Caligula
Synopsis
“We will shatter the illusions and return to the hell of reality.”
In the town of Miyabi, a beautiful voice fills the streets as the infinitely popular idol, μ watches over the quiet everydays of the residents.
Ritsu Shikishima is a freshman at Kishimai High School in Miyabi, who was living the normal life of high school students filled with studying, sports, and friends. However, everything turns upside down at the opening ceremony of his second year when a boy steps on the podium as the freshmen’s representative. It’s impossible, how can he be here…? Realizing they are trapped in a virtual world where everyone is living their high school years over and over again, he joins the Go Home Club to break out of their benevolent prison and return to the real world.
Background
Caligula is based on The Caligula Effect, a role-playing video game developed by Aquria and published by FuRyu for PlayStation Vita in June 2016 in Japan and Atlus USA in May 2017 worldwide. Directed by Takuya Yamanaka and written by Tadashi Satomi (Persona series), the game’s title comes from the “Caligula effect” (originating from the 1979 Italian-American historical drama), which refers to the charms of taboos.
An Unreal Engine 4-based remake titled The Caligula Effect: Overdose was announced in November 2017 and is set to release on May 17, 2018 for PlayStation 4.
Anime Adaptation
A TV anime adaptation titled Caligula was announced in November 2017. Produced by Satelight with music by Pony Canyon, it is directed by Junichi Wada (WorldEnd, Ragnastrike Angels) and written by Toko Machida (A Centaur’s Life, Chaika - The Coffin Princess, Amnesia, Akashic Records of Bastard Magical Instructor), who also worked together on The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-chan. The series is scheduled to premiere in April 2018 on Tokyo MX.
The series will feature “Paradygm Box,” sung by Chiharu Sawashiro (Ritsu) and Shunsuke Takeuchi (Shogo), as the opening theme and “HYPNO,” performed by Rie Murakawa (Kotono), Ari Ozawa (Naruko), Rie Takahashi (Mifue), and Minami Tanaka (Suzuna), as its ending theme. Both singles will release on May 16, 2018.
A mini album titled Game Insert Songs Anime Re:Arrange Ver. featuring nine songs from popular online composers including 40mP, OSTER project, Polyphonic Branch, Chocho-P, Asha, 164, YM, cosMo@Boso-P, and Mikito-P, performed by Reina Ueda (μ) will come out on April 18, 2018.
Characters
Ritsu Shikishima (CV: Chiharu Sawashiro)
A second-year student at Kishimai High School leading the eventful life of high schoolers.
Shogo Satake (CV: Shunsuke Takeuchi)
A third-year at Kishimai High, Shogo often acts violently, hence his nickname “the fighting demon.”
Izuru Minesawa (CV: Yuichiro Umehara)
A dazzlingly handsome second-year student at Kishimai High.
Kotaro Tomoe (CV: Yoshimasa Hosoya)
A third-year student at Kishimai High with a cheerful and nosy personality and a large physique. He always tries to help when he sees someone in trouble.
Kotono Kashiwaba (CV: Rie Murakawa)
A third-year student at Kishimai High with a sisterly nature, Kotono has a neat, somewhat adult-like charm about her.
Naruko Morita (CV: Ari Ozawa)
A second-year student with a petite build and trademark half-rim glasses.
Mifue Shinohara (CV: Rie Takahashi)
A cheerful first-year student who loves fresh cream and chocolate coronets, Mifue is a mood-maker who eats just as much as she laughs.
Suzuna Kagura (CV: Minami Tanaka)
A quiet first-year student who always has a forlorn expression and seems to lack self-confidence.
Marie Mizuguchi (CV: Mai Fuchigami)
A second-year student and Ritsu’s classmate.
μ (CV: Reina Ueda)
A super popular idol who hits the news whenever she releases a new song.
Aria (CV: Asami Shimoda)
An “undersized object” who appeared to Ritsu.
Kagi-P (CV: Shouta Aoi)
Sweet-P (CV: Emi Nitta)
Shonen-Doll (CV: Yumiri Hanamori)
Mirei (CV: Eriko Nakamura)
Ike-P (CV: Soma Saito)
Shadow Knife (CV: Yuma Uchida)
Thorn (CV: Yuka Otsubo)
The leader of the Ostinato Musicians.
Staff
Original Concept: Takuya Yamanaka (FuRyu)
Director: Junichi Wada
Original Scenario: Tadashi Satomi
Series Composition: Toko Machida
Original Character Design: Oguchi
Character Design: Kenji Tanabe
Sound Director: Satoshi Motoyama
Music: Tsukasa Masuko, Yasuharu Takanashi, Funta7, RegaSound, Kenji Iwata
Animation Production: Satelight
Music Production: Pony Canyon
Cast
Chiharu Sawashiro: Ritsu Shikishima
Reina Ueda: μ
Shunsuke Takeuchi: Shogo Satake
Yuichiro Umehara: Izuru Minesawa
Yoshimasa Hosoya: Kotaro Tomoe
Rie Murakawa: Kotono Kashiwaba
Ari Ozawa: Naruko Morita
Rie Takahashi: Mifue Shinohara
Minami Tanaka: Suzuna Kagura
Mai Fuchigami: Marie Mizuguchi
Asami Shimoda: Aria
Shouta Aoi: Kagi-P
Emi Nitta: Sweet-P
Yumiri Hanamori: Shonen-Doll
Eriko Nakamura: Mirei
Soma Saito: Ike-P
Yuma Uchida: Shadow Knife
Yuka Otsubo: Thorn
Broadcast Information
Premieres in April 2018 on Tokyo MX. More details TBA.