Long-awaited 2nd season of TV anime “Uchoten Kazoku,” based on novel by the popular Japanese writer Tomihiko Morimi is announced at Kyoto International Manga Anime Fair 2016

KYOTO, JAPAN – September 18th, 2016 – The production of animation project “Uchoten Kazoku 2,” based on Tomihiko Morimi’s original work “Uchoten Kazoku Nidaime No Kicho” is annoucned at the “Uchoten Kazoku Kendochorai Stage” event (10:00am-10:30am JST) at Kyoto International Manga Anime Fair 2016.

“Uchoten Kazoku” (The Eccentric Family) is a television animation series that was broadcasted in Japan in 2013. The story of family of Tanukis (raccoon dogs) takes place in Kyoto. The eccentric comedic drama full of family love has been highly applauded with its beautiful animation and unique world. Even after the broadcast, fans from around the world continue to support the series. In 2013 December, at the “17th Japan Media Arts Festival Animation Division,” it was the only television animation to receive the “Excellence Award” that year.

The long-awaited sequel is based on Tomihiko Morimi’s book “Uchoten Kazoku Nidaime No Kicho” (published by Gentosha since 2015). The bestseller novel “Uchoten Kazoku” sold over 360,000 copies, and this is its second volume.

The core staff from previous animation series will return on this sequel. The character designs are created by the popular manga artist Yasuji Kumeta (“Zetsubo Sensei,” “Kakushigoto”), Masayuki Yoshihara is the director, and Lantis handles the music production. Animation production is by P.A.WORKS. This is the studio’s first sequel series.

Main cast members will be also returning for the sequel. The protagonist Yasaburo
Shimogamo, the third son of the family, is voiced by Takahiro Sakurai;
Yoichiro Shimogamo, the eldest son of the family, is voiced by Junichi Suwabe;
Yajiro Shimogamo, the second son of the family, is voiced by Hiroyuki Yoshino;
Yajiro Shimogamo, the youngest son of the family, is voiced by Mai Nakahara;
and Benten, the bewitchingly beautiful woman, is voiced by Mamiko Noto.

Event At Kyoto International Manga Anime Fair 2016 and Announcements The announcement of the sequel is made at Kyoto International Manga Anime Fair 2016 in Kyoto, the setting of the story of “Uchoten Kazoku 2.” At the stage event, Tomihiko Mirimi, author of the original novel; Takahiro Sakurai, voice of protagonist Yasaburo Shimogamo; Mamiko Noto, the voice of Benten; Masayuki Yoshihara, director; Kenji Horikawa, CEO of P.A.WORKS; and Shigeru Saito, music producer, attended the event. The event focused on the above members looking back at the first series “Uchoten Kazoku” and their comments about the second series.The Blu-Ray Box Set (For Japan Release) Also AnnouncedAt the same event, Blu-ray of the first series “Uchoten Kazoku” that was released in 2013 is announced. The Blu-Ray Box Set will be sold by Bandai Visual. Details will be announced separately at a later date.

Comments by Creators:

Tomihiko Morimi (Author of “Uchoten Kazoku Nidaime No Kicho”)
“‘Once again, I have written another novel difficult to visualize.’
This was my thought when I finished writing the sequel. As a clumsy writer, I have lost my proper consideration for the production staff and could not withhold my wild fantasies. When I reflect upon the countless obstacles that everyone in the production staff will be facing, I am in endless remorse. Please, forgive this rambunctious author. This is an abbreviated formality, but with this comment, I hereby express my apologies, and offer my prayer for the birth of a masterpiece greater than the first season.”

Masayuki Yoshihara (Director of “The Eccentric Family” Animated Series)
“The highlight of “Uchoten Kazoku 2” is the attractive new characters. Please watch and read the first season, and then enjoy this new world to the fullest.”

Kenji Horikawa (Producer, P.A. WORKS)
“To visually adapt part 2 of the original novel, I felt the need for greater determination and to become more adventurous, even more than the previous season. We want to make this animation, but if we become careless, we’ll end up in the Tanuki pot. In a world surrounded by fluffy furballs, we crave for that taste of happiness we previously had. We may roast in the inferno flames if we fail to grab hold of the spider’s thread. Many thoughts filled my mind, and I realized that what were previously whispers coming from the fool’s blood have now gathered into a resonating song.
“Make waves all the time, make it go-go, disturb order all the time, disturb it ho-ho♪”
By humming this song, even when I’m looking over the edge of the Friday’s Fellows’ Tanuki pot, I can dance with a smile.”

Project Information:

Official Website: http://www.uchoten2-anime.com/
Official Facebook Account: https://www.facebook.com/uchoten2en
Official Twitter Account: @Uchoten2_EN
Official Hashtag #Uchoten

Cast:

Yasaburo : Takahiro Sakurai
Yaichiro : Junichi Suwabe
Yajiro : Hiroyuki Yoshino
Yashiro : Mai Nakahara
Benten : Mamiko Noto
and others

Staff:

Original Story “Uchoten Kazoku – Nidaime No Kichou”(Gentosha) : Tomihiko Morimi
Original Character Design : Koji Kumeta
Director : Masayuki Yosihara
Written by : Ryo Higaki
Character Design / Animation Director : Kosuke Kawatsura
Art Director : Yusuke Takeda & Harumi Okamoto
Music Produced by : Lantis
Animation Produced by : P.A. WORKS
Produced by: “Uchoten Kazoku 2” Committee
(C)Tomihiko Morimi , GENTOSHA / Uchoten-Kazoku 2 Committee