The first thirty seconds of an animated teaser trailer for the upcoming anime film adaptation of Tsuchika Nishimura's The Concierge at Hokkyoku Department Store manga was uploaded to the film's official website for fans to watch! The voice of the main character, Akino, is showcased for the first time in the trailer by Natsumi Kawaida, who previously portrayed Natsumi Hodaka in the anime adaptation of Diary of Our Days at the Breakwater.
Natsumi released the following statement about her roll in the upcoming anime:
"Ever since I read the original manga, I absolutely wanted to play the role of Akino, who is always working with her customers in mind, even though she is very busy, hectic, and makes a fuss, so I am very happy," said Kawaida. "It was my first leading role in a feature film, so I was anxious and nervous going into the recording. But it was a very warm session and I enjoyed playing the role with a sense of happiness. This is the kind of film that makes you want to think of someone and give them a gift. I hope it will reach the hearts of as many people as possible."
Watch the newly released trailer below!
Below is a list of some of the main cast members for the The Concierge at Hokkyoku Department Store anime:
- Akino: Natsumi Kawaida (Natsumi Hodaka in Diary of Our Days at the Breakwater)
- Eruru: Takeo Ohstuka (Aquamarine Hoshino in Oshino Ko)
- Todo: Nobuo Tobita (Kamille Bidan in Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam)
- Mori: Megumi Han (Gon Freecss in Hunter × Hunter)
- Iwase: Natsumi Fujiwara (Damian Desmond in SPY x FAMILY)
- Maruki: Eiji Yoshitomi (Minoro Otake in Case Closed/Detective Conan)
- Head Cook: Jun Fukuyama (Lelouch Lamperouge in Code Geass)
- Tokiwa: Yuichi Nakamura (Tatsuya Shiba in The Irregular at Magic High School)
The anime was created by Production I.G (Ghost in the Shell, PSYCHO-PASS) and is scheduled to be released this fall. Yoshimi Itazu, who made his directorial debut with the 2017 television anime Welcome to the Ballroom, is taking over for his first animated feature picture, which is based on a script written by Satomi Oshima (Raven of the Inner Palace). Chie Morita, the animation director for Run with the Wind, will be working on the character designs, and tofubeats, Utatane Kana, Wataru Sawabe (Skirt), and mochilon will be contributing the music for the soundtrack together.
Key Visual
The movie that was created by Production I.G (Ghost in the Shell, PSYCHO-PASS) is scheduled to be released in the fall of 2023. Yoshimi Itazu, who made his directorial debut with the 2017 television anime Welcome to the Ballroom, is taking the helm of his first animated feature picture, which is based on a script written by Satomi Oshima (Raven of the Inner Palace). Chie Morita, the animation director for Run with the Wind, will be working on the character designs, and tofubeats, Utatane Kana, Wataru Sawabe (Skirt), and mochilon will be contributing the music for the soundtrack together.
Not familiar with the The Concierge at Hokkyoku Department Store storyline? Here's a quick synopsis to bring you up to speed:
All kinds of animals, including ones that are a bit unfamiliar, visit the department store where I work.” Akino is a new concierge at the Hokkyoku Department Store, where all customers are animals. This is a series of short stories, portraying Akino’s growth as she learns about the mentality of being a concierge through her job. At this unusual department store with human clerks and animal customers, extinct animals come to consult with the concierges about items they are looking for or problems they have. As Akino tactfully solves the problems of the customers with a smile, her sincerity gradually softens difficult customers. Combining a job-themed genre with an animal manga element, this work features beautiful graphics. Its artistic details are also attractive, including the customers’ outfits in the glamorous department store and the Art Deco style interior of the store. Behind the story lies a critical eye toward issues such as our mass consumption society and environmental destruction, and the work stimulates the readers’ thoughts.
Let us know your thoughts about the trailer for The Concierge at Hokkyoku Department Store in the comments below!