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From the New World Anime's 1st Prelude Video Posted

The Japanese network TV Asahi began streaming the first prelude video for the television anime adaptation of Yūsuke Kishi's novel From the New World (Shin Sekai Yori) on Monday. The video features production art and includes comments from producer Yutaka Oomatsu (Blood+, Night Raid 1931) and Masashi Sogo (Bleach, Gantz), who is in charge of series composition.

Kishi also outlines the story's scenario, discusses the works' themes, and offers his thoughts on the adaptation in the video. The Read or Die animation director Masashi Ishihama, who is debuting as an anime director at A-1 Pictures, also describes the production process, sketches storyboards, and works with Kishi on the project in the video. A special stage event for From the New World will take place at the Anime Contents Expo (ACE) 2012 event in Chiba's Makuhari Messe International Exhibition Center on April 1.

The story is set in Japan a millennium from now. Five children — the protagonist Saki, Satoru, Maria, Mamoru, and Shun — have been born and raised in a tranquil town that can be described as a utopia, overflowing with water and green foilage. The world is ruled by people who have the "cursed power" or the "gods' power" of telekinesis.

After a certain incident, Saki and the others come to realize the true nature of their world. Before long, they learn everything, including the bloody history that brought humanity to this state. The five throw themselves into life-threatening adventure and fighting to protect friends and a world on the brink of collapse.

The original novel shared The Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of Japan's 29th Nihon SF Taishō Award with Mitsuo Iso's Dennō Coil anime series in 2008. A manga adaptation will premiere in in the June issue of Kodansha's Shonen Magazine on May 9.

Update: The two other parts of the prologue are also streaming online. Thanks, SamMurai.