, a princess of a kingdom which has lasted eons, is Yumiri Hanamori, a voice actress currently cast in “That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime” as Shizu. Her character is described to be an innocent, naive, and expressive girl who is often laughing, crying, or getting angry.

The second cast to star in the series is Saori Hayami, the voice behind “Snow White with the Red Hair’s” protagonist, Shirayuki. She will be voicing “the girl who is always smiling when she deals with people”, Stella Shining. Her character is also described as having a reserved side and is an excellent soldier.

The anime will be making its debut in January 2019 and will be aired on the WOWOW, Tokyo MX, and YTV channels.

Source: AnimeNewsNetwork