The Haigakura anime is set to make a return this summer, much to the delight of its fans. The anime, based on Shinobu Takayama’s manga series, had initially premiered in October 2024, but faced an indefinite delay after only seven episodes due to production concerns. Now, the staff has announced that the anime will resume, but with a fresh start, beginning with the first episode. This decision aims to ensure the quality and production standards of the series are maintained.
What is Haigakura?
Haigakura is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Shinobu Takayama. It originally began serialization in Ichijinsha’s shōjo manga magazine Comic Zero Sum WARD in January 2008. After the magazine ceased publication in May 2015, the manga was transferred to the Zero-Sum Online manga website in September 2015, where it continues to be serialized. As of October 2024, the chapters have been collected into seventeen tankōbon volumes.
The anime adaptation, produced by Typhoon Graphics, premiered on October 7, 2024, on Tokyo MX and other channels. However, after the broadcast of the seventh episode, the anime’s website announced a delay for episodes 8 onwards, with a rebroadcast of the first episode starting on November 25, 2024.
Plot Overview
The story of Haigakura unfolds in a world supported by four gods known as the Four Perils. When two of these gods escape, the world is thrown into crisis. To restore stability, song officers called Kashikan use songs and dances to confine the gods in their “sai.”
The protagonist, Ichiyo, is a Kashikan who, despite being skilled at dance, is considered a dropout due to his tone-deafness. He travels to modern-day Japan to recover the evil gods and return to his ordinary life, aided by his subordinate god Tenkō. The series follows Ichiyo’s journey to uncover the truth behind the Four Perils’ disappearance and save the world from complete chaos.
Themes and Appeal
Haigakura blends action, fantasy, and elements of Japanese mythology. The series explores themes of duty, sacrifice, and the search for identity. With its focus on attractive male characters and a blend of action and fantasy, the anime has drawn comparisons to early 2000s bishonen-centric series like Saiyuki and Tactics, appealing to shojo enthusiasts and gaining a cult following.
Why the Restart?
The decision to restart the Haigakura anime from the first episode stems from a commitment to maintaining the quality of the series. After the broadcast of the initial episodes, the production team, in collaboration with Typhoon Graphics, recognized the need for more time to ensure the anime meets the expectations of its fans.
By starting over from the beginning, the staff aims to refine the animation, pacing, and overall storytelling, providing viewers with the best possible experience. This move reflects a dedication to delivering a polished and engaging adaptation of Shinobu Takayama’s beloved manga.
Key People Behind Haigakura
The Haigakura anime is brought to life by a talented team of creators:
- Original Creator: Shinobu Takayama (Manga Author)
- Director: Junichi Yamamoto
- Series Composition: Yū Murai
- Character Design: Masaki Satō
- Music: Yuki Kurihara
- Animation Studio: Typhoon Graphics
Voice Cast
The characters of Haigakura are voiced by a stellar cast of voice actors:
- Ichiyō: Takeo Ōtsuka
- Tenkō: Kaito Ishikawa
- Hakushurin: Lynn
- Ransaiwa: Hiro Shimono
- Sontō: Satoshi Hino
- Kaka: Rie Kugimiya
- Ryū: Mutsumi Tamura
- Heikan: Ayumu Murase
- Hōryūsei: Gakuto Kajiwara
- Hiki: Ryōhei Kimura
- Sanu: Ryōta Suzuki
- Hakugō: Kazuhiko Inoue
- Sōkōmei: Daisuke Hirakawa
- Ritekkai: Daisuke Kishio
- Kanshōri: Ryūnosuke Watanuki
- Rakan: Shinnosuke Tachibana
- Bui: Kentaro Itō
- Young Ichiyō: Junko Takeuchi
- Jungei: Akira Sasanuma
- Gaishi: Tatsumaru Tachibana
- Gas Mask: Atsushi Tamaru
- Rabbit Mask: Kazutomi Yamamoto
Where to Watch
When Haigakura returns this summer, fans in the west will be able to watch it on various streaming platforms, including:
- Amazon Prime Video
- Tubi
- It’s Anime YouTube channel (by REMOW)
Characters of Haigakura
Ichiyo
Ichiyo (一葉) is the main protagonist of Haigakura. Voiced by Takeo Ōtsuka (with Junko Takeuchi voicing the younger version), Ichiyo is one of the Kashikan searching for the gods who fled to other realms. He is depicted as sarcastic and violent. Ichiyo’s parents are unknown, and he was raised by Hakugou, the divine beast of the shrine forest. After Hakugo was taken away, Ichiyo was imprisoned, but Ai-Seiwa encouraged him to become a poet. Despite being tone-deaf, which makes him a dropout among the Kashikan, he is skilled at dance. Ichiyo hates water and is not a good swimmer.
Tenko
Tenko (滇紅) is a subordinate god that Ichiyo uses. He has the ability to control water and is gentle, but prone to sudden mood changes. His divine name is unknown, so Sundori and Ryui gave him his name. Initially, he is arrogant but loses his personality and memory due to being used by Ichiyo for singing and dancing. When Ichiyo dissolves, Tenko temporarily regains his abilities and transforms into a form with white hair and red eyes. He is voiced by Kaito Ishikawa.
Hakushurin
Hakushurin (白珠龍) is voiced by Lynn.
Ransaiwa
Ransaiwa (藍采和) is voiced by Hiro Shimono.
Sontou
Sontou (孫登) is voiced by Satoshi Hino.
Kaka
Kaka is voiced by Rie Kugimiya. Kaka is a god serving under Ichiyo. She usually appears as a mild-mannered child but can undergo a ferocious transformation. Unlike the rest of her race, which has lived for 3000 years and changes over time, she has changed since birth, and ordinary Kashikans cannot handle her.
Hakugō
Hakugō is voiced by Kazuhiko Inoue. Hakugō is a god who sealed away the Four Evils and created Goshinzan and Ryugu to protect the country by making it imperceptible to the outside world. He is a subordinate god of Aizenwa and Chief of the Water Department, and has nine children called the Ryusei Kyuuko.
Reception and Reviews
Haigakura has garnered attention for its blend of action, fantasy, and mythology, as well as its focus on attractive male characters. Some reviewers have noted the series’ similarities to early 2000s bishonen-centric anime, while others have praised its unique premise and character designs.
However, the anime has also faced criticism for its animation quality, pacing, and convoluted plot. Some reviewers have pointed out abrupt transitions, inconsistent tone, and a lack of clear storytelling. Despite these criticisms, Haigakura has managed to attract a dedicated following, with fans drawn to its world-building, characters, and action sequences.
The Road Ahead
As Haigakura prepares to relaunch this summer, fans are eagerly anticipating the opportunity to experience the series anew. With a renewed commitment to quality and a chance to refine its storytelling, the anime has the potential to capture a wider audience and solidify its place as a standout title in the fantasy genre.
The decision to restart from the first episode demonstrates the production team’s dedication to delivering the best possible adaptation of Shinobu Takayama’s manga. By addressing the challenges faced during the initial broadcast, Haigakura aims to provide viewers with a more polished and engaging experience.
Whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer to the series, the return of Haigakura promises to be an exciting event. With its blend of action, fantasy, and mythology, the anime is poised to take viewers on a thrilling journey into a world of gods, demons, and the power of song and dance.
