In attendance at this weekend’s Anime Weekend Atlanta festivities, western anime streaming platform HIDIVE came prepared with a quartet of announcements to unveil, including word on the first co-production the company is arranging with a Japanese studio. In addition to the new co-production, HIDIVE has also confirmed the acquisition of two animated feature films and a theatrical OVA. You can read more about each title below:
1GIANT BEASTS OF ARS
The great beasts created the land, but humans stole it. Angered, the beasts began eating humans, who in turn called upon the gods to fight the beasts. In the age of the sword, heroes and mythology, giant beasts are hunted by humans for profit. Jiro, who makes his living hunting beasts, encounters Kuumi, who is being chased by someone, and in that moment decides to save her. As rumors spread regarding humanity and a mysterious experiment, together they seek to discover the world’s secrets.
GIANT BEASTS OF ARS is a co-production of DMM.com and HIDIVE animated by ASAHI PRODUCTION with direction by Akira Oguro and writing by Norimitsu Kaihou.
GIANT BEASTS OF ARS will premiere January 2023 exclusively on HIDIVE.
2The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes
Urashima Tunnel – Once you enter that tunnel, you can get whatever you want, but at a price. Kaoru Tohno, who seems to have an elusive personality and traumatic past, and Anzu Hanashiro, who is struggling to reconcile her ideal image and true-to-heart attitude, team up to investigate the Urashima Tunnel and get what they want. This is an unforgettable summer story of nostalgia and sprinting in a remote countryside.
An animated film based on the award-winning novel by Mei Hachimoku, The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes is written and directed by Tomohisa Taguchi and animated by CLAP. Runtime: 83 minutes.
The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes will receive a Q1 2023 theatrical release, followed by being streamable on HIDIVE.
3Mirage QUEEN Prefers Circus
They always steal the prey they aim for. That is Phantom Thief Queen. Gender, age, nationality unknown. Together with their partner Joker, RD, they travel around the world on the airship Troubadour. This time, the Queen is aiming for a cursed jewel, the legendary Rose of Linden. A hypnotist, an acrobat, a magician…the talented circus members challenge the Queen! What is their purpose? In order to get back the jewel, the Queen stands up to the challenge in a bold and brilliant way (or disguise). Nothing is impossible for the Queen!
A theatrical OVA based on first novel of the Mirage Queen series, Mirage QUEEN Prefers Circus is animated by East Fish Studio and directed by Saori Den with writing by Mariko Kunisawa. Runtime: 60 minutes.
Mirage QUEEN Prefers Circus will stream direct to HIDIVE in 2023.
4Utano☆Princesama Maji LOVE ST☆RISH Tours
With the great success of “Maji LOVE LIVE Kingdom”, the members of ST☆RISH have been busy with their idol activities. However, while their success has brought a sense of fulfillment, they began to have feelings they never felt before. “What do we do from now on…” At that time, a call comes in from the Shining Office summoning everyone to receive a “reward.” What is it…? This is the behind-the-scenes story of ST☆RISH, connecting “Maji LOVE Kingdom” to the “Maji LOVE ST☆RISH Tours.”
This animated film from A-1 Pictures is directed by Chiaki Nagaoka with music by Elements Garden. Runtime: 102 minutes.
Utano☆Princesama Maji LOVE ST☆RISH Tours will receive a Q1 2023 theatrical release, followed by being streamable on HIDIVE.
Furthermore, those who prefer to watch their anime with English dubbing, HIDIVE has confirmed four Fall 2022 simulcast season series (Akiba Maid War, The Eminence in Shadow, URUSEI YATSURA and Reincarnated as a Sword) will be receiving English “Dubcasts”, with more details to be shared at a later date.
