About APPARE-RANMAN!

"APPARE-RANMAN!" is an original Japanese anime television series by studio P.A. Works. First aired on April 10, 2020, the story follows a brilliant and socially-awkward engineer named Appare Sorano and a wise and resourceful samurai named Kosame Isshiki. When they miss the boat to America, they decide to compete in the transcontinental "Trans-America Wild Race" for the chance to win enough prize money to get them back home.

Making/Production

The series is directed by Masakazu Hashimoto, who is also in charge of the series's composition. The script is penned down by Hashimoto and Miya Asakawa, while Yurie Ohigashi designed the characters, and Shochiku is producing the series.

Actors

• Natsuki Hanae played the role of Appare Sorano, the primary protagonist who is a genius engineer.
• Seki Tomokazu brought to life the character of Kosame Isshiki, a samurai who ends up being Appare's guardian.
• Aoi Yuuki provided the voice for Hototo, a young Native American boy whose tribe was wiped out.
• Sōma Saitō portrayed Jin Xiaoleng, the first-ever female participant in the race.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• APPARE-RANMAN! represents a crossover between traditional samurai aesthetics and the American Wild West.
• Despite being a Japanese production, the series incorporates several international characters and settings.
• It combines different thematic elements, including action, adventure, comedy, and a hint of steampunk.

Quotes

• "Even without a reason, it's okay to want to show off your ideas!" - Appare
• "It's better to be a live chicken than a dead hero." - Kosame
• "Even if it's crazy, even if it's reckless, you've got to take the wheel of your own life!" - Appare

Music, Soundtrack

• The series' opening theme, "I got it!" is sung by Mia REGINA.
• Hiromu Akita performs the ending theme titled "Alive."
• The influential blend of western and eastern music in the soundtrack sets the mood for the unique cultural crossover the series presents.