Introducing Arcanamusica to Manga. A Multidimensional Music Project.
Introducing Arcanamusica to #Manga. A Multidimensional #Music Project. #multimedia #news
Arcanamusica, the multidimensional media-mix collaboration project from Shueisha and avex, will be made into a manga this summer.
When the mysterious music app named Arcanamusica suddenly appears on smartphones out of nowhere, the five protagonists Shizuka Kawawa, Gakunoshin Maimiya, Riku Shibuyoshi, Itsuku Igashima and Kazuki Jujo are given their new “Arcana names” (AN), making them RiZ,…
Arcanamusica Multi-Dimensional Media Project Reveals Voice Actors
The "multi-dimensional" media mix project from Shueisha and Avex, Arcanamusica, has revealed today the voice actors/singers behind the arcane masks. Arcanamusica is set to encompass everything from music videos, drama, voice comics, social media content and much more, with songs being released from the characters based around the concept of tarot cards.
Here are the voices behind the characters (arcana names in brackets):
Shizuka Kawana (RiZ) is voiced by Kakeru Hatano
Gakunoshin Maimiya (Yamitono <Dark Palace>) is voiced by ROβiN
Itsuku Igashim (Ikkun) is voiced by Sho Sakagami
Riku Shibuyoshi (Shibukichi) is voiced by Kosuke Shiraishi
Kazuki Jujo (Regge) is voiced by Tomohiro Hatano
The main visual of the group was also released (image at the top), with songs already released for each of them as they debuted in March this year. The group is set to release more and more throughout the rest of the year, with more details to come.
Previously released debut video introducing the characters:
youtube
Source: Comic Natalie
----
Daryl Harding is a Japan Correspondent for Crunchyroll News. He also runs a YouTube channel about Japan stuff called TheDoctorDazza, tweets at @DoctorDazza, and posts photos of his travels on Instagram.
“Correct, it is that Sugoroku!” Suu replies. “I assume that you do not need an explanation of the rules. In that case, we can commence the game in order of who came to the venue first. Mr. Legge, here are the dice, if you will.”
Jujo rolls the dice and a small player character appears on the board and starts moving. Shibuyoshi gasps in awe and Jujo’s piece lands on the space with the question:
What are you into these days?
“..What? What- does that mean?” Igashima questions.
“Ah, so we have to answer this stuff and play Sugoroku at the same time?” Maimy asks.
“Like an icebreaker at a mixer,” Kawawa adds. “A game that also makes you introduce yourself a bit more to other people. Kinda gets you excited to meet them.”
Maimy smirks. “Hm~? You’re the kind of guy to go to mixers?”
“..J-Just to socialize..”
“Legge!” Shibyoshi bursts out. “So, what are you into, anyway?”
He thinks, quiet for a minute.
“Baking. Macarons.”
Baking..? This guy looks like he wouldn’t settle for anything less than the high-end macarons they sell in Ginza… (T/N: a very high end shopping district)
“What a wonderful hobby!”
“M-maybe he was trying to do a bit of straight-man comedy there…”
“I guess you can’t judge a book by its cover..?”
“Mr. Dark Palace is next. Please, roll the dice!”
“Yeah, yeah..”
Maimy rolls a three and lands on the question:
Tell me one of your charms! No need to hold back or be embarrassed.
Without a hesitation, Maimy answers, “My looks.”
Well, he didn’t hold back…Kinda impressive…
“Next! Mr. Shibukichi!”
“Here I go!!” Shibuyoshi rolls a three and lands on the space that reads: Tell the person on your left one of the most embarrassing things that happened in your past! Secretly☆
“Wha-!? Tha-that kind of thing…Ahhh…”
“What’s the big deal if it’s a secret, anyway..”
“Th-then..” Shibuyoshi leans over to Igashima and whispers, “...And then…And my…THEN I SAID, PENGUINS GET COLD TOO!..PLEASE DON’T TELL ANYBODY... So cringe…”
Penguins..? What kind of story…
“Next is-”
Igashima raises his hand. “It’s my turn.” He rolls the dice.
If there’s someone you’re interested in here, point them out.
“S-so this is just a blind date?!” Kawawa jumps. “But we’re all guys and we just met today, there’s no w-”
“It’s you.” Igashima gestures towards Maimy.
DID HE JUST..?!
“I taught him.”
“..What?”
“Mai-....Dark Palace was a former student of mine. What you do after graduation…Well, as a teacher, of course I care about what happens to my students.”
Maimy scowls. “Gh…You just care about your reputation as a teacher.”
“So Ikkun, you’re a teacher?” Shibuyoshi asked.
“I am. Ah, but it’s a good idea not to give out too much personal information, right?”
“Mr. RiZ, you’re next.”
His piece lands on the space, asking:
What do you do for a living? And if you want to share, what’s your yearly salary!?
“I do desk work. Just another corporate cog.” Thank god it was an easy question…
“And how much do you make?” Maimy asks.
“It’s kind of embarrassing to say, because really, it’s not much…I guess I’m what you call the working poor, haha, ha…”
“It’s not the least bit embarrassing.” Jujo cuts in.
“...Huh..?”
“The value of our labor is not measured by compensation alone. Growth by improving yourself and contributing to society… Those are the most important values.”
“Heh….That’s what you think…Ha…Well, for someone that spends their entire life working, there’s not much value in anything besides a paycheck.”
“If you are only working to be compensated, there is nothing enriching your life.”
“H-haha..Enriching my life! Good one..”
“Being able to improve yourself through labor is also important, is it not?”
“Imagine being able to think like that when you’re working…I’m jealous of people like you.”
“..Hm?”
“If you have the time to think about things like that at your job, you’re not doing much work at all.”
“The job has nothing to do with it. The factor that affects everything else is your mindset.”
“Ha…I can’t believe people actually have the privilege to think like this…”
“H-hey, you two…” Shibuyoshi gets in between them. “Let’s get along, okay?! Please? Sounds good?”
“Right, so who’s next…”
Legge: What was the name of your first love?
“Angela.” T/N: Read Jujo’s Daily Life Manga 7 to meet her ;)
Dark Palace: tell us about your first kiss.
“Ah, yeah. That was, hm…Probably…Oops, I forgot.”
Shibukichi: What's your ideal first date like?
“Umm..maybe going to the beach at night…Hehehe..”
Ikkun: Do you like surprises? Or not?
“Hmm..I suppose it depends on if the other person is someone who enjoys being surprised.”
RiZ: Please give everyone here a nickname!
“......” (Thinking noises)
-Part 2-
“Hey…listen, everyone..” Shibuyoshi says, “If we were a little more…pumped up… wouldn't this be more fun?”
“Huh..?” Maimy asks.
“You know, what we’re doing now is kinda like fanservice, or something!! The more entertaining we are, the more the viewers will enjoy watching us!”
Maimy sighs. “Well, yeah. You’re right, but this is so fucking boring…”
“So let’s think, how do we make it entertaining even if the writing is terrible!?”
“So the writing is terrible..” Suu crosses their arms.
“I know, what if we each show our talents as performers?!”
Kawawa looks dejected. “You say performers, but that’s not…”
“Not all of us are entertai-” Igashima starts.
“You don’t have to be an entertainer! As long as you give your all, it will be fine! Go big or go home! That way, we’ll all have a great time!”
“U….Uhhh…..I mean, I guess?” Kawawa blinks. “Even if I complain, I’m stuck here…”
“Well,” Maimy exhales. “If that’s the kind of thing we’re supposed to do, it’s whatever…
Igashima smiles. “I suppose I can participate a little more myself.”
“All of you…thank you so much for understanding!”
Jujo rolls the dice and the board shines.
“Congratulations! This is a special question. Everyone must answer the question that this space provides.”
“S-special..!” Kawawa gulps.
Please tell me the color of the underwear you are wearing today! ☆
You’re joking…
“White.” Jujo answers.
“Hm…” Maimy thinks, “Pretty sure they’re black.”
How do they say it so casually…?
Shibuyoshi, blushing, shares, “My mentor told me to wear my favorite red boxers, since it was a big day for me…”
“White.” Igashima adds.
Maimy looks at Kawawa. “Can you just answer already? It’s not a big deal.”
“Gh…They’re just gray or something, okay?”
“What kind? Bikini? Briefs? Boxers?”
“We don’t have to answer that!”
“By the way,” Igashima winks, “the word ‘underwear’ can refer to any article of clothing that you wear under your normal clothes. So when I said white, I was referring to my undershirt.”
“..HUH!? That’s..cheating!”
“In what way is that considered cheating?” Jujo asks.
“.....”
“?”
“Okay, next~” Maimy rolls the dice.
“And with that, Dark Palace is the first member to reach the goal! Congratulations!”
Finally…It’s over…
“Now, we can move on to the second round!”
“Eh?”
“Second round?!” Shibuyoshi yells.
“This time, we have prepared three games for you to play!”
“Why so many?!”
Igashima turns to face Suu. “So essentially, is the Destiny Game the name of the games that your organization hosts?”
“Correct! Please think of it as the name of the video content that is provided to fans of Arcanamusica.”
Shibuyoshi nods. “Woah!”
“Dark Palace, since you won the first round, I will send Arcana points to you!”
“Huh? What’s that?”
Shibuyoshi hands him his phone. “Look, see? if you post a song, and get bets, it’s another way to earn points!”
“Yeah, ok, and?”
“Eh?
“I’m curious too,” Kawawa says. “What do the points do?”
“Ummm..That’s…” Shibuyoshi looks to Suu for help.
“Hm? If you get enough points, you fill the Arcana Gauge, and successfully obtain the title of ‘World’. This allows you..
To grant any wish of your choosing.”
“..What did you say? Kawawa asks, stunned. “W..What are the limitations on that?”
“There are none.”
“No, that’s just.. Not possible..”
“Our management will do our best to accommodate!
Maimy snickers. “Sure, then I wish for one trillion yen.”
“One trillion yen? Is that one trillion, or 100 million? How about 100 trillion yen?”
“...Huh.?”
“Oooh okay, then I want to be this country’s MC!!” Shibuyoshi cheers.
“That can be arranged.”
“In that case,” Igashima fidgets. “I’d like to own my own house in Tokyo.”
“Your wish is my command!”
“....”
“Okay, whatever.” Maimy says. “Can we continue playing the game now?”
“When you receive the title of ‘World’, I will confirm your wish again. In the meantime, please be prepared for the question and decide what you would like!”
Kawawa looks at his gauge, holding 109 Arcana points. “Well…that’s if we can even save them up that far…”
“....” Jujo remains silent, but looks forward with determination.
Shibuyoshi: “Ah! A notification from Armusi!...Wh-what’s this..?”
Maimy: “An invitation..?”
Igashima: “On Februrary 22nd at 22:00..”
Jujo: “Destiny…Game..!”
Kawawa, half-asleep, checks his phone to see a notification arrive on the Arcanamusica app.
“Destiny game…the hell? And why in the middle of the night…” He stumbles out of his bed in the dark and goes over to his computer. “Wonderful..Nest..That’s sus as hell. I’m ignoring that.”
He sees people’s comments on the app talking about how his song changed their life and how they’re looking forward to the next song.
“New song, huh…”
-February 22nd at 22:00.-
Kawawa waits inside the elevator.
“I’m… just here to see what it’s about. The minute I get some sus vibes, I’m outta here.”
The elevator stops on the 22nd floor, and as soon as he steps out, Kawawa is greeted by-
“Welcome to Wonderful Nest! My name is Suu, and I am a robot that will be your guide this evening”
“R-ROBOT? What kind of robot looks like this..”
“You are a participant in the Destiny Game named RiZ, correct? Please allow me to guide you.”
They walk through the building together, Kawawa slightly on edge.
“It..looks like a normal office at a company…But there’s..no employees..”
“The working hours have already ended for today.”
“G-Gwah?! Robots can have normal conversations now?! That’s hella high-tech..”
“High-tech, you say..” Suu stops. “Here we are. This is where you will participate in the Destiny Game.”
Kawawa opens the door, and is shocked to see 4 other participants seated at a table inside.
“Wh-what is this..? It’s like I stepped into another world..”
“Please take your seat in the front, Sir.”
Kawawa sits down next to Igashima and takes off his coat. “...Excuse me.”
“Good evening.”
Maimy shoots him an annoyed look. “Talk about being late! What do you think of yourself, making me wait for you all this time?”
“Y-yeah..”
“Mr. RiZ!” Shibuyoshi jumps up. “I really, really liked your song ‘My Role’!”
“Wha-?”
“Huh? Uh.. what’s with that reaction..? You’re RiZ, right?”
“Well, yeah, but.. How..”
Shibu points to the table, which has the words “12. Riz” outlined in front of him.
“Ah, so that’s how. I didn’t realize. Thank you, uhh..”
“Ah! I haven’t introduced myself, have I? I’m Shibukuchi! You might know me as a comedian, but I also sang ‘You are my Friend’ on Armusi!”
“So this is the guy that got all of those bets..." Kawawa thinks to himself.
“It’s a PLEASURE to meet you!”
“He’s so damn loud..”
Igashima claps.
“Okay, NEXT!” Shibuyoshi gestures to Maimy.
“The hell would I do that for? I’m too lazy~”
“Please, sir.” Suu urges.
Maimy groans. “Nice to meet you~~I’m Dark Palace ~Yayyy….”
“Mr. Dark Palace?” Shibuyoshi asks, looking at the way his name is written.
“Huhu-Some of you may already know me as Maimy, the livestreamer~A bit different today, aren’t I?”
“Huh? Isn’t your name Mr. Blackness Den?”
“Huh?”
Teacher Igashima’s simple explanation: “Black and Dark have similar meanings. So do Den and Palace. Essentially, they’re the same thing, but Dark Palace is how you should refer to him.”
“WOAH! Thanks, Teach! I got it now!”
“W-wait a damn minute..”
“Then, since your name is so long, can I just call you Dapare instead?”
“No, you may not! And since this teacher is giving a lecture right now, how about he introduces himself to the class?”
“Oh-pardon my manners.” Igashima stands. “My name is Ikkun. I’m not familiar with games, so please go easy on me.”
“This guy’s a normie..” Kawawa thinks to himself. “Why would someone so straight-laced come to a place like this?” He looks to his side, to the other person who hasn’t introduced themselves yet.
“My name is Legge. Pleased to meet your acquaintance.”
Kawawa notices his jewelry, high-end suit, and behavior opposite of his own. “Huh.. for some reason, I don’t think I’m gonna get along with this guy..Hah…”
Suu Jumps up to a chair. “Now that that’s settled, let me explain the game so we can begin. The Destiny Game is available only to Premium Members, as they are entitled to special in-app content. In addition, the most popular members of the app, which are all of you, get to participate in the Game itself!”
“S-So because of our songs..”
“You picked us out of everybody?! SWEET!!”
“Hah..I figured this had a reason, and wasn’t just some stupid game…”
“Hya~We’re going viral for sure~☆”
Igashima raises his hand. “Ah-If I may, how many premium members are there?”
“As of right now, there are around 20 members.” Suu answers.
“20 people, huh~” Shibuyoshi leans back.
Maimy grows exasperated. “Teach, what does that even have to do with anything? Can we start this game already?”
“Oh-pardon me, I’m sorry..I’m just not necessarily used to showing up to these kinds of functions.”
“Huh? Then why don’t you go home?”
“Even if it may not be much… I have a reason to be here.”
Maimy remains silent, and Suu breaks the tension by announcing, “The game is limited-time only, and recording and sharing the contents will be strictly prohibited, so you can rest assured.”
“Ah, is that so…” Igashima replies, “In that case, I suppose it will be fine.”
“Awww, I wanted to go super viral…But with 20 people, I guess it’s not possible..” Shibuyoshi says.
“Oh-I’m very sorry..”
“Ah, no no! It’s not your fault or anything!”
“Alright. In that case, can you tell us what we should expect in this game?”
“Ah, yeah.” Kawawa jumps. “That’s pretty important. What exactly are we doing here?”
“Please take a look at this!” Suu directs them to a board game titled “Arcana Sugoroku”. (T/N: Sugoroku is a board game in which you race your opponents in.)