Anime producer and distributor Pony Canyon participated in Anime Expo Lite 2020, which streamed online on July 3-4. Known for producing countless anime titles in Japan and releasing several in the United States, such as Welcome to the Ballroom, DENKI-GAI, Yuki Yuna is a Hero, Rokka: Braves of the Six Flowers, Days, and Sound! Euphonium, they discussed at their panel a handful of movies and shows that are in the works. Cat with Monocle was watching, and here’s what we saw.
Happy-Go-Lucky Days
Described as a love story with a twist, this theatrical movie revolves around three different relationships: one between two women who connect at their mutual ex-boyfriend’s wedding, one between a male student who confesses to his male teacher, and one between adolescent childhood friends of the opposite sex.
Based on the well-received manga by Takako Shimura, the film was due to be released earlier this year, but it was delayed as a result of the global pandemic. Happy-Go Lucky Days‘s official Japanese website open to the public.
SSSS.Dynazenon
SSSS.Dynazenon is the sequel to the 2018 series, SSSS.Gridman, about a high school student named Yuta Hibiki who can merge with the inter-dimensional being Gridman in order to fight monstrous kaiju. Much still needs to be revealed about this title, but it will be animated by Studio Trigger, and key staff members who worked on its predecessor will be returning. SSSS.Dynazenon‘s official Japanese website open to the public.
Deemo: The Movie
Deemo, the popular rhythm videogame by Taiwanese developer Rayark, is being adapted into an CG animated film, co-animated by famed anime studio Production I.G and its subsidiary Signal.MD. The story involves a solitary piano player named Deemo, a girl with no memory who falls from the sky, and a tree growing in a castle. The original game was praised for its music and story, as well as its gameplay. The movie will feature original music by Yuki Kajiura, who worked on several anime series, such as Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Sword Art Online, and Demon Slayer. Deemo: The Movie‘s official Japanese website (translated for English) open to the public.
Dragon’s House-Hunting
In this comedic fantasy series, a young red dragon named Letty is kicked out of his home by his family for being timid and weak. Hoping to find a dream home where he can be safe, he encounters Dearia, a sly elf lord and talented architect, who takes him on as a client to help him out. The world isn’t exactly kind to dragons, so it will be quite the search.
Based on the manga written by Kawo Tanuki and illustrated by Choco Aya, the television series will be adapted by Signal.MD. Dragon’s House-Hunting‘s official Japanese website open to the public.
Tokyo Revengers
Living in a lousy apartment and working a job he hates, Takemichi Hanagaki learns one day that his one-time girlfriend from middle school was killed by a nefarious and well-known gang. Not long after, he is standing on a train station platform and is pushed onto the tracks. However, instead of dying, Takemichi finds himself having travelled twelve years into the past. He vows to do whatever it takes to not only save his ex-girlfriend but also to change his own life for the better.
Based on the popular manga written and illustrated by Ken Wakui, the Tokyo Revengers series is set to air in 2021 in Japan. Tokyo Revengers‘s official Japanese website open to the public.
Adachi and Shimamura
Adachi Sakura and Shimamura Hougetsu are two high school girls who meet one day while skipping class. They end up hanging out a lot afterward, becoming great friends in the process. And maybe something more.
Based on the yuri light novel series of the same name written by Hitoma Iruma and illustrated by Non, this television series is being animated by Tezuka Productions and is scheduled to premiere in the fall of 2020. Funimation has already picked up the rights to stream it in North America.