Tsuki to Laika to Nosferatu

Alternate Title

月とライカと吸血姫

Synopsis

The first astronaut in human history was a vampire girl. During an era when manned space flights had yet to succeed, the Republic begins a plan to send humans into orbit by rocket before the United Kingdom does. Behind the scenes, in a secret city called Laika 44 located at the edge of the Republic, the Nosferatu Project, a project that uses vampires in experimental rocket flights, is underway. Lieutenant Lev Reps has been assigned to monitor and train a vampire girl named Irina Luminesk who has been chosen as a test subject. Though caught up in the waves of the times and at the mercy of the top brass’ ego, they share a passion as they both risk their lives aiming for the stars.

Background

Tsuki to Laika to Nosferatu is a light novel series written by Keisuke Makino and illustrated by Karei which has been released under Shogakukan’s Gagaga Bunko imprint since December 2016. As of March 2021, six volumes have been published. A spin-off titled Ginga Tetsudo no Yoru wo Koete: Tsuki to Laika to Nosferatu: Hoshimachi Hen also began publication in March 2020.

A manga adaptation illustrated by Sojihogu began serialization on Kodansha's Comic Days website in March 2018 and has been published in one collected tankobon volume to date.

A TV anime adaptation was announced in March 2021. It is being animated by Arvo Animation and features Akitoshi Yokoyama as director with Keisuke Makino handling series composition, Hiromi Kato adapting Karei’s original character designs for animation, and Yasunori Mitsuda composing the music. Ali Project will perform the opening theme song, "Hi no Tsuki,” and Chima will perform the ending theme song, "Arifureta Itsuka." The anime will premiere in Japan on Oct. 3, 2021 on TV Tokyo. A paid advance screening of the first two episodes was held on Sep. 4.

Characters

Irina Ruminescu (Voiced by: Megumi Hayashibara)
A vampire girl. She is treated as belonging to a “cursed race” by people and hates humans. For some reason, she has a strong passion to go to the moon. She aims to become an astronaut.

Lev Leps (Voiced by: Kouki Uchiyama)
A lieutenant in the air force. He has longed to fly ever since he was a child and applied to become an astronaut candidate. He has a strong sense of justice and rebels against things that are unreasonable.

Anya Simonyan (Voiced by: Hina Kino)
A researcher belonging to a biomedical research facility. She specializes in researching the biology of vampires. She is in charge of overseeing Irina’s medical data. Because of this, she isn’t afraid of Irina and is friendly toward her.

Mikhail Yashin (Voiced by: Satoshi Hino)
An astronaut candidate and a lieutenant in the air force. He comes from a good family and has handsome looks. His grades are always at the top, and he plays a leading role. He is the most promising of all the astronaut candidates.

Roza Plevitskaya (Voiced by: Mikako Komatsu)
The only female astronaut candidate and a lieutenant in the air force. She is a former ace pilot who was known as the “White Rose of Sunglade.” She has a strong competitive spirit and tends to be harsh with the other candidates.

Slava Korovin (Voiced by: Takaya Hashi)
The genius engineer who creates the republic’s spaceships. His existence is kept hidden from the public and he is referred to only by his title, Chief Designer.

Lieutenant Victor (Voiced by: Masaki Terasoma)
The advisor of the astronaut candidates and a hero of the last great war. He is a muscular, tough-looking man. Though strict, he is also compassionate.

Natalia (Voiced by: Kikuko Inoue)
The matron of the dorm where the astronaut candidates live. She has a gentle, maternal smile and treats everyone with kindness.

Fjodor Gergiev (Voiced by: Kenichi Ogata)
The Supreme Leader of the Republic of Zirnitra. He rose to power after overthrowing the previous government. He gives off a cheerful and lighthearted impression, but he also has a strongly intimidating and cold-hearted side that silences those around him.

Lyudmila Halrova (Voiced by: M.A.O)
Fjodor’s trusted secretary in charge of documents. She is a member of the old aristocracy and is one of the few people who can voice their opinions to Fjodor without hesitation. She is always eating something sweet.

Narrator (Voiced by: Hiroki Touchi)

Music

• Opening Theme Song: "Hi no Tsuki" by Ali Project
• Ending Theme Song: "Arifureta Itsuka" by Chima

• Anime Site (Japanese)
• Twitter (Japanese)

• Original Creator: Keisuke Makino
• Original Character Design: Karei
• Director: Akitoshi Yokoyama
• Series Composition: Keisuke Makino
• Character Design: Hiromi Kato
• Assistant Director: Taishi Kawaguchi
• Art Director: Yuji Kaneko
• Art Design: Akihiro Hirasawa
• Prop Design: Goichi Iwahata, Noritaka Suzuki, ARVO-DESIGN
• Color Design: Aiko Matsuyama
• Director of Photography: Hideki Imaizumi
• Editing: Kiyoshi Hirose
• Sound Director: Takatoshi Hamano
• Music: Yasunori Mitsuda
• Animation Production: Arvo Animation