The charm and depth of Caligula: A new experience through the fusion of psychological depiction and music

"Caligula": A story of youth torn between ideals and reality

"Caligula" is a TV anime series that aired in 2018 and is based on the game by Furyu. It aired from April 8 to June 24, 2018, and consists of 12 episodes. It was broadcast on TOKYO MX and AT-X, and each episode was 30 minutes long. It was directed by Junichi Wada, animated by Satelight, and copyright belongs to ©FURYU/Caligula Production Committee.

story

"Destroy your ideals and return to reality." As this phrase symbolizes, Caligula is a story of youth torn between ideals and reality. The story is set in a town where the voices of the immensely popular idol group μ reverberate throughout the city, and everyday life flows peacefully. The protagonist, Shikishima Ritsu, is a first-year student at Miyabi City Yoshimai High School, and enjoys a fulfilling high school life, blessed with sports, studies, and friends. However, at the entrance ceremony for his second year, a boy who takes to the stage as the representative of the new students is someone who should not have been there. This mysterious event leads Ritsu and his friends on a journey to explore the boundary between "ideals" and "reality."

Commentary

Caligula is a story of youth torn between ideals and reality, delving deeply into themes of self-awareness and growth. The story follows the protagonist, Shikishima Ritsu, as she grows alongside her friends as she explores the boundaries between "ideals" and "reality." The theme of the work is summed up in the phrase, "Destroy your ideals (you) and return to reality (hell)," which deeply moves and evokes empathy in viewers.

cast

The cast of this film is as follows:

• Ritsu Shikishima/Chiharu Sawashiro
• μ/Reina Ueda
• Shogo Satake/Shunsuke Takeuchi
• Izuru Minezawa/Yuichiro Umehara
• Tomoe Kotaro/Hosoya Yoshimasa
• Kotono Kashiwaba/Rie Murakawa
• Naruko Morita/Ari Ozawa
• Shinohara Mifue/Takahashi Rie
• Kagura Suzuna/Tanaka Minami
• Marie Mizuguchi/Mai Fuchigami
• Aria/Asami Shimoda

Main Staff

The main staff of this work are as follows:

• Original work: "Caligula" (Fluy)
• Original story/Takuya Yamanaka
• Director: Junichi Wada
• Original scenario/Nao Satomi
• Series Composition: Doko Machida
• Character design: Oguchi
• Character design: Kenji Tanabe
• Sound Director: Satoshi Motoyama
• Music: Tsukasa Masuko, Yasuharu Takanashi, Funta7, RegaSound, Kenji Iwata
• Music Production: Pony Canyon
• Animation Production: Satelight

Main Characters

The main characters of this work are as follows:

• Shikishima Ritsu: A second-year student at Yoshimai High School, living a fulfilling high school life in the midst of her youth.
• μ: A super popular idol. Whenever a new song is released, it makes the news.
• Shogo Satake: A third-year student at Yoshimai High School. He is often seen causing trouble at school, so much so that he is called the "fighting fiend."
• Izuru Minezawa: A second-year student at Yoshimai High School. A stunningly beautiful boy.
• Tomoe Kotaro: A third-year student at Yoshimai High School. A nosy and cheerful boy who doesn't look like he's big. He can't leave people in trouble alone.
• Kotono Kashiwaba: A third-year student at Yoshimai High School. A beautiful girl with a neat and tidy personality and a hint of adult sexiness.
• Naruko Morita: A second-year student at Yoshimai High School. A petite girl whose trademark is her glasses.
• Shinohara Mifue: A first-year student at Yoshimai High School. Her favorite foods are cream puffs and chocolate cornets. She eats a lot, laughs a lot, and is a cheerful, fearless mood maker.
• Kagura Suzuna: A first-year student at Yoshimai High School. A quiet girl who always looks unsure and lonely.
• Mizuguchi Marie: A second-year student at Yoshimai High School and Ritsu's classmate.
• Aria: A "tiny object" appears in front of Ritsuko.

subtitle

The subtitles of this film are as follows:

• Episode 1: "If you lose your cool, you will never reach the truth." (2018/04/08)
• Episode 2: "Negative emotions such as anxiety and impatience draw others in." (2018/04/15)
• Episode 3: "Why do we live? The more we think about life, the more confused we become." (2018/04/22)
• Episode 4: "People who do not acknowledge their own existence will not be respected by others." (2018/04/29)
• Episode 5: "Everyone can get hurt. But those who don't realize they're hurt can't be healed." (2018/05/06)
• Episode 6: "Being positive is not the only way to move forward. Knowing the situation is also an important step." (2018/05/13)
• Episode 7: "It is especially in times of despair that we need to celebrate smiles." (2018/05/20)
• Episode 8: "Life is not something you create according to someone else's blueprint. No matter how amateurish it may be, you should draw it yourself." (2018/05/27)
• Episode 9: "Even after something has happened, you can still choose what to do." (2018/06/03)
• Episode 10: Caligula (2018/06/10)
• Episode 11: "People are always looking for the right answer. But is it really okay if it's right?" (2018/06/17)
• Episode 12: "Destroy your ideals and return to reality." (2018/06/24)

Theme songs and music

The theme songs and music for this work are as follows:

Opening Theme

• Paradigm Box
• Period: 1~12
• Lyrics by Takumi Yoshida
• Composer: Takumi Yoshida
• Arrangement: Aoyama Ikumi
• Sung by: Ritsu Shikishima (Chiharu Sawashiro), Shogo Satake (Shunsuke Takeuchi)
• It was used as the ending theme for episode 1.

Ending Theme

• HYPNO
• Period: 2-11
• Lyrics by RegaSound
• Composition: RegaSound
• Arrangement: Yusuke Miyaichi, Jiang Yi-ri, RegaSound
• Sung by: Kotono Kashiwaba (Rie Murakawa), Naruko Morita (Ari Ozawa), Midori Shinohara (Rie Takahashi), Suzuna Kagura (Minami Tanaka)

Insert song

• Renet
• Period: 1-2, 4-6, 12
• Lyrics by Shuhei Tsubota
• Composer: Shuhei Tsubota
• Arrangement: RegaSound
• Sung by μ (Reina Ueda)

• Peter Pan Syndrome -Anime Re:Arrange Ver.-
• Period: 1-2
• Lyrics by 40mP
• Composition/40mP
• Arrangement: no_my
• Sung by μ (Reina Ueda)

• Orbit -Anime Re:Arrange Ver.-
• Period/2
• Lyrics by Mikito P
• Composed by Mikito P
• Arrangement: Yoshihiro Kusano
• Sung by μ (Reina Ueda)

• Tokimeki*Ribery -Anime Re:Arrange Ver.-
• Period/3
• Lyrics by OSTER project
• Composition: OSTER project
• Arrangement: Funta7
• Sung by μ (Reina Ueda)

• Originality Incident -Anime Re:Arrange Ver.-
• Period/4
• Lyrics: Polyphonic Branch
• Composition: Polyphonic Branch
• Arrangement: RegaSound
• Sung by μ (Reina Ueda)

• Lorelei
• Period/4
• Lyrics by HEINE HEINRICH
• Lyrics/translation by Kondo Sakufu
• Composer: SILCHER FRIEDRICH
• Arrangement: Hiroshi Imaizumi
• Sung by μ (Reina Ueda)

• Sadistic Queen -Anime Re:Arrange Ver.-
• Period/5
• Lyrics by Chocho-P
• Composer: Chocho-P
• Arrangement: TAKT
• Sung by μ (Reina Ueda)

• juːˈtoʊpiə
• Period/6
• Lyricist: Mitsu
• Composer: Shuhei Tsubota
• Arrangement: RegaSound
• Sung by μ (Reina Ueda)

• Tír na nÓg
• Period: June, December
• Lyrics by Aiko Takase
• Composer: Sumidashi Shinya
• Arrangement: Daisuke Kahara
• Sung by μ (Reina Ueda)

• Angel's Song -Anime Re:Arrange Ver.-
• Period/8
• Lyricist: Asa
• Composer: Asa
• Arrangement: HoneycomeBear_Monkey
• Sung by μ (Reina Ueda)

• sin -Anime Re:Arrange Ver.-
• Period/9
• Lyrics/164
• Composition/164
• Arrangement: RegaSound
• Sung by μ (Reina Ueda)

• Cosmo Dancer -Anime Re:Arrange Ver.-
• Period/11
• Lyricist: YM
• Composer: YM
• Arrangement: Ryohei Kakuda
• Sung by μ (Reina Ueda)

• Distorted♰Happiness -Anime Re:Arrange Ver.-
• Period/12
• Lyrics by cosMo@BousouP
• Composition: cosMo@BousouP
• Arrangement: RegaSound
• Sung by μ (Reina Ueda)

Ratings and Recommendations

"Caligula" is highly acclaimed as a work that depicts the conflicts and growth of youth. In particular, the portrayal of the protagonists' feelings, torn between ideals and reality, evokes deep empathy in the audience. In addition, the beautiful singing voices and music also enhance the charm of the work and capture the hearts of the audience.

The recommended points are as follows:

• A deep story depicting the conflicts and growth of youth
• A moving performance with beautiful singing and music
• The charm of unique characters
• A profound theme that explores the boundary between ideal and reality

This work is especially recommended for viewers who value youth anime and psychological portrayals. It is also enjoyable for those who like music. Please watch "Caligula" and experience the story of youth torn between ideals and reality.