Square Enix and Sunrise’s collaborative project, the prequel anime film As One to the arcade game Starwing Paradox, has revealed its lead voice actor. Ruki Shiroiwa, a member of the popular Japanese boy group JO1, will be voicing the protagonist, Yō, marking his voice-acting debut.
A Newcomer Takes Flight
The announcement was made via a special video released by the film’s staff. Shiroiwa was chosen for the role after the staff heard “Himawari” (Sunflower), a song he personally wrote and composed as part of his self-produced project “PlanJ.” His musical talent seemingly aligns perfectly with the character of Yō, a high school student passionate about music.
Story Set 20 Years Before the Game
As One is set 20 years before the events of Starwing Paradox. Here’s a breakdown of the storyline:
- Yō’s Journey: Yō is a high school student whose musical aspirations are met with disapproval from his parents, and he’s also experiencing a growing disconnect from his bandmates. One day, he hears a desperate voice calling for help and is engulfed in a blinding light.
- Meguriboshi’s Conflict: In a distant world called Meguriboshi, two nations are locked in a long-standing war over energy resources. A fragile truce is on the horizon.
- Rako’s Connection: Rako, a robot mechanic on Meguriboshi, falls unconscious while dealing with dangerous space debris and finds herself connected to Yō within his consciousness.
The film’s title, As One, signifies the theme of unity and connection between individuals across different worlds. Music will play a pivotal role, with Yō’s song acting as a bridge to reveal hidden truths about the Starwing Paradox universe, including the origins of Aerial, the secret of Realide, and the deeper relationship between Meguriboshi and Earth.
Behind the Scenes: The Creative Team
As One boasts a talented team of creators:
- Director: Kobun Shizuno (known for directing Detective Conan movies 15-21)
- Character Designer: Yoshiyuki Sadamoto (returning from the game, known for Evangelion, Nadia – The Secret of Blue Water, Summer Wars)
- Scriptwriters: Shatner Nishida (Lupin III: Prison of the Past), Kana Matsui, and Masaya Honda (Boruto: Naruto Next Generations)
- Mechanical Designer: Ippei Gyōbu (Gundam: Reconguista in G, Synduality)
- Production Supervisors/Producers: Joe Teng and Takafumi Yūki
- Animation Studios: Honoo and Studio GOONEYS
Release Date
As One is scheduled to premiere in Japanese theaters on August 22, 2025. A Western streaming release will likely follow.
What is Starwing Paradox?
Starwing Paradox was an arcade mecha action game developed by Square Enix and featuring animation by Sunrise. It was released in Japanese arcades in November 2018. The game allowed up to 16 players to battle each other in teams of eight. Its cabinet was designed to resemble a cockpit, offering players an immersive experience.
The game’s story takes place on the planet Meguriboshi, far from Earth, where two nations are at war over a vital energy resource called Hoshinochi (Star Blood). Humans from Earth remotely pilot giant mechas called “Ae Rial” to participate in the conflict. These mechas are equipped with a “Rearide System” that allows them to transmit personalized information between planets. The true power of the Ae Rial can only be unlocked when an “AZ-One” special knight is paired with an alien possessing exceptional flying skills.
Starwing Paradox had an all-star creative team, including:
- Character Designer: Yoshiyuki Sadamoto
- Mechanical Designers: Ippei Gyobu and Junya Ishigaki
- Scriptwriter: Yoichi Kato
- Voice Cast: Mikako Komatsu, Ryoko Shiraishi, and Ayaka Suwa
- Music Composer: Akio Isutzu
Square Enix ended updates for Starwing Paradox in 2020 and shut down the companion mobile app. The servers were officially shut down in October 2021, leaving only an offline demo mode playable. The game was also surrounded by controversy in 2019 when tournaments were canceled due to death threats directed at Sadamoto.
A Strange Comeback?
The release of As One is somewhat unusual, considering that the Starwing Paradox arcade game is no longer operational. It’s possible that Square Enix had initially planned a larger media franchise for Starwing Paradox, with the anime film intended as a key promotional component. However, due to production delays, the movie is only now being released, long after the game’s servers were shut down.
Despite the game’s demise, the trailer for As One has generated excitement among fans. The film’s release will likely spark renewed interest in the world of Starwing Paradox, even if the original game is no longer accessible.
