History Unfolds at the Blue Miburo Panel at Anime Expo!

© Tsuyoshi Yasuda, KODANSHA/ “Blue Miburo” Production Committee.

Anime Expo hosted the “Blue Miburo World Premiere presented by ytv Animation” where fans could enjoy the first-ever screening of Blue Miburo before it premieres worldwide in October 2024.

Hosted by Director Habara and Producer Nakata of the upcoming anime focused on the adolescent ambition of members of Edo Japan’s famed Shinsengumi, the panel started with audience members getting an exclusive screening of the first episode of the newest entry in the well-established historical anime genre.

In this first episode, fans witnessed Nio’s meeting with the founding members of the Miburo. Struggling to survive amidst lawlessness and scarcity, Nio resonates with their goal of creating a better future for Japan. After they thwart a kidnapping attempt on Nio’s sister, Iroha, he leaves his fear-addled life behind to join their campaign!

After the premiere of the first episode, attendees enjoyed a behind-the-scenes look into the production process of Blue Miburo, including insights into the casting process for voice actors. A lucky few raffle winners even received artwork for the series signed by Director Habara, though all attendees received promotional hand fans that were much appreciated in the Los Angeles summer heat.

The panel ended with a celebratory photo featuring attending staff and the audience raising their Blue Miburo flags in celebration of the series! After the panel, attendees expressed their excitement to see this cult hit manga brought to life via this highly anticipated anime.

PANELIST COMMENTS

Director Kumiko Habara

“I wanted to recreate the manga as an anime as accurately as possible. I hope everyone is looking forward to the upcoming characters and their interactions!”

“While casting voice actors, I focused on what I thought the characters sounded like in my mind while I was reading the manga.”

“We worked hard to capture the spirit of Kyoto in this time period, with the hope and ambition of young people today.”

Producer Hiroya Nakata

“I can’t wait for people to hear the ‘Concept Movie’ theme! We worked with Kyoto native Yuki Hayashi to make the score capture the energy of the area.”

“This series has a lot of comedic and serious scenes. We prioritized voice actors who would switch between these tones. I think they do an amazing job!”

STORY

It’s 1863, the twilight of the shogunate, and Japan is on the cusp of monumental change. The streets of the nation’s capital are soaked in blood as political upheaval and rising tensions between masterless, wandering ronin and government samurai set the stage for one of the most turbulent times in Japan’s history. Young orphan Nio is no stranger to the harsh realities of the world, and yet he can’t help but cling to his burning passion for justice and desire to change the world for the better.

One day, he crosses paths with two men who will become central figures of the coming revolution: Hijikata Toshizo and Okita Souji, two of the founding members of a group of hated ronin known as the Miburo—who would later become known as the Shinsengumi. Inspired by the efforts of the so-called “Blue Miburo,” Nio decides to join the ranks to help carve a path to the world he wishes to see. But with new betrayals and reversals every day, will Nio be able to stay true to his conscience?

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