The 2021 anime series Odd Taxi drew plenty of attention for its shocking final episode. Now, a new project has been announced titled RoOT / Route of Odd Taxi.

 

Odd Taxi was an original anime series planned and written by P.I.C.S and directed by Baku Kinoshita. The screenplay was written by Kazuya Konomoto, while the main character–a middle-aged cab driver–was portrayed by the popular voice actor Natsuki Hanae. The music was also a major highlight, produced by PUNPEE, VaVAa, and OMSB. In addition to the manga series released alongside the anime series, the film Odd Taxi: In the Woods was released in 2022 and will be adapted for the stage in 2023.

 

Although the details of RoOT / Route of Odd Taxi have not yet been revealed, a manga series will kick off the project. A visual showing the main characters Sato and Reina has been released. Takeichi Abaraya, who also worked on the original manga, is in charge of the illustrations. Don’t miss out on this new adventure!

 

©P.I.C.S.

The non-credit version of the Tokyo Revengers: Christmas Showdown arc ending theme is now available.   The track is inspired by the emotionally-charged second season, which picks up where the first season left off and focuses heavily on Taiju, Yuzuha, and Hakkai Shiba. Listeners will be reminded to protect the things they care about as they listen to the powerful lyrics.   Tokyo Revengers: Christmas Showdown Non-credit Ending

With its emotional melody and fitting lyrics, fans of the first season should be ready to face the intensity of the ongoing second season. The song is now streaming.   Be sure to tune in to the explosive second season of this globally-loved anime series!   Introduction Takemichi Hanagaki traveled twelve years back in time in order to save his girlfriend and change his life for the better. Returning to the present day after his battle with Valhalla is done, he’s now the leader of the Tokyo Manji gang. His joy is short-lived, however, as the modern gang still seems to be ruled by Tetta Kisaki, the root of all evil. Nothing has been altered, and in order to truly save his girlfriend, Takemichi needs to face things head-on.   ©和久井健・講談社／アニメ「東京リベンジャーズ」製作委員会

Fans who can’t attend the upcoming Odd Taxi: Diamond wa Kizutsukanai (Diamonds Will Not Be Damaged) stage play live can stream at home! The opening performance on January 25 and the final Tokyo show on January 31 will be available to stream live with tickets now available.   The play will focus on the formation of the idol group Mystery Kiss.   Yui Oguri (AKB48) will play Rui Nikaido, an adorable and ambitious idol who becomes a star member of the group. Hinatazaka46 member Hiyori Hamagishi will play Sakura Wadagaki, a key person in the play’s overall story. Former E-girls member Nonoka Yamaguchi plays the naturally talented Yuki Mitsuya while former ≠ME member Hitomi Suzuki plays the shy Shiho Ichimura.   Don’t miss out on this unique take on the world of Odd Taxi!   ©P.I.C.S. / 舞台小戸川交通パートナーズ

Tuyu, the musical unit formed by songwriter and guitarist Pusu, pianist miro, and vocalist Rei, will release Kizutsukedo, Aishiteru (It Might Be Painful, but I Still Love It) digitally on January 15, 2023.

 

The song is currently being used as the ending theme song for Tokyo Revengers: Christmas Showdown, which began airing on January 7, 2023. The track is perfect for the emotionally-charged second season, which picks up where the first season left off and focuses heavily on Taiju, Yuzuha, and Hakkai Shiba. Rei’s impressive vocals and miro’s emotional piano performance combine to create an extremely addictive pop track. This is Tuyu’s first song to be featured in an anime series.

  Tokyo Revengers: Christmas Showdown Non-credit Ending

The non-credit ending video will be available on the official Tokyo Revengers YouTube channel on January 15.   Tuyu will hold a solo concert, Spring Rain, at Zepp Haneda in Tokyo on March 4, 2023. Two performances will be held: one in the daytime and one at night, with one themed around sunny weather and the other themed around rainy weather. Tickets will be available by lottery on e+ starting January 22 at 23:59.   At the end of 2022, Tuyu performed at COUNTDOWN JAPAN 22/23. Be sure to keep an eye on this group this year! ©和久井健・講談社／アニメ「東京リベンジャーズ」製作委員会

An interview with Yui Oguri (AKB48) has been released ahead of the start of the upcoming Odd Taxi: Diamond wa Kizutsukanai(Diamonds Will Not Be Damaged) stage play. The show will run in Tokyo from January 25 until January 31 and in Osaka on February 4 and 5. Oguri will play Rui Nikaido, an ambitious idol and member of the group Mystery Kiss. An excerpt from the interview can be read below.

Q: This stage play is a spin-off of the Odd Taxi series featuring the idol group Mystery Kiss. How did you feel after reading the script?   “I’ve appeared in several dramas and stage plays, but this is my first time playing an idol! As many people know, I’m an idol in my everyday life, and I thought it would be interesting to play an idol role. I’ve looked forward to this from the start. Reading the script, there are so many things that I can relate to as an idol. Some parts were so realistic–I wondered how the scriptwriter could have known so much about the idol industry! I think that’s what makes this play so interesting. Of course, that doesn’t mean that EVERYTHING is realistic.” (Laugh)     Q: Your character, Rui Nikaido, passes an idol audition and becomes a member of the idol group Mystery Kiss. “At the audition, Nikaido wasn’t intimidated. She was confident and wanted everyone to watch her. When I auditioned for AKB48, I was so nervous and felt so small when compared to the other idols with a similar presence as Nikaido. Playing Nikaido made me wonder what would have happened if I had been more confident back then and it reminded me of my own audition. Auditions bring together all kinds of people–people like Nikaido, girls who aren’t great at dancing, and more. I think the audience will enjoy seeing this play out on stage.”     Q: What kind of character is Rui? How do you want the audience to perceive her?   “I think that Rui Nikaido is a girl who knows how to present herself as a proper idol. She has her own way of thinking and is incredibly strong. She’s cool! The way she stands on stage reminds me of how I take myself seriously as an idol. Sadly, what Rui lacks is a charm. For example, when she’s invited to a variety show, she’s bad at being sociable enough and she wonders why she has to do that kind of work. But still, her strong heart and her love of idols make her a really cool character.”     Q: What would you like to say to those who will be coming to see the show?   “I appreciate everyone who has been so patient since the stage play was postponed last year. The entire cast and crew worked so hard to create this incredible work. Those in the audience who see me as Rui and not as Yui will enjoy the gap between myself and this character. I also hope that fans of Odd Taxi will see this as something far beyond their expectations. I hope you’re looking forward to the show!”   [Summary] On a certain day in 2019, an audition was held in Tokyo to recruit new members for an idol group. The three girls chosen from the many applicants were Rui Nikaido, Shido Ichimura, and Yuki Mitsuya, and these singers came together to form the group Mystery Kiss. Each of the girls followed their own dreams and took their lessons seriously in order to have a successful debut. However, the producer of the group is incredibly unmotivated, and several disturbing behind-the-scenes info begins popping up on social media. Although the three are supposed to be friends with the same goal, the relationship between them gradually begins to fall apart. Another girl is watching. Sakura Wadagaki had dreams of becoming an idol but failed her audition. That doesn’t mean she’s ready to give up. ©P.I.C.S. / 舞台小戸川交通パートナーズ

Rock band Official Hige Dandism has released a music video for their song White Noise on YouTube.

 

White Noise serves as the opening theme song for Tokyo Revengers Christmas Showdown Arc which began airing on January 7. The band also performed the previous opening song Cry Baby.

  Official Hige Dandism - White Noise [Official Video]

Official Hige Dandism - White Noise

 

The Official Hige Dandism SHOCKING NUTS TOUR is currently underway, with the band performing in halls throughout Japan. For details on each venue and how to purchase tickets, visit the band’s official website!

  ©和久井健・講談社／アニメ「東京リベンジャーズ」製作委員会