The official website for the highly anticipated TV anime series, Guilty Gear Strive: Dual Rulers, has announced that singer Nowlu will perform the ending theme song, titled “Arika” (translated as “Whereabout”). The anime is based on the popular Guilty Gear Strive fighting game developed by Arc System Works.
Nowlu: From Audition Finalist to Anime Theme Song Artist
Nowlu’s involvement marks another significant step in her burgeoning music career. She rose to prominence as a finalist in THE OVERSEA TREASURE 2021 audition, held by Namco Bandai Arts. Her major debut arrived in June 2022 with the release of “Rasen” (“Spiral”) from Lantis, which served as the ending theme for the second part of the Requiem of the Rose King anime. Since then, she has contributed ending themes to The Ice Guy and His Cool Female Colleague in 2023 and More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers in 2024, steadily building her reputation in the anime music scene.
Nowlu’s Message to Fans
In a statement released on the anime’s official website, Nowlu expressed her enthusiasm for the project:
“I am Nowlu, and I am in charge of the ending theme song. A game that has been loved by many people for many years is now going out of its world and being made into an anime. I am very happy to have been given this wonderful opportunity.”
She also described the creative process behind “Arika”:
“Writing lyrics from a perspective I have never had before was filled with difficulty and freshness, and the days were full of rolling emotions, but I am certain that the song turned out to be strong and warm. I hope I can add a small star to the story. I believe that this is a work in which we can encounter important things that we should be aware of in our lives.”
Guilty Gear Strive: Dual Rulers: Story and Characters
The anime adaptation of Guilty Gear Strive is set to premiere in Japan on April 5th at 10:30 p.m. on Tokyo MX. Further broadcasts will follow on ABC TV (April 9th), AT-X (April 10th), and BS Shochiku Tokyu (April 16th). Streaming will also be available on d Anime Store from April 5th, with other services to follow. Crunchyroll will stream the series starting in April.
The story of Guilty Gear Strive: Dual Rulers takes place after the events of the Guilty Gear -Strive- game. Arc System Works provides the following description:
“After the decline of the once robust fields of science and technology, a new energy source known as magic fuels the modern era. Humanity creates forbidden biological weapons: Gears. Those Gears eventually stand against humanity in a rebellion. Although they manage to overcome in the struggle for survival known as the Crusades, humanity’s losses are so great that even after several decades pass, their emotional wounds remain unable to fully heal. Sin Kiske, the child of a human and a Gear, heads to his father Ky and mother Dizzy’s wedding ceremony. Their wedding breaks the ultimate taboo: a union between a human and a Gear.”
The Cast
The anime features a talented voice cast, including:
- Issei Miyazaki as Sin Kiske
- Jouji Nakata as Sol Badguy
- Yui Ishikawa as Unika (a new character)
- Tomokazu Sugita as Narrator
- Aya Suzaki as Elphelt Valentine
- Megumi Han as Ramlethal Valentine
- Takeshi Kusao as Ky Kiske
- Kazue Fujita as Dizzy
- Hiromi Igarashi as Jack-O’ Valentine
- Manaka Iwami as Bridget
- Mayumi Asano as Baiken
- Norio Wakamoto as Johnny
- Tetsu Inada as Leo Whitefang
- Junichi Endō as Vernon E. Groubitz. The late voice actor Kiyoyuki Yanada, who passed away in November 2021, previously voiced the character in the games.
Production Details
The Guilty Gear Strive: Dual Rulers anime is animated by SANZIGEN.
Guilty Gear: A Legacy of Fighting Games
The Guilty Gear franchise is a cornerstone of the fighting game genre, renowned for its intricate mechanics, memorable characters, and heavy metal-inspired soundtrack. The series debuted in 1998 and has since spawned numerous sequels, spin-offs, and adaptations across various media. Guilty Gear Strive, the latest installment, was released in 2021 to critical acclaim, further solidifying the franchise’s legacy.
Impact on the Fighting Game Community
Guilty Gear has had a significant impact on the fighting game community, influencing gameplay mechanics and character design in other titles. Its emphasis on aggressive, offensive gameplay and complex combo systems has attracted a dedicated fanbase of competitive players.
Music as an Integral Part
Music has always been an integral part of the Guilty Gear experience. The series’ soundtracks, composed primarily by Daisuke Ishiwatari, blend heavy metal, rock, and electronic elements to create a unique and adrenaline-pumping atmosphere. The announcement of Nowlu performing the ending theme for Dual Rulers adds another layer to the anime’s musical identity.
Anime Adaptations of Video Games: A Growing Trend
The adaptation of video games into anime has become increasingly popular in recent years. Titles like Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, Arcane (based on League of Legends), and Castlevania have achieved critical and commercial success, demonstrating the potential of this cross-media approach. The adaptation of Guilty Gear Strive into anime reflects this trend and presents an opportunity to expand the franchise’s reach to a wider audience.
Challenges and Opportunities
Adapting a fighting game into an anime presents unique challenges. The narrative structure of a fighting game is often minimal, focusing primarily on character interactions and individual storylines. Anime adaptations must flesh out the world, characters, and plot to create a compelling and engaging viewing experience. However, this also presents an opportunity to explore the Guilty Gear universe in greater depth and provide new insights into its lore.
Expectations for Dual Rulers
Guilty Gear fans have high expectations for Dual Rulers. They hope that the anime will capture the essence of the games, including its fast-paced action, compelling characters, and distinctive visual style. The involvement of Nowlu and SANZIGEN adds to the anticipation, as both are known for their quality work.
The Future of Guilty Gear
The Guilty Gear franchise shows no signs of slowing down. Guilty Gear Strive continues to receive updates and new content, keeping the game fresh and engaging for its player base. The anime adaptation, Dual Rulers, represents a new chapter in the franchise’s history, promising to introduce the world of Guilty Gear to a new generation of fans.
Expanding the Lore
The anime could further develop the lore of the Guilty Gear universe. By exploring the backstories of the characters, the events leading up to Guilty Gear Strive, and the complex relationships between humans and Gears, Dual Rulers has the potential to enrich the overall narrative and provide a deeper understanding of the world.
Reaching a Wider Audience
The anime adaptation has the potential to broaden the Guilty Gear fanbase. By attracting viewers who may not be familiar with the fighting game genre, Dual Rulers could introduce a new audience to the characters, story, and music of Guilty Gear. This could lead to increased interest in the games and further growth for the franchise.
Conclusion
The announcement of Nowlu performing the ending theme for Guilty Gear Strive: Dual Rulers has generated excitement among fans of the series. With a talented voice cast, experienced animation studio, and a captivating storyline, Dual Rulers promises to be a faithful and engaging adaptation of the beloved fighting game. The anime is poised to expand the Guilty Gear universe and introduce its unique blend of action, music, and lore to a wider audience.
