Anime Spotlight - Etotama (Chinese Zodiac Souls)
by Anthony Foronda,
Key Staff
- Director: Fumitoshi Oizaki
- (Romeo X Juliet, Place to Place)
- Series Composition: Deko Akao
- (Arakawa Under the Bridge, BlazBlue Alter Memory)
Introduction
Video production group Shirogumi teams up with Tablier Communications, known for hosting radio shows and events related to anime and video games, to create an entirely original TV animation!
◆The comical day to day scenes drawn out in 2D by Encourage Films are mixed in with powerful 3D action sequences by Shirogumi to create a mesmerizing series!
◆2D (adult mode) character design by Akio Watanabe of the "Monogatari" series 3D (pretty mode) character design by QP:FLAPPER of "Sora no Method."
◆A serialized comic adaptation is currently being published on monthly magazine "Dengeki Daiou," with a differing plot from that of the anime!
◆12 zodiac animal spirits+1 cat = girls✕battling✕everyday story
Story
Eto-shin(Zodiac God). "Eto-shin" are the 12 divine messengers chosen from "Eto-musume," or zodiac girls representing all kinds of animals. From ancient times, these 12 divine messengers have protected the land of the rising sun. They are powerful beings who have survived through "ETM 12," a divine tournament held every sixty years, and admired by all Eto-musumes.
Fast forward to now, the present day, and the year ETM 12 will be held. From all over Japan, Eto-shin candidates, or in other words, Eto-musumes gather in great numbers.
Within that group exists a single cat Eto-musume.
Her name is Nya-tan (nya, as in meow). She is thought of as the one closest to becoming an Eto-shin, but is a misfortunate girl who always ends up undermined by evil rodents.
The only way to become the 12 zodiac signs is to beat all the Eto-shins. However, the power of the Eto-shins is so great, and no Eto-musume has ever won in the tournament for the past two thousand years.
When Nya-tan meets an ordinary high school boy, Takeru Amato, the story begins!
Characters
 
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Nya-tan
Nickname: "Nya-tan"VA:Rie Murakawa Cat Eto-musume Eto ranking: Eto-musume (Unranked) Meow'm (I'm) going to become a divine Zodiac no meowtter (matter) what!!” ◆An Eto-musume representing the cat genus. |
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Takeru Amato Nickname: "Takeru Amato"VA: Hiro Shimono Protagonist/Human Eto ranking: N/A “...Sorry, I don't understand a word you're saying”◆Living on his own in Akihabara. ◆Ends up being freeloaded by Nya-tan who is after his tremendous "Moe* power," known as "Sol/Lull.” ◆A languid, benevolent, and the comedic "straight man.” ◆The only "normal" character in this story with common sense. |
 
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Chu-tan Nickname: "Chu-tan"VA:Sayaka Ohara Rat Zodiac Eto ranking: 1st I need no salvation...” ◆The mightiest Eto-shin representing the rat genus. |
 
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Mo-tan Nickname: "Mo-tan"VA:Eriko Matsui Cow Zodiac Eto ranking: 2nd Leave the finishing blow up to me!” ◆An Eto-shin representing the cow genus. ◆A large breasted herbivorous vegetarian. ◆Her distorted affection toward Nya-tan makes her uncontrollably perverted. |
 
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Shima-tan Nickname: "Shima-tan"VA:Yuiko Tatsumi Tiger Zodiac Eto ranking: 3rd See with the mind, not with the eyes.” ◆An Eto-shin representing the tiger genus.
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Usa-tan Nickname: "Usa-tan"VA:Yuuka Aisaka Rabbit Zodiac Eto ranking: 4th "I knew it!”◆An Eto-shin representing the rabbit genus. ◆A business genius, who speaks and behaves like a princess. ◆The owner of "Usa-tan Company" (UTC). |
 
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Dora-tan Nickname: "Dora-tan"VA:Maaya Uchida Dragon Zodiac Eto ranking: 5th “I met the most interesting human.”◆An Eto-shin representing the dragon genus. ◆A legendary mythological Eto-shin and Sol/Lull master. ◆As a mentor, she helps develop Nya-tan's mental strength and Sol/Lull power. |
 
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Shar-tan Nickname:"Shar-tan"VA:Hitomi Nabatame Snake Zodiac Eto ranking: 6th “You are still trapped in the darkness of your mind..."◆An Eto-shin representing the snake genus. ◆Mighty goddess, but she tries to never exercise her full power. ◆A mysterious girl who would rather keep to herself. |
 
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Uma-tan Nickname: "Uma-tan"VA:Ari Ozawa Horse Zodiac Eto ranking: 7th “No one remembers the signs of the zodiac after the horse!!!”◆An Eto-shin representing the horse genus. ◆Takes things rather negatively, and is hard to deal with. ◆Is a dreamer, but many times a failure. |
 
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Mei-tan Nickname: "Mei-tan"VA:Mai Fuchigami Sheep Zodiac Eto ranking: 8th "You're totally gone, huh!”◆An Eto-shin representing the sheep genus. ◆Has a laid-back, easy-going, and soothing personality. ◆A healing specialist who delivers every possible therapeutic treatment. ◆Represents Mother's love herself. |
 
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Key-tan Nickname: "Key-tan"VA:Megumi Toda Monkey Zodiac Eto ranking: 9th “Are you serious!?”◆An Eto-shin representing the monkey genus. ◆Thinks positive and tries to be positive in everything. ◆Impulsive, mischievous, and naïve but she learns from her mistakes. |
 
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Piyo-tan Nickname: "Piyo-tan"VA:Mikoi Sasaki Rooster Zodiac Eto ranking: 10th "I'll never forgive you! Stupid cat..."◆An Eto-shin representing the Rooster genus. ◆After three steps, she forgets everything.* *Japanese proverb ◆But as she still senses the remaining emotions and the mood she was in, the negative feelings accumulate in her mind. |
 
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Inu-tan Nickname: "Inu-tan"VA:Mariko Honda Dog Zodiac Eto ranking: 11th "What a reward!”●An Eto-shin representing the dog genus. ●Thinks positive and tries to be positive in everything. ●Enjoys fooling around with Key-tan. ●An honest and innocent girl. |
 
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Uri-tan Nickname: "Uri-tan"VA:Yumiri Hanamori Boar Zodiac Eto ranking: 12th "Sesame oil is human kind's greatest treasure.”◆An Eto-shin representing the boar genus. ◆Mascot-like character among the 12 zodiac girls, and is treated like a younger sister by everyone. |
Cast
- Nya-tan
- Rie Murakawa
- Chu-tan
- Sayaka Ohara
- Mo-tan
- Eriko Matsui
- Shima-tan
- Yuiko Tatsumi
- Usa-tan
- Yuuka Aisaka
- Dora-tan
- Maaya Uchida
- Shar-tan
- Hitomi Nabatame
- Uma-tan
- Ari Ozawa
- Mei-tan
- Mai Fuchigami
- Key-tan
- Megumi Toda
- Piyo-tan
- Mikoi Sasaki
- Inu-tan
- Mariko Honda
- Uri-tan
- Yumiri Hanamori
- Takeru Amato
- Hiro Shimono
Staff
- Executive Producer
- Shirogumi Inc.
- Original Story
- Shirogumi Inc. & Tablier Communications Inc.
- Original Concept
- Takashi Hoshi & To-ru Zekuu of “Schaferhund” and “Shiki Tsukai”
- Director
- Fumitoshi Oizaki of “Acchi Kocchi(Place to Place)”, “Sgt. Frog” and “Astarotte no Omocha!”
- CG Director
- Takamitsu Hirakawa of “Kirby(Kirby's Dream Land)”
- Series Supervisor/Writer
- Deko Akao of “Arakawa Under the Bridge” and “Pretty Rhythm”
- Adult Character Original Concept
- Akio Watanabe of the “Monogatari” Series and “Le Fruit De La Grisaia”
- Pretty" Character Original Concept
- QP:FLAPPER of “Sora no Method” and “Girl Friend BETA”
- Adult Character Design & Art Director
- Satoshi Koike of “Soul Eater NOT!”
- "Pretty" Character Design
- Asami Takahashi of “Elecle nico”
- 3D Animation
- Shirogumi Inc. of “STAND BY ME Doraemon” and “Moyashimon Returns”
- 2D Animation
- Encourage Films Co., Ltd. of “Amazing Twins”
(C)ETO
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