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“Shoshimin: How to Become Ordinary” is an adaptation of the mystery novel series by the pen of Honobu Yonezawa: Mamoru Kanbe‘s mise-en-scène frames and brings to the screen this story with a tight and hypnotic style, alternating suspended silences laden with expectations with flashes of affection. The series dispenses with the conventional extensive narration and over-the-top description typical of nowadays anime and differs from the usual imagery of the mystery genre, yet it still proves to be solid and captivating.

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Right in the middle of a winter morning, the examinee Jogoro Kobato comes to see if he had passed the entrance test to begin his first year at Funato Secondary School in April. After reading his results, Jogoro walks off from the crowd of students who share gratifications or bitter disappointments in front of the school and...

Following Shoshimin: How to become Ordinary Season 2's seventh episode broadcast, the anime's official website and accounts unveiled a teaser trailer and visual for the incoming "Winter Special: Bonbon Chocolate Case" arc, which will commence with Episode 8 on May 24. Crunchyroll continues to simulcast the mystery series. Shoshimin: How to become Ordinary Season 2 'Winter Special: Bonbon Chocolate Case' Trailer Shoshimin: How to become Ordinary Season 2 'Winter Special: Bonbon Chocolate Case' Visual Related: Shoshimin: How to become Ordinary Season 2 Anime Mixes Mediums in Opening, Ending Videos Mamoru Kanbe ( Elfen Lied ) directs the Shoshimin: How to become Ordinary anime at studio Lapin Track, with series composition by Yoshiya Ono, character designs by Atsushi Saito and music by Takahiro Obata ( The Promised Neverland ). Honobu Yonezawa ( Hyouka ) pens the original novel series. Crunchyroll also streams the first season and describes the story: Kobato decides to become an honest, humble citizen after enduring a bitter experience known as “wisdom work.

Japanese rock band Yorushika , consisting of composer n-buna and vocalist suis , released their latest digital single song "Martian" ("Kaseijin" in Japan) on May 9, posting the song's music video on their official YouTube channel . The song, about the desire to get out of the place you are in now and go to Mars, is now featured as the opening theme for the TV anime Shoshimin: How to become Ordinary Season 2 . Yorushika "Martian" Music Video Shoshimin: How to become Ordinary Season 2 Creditless Opening Video The anime music video features a Martian playing in various languages. The YouTube video's description reads: "I used to think I was a Martian too. I really thought I was somewhere special, like Mars, and that I had something special. Of course, now I am not. It was others who were on Mars, and only I am on Earth." N-buna, who wrote the lyrics, composed the music and arranged the song,...

Featuring "Martian" by yorushika ( Orb: On the Movements of the Earth Ed) and "SugaRiddle" by Nagi Yanagi, respectively, creditless versions of Shoshimin: How to become Ordinary Season 2's opening and ending song sequences are now available to watch below. Crunchyroll is simulcasting the latest series. Shoshimin: How to become Ordinary Season 2 Opening Video Shoshimin: How to become Ordinary Season 2 Ending Video Related: Black Butler -Emerald Witch Arc- Anime Gives the Green Light with Opening, Ending Videos Based on the novels by Honobu Yonezawa ( Hyouka ), Mamoru Kanbe ( Elfen Lied ) directs Shoshimin: How to become Ordinary at studio Lapin Track, with series composition by Yoshiya Ono, character designs by Atsushi Saito and music by Takahiro Obata ( The Promised Neverland ). Crunchyroll streams the anime and describes the story: Kobato decides to become an honest, humble citizen after enduring a bitter experience known as “wisdom work.” He forms a pact with Osanai, his classmate with the same goal,...

A brand-new trailer released for Shoshimin: How to become Ordinary Season 2 today revealed an April 5, 2025 at 25:30 Jst premiere date (effectively April 6 at 1:30) and previews the sequel's opening song, "Martian" by yorushika ( Orb: On the Movements of the Earth Ed). Nagi Yanagi performs "SugaRiddle" for the ending song. The continuation will cover the Shuki Gentei Kurikinton Jiken and Touki Gentei Bonbon Chocolat Jiken arcs, the former of which is also teased in a new visual. Shoshimin: How to become Ordinary Season 2 Trailer Shoshimin: How to become Ordinary Season 2 Visual Related: Shoshimin: How to become Ordinary Season 2 Revealed for April 2025 Debut Based on the novels by Honobu Yonezawa ( Hyouka ), Mamoru Kanbe ( Elfen Lied ) directs Shoshimin: How to become Ordinary at studio Lapin Track, with series composition by Yoshiya Ono, character designs by Atsushi Saito and music by Takahiro Obata ( The Promised Neverland ). Crunchyroll currently streams the first season and describes...

If you started watching Shoshimin: How to become Ordinary because of Hyouka , then, like me, you’re a fan of a slow-paced comfort show with mundane mysteries threaded throughout. You’re also a fan of Honobu Yonezawa — the author of the novels. Shoshimin: How to become Ordinary has been a delight to watch despite the difference in studio and direction. Like Hyouka, it’s character-driven and elevates mysteries that would appear simple and boring in real life, but thanks to the animation and cinematography, it’s anything but. In a similar vein, our main characters, Jogoro Kobato and Yuki Osanai, want nothing more than to be "ordinary." Despite their efforts, they’re far from it. In the spirit of the show, I’m going to deduce what makes Shoshimin: How to become Ordinary and its characters so compelling and how the twist at the end makes them question if being ordinary is worth it.

There's officially more mystery on the way with the announcement of Shoshimin: How to become Ordinary Season 2. The continuation will cover the Shuki Gentei Kurikinton Jiken and Touki Gentei Bonbon Chocolat Jiken arcs, and it's currently lined up for an April 2025 debut. Shoshimin: How to become Ordinary Season 2 Teaser Each arc has its own logo: Shuki Gentei Kurikinton Jiken arc logo Touki Gentei Bonbon Chocolat Jiken arc logo Related: Shoshimin: How to become Ordinary Anime Finds a Layer of Truth in New Visual, Trailer Based on the novels by Honobu Yonezawa ( Hyouka ), Shoshimin: How to become Ordinary is directed by Mamoru Kanbe ( Elfen Lied ) at studio Lapin Track, with series composition by Yoshiya Ono, character designs by Atsushi Saito and music by Takahiro Obata ( The Promised Neverland ). Crunchyroll is simulcasting the anime and describes the story: Kobato decides to become an honest, humble citizen after enduring a bitter experience known as “wisdom work.

Anime studio Kyoto Animation has teased a new announcement set for Sep 21, 2024 at 9 Pm Jst. The reveal was made on the studio’s official X (formerly Twitter) account.

With no further details provided, fans have taken to social media platforms to share their theories and hopes regarding what the mysterious announcement could entail.

pic.twitter.com/iPL7RYZUP8

— 京都アニメーション (@kyoani) September 13, 2024

One of the most prevalent theories is the potential revival of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya anime series. The original series aired its first season in 2006, followed by a second season in 2009.

In recent years, the series saw a resurgence when author Nagaru Tanigawa released a new light novel, The Intuition of Haruhi Suzumiya, in November 2020—the first new entry in the series in nine years. Four years later, the series is all set to get a new volume – The Theatre of Haruhi Suzumiya, slated to release in November...

Ahead of the mystery anime's sixth episode broadcast, the official website and accounts for Shoshimin: How to become Ordinary today released a brand-new trailer and visual for the incoming "Kaki Gentei Tropical Parfait Jiken" ("Case of the Summer-Exclusive Tropical Parfait") arc. Visual Related: Shoshimin: How to become Ordinary Anime Uncovers Creditless Opening, Ending Videos Based on the novels by Honobu Yonezawa ( Hyouka ), Shoshimin: How to become Ordinary is directed by Mamoru Kanbe ( Elfen Lied ) at studio Lapin Track, with series composition by Yoshiya Ono, character designs by Atsushi Saito and music by Takahiro Obata ( The Promised Neverland ). Crunchyroll is simulcasting the anime and describes the story: Kobato decides to become an honest, humble citizen after enduring a bitter experience known as “wisdom work.” He forms a pact with Osanai, his classmate with the same goal, and they plan to enter high school leading quiet lives. But for some reason, inexplicable...

Shoshimin: How to Become Ordinary offers a fresh take on high school mystery-solving with a philosophical twist. Lapin Track studio delivers visually stunning animation with captivating character designs in this slow-paced series. Fans of Hyouka will appreciate the similarities in Shoshimin, as the adaptation dives into intriguing mysteries.

This anime season, Crunchyroll is streaming Shoshimin: How to Become Ordinary, an adaptation of light novels of the same name by Honobu Yonezawa. This author is also responsible for the novels that inspired 2012s critically acclaimed Hyouka anime. The mystery genre certainly isnt one of the most saturated in the anime world, but it always delivers intriguing settings that leave the viewer wanting for more.

Shoshimin has got its fair share of similarities to Hyouka, as both series feature high schoolers solving seemingly superficial mysteries. However, where Hyouka had a more upbeat and lighthearted tone to its story, Shoshimin presents a more mellow and philosophical approach.

Featuring "Sweet Memory" by Eve ( Jujutsu Kaisen Op) and "Itokenai" by three-piece rock band ammo, respectively, creditless versions of the Shoshimin: How to become Ordinary anime's opening and ending sequences are now available to watch below. Shoshimin: How to become Ordinary Opening Video Shoshimin: How to become Ordinary Ending Video Related: Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin Anime Releases Creditless Opening, Ending Videos Based on the novels by Honobu Yonezawa ( Hyouka ), Shoshimin: How to become Ordinary is directed by Mamoru Kanbe ( Elfen Lied ) at studio Lapin Track, with series composition by Yoshiya Ono, character designs by Atsushi Saito and music by Takahiro Obata ( The Promised Neverland ). Crunchyroll is simulcasting the anime and describes the story: Kobato decides to become an honest, humble citizen after enduring a bitter experience known as “wisdom work.” He forms a pact with Osanai, his classmate with the same goal, and they plan to enter high school leading quiet lives.

The three-piece Japanese rock band ammo released their new digital single song "Itokenai" ( Can't Understand at Heart ) on July 8, 2024, then posted the song's music video on their official YouTube channel . The lyrical tune is now featured as the ending theme for the summer 2024 TV anime Shoshimin: How to Become Ordinary . ammo "Itokenai" Music Video Shoshimin: How to Become Ordinary creditless ending movie According to their official website , ammo was formed by Yusei Okamoto, Soma kawahara, and Tairo Kitaide (drums) in 2018. They made their major debut from Toy'S Factiory in January 2024 with their first major EP "re:Sou-ep." "Itokenai" will also be included in the band's band's first major full album "Song Lie" to release on July 31. "Song Lie" CD jacket Related: How to Become Ordinary Anime Reveals Premiere Date, New Trailer and Visual The TV anime adaptation of Hyouka author Honobu Yonezawa's Shoshimin: How to Become Ordinary school...

The official website and accounts for the upcoming anime adaptation of Honobu Yonezawa's "Shoshimin" series of novels, which uses the English title How to Become Ordinary , revealed a brand-new trailer and visual today, along with a July 6 at 25:30 Jst (effectively July 7 at 1:30) broadcast premiere and theme song details. Eve ( Jujutsu Kaisen Op) will perform "Sweet Memory" for the opening theme, while three-piece rock band ammo will perform "I Tokenai" for the ending theme. The former is previewed in the trailer below. Main Visual Related: How to Become Ordinary Anime Digs Deep in New Trailer Mamoru Kanbe is directing the adaptation at studio Lapin Track for a July 2024 broadcast, alongside Toshiya Ono as series composer, Atsushi Saito ( Love Live! Superstar!! ) as character designer and Takahiro Obata ( The Promised Neverland ) as music composer. The story follows two students — a cynical boy shunned for his deductions and a shy but...

High school anime that truly capture adolescence make stories about growth and self-discovery more relatable and genuine. Characters in these titles navigate the wonders and woes of youth, dealing with realistic struggles and societal pressures. Shows like The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya and Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai showcase relatable adolescent experiences while still delving into the supernatural and the mysterious.

As common as anime with high school settings may be, they rarely justify their settings, instead telling stories that would have worked just as well in any other circumstances. On the other hand, the best anime that capture what it's truly like to be a teenager revolve entirely around adolescence, along with all of its wonders and woes.

Unlike series whose teenage protagonists behave completely unrealistically, making it difficult to understand why a high school setting was chosen at all, these titles genuinely understand the teenage experience.

Manga fans will probably have heard of the Shōshimin Series, a series of mystery novels written by Honobu Yonezawa. The series has been ongoing since 2004, and as of the time of writing, there are four complete volumes. The series has been adapted into manga format and in January 2024, an anime adaptation of the series has been announced. The anime is going to be titled How to Become Ordinary. Recently, the studio revealed the first trailer for the series and confirmed a July 2024 premiere.

The anime is going to be handled by studio Lapin Track, whose earlier works include Endride, Sarazanmai, and Undead Girl Murder Farce. The series is going to be directed by Mamoru Kanbe, with Toshiya Ono writing the series’ scripts, Atsushi Saitō designing the characters, and Takahiro Obata composing the music. The trailer we are about to show you highlights some of these artists’ work, so here you...

Featuring the voices of Shuichiro Umeda, Hina Yomiya and Makoto Furukawa, a new trailer released today for the upcoming anime adaptation of Honobu Yonezawa's "Shoshimin" series of novels, which uses the English title How to Become Ordinary . The new trailer takes us deeper into the intertwined lives of Jogoro and Yuki, as well as the adolescent drama and mysteries that surround them. A stage event for the series will open this Sunday at AnimeJapan 2024 with Umeda, Yomiya and Furukawa in attendance. Related: How to Become Ordinary Anime Casts Makoto Furukawa as Kengo Dojima Mamoru Kanbe is directing the adaptation at studio Lapin Track for a July 2024 broadcast, alongside Toshiya Ono as series composer, Atsushi Saito ( Love Live! Superstar!! ) as character designer and Takahiro Obata ( The Promised Neverland ) as music composer. The story follows two students — a cynical boy shunned for his deductions and a shy but insightful girl who...

The previously announced anime adaptation of Honobu Yonezawa's "Shoshimin" series of novels, which uses the English title "How to Become Ordinary", today announced the casting of Makoto Furukawa (Taiju in Dr. Stone ) as Kengo Dojima — a reliable fellow member of the newspaper club who was protagonist Kobato's classmate in elementary school. He joins Shuichiro Umeda (Akira in Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead ) as Jogoro Kobato and Hina Yomiya (Anna in The Dangers in My Heart ) as Yuki Osanai. All three will be present at the NBC Universal Entertainment's AnimeJapan 2024 stage event next month. Kengo Dojima character design Related: How to Become Ordinary TV Anime Announced for July 2024 Mamoru Kanbe is directing the adaptation at studio Lapin Track for a July 2024 broadcast, alongside Toshiya Ono as series composer, Atsushi Saito ( Love Live! Superstar!! ) as character designer and Takahiro Obata ( The Promised Neverland ) as music composer. The story...

First published way back in 2004, Honobu Yonezawa's "Shoshimin" series of novels are officially getting a TV anime adaptation. A teaser visual featuring the English title "How to Become Ordinary" was revealed, along with a trailer, cast and staff details and a July 2024 premiere window. As previewed below, Shuichiro Umeda (Akira in Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead ) voices Jogoro Kobato and Hina Yomiya (Anna in The Dangers in My Heart ) voices Yuki Osanai. Teaser Visual Related: Feature: 6 Anime Series That Give Off Comfortable Autumn Vibes Mamoru Kanbe is directing the adaptation at studio Lapin Track, alongside Toshiya Ono as series composer, Atsushi Saito ( Love Live! Superstar!! ) as character designer and Takahiro Obata ( The Promised Neverland ) as music composer. The story follows two students — a cynical boy shunned for his deductions and a shy but insightful girl who also struggled to fit in — seeking to start a new, peaceful...

New York, NY (5/2/23)— Yen Audio will be releasing two new audiobook adaptations of Yen On novels: The Samurai and the Prisoner and Ishura.

The Samurai and the Prisoner

The winter of 1578, four years prior to the Honno-ji Incident. Araki Murashige has betrayed his ally Oda Nobunaga and holed himself up in Arioka Castle—but a string of unsettling incidents within the castle walls has him at his wit’s end. The desperate warlord’s only hope for solving these mysteries is imprisoned in the castle’s dungeon: a man named Kuroda Kanbei, one of Oda’s most gifted strategists. When all the conflict and intrigue come to a close, what will these two men have gained…and lost? Award-winning author Honobu Yonezawa’s English-language debut is a page-turning blend of historical and detective fiction.

The Samurai and the Prisoner is the latest novel by prolific mystery writer Honobu Yonezawa and...

Yen Press, LLC announced the future release of Black Dungeon Castle, the latest novel by prolific mystery writer Honobu Yonezawa and his first work to be translated into English. Honobu Yonezawa is best known for his young adult mystery novel series the Classic Literature Club, which has been adapted into an anime titled Hyouka, named after the first volume. Through the publication of Black Dungeon Castle, Yen Press is honored to introduce Honobu Yonezawa to the English-reading world.

Black Dungeon Castle

The winter of 1578, four years prior to the Honnnoji Incident. Araki Murashige has betrayed his ally Oda Nobunaga and holed up in Arioka Castle—but a string of strange incidents within the castle walls has him at his wits’ end. The desperate warlord’s only hope in solving these mysteries is imprisoned in the castle’s dungeon: a man named Kuroda Kanbei, one of Oda’s most gifted strategists.

J-Horror, for better or worse, is still alive and kicking, and if anyone has a chance to breathe some life into the films coming out of the Far East, it's legendary director Hideo Nakata.

The official The Incite Mill website opened its doors a while back, and other than it being home to some really loud and annoying Flash animation (which seems to be all the rage these days in Japan), you'll also find (providing you have the patience) the original uber-dramatic trailer for the film as well. Mind you, the trailer shows pretty much nothing at all, but wow, is it rousing in a "Pay attention to me, damn it!" kind of way.

The pic, which is a based on an eponymous bestseller by Honobu Yonezawa, tells a "Big Brother"-ish tale of 10 people who hire on for a "job" paying $1,200 per hour, only to find themselves locked in...

The full Japanese trailer for Hideo Nakata's latest film, The Incite Mill (7 Day Death Game) has just hit online and we have every spooky second of it locked and ready to go!

The official The Incite Mill website opened its doors a while back, and other than it being home to some really loud and annoying flash animation (which seems to be all the rage these days in Japan), you'll also find (providing you have the patience) the original uber-dramatic trailer for the film as well. Mind you, the trailer shows pretty much nothing at all, but wow, is it rousing in a "Pay attention to me, damn it!" kind of way.

The pic, which is a based on an eponymous bestseller by Honobu Yonezawa, tells a "Big Brother"-ish tale of 10 people who hire on for a "job" paying $1,200 per hour, only to find themselves locked in an...

Japanese director Hideo Nakata has a lot going on these days, especially with both Chatroom and now The Incite Mill (7-Day Death Game) ramping up for release this coming year. The official website was launched back in April for the thriller that featured a pretty intense teaser, while you'll now find the Full trailer inside. The film features a group of individuals who end up trapped in a house with a psychopath. The Incite Mill will open in Japan on October 16, 2010. The pic, which is a based on an eponymous bestseller by Honobu Yonezawa, tells a "Big Brother"-ish tale of 10 people who hire on for a "job" paying $1,200 per hour, only to find themselves locked in an underground complex and forced to play a murder game for seven days.

Hideo Nataka ( Ringu ) is scaling back significantly for his latest production, The Incite Mill , an adaptation of Honobu Yonezawa's novel. We brought you a teaser in April , but this is something with more meat on its bones. Sounding much like a William Castle-esque set-up, the film finds a group of strangers invited to a mansion where, if they obey certain rules and survive their seven day stay, they'll score thousands in cash.

A new full trailer has been released for Hideo Nakata‘s new psychological thriller The Incite Mill: 7-Day Death Game. This is the first actual footage that’s been publicly released, as the original teaser was made up entirely of sequenced stills set to suspenseful music.

The script is based on a best-selling novel by Honobu Yonezawa. The story involves ten people who are lured to the mysterious “Anki Mansion” by help wanted ads offering 112,000 yen per hour (about $1,200 Usd). Participants are informed that they’ll be recorded 24 hours a day and are given two ominous rules: first, each of them must return to their private room by 10pm each night; and second, the experiment would continue either for 7 days or until there are only two survivors left. If all went according to plan, the participants would go home after 7 days, earning a total of 18 million yen. However, on the second day,...

Here's the new trailer for Hideo Nakata's latest Japanese film, "The Incite Mill" ("7 Day Death Game"). The official "The Incite Mill" website just opened its doors, and you'll find the trailer for the film. The pic, which is a based on an eponymous bestseller by Honobu Yonezawa, tells a "Big Brother"-ish tale of 10 people who hire on for a "job" paying $1,200 per hour, only to find themselves locked in an underground complex and forced to play a murder game for seven days. Look for the movie to play in Japanese cinemas on October 16, 2010. ...

Warner Bros. Japan is offering a peek at the latest thriller from the director of Ringu , Hideo Nakata. It's called The Incite Mill and was announced in early January (my, Nakata moves fast considering they said principal photography began in March). Based on the novel by Honobu Yonezawa, the story finds an ensemble cast trapped in an underground facility and pushed into a seven-day murder spree. Death Note fans take, er, note... Tatsuya Fujiwara leads the cast. Haruka Ayase and Satomi Ishihara also star. Here's a teaser!

Hideo Nakata sure is busy nowadays. We told you yesterday about his next English language feature,, Chatroom and now today comes the trailer for his latest Japanese film, The Incite Mill (7 Day Death Game). Expect his Yiddish, Greek, and Eskimo language films to be announced in the coming days.

The official The Incite Mill website just opened its doors, and other than it being home to some really loud and annoying flash animation (which seems to be all the rage these days in Japan), you'll also find (providing you have the patience) the latest uber-dramatic trailer for the film as well. Mind you, the trailer shows pretty much nothing at all, but wow, is it rousing in a "Pay attention to me, damn it!" kind of way.

The pic, which is a based on an eponymous bestseller by Honobu Yonezawa, tells a "Big Brother"-ish tale of 10 people who hire...

Warner Bros. has launched an official website for Hideo Nakata‘s new psychological thriller The Incite Mill which includes a new teaser. Unfortunately, it’s made up entirely of dramatically sequenced stills and text. According to Jason Gray, the promo made for Cannes has actual scenes. If this year’s market is anything like the past few, I’m sure that version will be leaked to a video sharing site any day now.

The film’s Japanese subtitle translates to “7-Day Death Game” and the script is based on a best-selling novel by Honobu Yonezawa. The story involves ten people who are lured to the mysterious “Anki Mansion” by help wanted ads offering 112,000 yen per hour (about $1,200 Usd). Participants are informed that they’ll be recorded 24 hours a day and are given two ominous rules: first, each of them must return to their private room by 10pm each night; and second,...