News

Hakushon Daimaō 2020 Anime Reveals Cast, Theme Songs, Promo Video

Tatsunoko Production unveiled on Friday more cast members, theme song information, and a promotional video for Hakushon Daimaō 2020, its new television anime based on the 1969 Hakushon Daimaō (The Genie Family) anime.

The newly announced cast includes: (Note: character name romanizations are not confirmed.)

• Kyо̄tarо̄ Muramoto as Takashi Yodayama, Kantarō's father
• Noriko Hidaka as Yо̄ko Yodayama, Kantarō's mother
• Toshio Furukawa as Kanichi Yodayama, Kantarō's grandfather
• Haruka Tomatsu as Mario Kenmari, Kantarō's friend
• Tomokazu Seki as Yumizu Kinamari
• Chо̄ as Sorekara Ojisan

Tamio Okuda is performing the anime's opening theme song "Satesu Hakushon," and Friends is performing the anime's ending theme song "Akubi o Sureba."

The anime will premiere on Yomiuri TV on April 11.

The series marks the 1969 anime's 50th anniversary. The new anime's slapstick gag comedy story is set 50 years after the 1969 anime, with Kan-chan's grandchild Kantarō Yodayama meeting Akubi as she goes on a journey to prepare to be queen. In the human world, Kantarō and Akubi go on various adventures, get jobs, and learn the importance of having dreams.

Sumire Morohoshi is voicing the character Akubi, who is the new show's main character. Miyuri Shimabukuro is playing Kantarō Yodayama. Kōichi Yamadera is voicing hakushon Daimaō after the original voice actor Tooru Oohira passed away in 2016. Daiki Yamashita is voicing Pūta, the son of Hakushon and younger brother of Akubi-chan (Tatsunoko Production introduced the new character last year).

Atsushi Nigorikawa (Love Tyrant, Between the Sky and Sea, A Destructive God Sits Next to Me) is directing the anime at Tatsunoko Production and Nippon Animation. Hiroko Kanasugi (Diabolik Lovers More, Blood, RobiHachi) is in charge of the series scripts. Suzuka Yoshida (Vampiyan Kids, Yobarete Tobidete Akubi-chan, Mach Girl) drew the original character designs, and Shin Takemoto (Genbanojō) and Masatsune Noguchi are adapting those designs for animation. Satoshi Motoyama is the sound director, while Takamitsu Shimazaki, Hiroshi Sasaki, and Teppei Shimizu (Smile Company) are composing the music. Magic Capsule is credited for music production. Tatsunoko Production and Yomiuri TV are credited for production.

Hiroshi Sasagawa directed the Hakushon Daimaō anime from 1969-1970. The anime inspired a spinoff series titled Yobarete Tobidete Akubi-chan in 2001, and it received a sequel in 2001. The anime also inspired a live-action special in 2013.

XFLAG and Tatsunoko Production's Pandora to Akubi anime film, which debuted last April, features Hakushon Daimaō character Akubi-chan ("Ya-ahn" in Tatsunoko's official English descriptions), daughter of the titular genie character Hakushon ("Hasshoo"). XFLAG and Tatsunoko Production describe the April anime as "battle entertainment for girls."

Sources: Hakushon Daimaō 2020 anime's website, Tatsunoko Production's YouTube channel, Comic Natalie