Akuma no Riddle OVA Review: The fusion of mystery and action is impressive, but the story lacks depth

Akuma no Riddle OVA - In-depth review and recommendation

■ Public Media

OVA

■ Original Media

comics

■ Release date

December 17, 2014

■Release and sales

・Publisher and distributor: Pony Canyon

■Frequencies

24 min

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■Original Story

・Original work: Yun Kouga

■ Director

・Director: Keizo Kusakawa

■ Production

・Animation Production: Diomedea

■Works

©Yun Takaha, Jun Minami / Published by KADOKAWA / "Akuma no Riddle" Production Committee

■ Story

Myojo Academy's 10th grade Black Class is made up of just one target and 12 high school girl assassins who are after her. Haru Ichinose is the only one whose life is in danger, but she vows to graduate alive. Azuma Tokaku realizes that she is the target, but as they grow closer, he is gradually drawn to Haru's warmth. When his classmates bare their blades, will Tokaku stand up to Haru as her protector, or...?

・Question 13: Who is the winner? (surprise test) (2014/12/17)

・Screenplay: Ayuna Fujisaki

・Storyboard/Hiroki Hayashi

・Direction: Tokoro Toshikatsu

Animation directors: Miyako Nishida, Kenichiro Okamoto, Shota Sannomiya, Itsuki Takamoto, Mino Honda

On the deck of the ship, with the Myojo Academy flag fluttering, the members of Class 10 Black were seen in their swimsuits, including Haru, who was looking at the sea with excitement, and Tokaku, who was smiling and watching from behind. Meanwhile, Nio was suspiciously operating a tablet, and the ship suddenly exploded. The members of Class 10 Black were washed ashore on a deserted island. Then, Nio made an announcement...

■Explanation

This OVA is included in the 7th volume of the "Akuma no Riddle" Blu-ray & DVD, which was released on December 17, 2014. As a new OVA that has not aired on TV, it is a long-awaited new episode for fans. This OVA included in the 7th volume tells the story of a parallel world different from the main story, in which all members of the Black Team engage in a survival battle on a deserted island. According to a quote from the official website, it is advertised as "a parallel world with a different atmosphere from the main story!" and is sure to provide viewers with new surprises and excitement.

■Cast

・Azuma Tokaku/Suwa Ayaka

・Haru Ichinose/Hisako Kanemoto

・Running Catfish/Yoshino Nanjo

・Isuke Inukai/Azumi Asakura

・Haruki Sagae/Fumiko Uchimura

・Kirigatani Hitsugi/Uchida Manami

・Senzu Namatame/Sachika Misawa

・Banba Mayday and May Night / Yuka Otsubo

・ Junko Hide / Miho Arakawa

・Kaminaga Kaori/Yoshimura Haruka

・Ryo Shuto/Chika Anzai

・Otoya Takechi/Aimi Numakura

・Shiena Kenmochi/Yuki Yamada

・Mr. Mizorogi/Takahiro Sakurai

・Kaiba Sensei/Tomokazu Sugita

■ Main staff

・Original work: Yun Kouga

・Character design by Jun Minakata

・Director: Keizo Kusakawa

・Series Composition: Kiyoko Yoshimura

Screenplay: Masahiro Yokotani, Ayuna Fujisaki

・Character design and chief animation director: Naomi Ide

・Weapon and fighting supervision: Akira Otsuka

・Action Director/Takayuki Sano

・Color design: Ryota Nakata

・Art director/Masatoshi Muto

Director of photography: Yasuyuki Ito

Edited by Toshihiko Kojima

・Sound Director: Yoshikazu Iwanami

・Sound Production/Ducks Production

・Music: Yoshimasa Fujisawa

・Music Production/Pony Canyon

・Animation Production: Diomedea

■ Main Characters

・Azuma Tokaku

Number 1 in attendance. Transferred from Private 17 Academy at Kaiba's command. With outstanding assassination skills, he is an elite assassin of a clan known as "Azuma of the East". Touched by Haru's warmth, he decides to protect her. Loves curry.

・Haru Ichinose

A cheerful high school girl. She shares a room with Tokaku in the dorm. She is the target of 12 assassins. Due to family circumstances, her life has been targeted since she was a child. Despite her unfortunate circumstances, she never cries, and even though she knows she is a target, she has a strong will to graduate alive.

・Running Nio

Attendance number 10. The only student at Myojo Academy. A friendly guy who loves gossip. He's always playing with his favorite tablet. He explains the missions to them, and it seems like he knows the secrets of the Black Class.

・Isuke Inukai

Number 2 in attendance. A sexy, strong-willed beautiful girl. When something annoys her, she immediately speaks her anger out loud. The only people who matter to her are her family, and she doesn't care about the rest of the people.

・Haruki Sagae

Attendance number 6. Shares a room with Isuke Inukai. He is a calm person and is strict with himself and others. He has many siblings. He likes fashion, such as nail polish.

・Kirigatani Hitsugi

Attendance number 4. A high school student who is so slender that he is mistaken for an elementary school student. He refers to himself as "boku". He often gets lost, so when he walks around the school, he holds hands with Senashi.

・Namata Mechika

Attendance number 9. A prince-like high school girl who helped Kirigaya when he was lost. Her goal was not a reward, but something else.

・Banba Mayday and Maynight

Attendance number 12. Has a split personality with different personalities during the day and at night. During the day, Mahiru is shy. At night, Mahiru is aggressive.

・ Junko Hide

The daughter of a British conglomerate, she has her own desk and chair, and even addresses the principal with the honorific "sama." She has a dignified appearance.

・Kaminaga Kaori

Attendance number 3. He is the chairman of the Black Class and also the dormitory supervisor. He loves to study and has a sharp mind. He is calm and no emotion can be seen from his facial expression.

・Ryo Shuto

Attendance number 7. His hobby is exercising. He also likes taking baths. He has a philosophical personality and speaks in a unique way.

・Otoya Takechi

Attendance number 8. A bright, lively and cheerful girl who wants to be friends with Haru. She is skillful with scissors and is good at cutting flowers.

・Senah the Swordsman

Attendance number 5. Glasses and braids. A serious and reliable person who hates bullying. She loves the stage and is picky about direction.

■Subtitle

・Question 13: Who is the winner? (surprise test) (2014/12/17)

■ Theme songs and music

・OP1

・Wounded Innocence

13

Lyrics by Chiaki Ishikawa

・Composer: R.O.N

・Arrangement: R.O.N

・Singer: Maaya Uchida

・ED1

・THE LAST PARTY

13

Lyrics by Kanata Nakamura

・Composer: Ryo Takahashi

・Arrangement: Ryo Takahashi

・Singers: 10th Year Black Group (Suwa Ayaka, Kanemoto Hisako, Nanjo Yoshino, Asakura Azumi, Uchimura Fumiko, Uchida Manami, Misawa Sachika, Otsubo Yuka, Arakawa Miho, Yoshimura Haruka, Anzai Chika, Numakura Manami, Yamada Yuki)

■ In-depth review

The "Akuma no Riddle" OVA is included in the 7th volume of the "Akuma no Riddle" Blu-ray & DVD, which was released on December 17, 2014. As a new OVA that has not aired on TV, it is a long-awaited new episode for fans. This OVA tells the story of a parallel world different from the main story, with all members of the Black Team fighting a survival battle on a deserted island. According to a quote from the official website, it is advertised as "a parallel world with a different atmosphere from the main story!" and is sure to provide viewers with new surprises and excitement.

The story begins with the members of the 10th grade Black Class of Myojo Academy going out on a boat to sea and having fun in swimsuits. However, when Hashiri Nio suspiciously operates the tablet, the boat suddenly explodes and the members are washed up on a deserted island. There, an announcement is made by Nio. This OVA depicts the new challenge of the Black Class members surviving on a deserted island, providing a new perspective to the viewers.

The character portrayal is also excellent, and the scene where the relationship between Azuma Tokaku and Ichinose Haru deepens is memorable. Tokaku is touched by Haru's warmth and resolves to protect her, which touches the hearts of viewers. The cast is also impressive, with the performances of voice actors such as Suwa Ayaka, Kanemoto Hisako, and Nanjo Yoshino adding excitement to the story.

The main staff is also excellent, with professionals from various fields such as director Keizo Kusakawa, screenwriter Ayuna Fujisaki, and character designer Naomi Ide. In particular, Akira Otsuka, who oversaw weapons and combat, and action director Takayuki Sano made a major contribution, adding to the impact of the battle scenes. In addition, the color designer Ryodai Nakata, art director Masatoshi Muto, cinematographer Yasuyuki Ito, editor Toshihiko Kojima, sound director Yoshikazu Iwanami, and music composer Yoshimasa Fujisawa all worked together to create the film, giving it a strong sense of unity.

The theme songs are also great, with the OP "Souzan Innocence" by Maaya Uchida's impressive singing voice, and the ED "THE LAST PARTY" by the members of the 10th Year Black Group, livening up the end of the story. It is clear that Pony Canyon, who was in charge of music production, also put in an effort to enhance the atmosphere of the work.

■Recommendation

The "Akuma no Riddle" OVA is a must-see for fans. You can enjoy the story of a new parallel world, and the scene where the members of the Black Team try to survive on a deserted island is worth watching. The characters are well-drawn, and the scene where the relationship between Azuma Tokaku and Ichinose Haru deepens is moving. Thanks to the efforts of the cast and staff, this is a work that will provide viewers with new surprises and excitement.

This OVA is recommended not only for fans of "Akuma no Riddle" but also for viewers who want to enjoy action and survival. The survival battle on a deserted island is tense and has the power to draw viewers in. There are also many scenes depicting the growth of the characters and changes in their relationships, adding depth to the story. Be sure to watch this OVA and discover new charms of "Akuma no Riddle".