Anime "Tougen Anki" Special Program: Gakuto Kajiwara Makes Surprise Appearance! The Truth Behind Natsuki Hanae's "Ad-Libs" Also Revealed

On ABEMA, the anime "Tougen Anki" special program "TV Anime 'Tougen Anki' Special Program - Season 2 New Information Edition -" was broadcast exclusively for free from 8:00 p.m. on July 2.

The series is a new-generation dark hero saga based on "Momotaro," a folktale known to virtually every Japanese person, depicting the conflict between those who carry the blood of oni (demons) and those who carry the blood of Momotaro, told from the oni's side.

The program featured Kazuki Ura (playing Shiki Ichinose), Kotaro Nishiyama (playing Jin Kougasaki), and Natsuki Hanae (playing Yusuribe Juji). In addition to looking back at Season 1's "Kyoto Arc & Nerima Arc," the program introduced highlights of Season 2's "Nikko-Kegon Falls Arc," set to begin airing in October, along with information on new characters.

Furthermore, new visuals for the "Nikko-Kegon Falls Arc" and cast information for the Onikoku-tai were revealed, and Gakuto Kajiwara, who plays Todoroki Hayate, made a surprise appearance, making it an hour full of excitement.

Kazuki Ura, Kotaro Nishiyama, and Natsuki Hanae Look Back on Season 1! Hanae Reveals the Truth Behind His "Ad-Libs": "It's Yusuribe Juji's Fault! I Just Get Carried Away Because It's Fun"

First up was a segment looking back on Season 1's "Kyoto Arc." Watching the first appearance scenes of the Rasetsu Academy members again, Ura recalled the recording session for Episode 1. He shared a heartwarming episode about how, after giving his all in the scene where Shiki goes berserk, Koyama Tsuyoshi gave him a piece of candy and said, "You worked hard today," which filled the studio with warm laughter. Hanae also commented on Ura during recording sessions, saying, "He's naturally loud, and it draws everyone in around him. That's what's great about him." Ura responded with relief, "I was being praised! I thought it was going to be a complaint," drawing laughter.

They also touched on Hanae's "ad-libs," which had frequently been a topic on radio shows and at events. Hanae insisted, "Those aren't ad-libs! It was all written in the script!" but Ura and Nishiyama tipped off the audience, saying, "Huh!? Those were totally ad-libs! You clearly got really into it and wrote it into the script!" Hanae explained, "That's Yusuribe Juji's fault! It's Yusuribe Juji's potential. I just get into it and end up doing it," and the studio was filled with laughter.

Next was a look back at the "Nerima Arc." Regarding the scene where Shiki and Momodera Mikado face off, Ura commented, "The Kyoto Arc was a battle to defeat evil, but in the Nerima Arc, he has to fight someone he thought was a friend. It was a painful battle because the relationship had changed." Nishiyama also spoke about the change in the bond between Shiki and Jin Kougasaki's friendship, saying, "There were so many memorable scenes, like him starting to call him by his first name, 'Shiki,' or coming to help him in the rubble scene."