We learned back in March 2019 that the creator behind Hanayamata has another of their manga properties getting an anime adaptation with Ochikobore Fruit Tart, or Dropout Idol Fruit Tart. The series was set for the summer 2020 season but the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed it back to a fall 2020 debut. With Funimation revealing their pickup for the series back in July, we recently saw an October 12th, 2020 debut for it in Japan. Now, Funimation has announced that they’ll be simulcasting the series to viewers in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Ireland.
Additionally, it’ll be available in Australia and New Zealand on AnimeLab, and in France, Germany, Scandinavia, and Russia on Wakanim.
The series has Keiichiro Kawaguchi directing based on the series composition by him and Tatsuya Takahashi. Sumie Kinoshita is handling the character designs with studio feel working on the animation production.
The Japanese cast includes Hiyori Nitta as Ino Sakura, Risa Kubota as Roko Sekino, Haruka Shiraishi as Hayu Nukui, Reina Kondo as Nina Maehara, Kyōka Moriya as Hemo Midori, Yōko Hikasa as Hoho Kajino, Kaoru Sakura as Chiko Sekino, Yū Sasahara as Nua Nakamachi, Takako Tanaka as Rua Nakamachi, Rena Maeda as Riri Higashi, Yuiko Tatsumo as Tone Honmachi, and Yui Horie as Oto Kogane.
The manga by Sou Hamayumiba began in 2015 and has four volumes out so far.
The opening theme song is “Kibo Darake no Everyday!” while the ending theme song is “Wonder!” where both are performed by the five main actresses in-character under the unit name “Fruit Tart.”
Check out the official site and Twitter.
Plot Concept: First-year high school student Ino Sakura heads to Tokyo to pursue becoming an idol. She teams up with fellow Nezumi Dorm residents — unpopular former child actor Roko, musician Hayu, and model Nina — to form the new idol unit Fruit Tart. These dropout idols get back on their feet and enter the world of show business to prevent their dorm from being demolished.
