Shunsuke Takeuchi has joined the cast of the anime series I Left My A-Rank Party to Help My Former Students Reach the Dungeon Depths! Takeuchi will be voicing the character Mastoma, who will be appearing in the anime’s 15th episode. The episode is scheduled to air on Saturday.
About I Left My A-Rank Party
I Left My A-Rank Party to Help My Former Students Reach the Dungeon Depths! (A-Rank Party o Ridatsu Shita Ore wa, Moto Oshiego-tachi to Meikyū Shinbu o Mezasu.) is a Japanese light novel series written by Kōsuke Unagi and illustrated by Super Zombie. The series began as a web novel, serialized on the user-generated novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni Narō from October 2020 to February 2025. Kodansha later acquired the series and published five light novel volumes from June 2021 to February 2025 under their Kodansha Ranobe Books imprint.
A manga adaptation, with art by Yūri, has been serialized online via Kodansha’s Magazine Pocket website since June 2021. As of now, the manga has been collected in nine tankōbon volumes. Kodansha USA licenses the manga in North America.
Anime Adaptation
An anime television series adaptation, produced by Bandai Namco Pictures, premiered on January 12, 2025, on Nippon TV and its affiliates. The anime is directed by Katsumi Ono, with Kazuyuki Fudeyasu handling the series scripts, Masakazu Yamazaki designing the characters, and Go Sakabe composing the music. The series is set to run for two consecutive cours (quarters of the year). Crunchyroll is streaming the anime as it airs, including an English dub.
Story
The story follows Yuke Feldio, a Red Mage and alchemist who is a member of the A-Rank Party Thunder Pike. After five years of being mistreated and feeling underappreciated, Yuke decides to leave the party. His party members claim that he doesn’t contribute enough and that his departure won’t affect them.
The next day, Yuke seeks new employment and encounters Marina, a former student. She invites him to join her D-Rank party, marking a new chapter in his adventuring career. The premise explores themes of self-worth, found family, and discovering hidden potential. The official synopsis sets the stage: when Yuke gets fed up with his A-rank party, he leaves them for some former students. To conquer the world’s greatest dungeon and achieve his dream, he’ll have to teach these cuties a thing or two and he may just learn there’s more potential within him (and them) then he ever knew.
Characters
- Yuke Feldio: The protagonist, a skilled Red Mage and alchemist who leaves his A-Rank party due to mistreatment.
- Marina: A former student of Yuke’s who invites him to join her D-Rank party.
- Mastoma: The character voiced by Shunsuke Takeuchi, appearing in episode 15. Mastoma is the Second Prince of Duna, who possesses a harem of wives. He makes a deal with Count Crowder, accepting engagement with Rain but also desiring to have the other girls of Clover.
Staff
- Director: Katsumi Ono
- Series Scripts: Kazuyuki Fudeyasu
- Character Design: Masakazu Yamazaki
- Music: Go Sakabe
- Animation Studio: BN Pictures
Shunsuke Takeuchi: A Voice Actor Profile
Shunsuke Takeuchi is a Japanese voice actor born on September 12, 1997, in Tokyo, Japan. He has voiced numerous roles in anime, including:
- Mastoma in I Left My A-Rank Party to Help My Former Students Reach the Dungeon Depths!
- Gilbert in I Parry Everything
- Velvet in I’m From Japan
- Producer in The IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls
- Narration in Idolm@ster Cinderella Girls Theater CLIMAX SEASON
- Roles in Kaiju No. 8, Spy x Family: Code White, and Black Butler: Public School Arc.
Takeuchi’s addition to the cast as Mastoma promises to bring further depth to the character and the overall narrative of I Left My A-Rank Party.
Themes of “Leaving the Party” in Anime
The concept of a character being “kicked out” or “leaving a party” is a recurring trope in anime, often serving as a catalyst for character development and new adventures. These narratives explore themes such as:
- Underappreciation and Misuse: Characters may leave due to their contributions being overlooked or their skills being misused.
- Finding Self-Worth: Leaving allows characters to discover their true potential and value outside the confines of their former group.
- New Beginnings: The departure often leads to fresh starts, new relationships, and unexpected opportunities.
- The Importance of Found Family: Characters may find a more supportive and fulfilling environment with a new group of companions.
Examples of Other “Kicked Out of the Party” Anime
- Banished from the Hero’s Party, I Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside: A hero is forced to leave his party and starts a new life in the countryside.
- The Healer Who Was Banished From His Party, Is, in Fact, the Strongest: A healer, deemed too weak, is kicked out but proves his true strength.
- The Jack of All Trades Was Kicked Out of the Hero’s Party: A character ousted for being a “jack of all trades” aims to become the “ultimate all-rounder.”
- Let This Grieving Soul Retire!: Focuses on a weak hunter who wants to retire, despite leading the strongest party.
Where to Watch
I Left My A-Rank Party to Help My Former Students Reach the Dungeon Depths! is currently streaming on Crunchyroll, with both subbed and dubbed versions available.
Light Novel and Manga Details
- Light Novel:
- Writer: Kōsuke Unagi
- Illustrator: Super Zombie
- Published by: Kodansha (Kodansha Ranobe Books imprint)
- Volumes: 5
- Manga:
- Writer: Kōsuke Unagi
- Illustrator: Yūri
- Published by: Kodansha (Magazine Pocket)
- Volumes: 9
Final Thoughts
The addition of Shunsuke Takeuchi to the cast of I Left My A-Rank Party to Help My Former Students Reach the Dungeon Depths! is an exciting development for fans of the series. Takeuchi’s talent and experience promise to bring depth and nuance to the character of Mastoma, further enriching the anime’s narrative. As the series progresses, viewers can look forward to seeing how Yuke’s journey unfolds with his new party and the challenges they face together.
