Anime Spotlight - JOKER GAME
by Anthony Foronda,

Key Staff
Story
Deceive everything and survive.
Fall of 1937, when the seeds of world war were smoldering. For Lieutenant Colonel Yuki in the Imperial Army secretly creates "Institution D", a subdivision to train spies. Against the trends of the army that value career militia, those that were chosen to enter the institution were young adults that graduated from general universities such as Tokyo and Kyoto and easily passed the superhuman selection examination. Under Lieutenant Colonel Yuki who has a wizard's worth of resources on him, they learn all sorts of techniques needed for espionage activity such as how to use explosives and radio, how to pilot cars and airplanes, and even how to pickpocket or break open safes, before they head off to their posted locations. "Do not die, do not kill" - Institution D says the worst choices for a spy aspiring to not stand out are suicide and murder, though the central core of the army furiously disagree with them. Even then, they deceive their comrades, go against what the enemies think, and secretly act all over the world. Tokyo, Shanghai, London... An intelligence mystery held all over the world.
Characters
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Lieutenant Colonel Yuki
VA:Kenyu Horiuchi Master spy of the Imperial Army and founder of the spy training program "Institution D". Has the nickname "Demon Lord", he has a brain that knows no limits. Used to work as a very efficient spy himself. The trademark white gloves and cane are rumored to be a result of being captured while in an enemy country because of an ally's betrayal and then tortured, but the details are unknown. Friend or foe, many try to find out his true nature, but every attempt to do so has always ended up in failure. |
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Lieutenant Sakuma
VA:Tomokazu Seki Lieutenant of the Imperial Japanese Army. Under orders of his superior Colonel Muto, he heads to Institution D that was secretly set up within the army. Acts as liaison between them and the staff headquarters. While surveying the members of Institution D, he is amazed at their abilities that go beyond common sense. Like a militia, he has a sincere personality, and often is angered at the lack of modesty in statements from Miyoshi and company. |
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Miyoshi
VA:Hiro Shimono Narcissist who always treats others with a sneering attitude and looks down on them. Has the habit of putting on an air, such as taking very gallant poses. Sometimes offers to manage the institution members along with Kaminaga. |
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Kaminaga
VA:Ryohei Kimura A mischievous playboy that seems frivolous, but actually is full of pride, and always makes sure to accomplish anything he says. Like Miyoshi, sometimes offers to manage the institution members. |
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Odagiri
VA:Yoshimasa Hosoya An Institution D member that stands out as he went to the Army's elementary school and military academy and was appointed as second lieutenant in the past. Reticent, and almost never laughs. There is some other secret on top of his past different from others, and harbors a wall of some sort between himself and the other members. |
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Amari
VA:Toshiyuki Morikawa Oldest among the institution members along with Kaminaga. Sociable personality and good at taking care of others, he is the big brotherly figure of the institution. Has the disposition of a freeman, and doesn't care much about details. Used to handling women. |
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Hatano
VA:Yuki Kaji Smallest member of Institution D. Charming but full of pride. Has a cheeky personality. Agile master of martial arts. |
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Jitsui
VA:Jun Fukuyama Unpretentious, and often worried about Sakuma who lived together with Institution D members after he was sent in from staff headquarters. Androgynous and usually gentle, but shows a sadistic coldness on occasion against enemies. |
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Fukumoto
VA:Kazuya Nakai Tallest of the Institution D members. Slightly airheaded, sometimes can be found spacing out. Reticent, doesn't show much emotion. Seems to get along with silent Odagiri. Likes to cook, and sometimes cooks for the institution members. |
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Tazaki
VA:Takahiro Sakurai Gentle-mannered, pleasant young man with an intelligent aura. Often seen as older than his actual age as he always is calm. Has the habit of performing magic unconsciously with items near him when he is in thought. |
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Jiro Gamo
VA:Kenjiro Tsuda Often worries about appearance, but the personality of this pleasant young man is down-to-earth and is very faithful to his missions. His skills at chess are as good as a professional player. |
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Muto
VA:Tessho Genda Colonel of the Imperial Japanese Army. Has unpleasant feelings towards Institution D led by Lieutenant Colonel Yuki. |
Cast
- Lieutenant Colonel Yuki
- Kenyu Horiuchi
- Miyoshi
- Hiro Shimono
- Kaminaga
- Ryohei Kimura
- Odagiri
- Yoshimasa Hosoya
- Amari
- Toshiyuki Morikawa
- Hatano
- Yuki Kaji
- Jitsui
- Jun Fukuyama
- Fukumoto
- Kazuya Nakai
- Tazaki
- Takahiro Sakurai
- Jiro Gamo
- Kenjiro Tsuda
- Lieutenant Sakuma
- Tomokazu Seki
Staff
- Original Story
- Koji Yanagi ("Joker Game" series, published by Kadokawa Bunko / KADOKAWA)
- Director
- Kazuya Nomura
- Series Composition/Screenplay
- Taku Kishimoto
- Original Character Designs
- Shirow Miwa
- Character Designs/Chief Animation Director
- Toshiyuki Yahagi
- Chief Researcher
- Seiichi Shirato
- Art Director
- Yoshio Tanioka
- Art Settings
- Iho Narita
- 3D CGI
- Sublimation
- Color Coordinator
- Sayoko Noda
- Special Effects
- Masahiro Murakami
- Director of Photography
- Koji Tanaka
- Editing
- Junichi Uematsu
- Music
- Kenji Kawai
- Sound Director
- Yoshikazu Iwanami
- Animation Production
- Production I.G
©Koji Yanagi,KADOKAWA/JOKER GAME ANIMATION PROJECT
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