Exciting news for fans of Tsukimichi: Moonlit Fantasy! The official website for the television anime has unveiled a new teaser trailer and visual for the highly exciting second season. Set to premiere in January 2024, and the trailer reveals that J.C. Staff will take over animation duties from C2C. This upcoming season will run for two consecutive cours (quarters of a year).
The first season, which premiered in July 2021, marked the debut of NTV’s Anime Department. NTV struck a deal for global distribution of the anime series, partnering with Crunchyroll to bring the show to audiences worldwide outside of Asia.
Another isekai? Okay then! Picture this: your average high school student, Makoto Misumi, is suddenly taken away from his mundane and grey life and finds himself transported to another world filled with mythical creatures, dangerous quests, and celestial politics. Isekai politics doesn’t sound very fun, but it is interesting, right?
Tsukimichi: Moonlit Fantasy has become a shining star in the vast galaxy of isekai anime. With its new and refreshing take on the genre, clever humor, stunning visuals, and interesting characters, will this series, released amidst the countless isekai this year, be a hit?
The Plot of Moonlit Fantasy
Makoto Misumi, a normal high school student, is suddenly transported to another world to fill the pants of a “hero.” However, instead of receiving a warm welcome, the goddess of this new world hates him for his differences and looks and takes away his hero status, banishing him to the uncharted wilderness.
As Makoto learns to live in this unfamiliar territory, he meets magical creatures like dragons, spiders, orcs, dwarves, and other non-human tribes. Makoto now possesses extraordinary, overpowered magical powers and combat skills due to being from another world. Makoto now aims to reshape the “other world” into a better place, despite the humans and gods who have betrayed him.
The cast of the anime includes Makoto Misumi, voiced by Natsuki Hanae, Tomoe, voiced by Ayane Sakura; Mio, voiced by Akari Kitō: and Shiki, voiced by Kenjiro Tsuda. The anime is directed by Shinji Ishihara and is animated by J.C. Staff. Series composition is handled by Kenta Ihara, Yukie Suzuki overlooks the character designs, and Yasuharu Takanashi composes the music.
Tsukimichi: Moonlit Fantasy, written by Kei Azumi and illustrated by Mitsuaki Matsumoto, debuted in 2012 as a light novel series. It was initially serialized in 2012 on the novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni Narō before moving to AlphaPolis in 2016. AlphaPolis has been publishing the series since May 2013.
The series has also received a manga adaptation, illustrated by Kotora Kino, which has been serialized online through AlphaPolis’ manga website since 2015.
“I’m not like other isekai,” is what Moonlit Fantasy would say if it could speak. The isekai genre has seen numerous series, but this one is a refreshing parody that mocks the typical tropes of the genre. Author Kei Azumi makes it clear from the start that this is a comedy, and he does it perfectly through the unconventional protagonist, Makoto Misumi.
Makoto is far from the typical overpowered main character; he’s ugly and is instantly shut out by those who summoned him. Banished to distant lands, he starts a unique journey, settling issues with supposedly “ugly-looking” species, unlike the expected demon lord battles in other isekai shows.
While Studio C2C isn’t known for producing action shows, their animation quality in Tsukimichi is pretty good. The visuals animate the adventure and fantasy elements in a way beyond what we expected from C2C. The music is also top-notch, making this a good watch for people looking for something different.
