FUNimation added Show By Rock!! to their spring 2015 anime simulcast plans this past weekend and had the first episode go live, which is certainly attracting a particular audience as Sanrio goes “mature.” FUNimation’s looking to expand its audience with it as well as they’ve brought out the first promotional spot for the series from Japan and have given it English language subtitles so folks can check it out with a touch more understanding. The series is directed by Takahiro Ikezoe based on scripts by Touko Machida and character designs by Masaru Ohshiro. The series is being animated by Bones.
The series is based on the project by Sanrio that has had an iOS rhythm game out so far that stars Eri Inagawa, Sumire Uesaka and Ayane Sakura in the primary position. It also has other bands included in it, with more to be announced. The ones announced so far include Mamoru Miyano Shuzo, Ryota Ohsaka as Kai and Ayumu Murase as Riku and Megumi Han as Daru Dayu, Eriko Matsui as A and Saori Hayami as Un and Kishô Taniyama as Crow, Kouki Uchiyama as Aeon, Tetsuya Kakihara as Yaiba and Yoshimasa Hosoya as Rom. Criticrista includes Rina Hidaka as Logia, Ai Kayano as Tsukino, Rie Murakawa as Jacqueline and Hiromi Igarashi as Holmy.
Plot concept: Set in the glamorous metropolis Tokyo Midi City, where music—and the dream of musical superstardom—is everything. Here, “battle of the bands” is more than just a teen rivalry: Dozens of ensembles compete for the honor of playing atop the city’s highest tower. When a Gothic Lolita-clad catgirl cutie named Cyan stumbles into the music world, she too is swept up by the dream of fame. After joining forces with three other colorful characters—bunnygirl honor student Chuchu, shy doggirl Retoree, and adorable sheepgirl Moa—the quartet becomes Plasmagica, the freshest band on the scene. Armed with special instruments, the girls face off with other bands striving for stardom, like the cool and passionate Visual Kei band Shingan Crimsonz, or the handsome pop idols Trichronika. Will the band find celebrity? Or are they doomed to be one-hit-wonders…
