The upcoming original sci-fi anime Moonrise, produced by Wit Studio, has released a new trailer and revealed additional cast members ahead of its April 10, 2025, premiere on Netflix. This announcement was made at the AnimeJapan 2025 event, generating further excitement for the series.
New Cast Members Join the Ranks
In addition to the previously announced main cast, Moonrise welcomes several new voice actors to its roster:
- Osma: Kōsuke Takaguchi
- Duan: Satoshi Yamaguchi
- Inanna Zinger: Kori Arisa
- Zowan: Yuka Terasaki
- Eric Baker: Yū Kobayashi
- Georg Landry: Katsunori Okai
- Rhys Rochelle: Misaki Yamada
- Mary: Aina The End
- Bob Skylum: Masaki Aizawa
These actors join the previously announced main cast, which includes:
- Jacob “Jack” Shadow: Chiaki Kobayashi (known for Hell’s Paradise)
- Phil Ashe: Yūto Uemura (known for Bungo Stray Dogs)
Production Staff
The anime boasts a talented production team, including:
- Original Creator: Tow Ubukata (known for Mardock Scramble, Fafner in the Azure, and Psycho-Pass)
- Original Character Design: Hiromu Arakawa (known for Fullmetal Alchemist and Silver Spoon)
- Director and Series Composer: Masashi Koizuka (directed seasons 2 and 3 of Attack on Titan)
- Music: Ryo Kawasaki
- Chief Animation Directors: Ayumi Yamada, Satoshi Kadowaki
- Sub Character Designer: Megumi Tomita
- Main Animators: Takaaki Chiba, Taisei Kudo
- Action Animators: Takuma Ebisu, Satoshi Kimura, Yuko Sera, Ken Imaizumi
- Art Designers: Kazushi Fujii, Satoshi Takabatake
- Brush Designer: Yasuyuki Ebara
- Mecha Designer: Takuma Ebisu
- Mecha Prop Designer: Satoshi Takabatake
- Color Designer: Satoshi Hashimoto
- 3DCG Director: Shigenori Hirozumi
- Director of Cinematography: Koji Tanaka
- Editor: Aya Hida
- Sound Director: Masafumi Mima
- Sound Effects: Hiromune Kurahashi
- Animation Producer: Ryoma Kawamura
- Theme Song Performance: AiNA THE END (“Daijobu”)
Storyline
Moonrise is set in a near future where humanity has established a seemingly peaceful world government managed by an international AI network called Sapientia. People live according to Sapientia’s rational decisions. However, this peace is maintained by the “moon reclamation project,” which sends criminals and pollutants to the Moon, creating disparity and poverty. This leads to a war of independence on the Moon.
Jacob “Jack” Shadow, the protagonist, is caught in this conflict after losing his family in a terrorist bombing by the Moon’s rebel army. Seeking revenge, Jack joins the Earth army as a scout on the Moon. There, he discovers an unexpected leader among the resistance forces and encounters his childhood friend, Phil Ashe.
Production
The anime is being produced by Wit Studio, known for their work on Attack on Titan, Vinland Saga, Spy x Family, and Ranking of Kings. Masashi Koizuka, who directed seasons 2 and 3 of Attack on Titan, is directing the series and handling series composition. The character designs are by Hiromu Arakawa, the creator of Fullmetal Alchemist.
Themes and Setting
“Moonrise” explores themes of conflict, revenge, and the struggle for independence in a futuristic setting. The story unfolds on both Earth and the Moon, showcasing the stark contrast between the peaceful lives on Earth and the harsh realities faced by those living on the Moon. The anime aims to depict action and scenery in the unexplored parts of the Moon using innovative animation techniques.
Release Date
Moonrise is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on April 10, 2025.
