Caligula
Synopsis
"We will shatter the illusions and return to the hell of reality."
In the town of Miyabi, a beautiful voice fills the streets as the infinitely popular idol, μ, watches over the peaceful daily lives of the inhabitants.
Ritsu Shikishima is a freshman at Kishimai High School in Miyabi, living a normal high school life filled with studies, sports, and friends. However, everything changes during his second-year opening ceremony when a boy takes the podium as the freshman representative. This is impossible, how can he be here...? Realizing they are trapped in a virtual world where everyone relives their high school years over and over again, he joins the Go Home Club to escape their benevolent prison and return to the real world.
Background
Caligula is based on The Caligula Effect , a role-playing video game developed by Aquria and published by FuRyu for PlayStation Vita in June 2016 in Japan and Atlus USA in May 2017 worldwide. Directed by Takuya Yamanaka and written by Tadashi Satomi ( Character (series), the game's title comes from "the Caligula effect" (originally from the 1979 Italian-American historical drama), which refers to the charms of taboos.
An Unreal Engine 4-based remake titled The Caligula Effect: Overdose was announced in November 2017 and is scheduled for release on May 17, 2018, for PlayStation 4.
Anime adaptation
A television anime adaptation titled Caligula was announced in November 2017. Produced by Satelight with music by Pony Canyon, it is directed by Junichi Wada ( End of the World None Angels of Ragnastrike ) and written by Toko Machida ( A Centaur's Life None Chaika - The Coffin Princess None Amnesia None Akashic Records of the Bastard Magic Instructor ), who also worked together on The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-chan. The series is scheduled to air in April 2018 on Tokyo MX.
The series will feature "Paradygm Box," sung by Chiharu Sawashiro (Ritsu) and Shunsuke Takeuchi (Shogo), as the opening theme, and "HYPNO," performed by Rie Murakawa (Kotono), Ari Ozawa (Naruko), Rie Takahashi (Mifue), and Minami Tanaka (Suzuna), as the ending theme. Both singles will be released on May 16, 2018.
A mini album titled Insert Songs from Anime Re:Arrange Ver. featuring nine songs from popular online composers including 40mP, OSTER project, Polyphonic Branch, Chocho-P, Asha, 164, YM, cosMo@Boso-P, and Mikito-P, performed by Reina Ueda (μ) will be released on April 18, 2018.
Characters
Ritsu Shikishima (CV: Chiharu Sawashiro)
A second-year student at Kishimai High School leading the hectic high school life.
Shogo Satake (CV: Shunsuke Takeuchi)
A third-year student at Kishimai High School, Shogo often acts violently, hence his nickname "Fighting Demon."
Izuru Minesawa (CV: Yuichiro Umehara)
A stunningly handsome second-year student at Kishimai High School.
Kotaro Tomoe (CV: Yoshimasa Hosoya)
A third-year student at Kishimai High School, he has a cheerful and curious personality and an imposing physique. He always tries to help when he sees someone in trouble.
Kotono Kashiwaba (CV: Rie Murakawa)
A third-year student at Kishimai High School with a sisterly nature, Kotono has a neat, somewhat adult charm.
Naruko Morita (CV: Ari Ozawa)
A second-year student with a small figure and signature half-rimmed glasses.
Mifue Shinohara (CV: Rie Takahashi)
A cheerful freshman with a love of sour cream and chocolate crowns, Mifue is a mood-setter who eats as much as she laughs.
Suzuna Kagura (CV: Minami Tanaka)
A quiet freshman who always has a desperate expression and seems to lack confidence.
Marie Mizuguchi (CV: Mai Fuchigami)
A second-year student and Ritsu's classmate.
μ (CV: Reina Ueda)
A very popular idol who makes news every time she releases a new song.
Aria (CV: Asami Shimoda)
An "undersized object" that appeared to Ritsu.
Kagi-P (CV: Shouta Aoi)
Doux-P (CV: Emi Nitta)
Shonen Doll (CV: Yumiri Hanamori)
Mirei (CV: Eriko Nakamura)
Ike-P (CV: Soma Saito)
Shadow Knife (CV: Yuma Uchida)
Thorn (CV: Yuka Otsubo)
The leader of the musicians Ostinato.
Staff
Original concept: Takuya Yamanaka (FuRyu)
Director: Junichi Wada
Original screenplay: Tadashi Satomi
Series composition: Toko Machida
Original Character Design: Oguchi
Character Design: Kenji Tanabe
Sound Director: Satoshi Motoyama
Music: Tsukasa Masuko, Yasuharu Takanashi, Funta7, RegaSound, Kenji Iwata
Animation production: Salight
Music production: Pony Canyon
Casting
Chiharu Sawashiro as Ritsu Shikishima
Queen Ueda: μ
Shunsuke Takeuchi as Shogo Satake
Yuichiro Umehara as Izuru Minesawa
Yoshimasa Hosoya as Kotaro Tomoe
Rie Murakawa as Kotono Kashiwaba
Ari Ozawa: Naruko Morita
Rie Takahashi as Mifue Shinohara
Minami Tanaka: Suzuna Kagura
Mai Fuchigami: Marie Mizuguchi
Asami Shimoda: Aria
Shouta Aoi: Kagi-P
Emi Nitta: Sweet-P
Yumiri Hanamori: Shonen Doll
Eriko Nakamura: Mirei
Soma Saito: Ike-P
Yuma Uchida: The Shadow Knife
Yuka Otsubo: Thorn
Broadcast Information
First aired in April 2018 on Tokyo MX. More details to come.
