Golden Kamuy

Synopsis

A disgraced former soldier who survived the Russo-Japanese war of the Meiji era, Saichi Sugimoto now lives on the far northern island of Japan, Hokkaido. Nicknamed “The Immortal” during the war, Sugimoto ekes out a living traversing the wilderness seeking out riches from the gold rush. After learning of a thief who stole gold from a group of Ainu, the indigenous people of Hokkaido, and hid directions to it in the tattoos of 24 inmates’ bodies, Sugimoto sets out to track down the escaped convicts aided by a young Ainu girl named Asirpa whose father was killed by the thief. Together, they battle the elements as they struggle to survive against wildlife and those who are also after the treasure.

Background

The historical adventure series Golden Kamuy began as a manga series written and illustrated by Satoru Noda. It has been published by Shueisha since August 2014 under their Young Jump Comics label and is serialized in the magazine Weekly Young Jump. As of February 2018, 12 collected tankobon volumes have been published in Japanese. The series is also published in English by VIZ Media under their VIZ Signature imprint and in Spanish by Milky Way Ediciones. To date, three volumes have been released in English. In 2016, the series won the Manga Taisho Award and placed second in the male category of the “Kono Manga ga Sugoi!” rankings.

An anime adaptation of the series will begin broadcasting in Japan in April 2018. Directing the anime is Hitoshi Nanba (Gosick, Fate/Grand Order: First Order), with series composition being handled by Noboru Takagi (Baccano!, Durarara!!), character designs by Kenichi Onuki (Gundam Build Fighters), music by Kenichiro Suehiro (Re:Zero, Space Patrol Luluco), and animation produced by Geno Studio (Kokkoku, Genocidal Organ). The opening and ending themes will be performed by Man with a Mission and The Sixth Lie, respectively. The anime will be broadcast on Tokyo MX, Yomiuri TV, Sapporo TV, and BS11.

Cast

Chikahiro Kobayashi: Saichi Sugimoto
Haruka Shiraishi: Asirpa
Kentaro Ito: Yoshitake Shiraishi
Houchu Ohtsuka: Lieutenant Tsurumi

Staff

Original Author: Satoru Noda
Director: Hitoshi Nanba
Assistant Director: Takahiro Kawagoe
Series Composition: Noboru Takagi
Character Designer: Kenichi Onuki
Main Animator: Junichi Haneyama
Weapon Designer: Koji Watanabe
Prop Designer: Shinya Asanuma
Animal Designer: Ryo Sumikei
Art Director: Atsushi Morikawa
Color Designer: Takahiro Mogi
Director of Photography: Yuichiro Tozawa
CG Director: Yuko Okumura, Kohei Hamada
Editor: Takeshi Sadamatsu
Sound Director: Jin Akitagawa
Sound Production: Magic Capsule
Ainu Language Supervisor: Hiroshi Nakagawa
Music: Kenichiro Suehiro
Animation Production: Geno Studio
Production: Golden Kamuy Production Committee

Characters

Saichi Sugimoto (CV: Chikahiro Kobayashi)
A disgraced war veteran who served in the 1st Division of the Imperial Japanese Army and fought in the battle of 203 Hill during the Russo-Japanese War in 1904. He was nicknamed “The Immortal” on the battlefield and was feared for his savage fighting style and amazing toughness.

Asirpa (CV: Haruka Shiraishi)
An Ainu girl who joins Sugimoto in search of the thief who killed her father after saving Sugimoto from a wild bear attack. Her Japanese name is Asuko Kochoube.

Yoshitake Shiraishi (CV: Kentaro Ito)
Known as the “Escape King” for breaking out of every prison he was ever put into, Yoshitake Shiraishi is one of the Abashiri convicts who travels with Sugimoto. He has part of the map to the Ainu gold tattooed on his body.

Lieutenant Tsurumi (CV: Houchu Ohtsuka)
An officer in the 7th Division of the Imperial Japanese Army, Tsurumi is in search of the hidden Ainu treasure in order to separate Hokkaido from the rest of Japan as its own independent country. Because of Japan’s treatment of its soldiers after the war, and not extracting any remuneration from Russia, he has a strong hatred for the Japanese government.

Hyakunosuke Ogata (CV: Kenjiro Tsuda)
Former Superior Private of the 7th Division and an ace sniper, Ogata is a member of Hijikata’s group who later joins Sugimoto’s group.

Genjiro Tanigaki (CV: Yoshimasa Hosoya)
Private First Class of the 7th Division and a Matagi of Tohoku, Genjiro goes on a warpath to avenge the death of his little sister Fumi, putting his family and heritage on the line. Now with a renewed sense of purpose, Genjiro has made it his mission to repay the Ainu people, who previously sheltered and took care of him during the war, by escorting Asirpa back home so she can reunite with her family.

Theme Song Artists

Opening Theme: Man with a Mission
Ending Theme: The Sixth Lie

Anime Broadcast Information

Begins April 2018 on Tokyo MX, Yomiuri TV, Sapporo TV, and BS11.

Official Links

Manga Site on VIZ (English)
Anime Site (Japanese)