The talented Japanese writer Honobu Yonezawa, renowned for his acclaimed series “Hyouka,” has taken a further step in his career with the anime adaptation of his novel series “How to Become Ordinary (Shoushimin).” Announced by TV Asahi, this series is scheduled to premiere in the summer season of 2024 in Japan, generating great anticipation among followers of anime and literature. Yonezawa is known for his mastery in weaving intriguing stories and deep characters, and this new series promises to continue that tradition.
The “How to Become Ordinary” series, which began its publication in December 2004, is a collection of novels that has been expanding over the years. It started with “The Case of the Springtime Limited-Edition Strawberry Tart,” followed by “The Case of the Summertime Limited-Edition Tropical Parfait” in April 2006, “The Case of the Autumn-time Limited-Edition Candied Chestnuts and Sweet Potatoes” in 2009, and “The Mystery of the Paris Macaron” in 2020. A fifth volume, “The Case of the Wintertime Limited-Edition Chocolate Bonbons,” is scheduled for April 2024. These works have become a fascinating collection of short stories, many of which originally appeared in the monthly publication “Mysteries!“.
The anime will adapt the first two novels of the series, introducing viewers to the charming world of mystery and youth created by Yonezawa. The voice cast will include Shuuichirou Umeda as Jogoro Kobato and Hina Yomiya as Yuki Osanai. The series direction is by Mamoru Kanbe, known for his work on series like “The Promised Neverland” and “Elfen Lied,” with series composition by Toshiya Ono. Atsushi Saito will bring his talent in character design, while the soundtrack will be composed by Takahiro Obata.
A Bit of Context
The plot centers on the characters Jogoro Kobato and Yuki Osanai, played by Shuichiro Umeda and Hina Yomiya respectively. Kobato, marked by a previous experience with deduction activities, seeks to live as an ordinary citizen, just like Osanai. They form a mutually beneficial relationship with the goal of living an ordinary life in high school. However, they encounter a series of mysterious incidents and misfortunes in their school lives, challenging their desire for normalcy. This series explores themes such as identity, the longing for normality, and how to face life’s unexpected challenges. The youthful context adds a layer of mystery and reflection to the narrative, creating an appealing story for the audience.
This anime adaptation of “How to Become Ordinary” is shaping up to be a significant work in the anime world and a valuable addition to Yonezawa‘s bibliography. Reflecting the author’s ability to create absorbing stories and complex characters, the series promises to explore human complexity and the nuances of ordinary life with a depth and charm only Yonezawa can offer.
With an experienced production team and a rich, compelling story, “How to Become Ordinary” is a highly anticipated series for both anime fans and followers of Yonezawa‘s work, and is poised to become a benchmark in the adaptation of literature to anime.
Were you already familiar with the “How to Become Ordinary” novels? It’s undoubtedly an original proposal to keep in mind, and we should all stay tuned for news about its release, previews, etc, don’t you agree?
Go ahead, the comments are yours, we’ll read them! 🙂
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