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Matoi the Sacred Slayer Anime Preview Goes Behind the Scenes at White Fox

The official website for WHITE FOX's original television anime Matoi the Sacred Slayer began streaming an 18-minute preview special on Tuesday. The special begins by showing the staff at a shrine, and then plays a trailer for the series (also embedded by itself below).

The special then goes behind the scenes at the animation Studio White Fox. The video shows animation and storyboarding with director Masayuki Sakoi, voice recording with sound director Takayuki Yamaguchi, and background music recording with series composer Tatsuya Katou. The groups Mia REGINA and Sphere speak about their opening and ending theme performances, respectively. Sphere's Haruka Tomatsu also discusses her role as Claris in the anime. Finally, the video shows voice actresses Ayaka Suwa (Matoi) and Naomi Ōzora (Yuma) at the anime's September 17 stage event at Kyoto International Manga and Anime Fair 2016 and at the advanced screening event from the same day in Kyoto.

Preview Special:

Trailer:

The anime will premiere on Tokyo MX on October 4 at 11:00 p.m. The anime will premiere on Sun TV and KBS Kyoto an hour later, and will also air on BS11 on October 6. The anime will also stream on Bandai Channel, LINE LIVE, Niconico, and Abema TV.

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 main 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.

Mia REGINA is performing the opening theme "Chōmusubi Amulet" (Bowknot Amulet) and the group Sphere is performing the ending theme song "My Only Place."