On the official site for the upcoming original anime from Doga Kobo studios, titled “Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night” (“Yoru no Kurage wa Oyogenai”), the first promotional video about the project has been revealed. It confirms members of the cast and production team and announces the premiere date scheduled for this coming April 6th in Japan.
We’re talking about an original anime series produced by Doga Kobo and created by JELEE, which is directed by Ryohei Takeshita, with Yūki Yaku in charge of the overall composition, and the original character designs by popman3580, adapted for animation by Junichirō Taniguchi. This project is undoubtedly significant for Doga Kobo studios, celebrating their 50th anniversary with this release. The anime is scheduled to premiere in April 2024, making it a much-anticipated addition to that year’s spring season. In addition to the TV series, a manga adaptation by Niko Fujii is also in the works, to be released in Kodansha’s Magazine Pocket app.
The main voice cast includes Miku Itō as Mahiru Kōzuki, Rie Takahashi as Kano Yamanouchi, Miyu Tomita as Kiwi Watase, and Miyuri Shimabukuro as Mei “Kim Anouk” Takanashi. Sumire Uesaka, Miho Okasaki, Yukina Shutō, and Sally Amaki also join the cast in additional roles. The production also features a distinguished team, including Junichirō Taniguchi, Akiko Toyoda, and Asuka Suzuki as chief animation directors, and Masaru Yokoyama is in charge of the music composition.
This anime represents a significant effort by Doga Kobo to create an original and vibrant story, celebrating their long history in the anime industry. Anticipation is high, both for the promised visual quality and for the emotional and narrative depth suggested by the previews and information shared to date.
Synopsis
“Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night” is an exciting and moving narrative set in the vibrant district of Shibuya in Tokyo, a place known for its hustle and cultural diversity. The story focuses on the intertwined lives of four young girls, each struggling with their own insecurities and seeking purpose and direction in life. Yoru Mitsuki, formerly a passionate illustrator, finds herself in a creative standstill, unable to find the inspiration to continue with her art. Nonoka Tachibana, once delighted under the spotlights as an idol, now seeks a new way to express herself and prove her worth beyond the stage. Nox Ryūgasaki, a VTuber who claims to be “the strongest,” faces her own challenges in the vast digital world, seeking her place and how to stand out. Kimura-chan, on the other hand, is an enigmatic composer dedicated to supporting the person she admires from the shadows, using her music as a bridge to their emotions and dreams.
Fate brings them together under the name “JELEE,” an anonymous artistic collective that becomes their outlet for exploration and creative expression. Through this group, they discover the freedom to create without the burdens of fame or recognition, allowing them to grow and evolve both in their art and in their personal lives. The story is a journey of self-discovery, friendship, and overcoming, as these girls navigate the complexities of young life, identity, and creativity in a city that never sleeps. Through their challenges and triumphs, “Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night” promises to be an ode to youth, art, and the relentless pursuit of personal passion amidst uncertainty.
I’m sure we’ve all gone through that “standstill” in our lives, where we struggle to have a clear sense of our direction or purpose. “Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night” offers us a different look at ourselves, through the viewpoint of its conflicted and unique protagonists, with whom we empathize from the first minute. So, you know, we invite you to share in the comments both your experiences about these moments, which may have marked a before and after in your life, as well as your expectations for this new proposition that is coming. You know, we’ll be reading! 😉
Images Source: 「KING AMUSEMENT CREATIVE」Official YouTube Channel, YouTube
