The Future Diary

About The Future Diary

An anime series released in 2011, The Future Diary (Mirai Nikki in Japanese) is based on a manga series by Japanese author Sakae Esuno. The show follows high school student Yukiteru Amano who reluctantly becomes a competitor in an apocalyptic game where each player has a diary that can predict the future. The ultimate goal for each player is to kill the others for the chance to become the next god of space and time.

Making / Production

The Future Diary was produced by Asread, directed by Naoto Hosoda, with Katsuhiko Takayama in charge of series composition, Hidetsugu Hirayama designing the characters and Tatsuya Katō composing the music. The anime episodes garnered praise largely due to its creative storyline and character development, although it attracted criticism for its excessive violence.

Actors

• Misuzu Togashi as Yukiteru Amano - Togashi perfectly delivered the role of a lonely high school boy who wants nothing more than to live a normal life.
• Tomosa Murata as Yuno Gasai - Murata brought life to the character of Yuno, giving a chilling performance of a girl who would kill to protect Yukiteru.
• Noriko Shitaya as Minene Uryuu - Shitaya gave an exceptional performance as the independent and resourceful terrorist Minene.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The Future Diary was initially supposed to be a short, two chapter one-shot manga. However, it got expanded into a full series due to its popularity.
• The god of space and time, Deus Ex Machina, is a direct reference to the Deus ex machina plot device used in storytelling.

Awards

While The Future Diary did not win any specific awards, it did enjoy a high degree of popularity in Japan and overseas, contributing significantly to the growth of the anime fandom worldwide.

Quotes

• "I cannot predict my future so I'll make my own" - Yukiteru Amano
• "Love makes people kill. Everyone better remember that" - Yuno Gasai
• "I may be a terrorist, but at least I'm a terror to some." - Minene Uryuu

Music, Soundtrack

• "Kūsō Mesorogiwi" by Yousei Teikoku - First opening theme
• "Dead END" by Faylan - Second opening theme
• "Blood Teller" by Faylan - Second ending theme