CITY The Animation, the highly anticipated anime adaptation of Keiichi Arawi’s manga, officially premiered on July 6, 2025, in Japan, with global streaming available exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. Produced by the esteemed Kyoto Animation, this series marks a significant return for the studio, being their first non-sequel anime in six years since the tragic 2019 arson attack.
The premiere has been met with considerable excitement from fans eager to dive into Arawi’s unique blend of slice-of-life comedy.
A Return for Kyoto Animation
The launch of CITY The Animation holds particular significance for Kyoto Animation. Following the devastating arson attack in 2019, the studio has largely focused on sequel projects. This new series represents a pivotal step forward, showcasing the studio’s resilience and commitment to developing original animated content. Directed by Taichi Ishidate, known for his work on critically acclaimed titles like Violet Evergarden and Beyond the Boundary, the production quality is expected to uphold Kyoto Animation’s renowned standards. Initial reactions praise the anime’s faithfulness to Arawi’s distinctive art style and its seamless integration of 3D animation, a testament to the studio’s evolving capabilities.
What to Expect from CITY The Animation
CITY The Animation is based on the manga “CITY” by Keiichi Arawi, the acclaimed creator behind the popular series Nichijou. Fans of Arawi’s previous work will find themselves in familiar comedic territory, as CITY delivers a “girls-run” comedy infused with absurd and surreal gags.
Plot and Characters
The narrative centers on the daily lives of the eccentric residents of an ostensibly ordinary city. The primary focus is on the “Mont Blanc Trio,” consisting of penniless college student Midori Nagumo, along with her companions Wako Izumi and Ayumu Niikura. The series promises an unpredictable journey filled with laughter, unexpected events, and relatable, albeit quirky, character interactions. Midori’s constant struggle with debt and her attempts to navigate bizarre situations form a core part of the comedic appeal.
Voice Cast and Production
The Japanese voice cast features a talented ensemble, with Mikako Komatsu as Midori Nagumo, Aki Toyosaki as Ayumu Niikura, and Yui Ishikawa as Wako Izumi. For international viewers, an English dub is also available, with Erica Lindbeck voicing Midori Nagumo, Cat Protano as Niikura, and Brenna Larsen as Wako Izumi.
The production team at Kyoto Animation includes Tamami Tokuyama as character designer and chief animation director, Kana Miyata on color design, and Shiori Yamazaki as art director. The music for the series is provided by the instrumental band Piranhans, while Furui Riho performs the opening song “Hello” and TOMOO performs the ending song “Lucky”.
Streaming and Availability
CITY The Animation began airing in Japan on Tokyo MX and other local networks on July 7, 2025, at 12:00 AM JST. For audiences outside Japan, Amazon Prime Video holds the exclusive global streaming rights, making the series accessible worldwide with English-subtitled versions available immediately after the Japanese broadcast.
The anime has been lauded as a “spiritual successor” to Nichijou, and early reviews suggest that Kyoto Animation has successfully captured the essence of Arawi’s humor and visual style, offering a refreshing and visually striking viewing experience.
