Umi Monogatari ~Anata ga Ite Kureta Koto~
 

The famous pachinko series by Sanyo Bussan : Umi Monogatari, will be adapted into anime spinoff for this summer. The anime is directed by Aria series director.

うみものがたり～あなたがいてくれたコト～
Umi Monogatari ~Anata ga Ite Kureta Koto~

Staff :
Director : Junichi SATO (佐藤順一 - Aria, Kaleido Star and Princess Tutu's director)
Series director : Yuu KOU (紅優)
Original story : Toshihiko TSUKIJI (築地俊彦, Maburaho's creator)
Series composition : Yuka YAMADA (山田由香)
Screenplay : YOKOTANI (横谷昌弘), Reiko YOSHIDA (吉田玲子)
Character Designer : Haruko IIZUKA (飯塚晴子)
Art director : Shichiro KOBAYASHI (小林七郎)
Music : Ken MURAMATSU (村松健)
Animation production : ZEXCS

Official website : Umi Monogatari ~Anata ga Ite Kureta Koto~

A trailer shown on Tokyo Anime Fair 2009 is available.

Some pictures :

The three main stars of the series, according to the website, are:

Marin: Kana Asumi (Yuno in Hidamari Sketch)
Urin: Yui Horie (No refreshing of minds necessary here)
Kanon: Minako Kotobuki (several roles this upcoming season)

I'm in. The combination of the ocean setting and "based on a pachinko game" is enough to convince me.

I wonder. Given the pedigree of the staff, will this give ZEXCS a chance to actually have worthwhile series? It just seems most of their past works seem mediocre.

It looks kinda unique but at the same time it doesn't. I dunno. The transformation sequences kinda killed it for me. I may check it out though.

Here there are some additional photos and screenshots from the TAF and here two character sketches of Marin and Kanon.

trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvDh9...e=channel_page

Paper bag they were handing out at TAF2009. The art on those bags is gorgeous.

I think I might watch this series simply for the art.

The animation is very well done... Although I have been fooled by a first episode before. Then the fluctuation starts. Hopefully the can stay as consistent as possible.

The animation and coloring reminds me of Kaleido Star. The upcoming season seems to have something for everyone.

The animation and coloring remind you kaleido star because the producer for this anime also worked on kaleido star.

I'm expecting this one to deliver.

I think so... They may not be called it but I think that's the general concept...

Looks really interesting to me and we have some involvment from Princess Tutu so that is a go for me. Lol Aria meets sailor moon XD

It's been confirmed that the OP is "violet" by marble, and the ED is "Toumei na Inori" by Masumi Itou.

Should anyone wish to hear the OP, look no further.

The website has since updated with a large cast of characters and start dates. 6/24 being the earliest.

Some interviews with the cast:
* http://news.dengeki.com/elem/000/000/168/168060/
* http://journal.mycom.co.jp/articles/...ory/index.html (also with some colored character sketches)

New promo video on the official website.

I hope something like this isn't ecchi or infested with useless fan-service.:heh:

It's being directed by Junichi Sato (Sailor Moon, Kaleido Star, Aria), so I don't think so. The character's outfits will be ridiculous looking, but that's it.

The first PV has been subbed. It's under "Sea Story."