Episode 1 of Ayaka: A Story of Bonds and Wounds aired on July 2, only to leave a bitter aftertaste. As one of the pioneering anime for the Summer 2023 anime season, Ayaka is not only disappointing but also leaves a foreboding for the rest of the new debuts.
Being an original anime, the series attracted a good amount of audiences who wanted to give it a chance. Sadly, episode 1 was just a below-par experience with no hook.
The main character, Yukito Yanagi, is born with special powers to control water bodies, but since he has been living far away from his birthplace, he has no control over them. The powers themselves are never explained, and strange monsters are included in the equation before long.
Not to mention Jingi, the drunk co-star who is hell-bent on proving his status as a jerk. All in all, the episode had nothing new to offer, but you are free to check it out and judge for yourself.
What Is the Plot of Ayaka Anime?
Yukito Yanagi is an orphan born in an island cluster isolated from mainland Japan. However, he was adopted as a foster kid and stayed in Japan till he graduated middle school. On the day he graduates, he is supposed to move away to live on the islands with a guardian appointed by his late father.
However, a drunk man named Jingi picks him up from school. Jingi is absolutely relentless and throws Yanagi into a river, which triggers some strange powers in him. The next thing he knows, he is on a boat to the islands.
Yukito soon realizes that the islands are too different from mainland Japan and host some strange creatures called Mitama. He can learn to control his powers on the island while learning more about his lineage.
Is Ayaka an Original Anime?
Yes, Ayaka is an original anime written by GoRA. It is not inspired by any manga and is directed at Studio Blanc. GoRA is known for creating the K franchise.
It is one of the few original anime airing during the Summer 2023 season. It is a supernatural action and adventure anime.
Ayaka Trailer
Ayaka received two trailers before its premiere in July.
The first trailer shows the Ayakajima islands, which give off an eerie vibe, followed by the disciples of Yukito’s father. All the characters have different powers that they use to purify evil creatures. The opening theme song, “AYAKASHI” by Angela, is also revealed.
The other teaser is shorter and shows a recurring dream of Yukito where he finds himself floating underwater before abruptly waking up. His family is still a mystery, and the blasting of a volcano during his childhood makes an appearance.
Ayaka Visual
A few visuals have been revealed for the Ayaka anime, mainly featuring Yukito and the disciples of his late father.
Ayaka Studio, Cast, and Crew
Ayaka is produced by Studio Blanc and King Records. It is an original anime created by GoRA. Below are the prominent staff members for the anime:
- Director: Nobuyoshi Nagayama
- Series Composition: Rei Rairaku (GoRA)
- Music: Kana Shibue
- Original Character Design: redjuice
- Character Design: Misaki Kaneko
- Art Director: Yoshimi Umino
- Sound Director: Ryō Tanaka
- Cgi Director: Yutaka Nakajima
- Director of Photography: Shigenori Toyooka
The main cast members of Ayaka are as follows:
- Kousuke Toriumi as Haruaki Kurama
- Takuma Terashima as Jingi Sagawa
- Yuichiro Umehara as Aka Ibuki
- Yūto Uemura as Yukito Yanagi
Ayaka Anime Release Date
Ayaka debuted on July 2, 2023. Its first episode is currently available to stream, and its second episode will be available to stream on July 8, Saturday, at 9:00 AM, according to Pacific Time.
New episodes of the anime will be released every Saturday in the US, as the latest episodes are out every week.
Where to Watch Ayaka?
You can catch Ayaka anime on Crunchyroll. It is not available to stream on any other streaming sites as of now.
Everything about Ayaka is so commonplace that it almost seems like a series created exclusively to boost merchandise sales. The action moments are nothing new, and the setup seems like a last-minute effort.
Despite the harsh criticism it has faced on its debut, you are free to give it a try. Let us know how you like Ayaka in the comments below.
