A new original anime series, titled Apocalypse Hotel, is slated to premiere in April 2025. The series is produced by CyberAgent and animated by CygamesPictures. This post-apocalyptic anime is generating considerable buzz, with a newly released promotional video unveiling key details about its cast, staff, and theme songs.
Setting and Premise
Apocalypse Hotel is set in a desolate future where humanity has vanished, and nature has begun to reclaim the world. Amidst this backdrop of societal collapse, the story unfolds within the walls of the GinzarÅ Hotel, a solitary establishment located in Tokyo’s Ginza district. The hotel, remarkably, remains operational despite the absence of human guests. The narrative revolves around Yachiyo, a hotel management robot, who along with other robots, diligently maintains the hotel while awaiting the return of its owners and guests. The anime explores the themes of loneliness, perseverance, and the unexpected connections that can arise in the face of desolation.
Cast and Characters
The lead role of Yachiyo, the hotel manager robot, is voiced by Saho Shirasu. The promotional video and key visual highlight Yachiyo as the central figure of the series. She is a robot dedicated to her duties at the GinzarÅ Hotel. While details about other characters are still emerging, the focus is squarely on the interactions of these robots as they navigate a world without humans.
Production Staff
The anime boasts a talented production team, including:
- Director: Kana Shundo (known for her episode direction work on Saga of Tanya the Evil, Princess Connect! Re:Dive, and Luminous Witches) is at the helm of the series, bringing her expertise in character-driven narratives.
- Original Character Design: Izumi Takemoto (the manga creator behind Teke Teke My Heart and Garden Shimai) is credited with creating the distinctive character designs for the series.
- Character Design for Animation: Natsuki Yokoyama is adapting Takemoto’s designs for animation.
- Series Composition and Script: Shigeru Murakoshi (whose previous work includes Ninja Kamui, Zombie Land Saga, and I Parry Everything) is overseeing the story and writing the scripts, promising a unique blend of post-apocalyptic themes and character interactions.
- Art Director: Kohei Honda (A Sign of Affection, Kakushigoto) is responsible for the visual environment of the anime.
- Music Composer: Yoshiaki Fujisawa (known for his work on Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation) is creating the musical score for the series.
- Color Setting: Miyuki Sunako
- 3D Director: Yoshinori Nakano
- Director of Photography: Masaharu Okazaki
- Editing: Yumi Jinguji
- Sound Director: Satoki Iida
- Sound Production: dugout
- Music Production Cooperation: SCOOP MUSIC
Music
The music for Apocalypse Hotel is a crucial element, with singer-songwriter aiko performing both the opening and ending theme songs. The opening theme is titled “skirt,” and the ending theme is “Capsule.” The promotional video offers a preview of the ending theme, creating anticipation for the full soundtrack.
Animation Studio
CygamesPictures is the animation studio behind this original project. Known for its high-quality productions, the studio has previously delivered critically acclaimed anime like Brave Bang Bravern! and Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray. This pedigree ensures that Apocalypse Hotel will have top-tier animation quality.
Release Date
The anime is scheduled to premiere in April 2025 on NTV in Japan. While no specific international streaming platforms have been announced yet, given the popularity of Cygames Pictures’ previous works, it is expected to be available on major streaming services worldwide.
Themes and Narrative
The series presents an intriguing concept, exploring a world where humanity is absent. The focus on robots maintaining a hotel raises questions about purpose and existence. While the setting is post-apocalyptic, the narrative seems to be more introspective, delving into the routines and interactions of these non-human characters. The tagline for the series, “Sayonara, omotenashi” which translates to “Goodbye, hospitality” hints at a poignant undercurrent of longing for a past where human guests filled the hotel. The anime promises a unique blend of science fiction, drama, and slice-of-life elements, making it a highly anticipated release.
A Glimpse into the Future of Anime
Apocalypse Hotel stands out as a promising original anime series, crafted by a skilled team of creators and backed by the established reputations of CyberAgent and CygamesPictures. Its post-apocalyptic setting, coupled with an introspective narrative, offers a fresh perspective within the genre. The character designs by Izumi Takemoto and the music by aiko are expected to be key highlights. With its April 2025 premiere, Apocalypse Hotel is poised to be a standout addition to the anime landscape. Fans are eager to see how this unique story unfolds in the ruins of a once-bustling city.
