The highly anticipated anime adaptation of Syuu and Nanna Fujimi's light novel series, Victoria of Many Faces (Tefuda ga Ōme no Victoria), is officially set to premiere on July 7. Anime enthusiasts can mark their calendars, as the series promises a thrilling blend of espionage, disguise, and a quest for a normal life. Adding to the excitement, the staff recently unveiled the second main promotional video, a new visual, and confirmed that the band Haku will perform the opening theme song, "Isshin" (One Step).
Unmasking the Intriguing Story
Yen Press, the English publisher for the light novel series, describes a captivating narrative centered around Chloe, a master spy with unparalleled disguise skills and martial arts prowess. She successfully navigates even the most challenging missions from the shadows. However, a sudden betrayal by her boss prompts Chloe to disappear, leading her to seek a new beginning. She plans to restart her life as the unassuming citizen Victoria in the neighboring kingdom of Ashberry, yearning for a "normal" existence. Yet, Victoria's peaceful life is abruptly interrupted as she finds herself entangled with various individuals. Her past experiences and spy abilities prove unexpectedly valuable in this new land. Concurrently, the second prince and other influential figures begin to take a keen interest in Victoria's enigmatic strength, drawing shadows closer to the woman with many faces.
The Voices Behind the Faces
Bringing these complex characters to life is an impressive voice cast. Chika Anzai takes on the lead role of Victoria, promising a compelling performance for the protagonist's dual life. Joining her are:
- Shion Wakayama as Nonna
- Yōhei Azakami as Jeffrey
- Kenji Nojima as Lancome
- Daisuke Ono as Edward Asher
- Saeko Akiho as Yolana Haynes
- Hiroshi Yanaka as Bernard Fitcher
- Makoto Furukawa as Zaharo
- Kenshō Ono as Cedric Ashbury
- Ryōta Ōsaka as Conrad Ashbury
- Megumi Han as Clark Anderson
This ensemble cast is sure to deliver depth and charisma to the series' diverse roster of characters.
Crafting the Anime World
The production of Victoria of Many Faces is in the capable hands of Studio DEEN, with Nobukage Kimura directing the anime. Kimura's previous work includes episode direction for notable series such as tsuritama and Kakuriyo -Bed & Breakfast for Spirits-. Overseeing the series scripts is Naohiro Fukushima, known for his work on I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level 2. Character designs for animation are skillfully handled by Mina Ōsawa, recognized for her contributions to the Given franchise. Frontier Works is credited for the original work planning, ensuring a faithful yet dynamic adaptation.
Further enriching the production team are Sub-Character Designers Keika Ōtsuka, Sayuri Sakimoto, Yuri Naminoue, and Mana Matsumura, alongside Prop Designer Yabomi. The visual aesthetic is meticulously crafted with Mizuki Nakagawa as the Color Key Artist and Si Man Wei as the Art Director. Ren Zhou Li is the Compositing Director of Photography, with Megumi Uchida handling the editing. Satoshi Yano directs the sound, accompanied by Hidemi Tanaka for sound effects and Bit Grooove Promotion for sound production. The evocative musical score is composed by Moe Hyūga, acclaimed for her work on series like The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten and Steins;Gate 0. Music production is by Kadokawa, with Takayuki Saitō and Naoki Sakai serving as Animation Producers.
The Series' Soundscape
Adding an immersive auditory experience to the series, the opening theme song, "Isshin" (One Step), is performed by the band Haku, as teased in the new promotional video. Balancing this energetic start, the three-piece band KI_EN performs the ending theme song, "En no Tsuki," promising a memorable sonic journey for viewers from beginning to end.
Beyond the Screen: The Source Material
Fans eager to dive deeper into Victoria's world can explore the original light novel series by Syuu, which began on the Shōsetsuka ni Narō website in December 2021. Kadokawa published the fourth volume of the light novel on June 25. For those who prefer visual storytelling, Komo Ushino's manga adaptation launched on Kadokawa's Flos Comic website in December 2022, with its sixth compiled book volume shipping on February 16. Both the light novel and manga adaptations are also being published in English by Yen Press, making them accessible to a wider international audience.
Prepare for an exciting new anime adventure as Victoria of Many Faces premieres on TV Tokyo and its affiliated channels on July 7 at 24:00 (effectively July 8 at 12:00 a.m.). Don't miss the debut of this thrilling tale of identity, espionage, and unexpected heroism!
