Prima Doll

Alternate Title

プリマドール

Synopsis

Kuroneko-tei - a coffee shop located in a corner of the fifth ward of the imperial capital. Working there are girls who are autonomous dolls (automata), the culmination of cutting-edge technology. The girls were originally created as weapons, but several years have passed since the end of the great war, and peace has enveloped the land. Repaired to look as good as new, the girls dress in glittering kimonos and sing sonorously as they search for a new role. Wouldn’t you like to spend a lovely moment with them? The curtain opens on a new original TV anime from Key and Bibury Animation Studio!

Background

Prima Doll is a multimedia project by VISUAL ARTS and Key that launched in October 2020. The project consists of a line of figures by Kotobukiya, a serialized short novel, a serialized web novel, a manga, and a TV anime.

The web novel Prima Doll Encore written by Toya Okano and illustrated by Maroyaka has been periodically published on the project’s official website since October 2020. That same month, a series of short stories titled Prima Doll Interlude written by Kai and illustrated by Maroyaka began being serialized in ASCII Media Works' Dengeki G's Magazine. The series ran until the November 2021 issue before going on hiatus.

Two manga series are in the works for the project. The first, titled Prima Doll New Order, features art by Yuriko Asami and will be serialized online via ComicWalker and Nico Nico Seiga. The second, titled Prima Doll: Yokoso Kuronekotei e, features art by Daiko Toda and will be serialized online via the Comic Bushiroad Web service.

The TV anime is being produced by Bibury Animation Studio and features Tensho as director, with KAI and Toya Okano handling series composition and scripts, and Akane Yano credited as both character designer and chief animation director. The anime’s opening theme song is “Tin Toy Melody” by Chat Noir, a group consisting of voice actresses Azumi Waki, Tomori Kusunoki, Miyu Tomita, Yuki Nakashima, and Akari Kito. The anime will premiere in Japan on July 8, 2022 on Tokyo MX and MBS. The anime has also been acquired by Sentai Filmworks, who will stream the anime outside of Japan via HIDIVE as it airs.

Characters

Haizakura (Voiced by: Azumi Waki)
Height: 138 cm
Likes: Anpan
Dream: To know her role

Haizakura is a waitress at the coffee shop Kuroneko-tei. She is a hard worker who is brimming with curiosity. Due to being reset once, she is a clumsy doll who is naive to the ways of the world. She loves to sing by herself or listen to others sing.

Karasuba (Voiced by: Tomori Kusunoki)
Height: 155 cm
Likes: Peanut butter milkshakes
Dream: To protect Kuroneko-tei

Karasuba is the leader of Kuroneko-tei. She is a serious girl with a strong sense of responsibility and a slightly determined personality. She is good at taking care of others and is well-liked by those around her. On the other hand, she is also cautious and is bad at new things and unexpected situations.

Gekka (Voiced by: Miyu Tomita)
Height: 128 cm
Likes: Taiyaki
Dream: Wants a new role

Gekka is a former reconnaissance doll. She has a lightweight artificial body and looks like a child at first glance. She has a blunt way of speaking, which is a remnant of her time in the military. When she talks, she uses the minimum amount of words necessary. Although she faithfully does what she is told, she doesn’t want to be involved any further than she already is.

Hоokiboshi (Voiced by: Yuki Nakashima)
Height: 158 cm
Likes: Keeping a diary and writing letters
Dream: To sing in a loud voice

Hookiboshi is a member of the kitchen staff at Kuroneko-tei. Her cooking skills are top-notch. She is a calm, polite, and tidy doll. She is always cheerful and acts as the big sister of the group who calms those around her. She keeps a meticulous diary every day.

Retzel (Voiced by: Akari Kito)
Height: 142 cm
Likes: Knives
Dream: To be given a duty

Retzel is an autonomous doll created in Lovelia. She is taken in by Kuroneko-tei after receiving a request for research and observation by the Imperial Army. She has graceful manners that exude elegance but spews venom at the drop of a hat. She is the only one born in a foreign country, and she sometimes shows a hint of loneliness because of this.

Nagi Tooma (Voiced by: Ayumu Murase)
Nagi is the owner of Kuroneko-tei. He is a doll technician who is in charge of their overall maintenance. He has an aloof demeanor and elusive personality, but he believes in the possibilities of the dolls more than anyone else. He was once a commissioned technical officer with the Imperial Army and served on the frontlines.

Chiyo (Voiced by: Misaki Kuno)
Chiyo is Haizakura’s close friend. She is a lively and energetic girl. She was born outside Japan and returned with her relatives after the war. She is a strong girl with a zest for life.

Otome Okunomiya (Voiced by: Ayaka Suwa)
Otome is a soldier of the Imperial Army. He always maintains a cold air and is strict with himself and others. He belongs to the military police, which enforces military regulations. He has authority over the belligerent soldiers. He and Nagi are war buddies.

Music

Opening Theme Song: “Tin Toy Melody” by Chat Noir

• Anime Site (Japanese)
• Twitter (Japanese)
• YouTube (Japanese)

• Original Creator: VISUAL ARTS, Key, Bibury Animation Studio
• Director: Tensho
• Series Composition/Script: KAI, Toya Okano
• Original Character Design: En Morikura, Fuzichoco, lack, Na-Ga, Yui Hara
• Original Sub-Character Design: Minami Sugihara
• Original Mechanical Design: Makoto Ishiwata (Nitroplus)
• Character Design/Chief Animation Director: Akane Yano
• Art Director: Masakazu Miyake
• Art Setting: Kazuhiro Arai, Yuri Sanan
• Color Design: Yuiha Ota
• CG Director: Ryoji Minowa
• Sound Director: Masanori Tsuchiya
• Director of Photography: Yūga Kai
• Editing: Mutsumi Takemiya
• Sound Director: Masanori Tsuchiya
• Animation Production: Bibury Animation Studio