The upcoming anime series, “The Dinner Table Detective” (Nazotoki wa Dinner no Ato de), set to debut in April 2025, is adding local flavor to its mysteries. The series will feature mascots from Kunitachi City, where the anime is set, as part of a special collaboration.
Kunitachi’s Charms Animated: Mascots Join the Detective Fun
“The Dinner Table Detective” is incorporating Kunitachi City’s mascots into its storyline. This collaboration aims to highlight the city’s local appeal and integrate it into the anime’s narrative.
Who are the Voices Behind the Mascots?
The voice actors for the mascots include:
- Yui Horie
- Satoshi Nakao
- Taichi Takeda
- Kōsuke Echigoya
These voice actors will bring the Kunitachi City mascots to life within the anime series.
Discovering Kunitachi: The Setting of the Anime
“The Dinner Table Detective” unfolds in Kunitachi, a city located in the western part of Tokyo Metropolis, Japan.
Kunitachi: A City Overview
As of April 1, 2021, Kunitachi had an estimated population of 76,423 residents within 38,825 households, showcasing a population density of 9,400 individuals per square kilometer. Approximately 41.9% of the city’s population is over the age of 65. The city spans a total area of 8.15 square kilometers (3.15 sq mi).
History of Kunitachi
The city’s history includes the relocation of the Tokyo University of Commerce (now Hitotsubashi University) to the area, followed by the opening of Kunitachi Station on the Chūō Main Line in 1926. The station’s name was created by combining characters from the names of the adjacent Kokubunji and Tachikawa stations. In 1951, three villages merged to create Kunitachi town, which later gained city status on January 1, 1967.
Kunitachi’s Notable Features
Kunitachi is known for Daigaku Dori (University Avenue), a broad avenue lined with cherry trees that stretches from Kunitachi Station towards the Tama River.
Meet the Mascots of Kunitachi
While the specific mascots appearing in the anime are not explicitly named in the available news snippets, Kunitachi City has a recognized mascot character named Kuninyan.
Kuninyan: Kunitachi’s Feline Ambassador
Kuninyan is a cat mascot representing Kunitachi City. Kuninyan is featured on LINE stickers, showcasing its role in promoting the city.
“The Dinner Table Detective”: Unraveling the Plot
“The Dinner Table Detective” is based on a novel series by Tokuya Higashigawa. The anime adaptation is set to premiere in April 2025 on the Noitamina programming block.
Storyline Overview
The story revolves around Reiko Hōshō, a rookie detective and heiress to the world-famous Hōshō Group, who solves challenging cases with the help of her sharp-tongued butler and driver, Kageyama. Reiko often consults Kageyama, who, despite his insults, manages to solve the cases brilliantly. Inspector Kazamatsuri, the son of the owner of Kazamatsuri Motors, also plays a role in the series.
Production Team
Oreko Tachibana, known for “Firefly Wedding” and “Promise Cinderella,” is designing the original characters for the anime. The anime series features Kana Hanazawa as Reiko Hōshō, Yūki Kaji as Kageyama, and Mamoru Miyano as Kazamatsuri. Mitsuyuki Masuhara is directing the anime, with Mariko Kunisawa handling series composition. Takeshi Hama is in charge of the music, and Hiromasa Ogura serves as the art director.
From Novels to Anime: A History of “The Dinner Table Detective”
“The Dinner Table Detective” has a rich history, including a stage play, a live-action series in 2011, live-action specials in 2012 and 2013, and a live-action film in 2013. The original story debuted in 2007, with Shogakukan publishing three novels between 2010 and 2012.
Spring 2025 Premiere
“The Dinner Table Detective” anime is scheduled to air on Fuji TV’s Noitamina programming block in April 2025.
