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White Fox Reveals Original TV Anime Series Matoi the Sacred Slayer

Anime Studio White FOX opened a website on Friday to announce that it is producing an original television anime series titled Matoi the Sacred Slayer (Sōshin Shōjo Matoi) that will premiere in October. The anime is WHITE FOX's first original anime series.

The site describes the anime's story:

It is 2016. Matoi Sumeragi, a second-year junior high school student, works part-time as a shrine maiden at Tenman Shrine in the city of Kamaya. Ever since being separated from her mother in early childhood, Matoi has been entrusted to her grandparents on her father's side, but three months ago, she finally began to live with her father Shingo. In those circumstances, she only wishes for a peaceful, normal life.

Her close friend and part-time workmate Yuma Kusanagi is part of the family of the shrine's chief priest, and is a candidate to be the successor shrine maiden. For generations, her family has performed exorcisms of evil spirits. She invites Matoi to one of these exorcism ceremonies, a so-called "Divine Possession" that she will attempt.

One day, Matoi and Yuma walk from the school to the shrine as usual, but when they arrive, they are greeted by the shrine's now damaged grounds, and Yuma's parents have both collapsed from their wounds. Matoi's father Shingo, a police detective, launches an investigation, and he comes upon a man who does not seem entirely sane: his only witness. When he holds down the man, Yuma begins the ritual of Divine Possession.

Something strange then happens, not with Yuma, but with Matoi. Matoi Sumeragi, who had only wanted a normal, peaceful life, takes the role of a god, and gains the power to banish evil spirits! To get her precious everyday life back, Matoi must conduct exorcisms!

The anime's cast includes:

Ayaka Suwa as Matoi Sumeragi, a 14-year old second year junior high school student who works part-time at Tenman Shrine as a shrine maiden. After her mother went missing, she lived for a long time with her grandparents on her father's side, but currently lives with her father, Shingo. She takes care of all the housework her mother used to do, and has become quite mature for her age. She dreams of being able to live with both of her parents and live a normal life one day, but because the spirit of a god is drawn to her, she can perform transference, and has her hands full performing exorcisms.

Naomi Ōzora as Yuma Kusanagi, a 13-year old first-year junior high school student, and the candidate for the next shrine maiden of Tenman Shrine. She is a naive and energetic girl who is liable to not look before she leaps. She has longed to become the shrine's Exorcist Shrine Maiden, a position her family has maintained for generations, and cannot stop herself from believing it will be her. As a result of bringing out a divine treasure, she is responsible for giving Matoi the power of transference.

Haruka Tomatsu as Claris Tonitolus, a 15-year old member of Fatima, the Vatican's secret service. Fatima exists outside the boundaries of the law, and exists as special exorcists. Claris herself studied under a priest to learn exorcism, marking herself as one of the children known as the Anti-Creed. She is dispatched to Japan, and encounters Matoi and Yuma.

Masayuki Sakoi (Celestial Method, Princess Resurrection) is directing the anime at WHITE FOX, and Yousuke Kuroda (My Hero Academia, Mobile Suit Gundam 00, Big Windup!) is overseeing and writing the scripts. Mai Toda (animation director for Baby Steps, One-Punch Man) is the character designer and chief animation director, and Seiichi Shirato (Jormungand, Drifters, Joker Game) is in charge of setting research. Tatsuya Katou (Love Live! Sunshine!!, Celestial Method) is composing the music.

The rest of the staff includes:

Image Board: Shigeyuki Koresawa, Hiyume
Prop Design: Goichi Iwahata, Noritaka Suzuki
Art Director: Yoshito Takamine
Art Setting: Kaoru Aoki
Color Key: Miyuki Satō
Special Effects: Ayumi Arahata
3D Director and Modeling: Hiroshi Souma
Director of Photography: Kazumasa Someya
Editing: Masahiro Gotō
Sound Director: Takayuki Yamaguchi
Sound Studio: Half HP Studio
Sound Production: Lantis
Production: Infinite

The voice actress unit Sphere (made up of Minako Kotobuki, Ayahi Takagaki, Haruka Tomatsu, and Aki Toyosaki) will perform the show's ending theme song.

The anime will have a stage event at the Kyoto International Manga and Anime Fair 2016 on September 17, and will also host an advanced screening on the same day in Kyoto.

Images via Animate Times

[Via Yaraon!]