The highly anticipated second episode of the Enter The Garden anime anthology series, titled “Fractured Reflections”, has revealed its cast and a new promotional video, creating buzz among anime enthusiasts. This episode is part of a three-part anthology produced by Azuki, Dentsu, Qzil.la, and IMAGICA Infos. The series is spearheaded by the renowned creative producer, Goro Taniguchi, known for his work on Code Geass and One Piece Film: Red.
“Fractured Reflections” Story and Premise
The story of “Fractured Reflections” centers around two sisters, Shao and Raizan, who grow up together in the Alley, relying on each other for survival. Their bond is shattered when Raizan mysteriously vanishes. Shao embarks on a desperate search for her missing sister, but years pass without any success. Carrying her sister’s sword, she stumbles upon a mysterious torii gate, leading her into the unknown world of the Garden. This sets the stage for a compelling story of sisterhood, loss, and a journey into the fantastical.
Key Creative Team Behind “Fractured Reflections”
The second episode boasts a talented team of anime creators:
- Director: Yukio Takatsu, renowned for directing Naruto Shippuden OP 17, as well as Nisemonogatari, Monogatari Series Second Season, Tsukimonogatari, and Owarimonogatari opening sequences.
- Series Composition: Taku Kishimoto, known for his work on Haikyuu!!, Erased, 91 Days, and the currently airing Sakamoto Days.
- Character Design: Kazuto Nakazawa, acclaimed for his work on Samurai Champloo and the animation part of Kill Bill.
Their collective expertise promises a visually stunning and emotionally resonant episode. The animation character design is by Haruna Hashimoto, sub character design by Masayuki Honda and prop design by Susumu Mamura. The art directors are Yuki Funagakure and Hideki Nakamura, with color design by Sayoko Noda and director of photography by Shigeki Asakawa. The music is created by NOBUYA/MASAHIKO (ROTTENGRAFFTY) and MaL (Hoodish Recordings).
Cast Announcement
The voice cast for “Fractured Reflections” includes:
- Mie Sonozaki as Shao.
- Takako Honda as Raizan.
Release Details and Where to Watch
The new episode is set to debut in early February 2025. It will be available for streaming on:
- Anime.com, a new platform launched by Azuki.
- Azuki’s YouTube channel.
This dual release strategy ensures broad accessibility for fans eager to watch the next chapter of Enter the Garden.
The Enter the Garden Anthology Series
Enter The Garden is an anthology series by Azuki, a Los Angeles-based Web3 anime brand, that explores stories at the intersection of art, technology, and culture. It is not related to the digital manga publisher Azuki. The series is intended to be a fusion of NFTs and anime, aiming to establish a foothold for future generations of creators. The series features three distinct episodes, with “Fractured Reflections” following the first episode, “The Waiting Man”, which premiered in April 2024.
Episode 1: “The Waiting Man”
The first episode, The Waiting Man, introduced viewers to Haru, a free-spirited skater, voiced by Akari Kito. She encounters T.K., a mysterious man voiced by Tomokazu Sugita, who is waiting by a vending machine. Other cast members included Jun Fukuyama as a police officer and Ringo Yoshioka as a police officer/construction worker. “The Waiting Man” was directed by Junichi Yamamoto, with Taku Kishimoto writing the script and Kinu Nishimura designing the characters.
Azuki’s Vision
Azuki describes itself as an anime-styled brand and NFT project. They aim to create original anime IPs and enhance the fan experience by incorporating blockchain technology. Azuki’s goal is to bring decentralized storytelling to the forefront through co-creation with its community.
Production Details
The Enter The Garden anthology is a collaborative effort, produced by:
- Azuki: The Los Angeles based company developing the anime IPs.
- Dentsu: A consultancy group.
- Qzil.la: An animation production studio.
- IMAGICA Infos: A planning and publishing company.
Anticipation and Fan Excitement
The release of the promotional video and cast announcement for “Fractured Reflections” has generated significant excitement among anime fans. The blend of a compelling story, a talented creative team, and the unique approach of Azuki has positioned Enter The Garden as a noteworthy project in the anime landscape. Fans are particularly eager to see how the themes of sisterhood, loss, and the mysterious “Garden” are explored in this next installment.
The creative team’s previous works, such as Code Geass, Naruto Shippuden, Haikyuu!!, and Kill Bill, have set a high bar for quality and storytelling, further fueling the anticipation for “Fractured Reflections.”
