Nil Admirari no Tenbin

Also Known As

The Scales of Nil Admirari The Mysterious Story of Teito
ニル・アドミラリの天秤 帝都幻惑綺譚

Synopsis

Taking place in an alternate Taisho era that lasted for 25 years instead of 15, Nil Admirari no Tenbin follows Tsugumi Kuze, a girl who decided to marry an unknown man to protect her family’s good name. Just before that happens, Tsugumi’s younger brother commits suicide in a mysterious fire with an old book in his hand. Such books, called “Maremono” (literally meaning “rare thing”), have a strong influence on those who read them, and therefore are considered dangerous artifacts belonging to the jurisdiction of the Imperial Library Information Assets Management Bureau, commonly referred to as Fukuro.

After the incident, Tsugumi gains the ability to see “Auras,” as if destiny was calling her to those flames, and she hesitantly agrees to work at Fukuro, leaving her birdcage behind. Jealousy, hate, insult, pity, and love. What awaits her in this new life is the darkness of the imperial capital, filled with betrayals...

Background & Media

The anime is based on Nil Admirari no Tenbin: Teito Genwaku Kitan, a popular visual novel by Otomate (a branch of Idea Factory specialized for otome games) released for PlayStation Vita in April 2016. Directed by Wataru Watanabe with scenario by Yuma Katagiri and art by Satoi, it features “Sanctuary” from Annabel and “Hono no Tori” by Suara as its opening and ending themes, respectively. The game was praised for its beautiful sepia-toned art and use of Taisho motifs.

After the wild success of the first part, Nil Admirari no Tenbin received a sequel subtitled Kuroyuri Enyotan in September 2017, and a manga adaptation by Sho Yuzuki started serialization in Square Enix’s magazine Monthly G Fantasy in January 2018.

The anime series was announced in August 2016 at “Otomate Party 2016” and is set to premiere in spring 2018. It is produced by Zero-G with music by Pony Canyon. The premiere date, broadcast information, and the number of episodes are yet to be announced.

Theme Songs

The series will feature “Tandeki Miragism” from Kradness as its opening theme and “Black Thunder” by Hiro Shimono as its ending theme. The opening single is slated for release on June 6, 2018 in three versions (anime, regular, and Quarks), while the ending song will be included on Shimono’s first mini album Color of Life, coming out on March 14, 2018, available in first press limited edition, regular, and Canime limited editions.

Keywords

Maremono
Books that hold the emotions and memories of their authors, exerting a strong influence on those who read them. From previous experience, these are all hand-written books bound Japanese style.

Aura
An indication of the nature of feelings present in a Maremono, Aura can be of various colors. Although usually invisible to humans, Tsugumi is able to see them after her brother’s suicide.

Fukuro
Officially called the Imperial Library Information Assets Management Bureau, Fukuro is a special government organization that deals with collecting and preserving Maremono. It was originally just a small post of the International Library, only becoming a specialized agency after a surge in Maremono-related incidents.

Karasu
An underground organization rumored to hold illegal auctions for Maremono and stolen goods, Karasu is reputed to have Maremono that give their readers euphoria. However, they are also connected to the suicides caused by Maremono. Fukuro has had their eyes on the organization for a time, but they are always one step ahead and never leave behind any evidence.

Kagutsuchi
A mysterious organization that was incinerated after finding a Maremono. According to witnesses, all members seemed to be around college student age, but nothing is known for certain.

Characters

Tsugumi Kuze (CV: Juri Kimura)
Birthday: March 18
Height: 157 cm
The oldest daughter of a bankrupt noble family, Tsugumi gains the ability to see “Auras” after her younger brother’s suicide and decides to accept the offer to work at the Imperial Library Information Assets Management Bureau, known as Fukuro for short. She looks calm on the surface, but she’s very active. She is also very caring, sometimes too much, which stems from looking after her little brother in their mother’s place.

Hayato Ozaki (CV: Yuki Kaji)
Birthday: April 15
Height: 176 cm
Blood Type: A
The head of Fukuro’s Scouting Unit, Hayato leads his comrades with an inherent brightness and an unwavering sense of justice. He might seem rude on occasion as he always says what’s on his mind, but he never does it out of malice. He is loved for his straight personality but he can also be hot-headed and impatient at times.

Akira Kogami (CV: Nobuhiko Okamoto)
Birthday: Dec. 23
Height: 180 cm
Blood Type: B
A member of Fukuro’s Scouting Unit, Akira is serious about his job, but he prefers to spend time alone rather than socializing with his comrades. He is hard to approach as he’s brusque and almost never talks about himself or shows emotions, but in his heart, he’s a gentle person who never turns down those in need.

Hisui Hoshikawa (CV: Ryota Osaka)
Birthday: Sep. 19
Height: 166 cm
Blood Type: O
The youngest member of the Scouting Unit, Hisui is an ernest, hard-working boy who looks more mature than his age. He has a special ability, and he also keeps Hayato in check when he’s being too blunt. He hates talking about his mixed heritage, and he feels a strong aversion to women and love.

Shogo Ukai (CV: Ryohei Kimura)
Birthday: May 5
Height: 173 cm
Blood Type: A
The son of Japan’s Prime Minister Shozo Ukai, Shogo is a student of the Imperial University’s Law Faculty. He moved in to a Fukuro apartment after attempting suicide under the influence of a Maremono. Due to being used to having his own living quarters, he’s often selfish and dissatisfied, which is why he doesn’t get along well with the other tenants. He’s capable of admitting his mistakes but he has a hard time communicating his feelings.

Shizuru Migiwa (CV: Kenichi Suzumura)
Birthday: Oct. 18
Height: 178 cm
Blood Type: B
A successful author of tragic love stories, Shizuru has been living in Fukuro’s apartment thanks to his connection to Tokimiya after his house got demolished. He’s a flirty guy constantly dropping sweet pick-up lines. Although he’s very passionate about his work, he rarely shows it.

Rui Sagisawa (CV: Takahiro Sakurai)
Birthday: Jan. 21
Height: 175 cm
Blood Type: AB
Rui is a student of the Imperial University’s Medical Faculty who met Tsugumi by accident. He lost his parents three years ago and has been working various part-time jobs in addition to his scholarship to support himself. Rui is always calm and mild-mannered, and he’s often seen reading books in a cafe or the library. He deeply respects his father, a general practitioner, and wants to help others just like he did.

Staff

Director/Sound Director: Masahiro Takata
Series Composition: Tomoko Konparu
Character Design/Chief Animation Director: Yukie Sako
Chief Animation Director: Kiyotaka Nakahara, Yumiko Hara
Music: Tomoki Hasegawa
Main Animator: Yoshitaka Yasuda
Director of Photography: Motohiro Kunishige
Editing: Masaki Utsunomiya
Art Director: Yuya Kusumoto (ArtCharm Convoy)

Cast

Juri Kimura: Tsugumi Kuze
Nobuhiko Okamoto: Akira Kogami
Ryohei Kimura: Shogo Ukai
Takahiro Sakurai: Rui Sagisawa
Rio Natsuki: Shiori Tokimiya
Yuki Kaji: Hayato Ozaki
Ryota Osaka: Hisui Hoshikawa
Kenichi Suzumura: Shizuru Migiwa
Ayumu Murase: Hitaki Kuze
Norio Kobayashi: Keizaburo Ochi
Hikaru Midorikawa: Yutaka Nabari
Eiji Miyashita: Kuina
Kazuyuki Okitsu: Motofumi Mashiko
Junya Enoki: Taro Tsubameno
Daichi Endo: Takashi Shiginuma
Akane Sanada: Shoko Shiginuma
Minami Takahashi: Koruri Masaki
Kentaro Tone: Takuma Yoshikiri
Makoto Ishii: Toichiro Sasagoi
Masakazu Nishida: Arata Kijitani
Seiro Ogino: Shiro Mozuyama
Akito Sakuragi: Hideki Owase

Broadcast Information

Premieres in April 2018, details TBA

Online Streaming

TBA

Official Links

Anime Website (Japanese)
Game Website (Japanese)