An anime adaptation of mobile tower-defense game Arknights is in the works. The production, which was originally announced in November 2021, was detailed further during the game’s Japanese 2nd Anniversary livestream event on January 9, 2022. Yostar Pictures is animating the show. Though no production footage was available to share, some cast and staff details were announced. It revealed the key visual too. Its formal title is Arknights: Prelude to Dawn. It is being referred to as the “first season”, implying that Yostar intends the adaptation to be a continuing work.
Check out the key visual for the Arknights anime, captured from the livestream.
The Arknights anime key image shows members of Reunion on the left, with members of Rhodes Island on the right, against a background of a calamity. Reunion is represented by the characters Talulah, W, Crownslayer, Faust, Skullshatterer, Frostnova, Patriot, and Mephisto. On the Rhodes Island side, Operators Amiya, Ch’en, Kal’tsit, Hoshiguma, Nearl, Doberman, and Ace are seen, along with the player Doctor and the character Misha. The show will adapt the main story campaign of Arknights. Given the presence of Misha and Frostnova in the image, it is likely that the first season may cover some or all of the events from the game’s “Reunion Arc”. The arc is comprised of the first 8 playable episodes.
Yostar also shared staff details for the Arknights anime. The show’s director and sub-director are Yuuki Watanabe and Masaki Nishikawa. Watanabe worked as an animator and animation director on shows such as Mob Psycho 100, Azur Lane: Slow Ahead!, and the December 2020 Arknights anime short Holy Knight Light. Some members of the game’s voice cast will be reprising their roles, including Tomoyo Kurosawa, the voice of Amiya. Kurosawa also plays Misaki in BanG Dream! and Ulti from One Piece. The fan-favorite minor character Ace will also be voiced for the first time by actor Takashi Matsuyama.
The Arknights anime is in production, though a broadcast date or localization license was not specified. The game is immediately available on Android and iOS, and will be kicking off its 2nd Anniversary events soon. Details on the 2nd Anniversary promotions can be found at the official site.
