Tatsuomi Uesugi (CV: Tomoaki Maeno) (C) Shinobu Otaka, Kodansha / "Orient" Production Committee The second course "Awaji Island Gekijou Hen" of the TV anime "Orient" will start in July. New cast members include Tomoaki Maeno, Natsuki Hanae, Yoshiki Nakajima, Koki Uchiyama, and Takehito Kajiwara. The film is based on a battle action manga serialized in "Bessatsu Shonen Magazine" (Kodansha Ltd.) by Shinobu Otaka, the creator of "Magi". Set in the Warring States period when demons rule the country, Musashi (CV: Yuma Uchida) and Kojiro Kanemaki (Souma Saito) pledge to each other to form the strongest warrior group and throw themselves into battles to exterminate demons. The first course, "Aki Tabidachi Hen," just aired its final episode at midnight on March 23. Maeno plays the role of Tatsuomi Uesugi, one of the "five outstanding generals" who is said to be the strongest in Japan and the leader of the Uesugi Bushidan, which unites the Uesugi Alliance. Hanae plays the role of Naoe Kanetsugu, who is in charge of the Uesugi Bushidan's account, and Nakajima plays the role of Amakasu Masanori, a member of the Uesugi Bushidan who respects Kanetsugu. Uchiyama will play the role of Akihiro Shimazu, son of the head of Shimazu Bushidan, and Kajiwara will play the role of Katsumi Amago, son of the head of Amago Bushidan who was based in Awaji Island. Maeno will also appear on a special stage at AnimeJapan 2022 on March 26. He will talk about the appeal of the work with Uchida, Saito, and Takahashi Riyo, who plays the role of Hattori Tsugumi. It was also announced that the title of the stand-alone event to be held on June 19 at Atsugi City Cultural Hall in Kanagawa will be "'Orient' Thanksgiving Festival 2022 Summer," and Uchiyama and Kajiwara will make special appearances. Kiyono Yasuno, who plays Michiru Saruwatari, will also make an additional appearance. The ticket price is 7,800 yen, and a priority lottery for purchasers of Blu-ray Vol. 1 will be held from March 25 to April 17. Below are comments from the cast and a congratulatory illustration from the original author, Mr. Otaka. Tomoaki Maeno (Tatsuomi Uesugi) (C) Shinobu Otaka, Kodansha / "Orient" Production Committee I am very honored to take on the important role of Tatsuomi Uesugi. I admire the character a lot because he has a lot of things that I don't have: gravitas, charisma, high leadership skills, and a large capacity as a human being. I have a lot of things that I admire in him, and I look forward to working with the cast of Uesugi's army as we work together in recording. Natsuki Hanae (Kanetatsu Naoe) (C) Shinobu Otaka, Kodansha / "Orient" Production Committee I am honored to be a part of this production! The original story was interesting and I read it in one sitting. At the time of the anime, there is still a lot of mystery as to what kind of person Kaneryu is, but I am sure something will happen when he comes out again in the future! I'll look forward to playing him again and keep my demon iron sword polished! Yoshiki Nakajima (playing Masaki Amakasu) (c) Shinobu Otaka, Kodansha / "Orient" Production Committee I will be playing the role of Akihiro Shimazu, a member of the Shimazu Samurai Order. I will do my best to express his unique atmosphere and the various feelings he has. In addition to the cool action, I think the appeal of this work lies in the human drama in which various people's thoughts clash with each other and the large scale battles. Please watch and see how their fates unfold! Koki Uchiyama (as Akihiro Shimazu) (C) Shinobu Otaka, Kodansha / "Orient" Production Committee I will be playing the role of Akihiro Shimazu, a member of the Shimazu Bushidan. I will do my best to express his unique atmosphere and the various feelings he has. In addition to the cool action, I think the appeal of this work lies in the human drama in which various people's thoughts clash with each other and the large scale battles. Please watch and find out what happens to these people! Takehito Kajiwara (Katsumi Amago) (C) Shinobu Otaka, Kodansha / "Orient" Production Committee My name is Takehito Kajiwara and I will be playing the role of Katsumi Amago. I personally love the fact that all the members of the Amago Bushidan wear glasses, which I find cute ...... (laughs). I hope I can enjoy playing him, who is sometimes not so honest, but somehow has a caring and kind nature! I look forward to joining the world of Orient, thank you! Shinobu Otaka (original story) (c) Shinobu Otaka, Kodansha / "Orient" Production Committee
【Background】
・Graduated from Kyoto University with a major in Japanese Culture Studies, Faculty of Letters
・After graduation, worked 4 years as editor and proofreader for a print magazine specializing in traditional performing arts and culture
・Became a freelance journalist in 2021 and launched japanculturean.com in 2022
【Expertise】
・Pop-Culture Fusion Analysis
Analytical commentary on how modern pop-culture media (anime, film, fashion) incorporates and reinterprets traditional Japanese motifs.
