(C)2022 Rooster Teeth Productions, LLC/Team RWBY Project The new TV anime "RWBY: Ice and Snow Empire," based on the American 3D web animation "RWBY" and directed by Shaft of the "Monogatari" series, will be produced by the new project "Team RWBY Project," which started on February 1, 2012. Released by Rooster Teeth Productions in 2012 and running through its eighth season, "RWBY" is a battle fantasy that pays respect to Japanese works. Set in Remnant, a world where science and magic coexist, "RWBY" follows Ruby Rose, who enrolls in Beacon Academy, which trains "hunters" to protect people from the threat of the monster "Grimm. Together with Schnee, Blake Belladonna, and his sister Yan Xiaolong, they form "Team RWBY" and overcome various hardships. Shaft is in charge of animation production. The original animation plan is by Gen UROBUCHI of "Puella Magi Madoka Magica," series composition and script by Tow Ubukata of "Soukyu no Fafner" series, animation character plan by huke of "Steins;Gate," and director Toshimasa Suzuki of "Egaonodaika" series. A key visual depicting the four members of "Team RWBY" by Nobuhiro Sugiyama, character designer and chief animation director, has also been released. The cast continues from the original Japanese dubbed version. Saori Hayami plays Ruby, Yoko Hikasa plays Weiss, Yu Shimamura plays Blake, and Ami Koshimizu plays Yang. Hiro Shimono as Joan Arc, Aya Suzaki as Leela Valkyrie, Megumi Toyoguchi as Pyora Nikos, Soma Saito as Rai Ren, and Kazuhiko Inoue as Ozpin also continue to appear. The opening theme song will be "Beyond Selves" by Ryo Takahashi's solo project "Void_Chords feat. The ending theme song "Awake" sung by Hayami will be composed and arranged by TK of "Rin to Shigure" and was first performed at "Animelo Summer Live 2021 -COLORS-". It has also been decided that a comic version of the song will be published in "Monthly Comic Dengeki Daioh" (published by KADOKAWA). The manga will be written by Suekane Kumiko of "Versailles of the Dead" fame. At AnimeJapan 2022, a presentation of the "Team RWBY Project" will be held on March 26 at 9:30 am. The stage will be broadcast for free on YouTube Live (https://youtu.be/oPrcp4TTYmE) and Twitter Live (https://twitter.com/TeamRWBYProject). Below are comments from the staff and cast. Gen UROBUCHI (Nitroplus) / Animation Original Concept Since I was approached by Mr. Angei of Good Smile Company, we have been working on this project while overcoming various challenges, and I can't thank all the staff enough for finally bringing it to completion. This project is designed to be easy to understand for those who are new to the "RWBY" series. We hope that many more people, not to mention those who are already fans of "RWBY," will enjoy this project. Ubukata Tow / Series Composition/Screenplay My involvement in this work began when a certain P asked me if I knew "RWBY. I had not seen it at the time, but I was intrigued and watched it right away and was immediately fascinated. It is an action-packed fantasy world that incorporates various dramas that young people around the world may experience, as well as family issues, racial discrimination, and more. I thought I could learn a lot from this, so I joined the production, which has been a great inspiration for me. I hope that more people will get to know "RWBY" and that I can help convey the charm of this world. huke / Animation character drafting I am huke, an illustrator. I never thought I would be involved now, almost 10 years after I was impressed by the first RWBY "Red" Trailer, an amazing 3D short animation. I am honored to be involved with "RWBY," which is a very special work for me as well. Toshimasa Suzuki / Director I am very happy to be involved in the Japanese adaptation of "RWBY. I respect the charm of the original story with its dynamic and sharp action and bouncy character interactions, while using the grammar of Japanese animation. We have gone through a process of trial and error with the staff to create beautiful images using hand-drawn action and visual processing. We hope to convey the charm of the story and characters as a new anime to those who are watching "RWBY" for the first time, and we will also provide new tricks for fans of the original work to enjoy, and deliver the activities of Team RWBY. Saori Hayami as Ruby Rose I am very happy to be involved in the new story of "RWBY" as Ruby Rose in the TV anime. When I heard the voices of Yoko Hikasa (Weiss), Yu Shimamura (Blake), and Ami Koshimizu (Yang) during the recording, I instantly felt like I was on Team RWBY! I was very excited. We hope you will look forward to seeing what kind of world will unfold in "Hyosetsu Teikoku" this time. I hope you will enjoy both the images and the music! Yoko Hikasa as Weiss Schnee RWBY" has been created by people overseas who love Japan and Japanese anime. What would happen if we made it in Japan while respecting it? Ice and Snow Empire" is filled with such excitement. Beautiful matte paintings and overwhelming battle movements. And the sense of the characters, who are still very young, foreshadows their growth in the future. In addition, there are many Japanese-style mental images and thought-provoking psychological descriptions, and I was able to find new wisps of myself as I played the role. I hope you all look forward to the broadcast! Yu Shimamura as Blake Belladonna I knew that people in the U.S. were favorable to the Japanese dubbed version, but I was honestly surprised that it would turn out this way: ...... It's amazing, isn't it? During the recording of "RWBY: Ice and Snow Empire," I couldn't hear aryn's voice, who was always by my side when I played Blake, so at first I was somewhat uneasy and confused. But now is the time to show the bond that has been there for many seasons. I hope to enjoy this new challenge of "RWBY" together with everyone who loves "RWBY. Best regards! Ami Koshimizu as Yang Xiaolong RWBY" is a very interesting work with a story and action woven by unique characters. The characters are so strong that you would think there are no supporting characters. The angle of view in the action scenes is also unique and has a charm that draws the viewer in before you know it. We, the cast and crew, are excited to see how each character will be portrayed in "Ice and Snow Empire." I will do my best to vividly play the role of Jan, who watches over Ruby as a big sister at all times, so I hope you all look forward to it!
【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.
