D4DJ Double Mix #3 Review: Enjoy the new charm and evolved performance

D4DJ Double Mix #3 - D4DJ Double Mix - Review and Recommendation

■ Public Media

TV Special

■ Original Media

others

■ Broadcast period

August 19, 2022 - January 1, 0000

■TV Broadcast

• TOKYO MX August 19, 2022 (1st time) Friday 23:00-23:30
• BS Nippon Television August 19, 2022 (1st episode) Friday 23:00-23:30

■ Online distribution

• Hulu August 19, 2022 (1 episode) Friday 23:00
• Amazon Prime Video August 19, 2022 (1 episode) Friday 23:00
• U-NEXT August 19, 2022 (1 episode) Friday 23:00
• d Anime Store August 19, 2022 (1st time) Friday 23:00 ~
• Rakuten TV August 19, 2022 (1 episode) Friday 23:00
• Hikari TV August 19, 2022 (1st time) Friday 23:00
• Video Market August 19, 2022 (1st time) Friday 23:00 ~
• COCORO VIDEO August 19, 2022 (1st time) Friday 23:00 ~
• Music.jp August 19, 2022 (1st time) Friday 23:00 ~
• GYAO Store August 19, 2022 (1st time) Friday 23:00 ~
• Anime Times August 19, 2022 (1st time) Friday 23:00 ~
• GooglePlay August 19, 2022 (1st time) Friday 23:00 ~
• VIDEX August 20, 2022 (1st session) Saturday 10:00
• HAPPY! Video August 20, 2022 (1st time) Saturday 12:00 ~
• TELASA August 23, 2022 (Tuesday)
• J:COM On Demand August 23, 2022 (Tuesday)
• milplus (Miru Plus) Tuesday, August 23, 2022 (1st time)
• au Smart Pass Premium August 23, 2022 (1 time) Tuesday
• Bandai Channel September 1, 2022 (Thursday)

■Broadcasting station

Broadcast: TOKYO MX, BS Nippon TV

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■Original Story

・Original work: Bushiroad ^{D4DJ Groovy Mix ・Bushiroad}

■ Director

・Director: Daisuke Suzuki

■ Production

・Animation Production: Sanzigen

・Produced by Bushiroad

■Works

©bushiroad / D4DJ2 Production Committee

■ Story

The legendary DJ festival "D4 FES." has been restarted, and Merm4id's long-cherished wish to participate has come true. Even as she returns to her daily life and takes a swimsuit gravure photo, Seto Rika seems different than usual, which worries Marika Mizushima, Aori Hidaka, and Dahlia Matsuyama. Meanwhile, Aoyagi Tsubaki of Rinbukyoku is alone in the chapel, lost in thoughts of the future expansion of their world. One day, after a live performance at the clubhouse "ALTER-EGO", Rika bursts into Tsubaki, who is with Tsukimiyama Nagisa, Yano Hiaya, and Miyake Aoi. She overcomes everything with luck and charm in order to enjoy life, and then she makes a surprising proposal.

■Explanation

The second anime special episode of the D4DJ Project, "D4DJ Double Mix", will be broadcast and streamed on Friday, August 19th! The anime special episode "D4DJ Double Mix" is a one-episode special episode that tells the main story of Merm4id and Rinbukyoku. In addition, the anime will also feature a live performance of a joint song by the two units, Merm4id and Rinbukyoku, which was written specifically for the special episode!

■Cast

・Rika Seto/Natsumi Hirashima

・Marika Mizushima/Yume Okada

・Hidaka Ori/Hazuki Himari

・Dahlia Matsuyama/Ai Negishi

・Tsubaki Aoyagi/Rihona Kato

・Tsukimiyama Nagisa/Otsuka Sae

・Yano Hisa/Momono Haruna

・Aoi Miyake/Tsunko

・Rika Seto (childhood)/Ayasa Ito

・Tsubaki Aoyagi (childhood) / Miki Sasaki

・Rinku Aimoto/Yuka Nishio

・Akashi Masahide/Kagami Karin

・Onaruto Muni/Haruka Mimura

・Rei Tozuki/Kanon Shizaki

・Kyoko Yamate/Aimi

・Shinobu Inuyose/Miyu Takagi

・Izumo Sakihime/Tsumugi Risa

・Niijima Imaki/Maejima Ami

・Mimu Sakurada/Hazuki Sonda

・Masaki/Hiroko Kuwashima

■ Main staff

・Original work: Bushiroad

・Story concept/Kou Nakamura

・Character design: Yache

・General Director: Seiji Mizushima

・Director: Daisuke Suzuki

・Series Composition/Zappa Gyo

・Scenario: Sato Ami

・Animation character design/Takuya Chanohara

・Animation Production: Sanzigen

・Produced by Bushiroad

■ Main Characters

Merm4id

・Rika Seto

School/university second year

Birthday: August 30th

Blood type: A

Height: 160cm

Weight: 49kg

Hobbies/Watching sports

Special skills/Various part-time job skills

Favorite food: Premium kalbi

Family: Father, mother, older brother

Her motto is "Life is for fun!" and she lives her college life with a positive attitude. She loves parties where she can sing and dance with her friends. She starts DJing with her best friend Marika, and Saori and Dahlia, who she met by chance. She is a gifted genius who overcomes everything with luck and charm. "It's the feeling that counts!"

・Marika Mizushima

School/university second year

Birthday: July 30th

Blood type/O

Height: 162cm

Weight/50kg

Hobby/Cafe hopping

Special skill: Nail art

Favorite food/Fluffy things

Family: Father, mother, older sister, grandmother

She has a gentle and calming personality. She works as a model alongside her studies. She was highly regarded when she entered university, but she didn't mind and became best friends with Rika, who spoke to her. Although she has a calm demeanor, she loves live performances and is serious about her DJ career after being invited to do so. "New things are always welcome."

・Saori Hidaka

School/university second year

Birthday: November 27th

Blood type: A

Height: 161cm

Weight: 49kg

Hobbies/SNS

Special Skills: Calligraphy

Favorite foods: delicacies, motsunabe, ramen for the final meal

Family: Father, mother, younger sister, younger brother

He started DJing in high school, and because of his serious personality, he practices diligently and has a decent technique. His negative thinking has kept him from being active even now that he is a university student. He was persuaded to join the unit by Rika, but he is determined to do so for the sake of his own growth and dreams. "I can do it...I have to!"

・Dalia Matsuyama

School/university second year

Birthday: June 1st

Blood type: B

Height: 168cm

Weight: 53kg

Hobby/Aromatherapy

Special skill: Karate

Favorite food/Smoothie

Family: Father, mother, older brother

He is a hard worker who strives to become a dancer who is not limited to any genre, be it ballet, Japanese dance, or contemporary dance, and devotes himself to training every day. He met Rika at the clubhouse, and felt that he was lacking something in himself because of her easygoing nature, so he joined the group. He is a black belt in martial arts and also serves as a bodyguard. "I know you're nervous, but... first of all, you need to relax a bit more..."

● Phosphorescence Dance

・Tsubaki Aoyagi

School/university second year

Birthday: January 7th

Blood type: A

Height: 155cm

Weight: 46kg

Hobbies: Foreign movies, foreign TV dramas

Special skill: Never forgetting a song once I've heard it

Favorite food: Oxtail stew

Family Composition: Father, Mother

After getting acquainted with Aoi, she was invited to join a DJ unit that lacked a vocalist, and as soon as she joined she became a hot topic. She is a natural vocalist who has been humming melodies since she was old enough to understand. Although she has a strong attitude, she is extremely lonely. "I wonder what I can do for my precious friends..."

・Nagisa Tsukimiyama

School/university second year

Birthday: August 15th

Blood type: AB

Height: 152cm

Weight: 44kg

Hobby/Accessories making

Special skill: guitar

Favorite food: Food sold at festival stalls

Family: Father, mother, older brother, older sister, younger brother

A guitar girl who grew up in a downtown rock-loving family. While wandering around looking for a place to practice, she came across the clubhouse where Aoi works as a DJ, and often drops by Hisai's house. Although she can be shy around strangers, she has a strong sense of community and stands up firmly against anything that doesn't make sense. "Well, first of all, we have to give it our all... no, we have to express our feelings!"

・Hiiro Yano

School/university second year

Birthday: March 23rd

Blood type: B

Height: 168cm

Weight: 54kg

Hobby/Cosplay

Special skills: Advice, dream interpretation, entertainment

Favorite food: Herbs, seasonal vegetables

Family Composition: Father, Mother

A glamorous university student with a mature aura. Although she is in charge of VJ, her deep knowledge of art in general helps her create the unit's worldview. She is a psychology major and is a compassionate person who listens carefully to the concerns of the members, but she also scolds them when they get too selfish. "Wow, that was exciting. It's immoral and addictive ♡"

・Aoi Miyake

School/university second year

Birthday: July 7th

Blood type/O

Height: 170cm

Weight: 55kg

Hobbies: Walking, homemade jam

Special skill: Poker face

Favorite food: Sashimi, milk

Family Composition: Father, Mother

He is a DJ at a long-established members-only clubhouse, and his androgynous looks have many fans. He fell in love with Tsubaki's vocals and encouraged the formation of a DJ unit. Although he has a poker face and doesn't show his true feelings, he is open to the other members of the unit. "It's because everyone has given me inspiration that Rinbukyoku can move forward."

●Happy Around!

・Rinku Aimoto

School/Yohba Gakuen 1st year

Birthday: June 30th

Blood type/O

Height: 156cm

Weight: 46kg

Hobbies: (Old) anime, manga

Special Skill: Positive Thinking

Favorite food: rice balls, donuts

Family: Father, mother, older sister, grandmother

As a child, she moved overseas due to her parents' work. She returned to Japan alone when she entered high school, and now lives with her grandmother. She is boundlessly cheerful and always positive. She is a little offbeat, but her friends are the great outdoors. After meeting Mahiro, she became interested in DJing. "I want to do lots of fun things!"

・Maho Akashi

School/Yohba Gakuen 1st year

Birthday: September 20th

Blood type: A

Height: 159cm

Weight: 47kg

Hobby: Going to live events

Special skills: Home cooking, taking care of others

Favorite food: curry rice, Mont Blanc

Family: Father, mother, younger sister, younger brother

Impressed by a DJ performance he once saw, he has become passionate about DJing himself. Recently, he has also been trying his hand at track making. Pushed by Rinku, he forms a unit with her, and while he is confused by her innocent behavior, he broadens the scope of his performance. "We want to do something new too..."

・Muni Ohnaruto

School/Yohba Gakuen 1st year

Birthday: March 3

Blood type: B

Height: 151cm

Weight: 43kg

Hobby/Market research (just ego-searching)

Special skill/Illustration

Favorite food: Sweets are my staple food

Family Composition/Mother

When she was young, Rinku praised her drawings, and she began to draw illustrations in earnest. As a result, she is now attracting attention online as an "artist." She is dependent on people who acknowledge her, but is very guarded with those who don't. "I'll always be here cheering for you, so do your best!"

・Rei Togetsu

School/Yohba Gakuen 1st year

Birthday: October 30th

Blood type/O

Height: 163cm

Weight: 47kg

Hobby/Art Appreciation

Special skills: Piano, tea ceremony

Favorite food: Japanese food made with soybeans and root vegetables

Family: Father, mother, older sister

She was raised as a rich girl and attended many lessons from an early age, especially piano. She feels suffocated by the path her parents laid out for her, but she doesn't have the courage to step out of it and spends her days like that. By chance, she meets Rinku, and little by little, a change begins to take place within her. "It's kind of nice, when everyone's feelings connect through music like that."

●Peaky P-key

・Kyoko Yamate

School/Yohba Gakuen 1st year

Birthday: April 27th

Blood type: B

Height: 157cm

Weight: 46kg

Hobby/Solo travel

Special Skills: Inspiration and Intuition

Favorite food: Hamburger

Family Composition: Father, Mother

He is the charismatic leader of the high school DJ unit "Peaky P-key." He grew up in a musical family and has natural talent, but at the same time, he puts in effort every day. He is somehow drawn to Rinku and the others' fun performances. "I've prepared the best songs for this new event!"

・Shinobu Inuyose

School/Yohba Gakuen 1st year

Birthday: February 4th

Blood type: A

Height: 150cm

Weight: 40kg

Hobby/Online games

Special skill: Staying up late

Favorite food: Sandwiches

Family: Father, mother, older sister, older brother, grandfather, grandmother

He is the DJ and strategist for Peaky P-key. He has known Kyoko for a long time and they trust each other. He is a skilled DJ, and is also good at remixing and making tracks. His hobby is online games, and he is famous in that world as well. He is a picky eater, and has the taste of a child. He is arrogant, but he is the most sensible person in the unit. "If I want to avoid being overtaken, I have to keep moving forward too."

Photon Maiden

・Saki Izumo

School/High school first year

Birthday: May 10th

Blood type: AB

Height: 159cm

Weight: 46kg

Hobby/Astronomy

Special Skills: Synesthesia

Favorite food/fruit (especially citrus fruits)

Family Composition: Father, Mother

A versatile girl who excels in both studies and sports. She has synesthesia, which allows her to sense colors in music, and was so moved by a DJ performance that she happened to see that she wanted to become a DJ herself. Although she is usually the type who keeps things to a minimum, she performs exceptionally well on stage. "I want to see new, different colors, like I did back then."

・Ibuki Niijima

School/High school 2nd year

Birthday: April 10th

Blood type: A

Height: 165cm

Weight: 48kg

Hobby/Sports Science

Special Skills/Team Management

Favorite food: Raw vegetables

Family: Father, mother, older sister, younger sister

Ever since she was little, she has loved to be physically active and has tried out a variety of sports. In junior high school, she discovered the joys of dancing and singing, and began attending a performing arts school. She is always considerate of those around her, and demonstrates leadership in both name and reality. "I'm just as determined as you," she says.

●Lyrical Lily

・Miyu Sakurada

School/High school first year

Birthday: December 14th

Blood type: A

Height: 155cm

Weight: 45kg

Hobbies/Board games

Special skills: swimming, etiquette

Favorite food: Canelé de Bordeaux

Family Composition: Father, Mother, Grandfather, Grandmother

A kind, well-behaved, and considerate high school student. He started DJing after discovering analogue equipment. He is also knowledgeable about pop music and oldies due to his family's influence. "I wonder what kind of stage it will be."

■ Related works

・D4DJ First Mix

・D4DJ All Mix

・Puchimiku♪ D4DJ Petit Mix

■ Theme songs and music

・TM1

・FAKE OFF

Lyrics by Kazushi Miyakoda

・Composer: Kazushi Miyakoda

・Arrangement/b4k

・Song: Merm4id x Rinbukyoku

・IN1

・Prayer

Lyrics by Sakito (NIGHTMARE), eMPIRE SOUND SYSTeMS

・Composition: Nob from MY FIRST STORY

・Arrangement/Sakito

・Song: Rinbukyoku

■ Evaluation

"D4DJ Double Mix #3" is the second special episode of the D4DJ Project, and it focuses on two units, Merm4id and Rinbukyoku. The episode is set against the backdrop of the restart of the legendary DJ festival "D4 FES.", and depicts the members of Merm4id returning to their daily lives while facing new challenges. Meanwhile, Tsubaki Aoyagi of Rinbukyoku is pondering on her role while looking forward to the future with her teammates.

The story begins with Merm4id's Rika Seto suddenly making a proposal to the members of Rinbukyoku. Rika's positive personality and her drive to use her luck and charm as weapons are at the center of the story. Her proposal is for the two units to work together to create a new stage, which is a major turning point in the story. Through this proposal, the members of Merm4id and Rinbukyoku are shown stimulating each other and growing together.

The characters are also portrayed very carefully, with each member's personality and background firmly drawn. In particular, the everyday lives of the Merm4id members and the worries and dreams of the Rinbukyoku members are depicted realistically, evoking deep empathy from the viewers. In addition, the scene where the two units perform together depicts a moment when the power of music moves people, making this a very satisfying work both visually and aurally.

Sanzigen, the animation production company, has used 3D animation technology to realistically recreate the live performance scenes. In particular, the lighting and stage direction in the joint live performance part of Merm4id and Rinbukyoku is extremely sophisticated, making you feel as if you are participating in an actual live performance. In addition, the character movements and expressions are natural, and emotional changes are expressed in detail.

In terms of music, the joint song "FAKE OFF" by Merm4id and Rinbukyoku was produced by a powerful lineup of Kazushi Miyata (lyrics and composition), and b4k (arrangement), with a powerful melody and impressive lyrics. Rinbukyoku's "prayer" was produced by a luxurious team of Sakito and eMPIRE SOUND SYSTeMS (lyrics), Nob from MY FIRST STORY (composition), and Sakito (arrangement), making it a beautiful song that expresses deep emotions. These songs liven up the story and strike a strong chord with the viewers.

Overall, "D4DJ Double Mix #3" is a moving work that depicts the growth of music and characters, and is highly recommended not only for fans of the D4DJ project, but also for people who like music and anime. In particular, the process of the two units working together to create a new stage and the growth of the characters are depicted realistically. In addition, the 3D animation technology and music quality are also very high, making it a work that is visually and aurally satisfying.

■Recommendation

I highly recommend watching "D4DJ Double Mix #3". This work is a touching story about music and character growth, and will be enjoyed not only by fans of the D4DJ project, but also by people who love music and anime. In particular, the joint live performance scene of Merm4id and Rinbukyoku is a must-see, and the 3D animation technology and music quality are very high, making it a work that is visually and aurally satisfying. In addition, the personalities and backgrounds of the characters are carefully drawn, evoking deep empathy in the viewers. Please watch this work and experience the moment when people are moved by the power of music.