Go behind the scenes of the anime adaptation of Übel Blatt with Yuki Watanabe, Executive Producer at PONY CANYON INC. He shares his memories of the manga, the challenges of production, and his expectations for viewers around the world. Übel Blatt, based on Etorouji Shiono‘s work, is set to premiere exclusively on Prime Video worldwide on January 11, 2025, at 1:30 a.m. JST.
Could you please just introduce yourself?
Yuki Watanabe: My name is Watanabe from an entertainment company, PONY CANYON INC. In an animation production project, there are many people called producers, and in my case, I am the so-called executive producer of the production committee, and my job includes the planning stage, negotiations with production studios and the original creators, management of the progress of the entire project, and ultimately being responsible for delivering the animation to the viewers.
What did you think of the manga when you were working on the anime project?
Yuki Watanabe: I had read the manga when I was a student. Reading it again, I felt nostalgic, of course, but the harsh worldview and mature character modeling/creation seemed rather fresh to me. I am verymuch looking forward to seeing what impression the anime will make on those who see it for the first time.
As a part of “Übel Blatt Global Screening”, premiere screenings took place in Singapore and South Korea prior to January streaming. How was the response from overseas audiences at these events?
Yuki Watanabe: Due to an unfortunate cancellation of our flight, Voice Actor Hirose and I could not make it to the Singapore screening in person as we originally planned, but we were able to participate online (live streaming). Although it was through the screen, I was able to feel that the audience in Singapore enjoyed the screening of the first episode, and especially the battle scenes were well received. Some people actually said that they could not wait for what’s coming next because ep.1 left them with many mysteries about the main character, Köinzel.
I am happy that the attendees were able to enjoy the premiere screening in Korea as well!
What kind of conversations did you have with the original author, Etorouji Shiono, when making the animation?
Yuki Watanabe: This work was serialized 20 years ago, and it was a big title that kept serialized for 15 years. Mr. Shiono and I had a very positive conversation about what we should rearrange and what we should brush up on for the anime adaptation in 2025, while keeping in mind the essence of whathe put into this work at the time of serialization. I am very grateful to Mr. Shiono for his detailed additions to the setting and worldview that had not been decided at the time of the serialization.
Please tell us about the casting for this anime.
Yuki Watanabe: As a matter of fact, I have already attended as many as three anime conventions overseas this year, including AFA Singapore, with Yuya Hirose, who plays Köinzell.
Mr. Hirose and I have worked together in multiple anime titles in the past, but in this anime “ÜbelBlatt” I was able to experience his harder and more powerful performance, and I feel once again that he is such a wonderful voice actor.
I believe that we were able to assemble an attractive and talented cast of other characters as well. If I had to single out one person, it would be Yui Kanari, who plays the role of Aht. She is still a newcomer, but I think she gave her all in tackling this difficult role. I look forward to seeing more of her in the future.
What is a highlight of Übel Blatt for you?
Yuki Watanabe: It is difficult to put it in one word, but I guess a great thing about the title is that it doesn’t explain too much (of the story).
The worldview of this work is very profound, and the setting (background information) for each character is enormous, but this work proceeds solely with a focus on the revenge drama of Köinzell.
I hope that viewers will follow the journey of revenge with Köinzell while feeling the profound and deep worldview of “Übel Blatt” and the pasts of the characters.
Do you have a message for international audiences looking forward to Übel Blatt?
Yuki Watanabe: Übel Blatt has been very popular overseas since the original manga’s serialization, and I believe that the anime will live up to those expectations. Please wait just a little longer for the start of streaming!
Official Trailer:
New Trailer:
CAST:
Köinzell: Yuya Hirose
Peepi: Hina Tachibana
Wied: Toshiki Masuda
Altea: Hitomi Ueda
Aht: Yui Kanari
Geranpen: Kenichirou Matsuda
Fargo: Kohsuke Toriumi
Rangzatz: Ryota Suzuki
Marquis Glenn: Kazuhiko Inoue
Landgrave Schtemwölech: Taiten Kusunoki
Batterygrave Barestar: Naoya Uchida
STAFF:
Original Work: Etorouji Shiono
Director: Takashi Naoya
Assistant Director: Asami Matsuo
Series Composition & Screenplay: Tatsuya Takahashi
Screenplay: Tetsuya Yamada
Character Design: Kiyoshi Tateishi
Chief Animation Director: Toshimitsu Kobayashi, Sachiyo Komito, Atsushi Aono, Taeko Ohgi
Sub Character Design / Prop Design: Taeko Ohgi
Monster Design: Takaaki Sekizaki
Mechanic Design: Kio Edamatsu
Art Director: Hirotaka Kozaki
Color Design: Toshie Miyazawa (Rocket Vision)
Director of Photography: Yu Fei
Editor: Mai Hasegawa
CG Director: Hiroyuki Goto, Hiroyuki Ikeda
Music: Shun Narita
Sound Director: Takahiro Fujimoto
Sound Effects: Kio Okuda
Sound Production: DAX Production Inc.
Animation Production: SATELIGHT×Staple Entertainment
Official Website：https://ubel-blatt-anime.com/
Official X: @ubelblatt_info https://x.com/ubelblatt_info
Streaming Information:
New episode every week exclusively on Prime Video worldwide from January 11, 2025 1:30 a.m. JST.
Published by SQUARE ENIX, the comic series “Übel Blatt II: The Knights of the Deceased King” is currently being serialized in “Monthly BIG GANGAN.” Volumes 0 to 23 are now available for purchase.
Official Introduction:
The ultimate in dark fantasy is finally becoming an anime!
In 3968 AD, to stop the invasion from Wischtech, Land of Shadows, the Emperor had equipped fourteen young souls with lances and sent them on a mission.
It was believed that three lost their lives on the journey, four had betrayed the Emperor and joined the enemy, so they were eliminated.
But this was actually due to a betrayal by the other seven who wanted all the glory for themselves.
After their return to the Empire, they were given the title of the Seven Heroes. They had gained the respect of the people and rose to statuses of glory.
Meanwhile, the others were deprived of their distinguished military service and labeled the Traitorous Lances.One swordsman named Ascheriit managed to survive by consuming fairy flesh.
He retained the physical appearance of a young man, changed his name to Köinzell and twenty years later, he begins his journey to get revenge against the Seven Heroes!
PONY CANYON ANIME (English):
https://x.com/ponycan_anime
https://www.instagram.com/ponycan_anime/
https://www.tiktok.com/@ponycan_anime
©Etorouji Shiono/SQUARE ENIX,Ubel Blatt Production Consortium
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