Summer 2025 is shaping up to be a season filled with exciting anime releases, and among the most anticipated are the TV anime adaptations of Yama Wayama’s beloved manga series, Let’s Go Karaoke! and Captivated, by You. Produced by Doga Kobo, these two series promise to bring Wayama’s unique storytelling and charming characters to life on screen. Mark your calendars, anime fans, because Let’s Go Karaoke! is set to premiere on July 24, 2025, followed by Captivated, by You on August 21, 2025! Both anime will air consecutively in the same time slot.
Yama Wayama’s World Comes to Life
Yama Wayama is a renowned mangaka known for her distinctive style, quirky characters, and heartwarming narratives. Her works often explore themes of friendship, self-discovery, and the beauty of everyday life. Let’s Go Karaoke! and Captivated, by You are prime examples of her talent, and their anime adaptations are generating considerable buzz among fans.
Let’s Go Karaoke!: A Yakuza’s Quest for Vocal Perfection
Let’s Go Karaoke! (Japanese: カラオケ行こ！, Karaoke Iko!) tells the unlikely story of Kyouji Narita, a high-ranking yakuza member with a serious problem: he’s terrible at karaoke. His boss holds an annual karaoke competition, and the loser faces a gruesome punishment – a tattoo applied by the boss himself, who is an amateur tattoo artist with questionable skills. Desperate to avoid this fate, Kyouji seeks help from an unexpected source: Satomi Oka, the head of a junior high school choir.
Satomi, a dedicated and talented singer, is preparing for his final choir performance before graduating. He’s somewhat cynical and often makes biting remarks, but he possesses a strong sense of responsibility. When Kyouji approaches him for singing lessons, Satomi is initially reluctant but eventually agrees to help.
Thus begins a bizarre and heartwarming journey as the yakuza lieutenant and the choir boy form an unlikely friendship. Satomi coaches Kyouji in the art of karaoke, guiding him through vocal exercises and song selections. As they spend time together, they learn from each other and develop a unique bond that transcends their different backgrounds.
Key Characters
- Kyouji Narita: A yakuza lieutenant desperate to improve his karaoke skills to avoid a painful tattoo. He is voiced by Daisuke Ono.
- Satomi Oka: The head of a junior high school choir who reluctantly agrees to coach Kyouji. He is voiced by Shun Horie.
- Wada: A second-year student and member of the same choir club as Satomi. He is voiced by Shinnosuke Tokudome.
Production Staff
- Original Creator: Yama Wayama
- Director: Asami Nakatani
- Assistant Director: Yukiko Tsukahara
- Series Composition: Yoshimi Narita
- Character Design: Mai Matsuura
- Music: Takurō Iga
- Animation Studio: Doga Kobo
Captivated, by You: Exploring Individuality in an All-Boys School
Captivated, by You (Japanese: 夢中さ、きみに。, Hepburn: Muchū sa, Kimi ni.) is an anthology series that explores the lives of students at an all-boys school. The stories revolve around two central characters: Miyoshi Hayashi, an aloof and eccentric student who embraces his individuality, and Akira Nikaido, a gloomy student who tries to keep others at arm’s length.
Hayashi is known for his unconventional behavior, such as counting stairs, photographing street signs, and drying sweet potatoes on the classroom balcony. He’s frank, guileless, and refreshingly true to himself, capturing the attention of those around him.
Nikaido, on the other hand, has created a dour persona to avoid unwanted attention. He was popular in middle school due to his good looks but found the experience suffocating. In high school, he deliberately presents himself as strange and unapproachable.
Despite their contrasting personalities, Hayashi and Nikaido’s lives become intertwined, and their interactions form the core of the series. Other stories within the anthology explore different students and their struggles with identity, conformity, and connection.
Key Characters
- Miyoshi Hayashi: An eccentric student who embraces his individuality. He is voiced by Kenshō Ono.
- Joji Ema: A student at the boys’ school. He is voiced by Kōki Uchiyama.
- Akira Nikaido: A student who tries to keep others at a distance. He is voiced by Nobuhiko Okamoto.
- Yuichi Medaka: A student who becomes interested in Nikaido’s hidden side. He is voiced by Yūki Ono.
Production Staff
- Original Creator: Yama Wayama
- Director: Asami Nakatani
- Assistant Director: Yukiko Tsukahara
- Series Composition: Yoshimi Narita
- Character Design: Mai Matsuura
- Music: Takurō Iga
- Animation Studio: Doga Kobo
Doga Kobo: A Studio Known for Quality
Both Let’s Go Karaoke! and Captivated, by You are being animated by Doga Kobo, a studio renowned for its high-quality productions and distinctive art style. Doga Kobo has a proven track record of adapting manga series into successful anime, and fans are confident that they will do justice to Yama Wayama’s works. The studio is also known for series such as Oshi no Ko.
Shared Staff, Separate Stories
While both anime share the same production studio and several key staff members, including director Asami Nakatani, series composer Yoshimi Narita, character designer Mai Matsuura, and music composer Takurō Iga, it’s important to note that Let’s Go Karaoke! and Captivated, by You are distinct narratives with unique settings and characters. They are not sequels or spin-offs of each other but rather two separate adaptations of Yama Wayama’s diverse body of work.
A Summer of Anime Delights
With Let’s Go Karaoke! premiering on July 24, 2025, and Captivated, by You following on August 21, 2025, anime fans have much to look forward to this summer. Both series promise to deliver heartwarming stories, memorable characters, and the unique charm that has made Yama Wayama a beloved mangaka. Be sure to tune in and experience the magic for yourself!
Other Anime to Watch Out For in Summer 2025
The summer 2025 anime season is packed with exciting new releases and returning favorites. Here are some other series to keep an eye on:
- Dan Da Dan Season 2: The highly anticipated second season of the supernatural comedy series.
- Sakamoto Days Part 2: The continuation of the action-packed story of retired hitman Taro Sakamoto.
- Kaiju No. 8 Season 2: The thrilling second season of the monster-fighting anime.
- Rent-A-Girlfriend Season 4: The latest installment in the popular romantic comedy series.
- Dr. Stone Science Future Part 2: The second part of the third season of the science-adventure anime.
With so many great anime on the horizon, summer 2025 promises to be a season to remember for anime fans worldwide.
