The appeal and reviews of "Tokyo 24 Wards": A deeper look into the story and characters

Tokyo 24 Wards - Tokyo 24 Wards - Attractions and Evaluations

■Overview of the work

Tokyo 24th Ward is a TV anime series that aired from January 6 to April 7, 2022, and is based on an original anime. It is directed by Tsuda Naokatsu, produced by CloverWorks, and produced by the Tokyo 24th Ward Project. It consists of 13 episodes, each airing for 30 minutes. The story is set in the Far East Extraordinary Special District, commonly known as "24th Ward," an artificial island floating in Tokyo Bay, and tells the story of childhood friends Shuuta, Ran, and Kouki who are forced to make a choice about their future.

■Broadcast information

Tokyo 24 Wards was broadcast on the following stations:

• TOKYO MX: January 6, 2022 to April 7, 2022, every Thursday from 0:30 to 1:00 (first episode is a one-hour special)
• Tochigi TV: January 6, 2022 to April 7, 2022, every Thursday from 0:30 to 1:00 (the first episode will be a one-hour special)
• Gunma TV: January 6, 2022 to April 7, 2022, every Thursday from 0:30 to 1:00 (the first episode will be a one-hour special)
• BS11: January 6, 2022 to April 7, 2022, every Thursday from 0:30 to 1:00 (the first episode will be a one-hour special)
• ABC TV (Asahi Broadcasting Television): January 6, 2022 to April 7, 2022, every Thursday from 2:14 to 2:44 (the first episode will be a one-hour special)
• Me-Tele: January 6, 2022 to April 7, 2022, every Thursday from 2:11 to 2:41 (first episode is a one-hour special)
• AT-X: January 9, 2022 to April 11, 2022, every Sunday from 9:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

The film was also streamed online on the following platforms:

• ABEMA: January 6, 2022 - Every Thursday from 0:00 (The first episode will be a one-hour special, and from the second episode onwards every Thursday from 0:30)
• d Anime Store: January 8, 2022, every Saturday from 12:00
• d Anime Store Niconico Branch: January 8, 2022, every Saturday from 12:00
• d Anime Store for Prime Video: January 8, 2022, every Saturday from 12:00
• Niconico Channel: January 8, 2022, every Saturday from 12:00
• GYAO!: January 8, 2022, every Saturday from 12:00
• Bandai Channel: January 8, 2022, every Saturday from 12:00
• Hulu: January 8, 2022 onwards, every Saturday from 12:00
• Hikari TV: January 8, 2022, every Saturday from 12:00
• FOD: January 8, 2022, every Saturday from 12:00
• U-NEXT: January 8, 2022, every Saturday from 12:00
• Animehodai: January 8, 2022, every Saturday from 12:00
• Amazon Prime Video: January 8, 2022, every Saturday from 12:00
• TVer: January 8, 2022, every Saturday from 12:00
• Niconico Live Broadcast: January 8, 2022, every Saturday from 23:30
• J:COM On Demand: January 9, 2022, Every Sunday from 0:00
• au Smart Pass Premium: From January 9, 2022, every Sunday from 0:00
• TELASA: January 9, 2022 - Every Sunday from 0:00
• milplus: January 9, 2022 ~, Every Sunday from 0:00

■ Story

An artificial island in Tokyo Bay called the "Far East Extraordinary Special District," commonly known as "24th Ward." Shuuta, Ran, and Kouki were born and raised there. Although they come from different families, have different hobbies, and have different personalities, they are childhood friends who always hang out together. However, a certain incident causes a big change in their relationship. At a memorial mass for the first anniversary of the incident, the three of them happen to meet again, but all of a sudden, their phones ring at the same time. It's a call from a friend who was supposed to be dead, and they are forced to "choose their future." The three try to protect their beloved 24th Ward and the future of its people in the way they believe in, but...

■Explanation

The script was written by Shimokura Bio (Nitroplus), who is trying his hand at animation for the first time, and the original character designs were handled by FiFS, who is popular among women. This original TV animation was born from the first collaboration between CloverWorks, who has worked on high-quality works such as "Fate/Grand Order - Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia" and "Darling in the Franxx", and Tsuda Naokatsu, the series director of "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure". The theme of this work is the technology of predicting the future and the choices people make, and it is appealing for its deep human drama and thrilling developments.

■Cast

The voice actors for the main characters are as follows:

• Shuta Aoi: Junya Enoki
• Shujo Ran: Yuuma Uchida
• Kouki Suidou: Kaito Ishikawa
• Asumi Mido: Mainaka Iwami
• Mari Sakuragi: Yui Makino
• Kinako: Nanami Usamaru
• Sakiko Kurokuzugawa: Hitomi Nabatame
• Gouri Suido: Daisuke Kusunoki
• Kanae Suidou: Sayaka Ohara
• Kuchikiri Kanji, Zeros: Junichi Suwabe
• Wataru Chikushi: Yuichi Nakamura
• Kana Shishido: Yumiri Hanamori
• Kaoru Shindo: Hiroya Egashira
• Hiroki Shirakaba: Yoji Ueda
• White birch treetops: Rina Hidaka
• Shirakaba Minori: Ooi Marie
• Kiriko Aoi: Ai Nonaka
• Kunai: Saito Souma
• Lucky: Eri Kitamura
• Yamamori: Atsushi Imaruoka
• Rui Aoi: Hiroya Egashira
• Matsuko Sakuragi: Aya Endo
• Sakuragi Ume: Kumiko Nakane
• Zeros: Junichi Suwabe
• Turkey: Ryotaro Okiayu
• Garter: Taro Masuoka
• Chop: Shinya Takahashi
• Daisy: Kumiko Nakane
• Howard: Tsuyoshi Hirabayashi
• Kunai Grandmother: Shoko Arai
• Kodaken: Takaaki Uchino

■ Main staff

The main staff are as follows:

• Original creator: Team 24
• Director: Naokatsu Tsuda
• Story composition, script: Shimokura Bio (Nitroplus)
• Original character design: FiFS (Shuji Sogabe, Kanako Nono)
• Character design: Takahiro Kishida
• Chief animation director: Akira Takada, Kiminori Ito, Majiro
• Assistant Director: Hidetoshi Takahashi
• Prop Design: Akira Takada
• Graffiti design: Hideki Kawahara, Megumi Soeno
• Art setting: Yoshinori Shiozawa
• Art director: Minami Kasuga
• Color design: Kazuko Nakajima
• 2D design: Aya Kubota
• Special effects: Clear watercolors
• CG Director: Katsuaki Miyaji
• Director of photography: Yuya Sakuma
• Edited by: Akinori Mishima
• Sound Director: Miwa Iwanami
• Music: Hideyuki Fukasawa
• Produced by: CloverWorks
• Produced by Tokyo 24 Wards Project

■ Main Characters

The details of the main characters are as follows:

• Shuuta Aoi: The son of the owner of the bakery "Aoi Bakery" in Ward 24. He does muscle training every day and has excellent athletic ability. He used to work out as the hero "Mr. 24" who protects the town, but now he helps out with baking bread at his parents' house. He is childhood friends with Ran Kouki.
• Shujo Ran: Leader of the artist group "DoRed" active in 24th Ward. She has a strong influence as an influencer and conveys her message through live broadcasts of graffiti art. She is childhood friends with Shuta Kouki.
• Kouki Suidou: The heir to the prestigious Suidou Zaibatsu family in the 24th ward. He received elite education from an early age and was always calm and was entrusted with a leadership role. He is childhood friends with Shuuta Ran.
• Asumi Midori: Kouki's younger sister and childhood friend of Shuuta and Ran. She was very cheerful and pure, and was loved not only by the three of them, but by everyone in the 24th Ward. However, she lost her life in a certain incident.
• Mari Sakuragi: The poster girl for "Itadaki", a popular okonomiyaki restaurant in 24th Ward. She is a reliable girl and childhood friends with Shuuta, Kouki, and Ran. She is always working on developing her own special okonomiyaki, "Mari Special" (commonly known as "Marisupe").
• Kinako: The head clerk at the town's public bathhouse, Yumihariyu. A cross-dresser who joined DoRed because he admired Ran, and helps her with her activities as an artist.
• Sakiko Kurokuzugawa: Head of research at the Central Information Center and Kouki's supervisor.
• Midori Gouri: Kouki's father and a powerful politician who serves as the mayor of the 24th ward.
• Kanae Midori: Kouki and Asumi's mother and Gouri's wife. A kind-hearted woman who was an elementary school teacher and also did volunteer work.
• Kunai: A founding member of DoRed and Ran's right-hand man. He has been friends with Ran since childhood. His hacking skills are top-notch.
• Lucky: An artist affiliated with DoRed.
• Yamamori: DoRed's bodyguard.
• Hiroki Shirakaba: Shuuta and his friends' teacher from their high school days. Nicknamed "Kaba." He is very caring and continues to look out for the three of them even after they graduate.
• Shirakaba Kozue: Shirakaba Hiroki's only daughter. Due to a certain incident, she has stopped going to school.
• Wataru Chikushi: A member of the Foreign Territories Security Force (commonly known as the "Gaikei"). He has a calm personality.
• Kana Shishido: A member of the Foreign Territory Security Force and a junior of Tsukushi. She has a strong and determined personality.
• Kaoru Shindo: A member of the Foreign Territories Security Force and a junior of Chikushi and Kana.
• Zeros: An unidentified world-renowned graphic artist from Ward 24. He influenced Ran and Kunai when they were young, and could be considered their mentor.

■ Main robot items

The main robots and items that appear in the work are as follows:

• Aoi Bakery: A bakery that supports the stomachs of Takara Shopping Street. Shuta Aoi lives there. It is next door to the okonomiyaki restaurant "Itadaki."
• AKABAN: A van modified from a Hiace that was used as a hideout by Shujo Ran and the others who were kicked out of SinkBox. The driver is Yamamori.
• Itadaki: Sakuragi Mari's family's okonomiyaki restaurant. It's next door to Aoi Bakery. As the birthplace of okonomiyaki pizza, it has an iconic position in Takara Shopping Arcade. The current signature dish is Mari Spe. It used to be a hangout spot for RGB.
• Vision: A mental image of a future prediction sent to RGB by the cPhone.
• Winners (Go): A luxury cruiser belonging to Howard Winn. There is a casino on board.
• Golden Sunrise: Aoba Bakery's main product. It was also very popular at Takara Bank, and was promoted by the original Mr. 24. It requires hard muscles that have been trained to make it.
• Gaikei: Abbreviation for Foreign Territory Security Force. Its predecessor was the United Nations military's peacekeeping force, and in Tokyo's 24th Ward it plays a role similar to that of a military police force. Currently, it is funded by the Midori-do conglomerate and is operated as a semi-governmental organization.
• KANAE: The next-generation urban environment AI that controls the KANAE system. A next-generation macroscopic aggregate computing device. It has enormous computing power, and if the conditions are right, it has the ability to predict events that will occur in the next few minutes.
• KANAE System: A comprehensive urban future prediction system whose basic theory was established by Kanae Midori. It was originally called TOUTETSU. Led by Gouri Midori, the system centered on KANAE is about to be put into operation in the 24 wards of Tokyo.
• Carneades: A mysterious entity who issues crime warnings to 24th Ward as Cipher is sent to RGB.
• GREEN VILLAGE: The orphanage where Shujo Ran once belonged.
• Kokugo Daigaku (National University): A university located in Tokyo's 24th Ward. It was later absorbed into Suido Gakuen.
• Cipher: Using KANAE's enormous computing power and the cPhone's advanced sensor technology, this ability allows the ability to access individual brains through audio signals and create visions. Each brain is treated as a code using a so-called encryption key, and visuals are recreated in the brain by utilizing each person's experiences. If another person were to hear it, it would only sound like noise. Cipher activates the activity of each brain and removes the limiter, allowing superhuman activity. Aoi Shuta's athletic ability improves, Shujo Ran's thinking ability doubles and her hacking and data analysis are boosted, and Midori Kouki can predict and manipulate human emotions from practice swings. The day after using it, the recoil causes severe muscle pain and fatigue.
• CMD: Abbreviation for "Consciousness Mapping Data." Data that exists within the KANAE system and maps the location of Asumi's consciousness.
• cPhone: A mobile phone developed by Gaikei. It uses high-precision sensors to collect information within the 24 wards and transmits the data to the system. In return, users can use smartphone functions free of charge. It is also used for Hazard Cast, and the more cPhone users there are, the more accurate Hazard Cast becomes. Naturally, the utmost attention is paid to security, which is why it is called Crypto-Phone or cPhone, taking the word Crypto (secret). It also comes pre-installed with an electronic payment function called C-Pay.
• Shantytown: An old city area in Tokyo's 24th Ward. An area that developed chaotically for the purpose of entertainment for UN troops. It is now considered a desolate, lawless area.
• SinkBox: A warehouse that serves as the base for DoRed. It is rented using the funds raised from donations received during online streaming.
• Suido Zaibatsu: One of the leading conglomerates in Japan. With the transfer of Tokyo's 24 wards to Japan, they are aiming for big business.
• Takara Elementary School Fire Incident: An accident occurred at Takara Elementary School on May 8, 2020. As a result of this incident, Shuuta seems to have stopped his activities with Mr.24.
• Takara Shopping Street (Shotengai): A shopping street located in Tokyo's 24th Ward. It is located in a hub between the redeveloped area and Shantytown.
• Takara Bank: A food bank in Shantytown run by volunteers from the Takara Shopping Arcade. The Golden Sunrise is a specialty. It was established in 2010 under the initiative of Kanae Midori.
• Takara Mall: A restaurant area built to rival Takara Shopping Street. Opened on December 24, 2019. Produced by KABURAYA Co., Ltd., the flagship store is Monjanguru.
• D (Di): An invisible drug that is spreading mainly in Shanty Town. It is highly addictive and makes people violent. The spread of D caused the crime rate in Shanty Town to rise by 250% in one month, and momentum for redevelopment increased. It is actually the name of a secret mode in DiVA, and by entering a code called vape, you can experience electronic drugs.
• DiVA: An automatic music generation app created by Kunai. It was a soothing app that used the cPhone's high-precision sensors to measure changes in the user's biorhythms and provide music that best suits their mental state. However, Turkey noticed its effects and bought it and modified it. Using Cloud's machine power, he modified it into a digital drug known as D, which accelerates the secretion of endorphins in the brain. It is highly addictive, and the crime rate in Shanty Town is rising sharply. By entering a paid code called "vape," you enter drug mode.
• Tokyo Cornucopia: Information-gathering radio tower. It is being constructed as a symbol of the 24th Ward, and the Foreign Central Information Center is located underground. When a system similar to KANAE spreads throughout Japan, the aim is to improve the accuracy of future predictions by sharing information from each city, and to defend the country. Time is short, so they aimed to save time in the 24th Ward, where construction standards can be cheated, and so lightning protection measures during construction were sloppy. During a storm, construction cranes rotate according to the wind to prevent damage, but one of the cranes' GPS functions malfunctioned during a lightning strike, causing it to rotate randomly. As a result, someone must jump into the out-of-control crane and stop it from rotating. However, approaching a crane that is being struck by violent lightning repeatedly and getting out of it is a life-threatening situation.
• DoRed: The name of the graffiti group led by Shujo Ran. They rent a warehouse and use it as their studio SinkBox, where they post videos on YouTube and other sites. They call their friends the "crew" and wear DoRed goggles when they are active.
• DoRed (Dread Goggles): Goggles worn by DoRed members to avoid being monitored by security cameras. The pixelated areas are brighter than the surroundings, so even though they hide the face, they stand out from the crowd. They are effective for masked demonstrations.
• 24th Ward (Nijuyonku): An artificial island floating in Tokyo Bay called the "Far East Extraordinary Special District." Or a colloquial name for the area formerly known as the "foreign territory." It has been decided that it will be incorporated into Tokyo as the 24th ward, and so it is being called this way. The name of the new ward has yet to be decided. The ward mayor is Gouri Mido.
  • Transportation: The Gaiji Line runs through the center of the island, supporting the lives of the people. The Kizuna train now runs from the 23rd Ward.
  • Education: Suidou Gakuen provides an integrated elementary, middle, and high school education, and is the center of academics. Due to different laws, students need a permit to go to school outside the ward.
• 24th Ward Gourmet Festival: commonly known as "Gourmet Fes". A festival of B-class gourmet food held every May at Minato Park. It is run by the 24th Ward Gourmet Festival Executive Committee. Food stalls made from modified containers are used. The first event was held on May 18, 2019. It was proposed by Midori Kouki and Midori Asumi, and succeeded in bringing vitality to Tokyo's 24th Ward. We are grateful for the Grand Prix. Midori Kouki canceled his participation in the second event due to the fire at Takara Elementary School the previous week.
• Pylon Apartments: A huge apartment building in Shantytown. The UN forces, fed up with the arbitrary influx of immigrants, built it as a public work, but it became a hotbed of drug trafficking and prostitution, resulting in a terrible security situation. Shujo Ran and Kunai spent their childhood here.
• Hazardcast: A system that uses information collected from cPhone and surveillance cameras to predict crimes, accidents, weather warnings, etc. In the event of an emergency, an alert sounds to urge citizens to evacuate. Citizens regularly use Hazardcast like they would a weather forecast.
• Mari Spe: The signature dish served at Itadaki. Sakuragi Mari uses challenging ingredients based on her mood and inspiration of the day, so the results can be hit or miss. However, regulars say that the excitement is irresistible.
• Mr.24: A masked local hero who protects Ward 24. His true identity is Shuuta Aoi, and everyone in Takara Shopping District knows that he is a hero.
• Minato Park (Koen): A large park connected to the main island of Tokyo's 24th Ward by the Heiwa Bridge. Every May, the 24th Ward Gourmet Festival is held here.
• Monjanguru: The flagship store of Takara Mall, operated by KABURAYA Co., Ltd. They held a C-Pay 85% cashback sale and other events, which at one point pushed the Takara shopping arcade into crisis.
• Yabusame: A semi-criminal group led by Turkey. They conduct shady business in the grey area outside the law.
• YouTube: A famous video posting site. DoRed also posts videos on it.
• Yumihariyu: Kinako's family home. It was a good old public bathhouse and was a hangout spot for RGB. On the wall, there is a painting by Shujo Ran, introduced by Midori Asumi, of Mt. Fuji, Tokyo Tower, and a drone, which is like a modern version of Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji. That's how Ran met Kinako.
• LIME: A general messaging app.

■Subtitle

The subtitles and broadcast dates for each episode are as follows:

• #01／RGB（2022/01/06）
• #02/Sepia Graffiti (2022/01/13)
• #03/Red Face in the Morning (2022/01/20)
• #04/Dull Town (2022/01/27)
• #05/Red Line (2022/02/03)
• #06/Under the Green Flower (2022/02/10)
• #07/Golden Sunrise (2022/02/24)
• #08/Black Fog (2022/03/03)
• #09/Silver Salt (2022/03/10)
• #09.5／Reversal film (2022/03/17)
• #10/Confessions of a Mask (2022/03/24)
• #11/Additive Color Mixture (2022/03/31)
• #12/Seishun 24 Ward (2022/04/07)

■ Theme songs and music

The theme songs and insert songs are as follows:

• OP1
  • Song Name: Papersky
  • Lyricist: Yosh
  • Composer: Survive Said The Prophet
  • Song: Survive Said The Prophet
• ED1
  • Song title: 255,255,255
  • Lyricist: Ryosuke Shimomura
  • Composer: Ryosuke Shimomura
  • Sung by: Shuuta Aoi (Junya Enoki), Ran Shujo (Yuma Uchida), Kouki Suidou (Kaito Ishikawa)
  • Sound Producer: Ryosuke Shimomura
• IN1
  • Song Name: Find You
  • Lyricist: Yosh
  • Composer: Survive Said The Prophet
  • Arrangement: Survive Said The Prophet
  • Song: Survive Said The Prophet

■ Appeal and evaluation of the work

Tokyo 24th Ward is a work that focuses on the technology of future prediction and the human choices that come with it. It depicts three childhood friends, Shuuta, Ran, and Kouki, who are forced to make choices about their future, sticking to their beliefs and struggling to protect the future of 24th Ward. The appeal of this work lies in its deep human drama and thrilling developments. The backgrounds and growth of each character are carefully depicted, drawing the viewer in. In addition, the science fiction element of future prediction adds tension to the story, keeping the viewer from getting bored.

Of particular note are the individuality and growth of the characters. Shuuta is the son of a baker who works out every day and has excellent athletic ability, but he also has a sense of responsibility as a hero who protects the town. Ran is an artist with a strong influence and conveys his message through graffiti art. Kouki is the heir to a distinguished family, but he is calm and shows leadership. It is moving to see how these characters value friendship and love while still having their own beliefs.

The setting of the work, Ward 24, is also fascinating. The special environment of an artificial island in Tokyo Bay gives the story a unique atmosphere. The lives and culture of the people of Ward 24, as well as the incidents and problems that occur within it, are depicted realistically, allowing viewers to experience the story along with the residents of Ward 24. In particular, the depiction of specific locations such as Takara Shopping District and Shanty Town allows viewers to gain a deeper understanding of the world of Ward 24.

The visuals of the work have also been highly praised. The beautiful animation produced by CloverWorks and the attractive character designs by FiFS combine to create a highly visually appealing work. In particular, the graffiti art and future prediction scenes are visually impactful and are important elements that add excitement to the story.

Music is also an important element that enhances the appeal of the work. The opening theme "Papersky" by Survive Said The Prophet is a powerful song that symbolizes the theme of the story and draws the audience in. The ending theme "255, 255, 255" is sung by Shuuta, Ran, and Kouki, and is a warm song that evokes friendship and bonds. The insert song "Find You" is also an effective song that stirs emotions in line with the development of the story.

■ Recommendation points

Tokyo 24th Ward is a work that combines the science fiction element of future prediction with deep human drama. In particular, the following points are recommended.

• Deep human drama: The growth and friendship of the three characters, Shuuta, Ran, and Kouki, is carefully depicted, touching the hearts of viewers.
• Thrilling plot developments: Future-predicting technology adds suspense to the story, keeping the audience on their toes.
• Attractive Characters: Many unique characters appear, each with their own background and growth.
• Stunning Visuals: Beautiful animation produced by CloverWorks and compelling character designs by FiFS add to the visual appeal.
• Unique worldview: The setting of "24th Ward," an artificial island in Tokyo Bay, gives the story a unique atmosphere and draws the viewer in.
• Inspiring Music: The opening theme by Survive Said The Prophet and the ending theme sung by Shuuta, Ran and Kouki add to the charm of the story.

As mentioned above, Tokyo 24 Wards is a fascinating work that combines various elements. I would especially recommend this work to those who want to enjoy the sci-fi element of future prediction and deep human drama, and those who want beautiful visuals and moving music. Please experience the world of Tokyo 24 Wards.