The upcoming original anime television series Necronomico and the Cosmic Horror Show is generating buzz with the release of new details, including additional cast members, theme songs, and a confirmed premiere date of July 1, 2025. Produced by Cygames and animated by Studio Gokumi, this series promises a unique blend of virtual reality gaming and cosmic horror, drawing inspiration from the eerie world of H.P. Lovecraft.
Storyline: Livestreaming Meets Cosmic Horror
Necronomico and the Cosmic Horror Show centers around Miko Kurono, a junior high school graduate who takes on the persona of “Necronomico” as a live streamer. Alongside her childhood friend Mayu Mayusaka and rival Kanna Kagurazaka, Miko’s life takes an unexpected turn when they are introduced to a new virtual reality game project. This game plunges them into a world where they pursue the “irreplaceable now,” hinting at both thrilling adventures and terrifying encounters.
Meet the Characters
The anime features a vibrant cast of characters, each with their own distinct personality and role in the unfolding story:
- Miko Kurono (黒廼 ミコ) / Necronomico: Voiced by Riho Sugiyama (known for her role as Minare in Wave, Listen to Me!), Miko is a streamer who covers various topics, striving to gain popularity and create viral content. She shares her living space with Mayu.
- Mayu Mayusaka (舞夢坂 舞由): Voiced by Manaka Iwami (Akane in Oshi no Ko), Mayu is a streamer celebrated for her beauty and focus on all things cute. She currently lives with Miko.
- Kanna Kagurazaka (神楽坂 カンナ): Voiced by Nana Hazumi, Kanna is a popular streamer with a tsundere personality, viewing Miko as her rival. Her content mainly revolves around fashion.
- Eita: Voiced by Reiji Kawashima.
- Seishirō Sano (佐野清司郎): Voiced by Atsushi Tamaru.
- Tsugumi Tsukasa: Voiced by Hazuki Ogino.
- NAO-KICHI: Voiced by Taichi Ichikawa.
- Hiroshi Takashiro: Voiced by Kyōhei Natsume.
- Game Master: Voiced by Hiroki Yasumoto.
- Kei Amakusa: Voiced by Sayumi Watabe.
- Cthulhu: Voiced by Manaka Iwami.
- Hastur: Voiced by Kazuyuki Okitsu.
- Ghatanothoa: Voiced by Katsuyuki Konishi.
- Cthygha: Voiced by Ayasa Ito.
- Zhar & Lloiger: Voiced by Zhar and Lloiger.
Production Team
The anime is brought to life by a talented production team:
- Director: Masato Matsune (Chronos Ruler, Wixoss Diva(A)Live)
- Original Story / Series Composition: Makoto Uezu (Akame ga KILL!, KONOSUBA)
- Original Character Design: Jiro Suzuki (Revenger, Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru)
- Animation Character Designer, Chief Animation Director: Hiroshi Kosuga
- Music: Evan Call (Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End)
- Art Director: Junki Nakata
- Art Setting: Nobuhito Sue
- Color Design: Sakiko Ito
- Director of Photography: Yūichi Takezawa
- 3D Production: Samurai Pictures
- Editing: Hitomi Sudō
- Music Producer: Takahiro Ikeda
- Music Production: MIRACLE BUS
- Sound Director: Takayuki Yamaguchi
- Sound Production: dugout
- Animation Production: Studio Gokumi
Theme Songs
Adding to the excitement, the opening and ending theme songs have been revealed:
- Opening Theme: “Kakusho-ron” by Ryushen
- Ending Theme: “PANDORA feat. Noa (from Colorful Peach)” by Vell
Previews of both tracks are available in the main promotional video.
Premiere Date and Where to Watch
Necronomico and the Cosmic Horror Show is scheduled to premiere on July 1, 2025, on Tokyo MX, Kansai TV, CBC, RKB, BS NTV and other channels.
Lovecraftian Horror in Anime: A Deep Dive
Necronomico and the Cosmic Horror Show enters a rich landscape of Lovecraftian-inspired anime. H.P. Lovecraft’s influence extends to numerous anime series that delve into themes of cosmic horror, existential dread, and the insignificance of humanity in the face of unknowable horrors.
Defining Lovecraftian Horror
Lovecraftian horror is characterized by several key elements:
- Cosmic Indifference: The universe is vast, ancient, and indifferent to human existence. Humanity is not the center of the cosmos, and its concerns are ultimately meaningless on a grand scale.
- Unknowable Entities: Horrors stem from entities that are beyond human comprehension. These beings are often ancient, powerful, and exist outside the boundaries of human understanding.
- Existential Dread: Characters often grapple with the realization that their understanding of reality is fundamentally flawed. This leads to feelings of despair, madness, and a sense of powerlessness.
- Forbidden Knowledge: The pursuit of forbidden knowledge often leads to disastrous consequences. Characters who delve too deep into the mysteries of the universe risk losing their sanity or becoming pawns of malevolent forces.
- Ancient Texts and Artifacts: Grimoires, ancient ruins, and mysterious artifacts often serve as gateways to cosmic horrors, unlocking secrets that should have remained buried.
Anime Series Embracing Lovecraftian Themes
Several anime series have successfully incorporated Lovecraftian themes, creating compelling narratives that resonate with fans of the genre:
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Explores psychological and existential themes against the backdrop of giant bio-machines fighting monstrous beings known as Angels. The series delves into the fragility of the human psyche and the overwhelming nature of cosmic forces.
Berserk: A dark fantasy epic where humanity faces cosmic horrors fueled by greed and power. Guts, the Black Swordsman, battles demons and malevolent entities, confronting the darkest aspects of human nature and the supernatural.
Puella Magi Madoka Magica: A deconstruction of the magical girl genre, revealing a bleak cycle of hopelessness and existential dread. The heroines are trapped in a system controlled by a cosmic entity, highlighting their insignificance and powerlessness.
Made in Abyss: Set in a mysterious and dangerous realm filled with horrific creatures, this series emphasizes the unknown, body horror, and existentialism. It showcases the terror of beings beyond human comprehension, reflecting Lovecraft’s purest form.
Devilman Crybaby: Explores themes of horror and dread as Akira transforms into Devilman to protect humanity from demons. The series delves into the angst and survival of humans facing cruel demons, offering strong character development and fostering deep audience connections.
Housing Complex C: This psychological horror miniseries directly references Lovecraft’s works, centering on a young girl in a low-cost housing complex where terrifying events regularly haunt the residents.
Parasyte: The Maxim: Features body horror and the fears of the unknown as Shinichi and Migi confront an alien threat. This series delves into existential questions and the fragility of human existence.
Otherside Picnic: A journey into the cosmic and surreal, where characters explore a world bordering reality, encountering strange and often dangerous entities.
Serial Experiments Lain: This series makes monsters of technology, exploring themes of identity, reality, and the interconnectedness of consciousness in a digital age.
The Promised Neverland: Delivers a thrilling narrative with dark fantastical elements, where children at an orphanage uncover a horrifying truth and must escape becoming demon chow.
Why Lovecraftian Horror Works in Anime
Anime’s visual medium is particularly well-suited for depicting the indescribable horrors and mind-bending concepts of Lovecraftian horror. The genre’s focus on psychological and existential themes also aligns well with anime’s ability to explore complex character emotions and philosophical questions.
Necronomico and the Cosmic Horror Show has the potential to add a fresh perspective to the Lovecraftian horror subgenre, blending it with elements of virtual reality and streamer culture. Fans eagerly anticipate its premiere to see how it navigates the cosmic horrors that await Miko and her friends.
