Rinkai!

In this article, we will delve into the fascinating world of Rinkai!. From its origins to its relevance today, we will explore the most important aspects related to this topic. We will consider its impact on society, its influence in various areas, as well as the challenges and opportunities it presents. Along these lines, we will immerse ourselves in an exhaustive analysis that will allow us to understand the importance and scope of Rinkai!, offering a complete and updated vision of this topic that is so relevant today.
Rinkai!
Anime key visual
リンカイ！
GenreSports (keirin)
Created byMixi
Manga
Rinkai! Azalea
Written byKiyoshi Yamane
Published byAmazia
MagazineManga Bang!
Original runApril 9, 2024 – present
Anime television series
Directed byTakaaki Ishiyama
Written byHideki Shirane
Music byShuichiro Fukuhiro
Yoshihei Ueda
Mana Hirano
StudioTMS Entertainment
Licensed by
Original networkTokyo MX, BS Fuji
Original run April 9, 2024 – June 25, 2024
Episodes12

Rinkai! (リンカイ！) is a Japanese mixed-media project about women's keirin cycling created by Mixi. A manga series by Kiyoshi Yamane titled Rinkai! Azalea began serialization in Amazia's Manga Bang! service in April 2024. An anime television series adaptation produced by TMS Entertainment aired from April to June 2024.

Characters

As per their official profiles, every character is a cyclist each representative from a different Japanese prefecture, associated with a specific velodrome situated there. Each character's surname shares in turn the name of the city which is home to such velodrome.

Main characters (Protagonists)

Izumi Itō (伊藤 泉, Itō Izumi)
Voiced by: Umino Kawamura[1]
The daughter of the owner of an onsen inn establishment, together with her older sister Atsumi they are known as the "On-Sen Sisters". A cycling enthusiast, she became an athlete without having any previous experience in the sport.[2]
Nana Hiratsuka (平塚 ナナ, Hiratsuka Nana)
Voiced by: Azusa Aoi[1]
Born to a Japanese mother and a French father, himself also a cyclist, she achieved entrance to a cycling training institute in the first ever special selection for female athletes, all the while completing school education ahead of schedule.[3]
Miko Yahiko (弥彦 巫子, Yahiko Miko)
Voiced by: Rena Hasegawa[4]
Previously the center of a former local idol group which ended up disbanding due to certain internal issues, she set out to become a cyclist who would be able to earn a living with her own strength alone.[5]
Sachi Nagoya (那古屋 紗智, Nagoya Sachi)
Voiced by: Saika Kitamori[6]
The only daughter of a renowned zaibatsu family of the Tōkai region, after being raised in a sheltered and overly affective way by her parents, she decided to become a cyclist in order to become independent from her family.[7]
Kinusa Takamatsu (高松 絹早, Takamatsu Kinusa)
Voiced by: Riho Sugiyama[8]
Capable both in sports and in the academic field, after graduating from school she found a job at a major firm. Not feeling fulfilled with it, however, she switched through different occupations, from office worker to yoga instructor, until finally becoming a cyclist.[9]
Ai Kumamoto (熊本 愛, Kumamoto Ai)
Voiced by: Minami Hinata[10]
A sports multi-talent with an innate leader character, she began cycling competitions since the second year of high school, dominating the whole national scene with her prowess.[11]

Minor characters

Tsutsuji Kurume (久留米 美虹, Kurume Tsutsuji)
Voiced by: Rico Sasaki[12]
A gold medalist at worldwide competitions and current title holder. Despite not starting as an elite athlete, she changed radically after going through a certain moment of her life, rising all at once to the top position.[13]
Chigiri Toyohashi (豊橋 契, Toyohashi Chigiri)
Voiced by: Yukari Anzai[14]
Suzu Matsusaka (松阪 鈴, Matsusaka Suzu)
Voiced by: Miho Morisaki[14]
Sora Iwakitaira (磐城平 颯来, Iwakitaira Sora)
Voiced by: Yuka Ozaki[14]
Remi Hiroshima (広島 恋未, Hiroshima Remi)
Voiced by: Hinako Takahashi[15]
Midori Maebashi (前橋 緑, Maebashi Midori)
Voiced by: Misato Murai[16]
Rika Matsudo (松戸 梨花, Matsudo Rika)
Voiced by: Minami Shinoda[17]
Rio Kishiwada (岸和田 リオ, Kishiwada Rio)
Voiced by: Rena Maeda[17]
Yakuko Toyama (富山 薬子, Toyama Yakuko)
Voiced by: Hiromi Kawakami[17]
Momoka Tamano (玉野 桃花, Tamano Momoka)
Voiced by: Hikaru Tono[15]
Kōme Hōfu (防府 幸梅, Hōfu Kōme)
Voiced by: Makoto Koichi[citation needed]
Remu Tachikawa (立川 麗夢, Tachikawa Remu)
Voiced by: Yū Wakui[18]
Miyako Mukomachi (向日町 京子, Mukomachi Miyako)
Voiced by: Mariko Higashiuchi[19]
Sawamitsu (澤光)
Voiced by: Kazuya Ichijō[20]
Yamada (山田)
Voiced by: Yasushi Iwaki[20]

Media

Manga

A manga series by Kiyoshi Yamane titled Rinkai! Azalea (リンカイ！アザレア, Rinkai! Azarea) began serialization in Amazia's Manga Bang! service April 9, 2024.[21]

Anime

An anime television series was announced alongside the manga series at the AnimeJapan 2023 event.[1][22] The series is produced by TMS Entertainment and directed by Takaaki Ishiyama, with Hideki Shirane handling series composition, Hiromi Ono designing the characters, and Shuichiro Fukuhiro, Yoshihei Ueda and Mana Hirano composing the music.[23] It aired from April 9 to June 25, 2024 on Tokyo MX and BS Fuji.[24] The opening theme song is "Windshifter", performed by Rico Sasaki, while the ending theme song is "Override!", performed by the main cast.[25]

Medialink licensed the series in South and Southeast Asia for streaming on Ani-One Asia's YouTube channel.[26] Jonu Media also licensed the series for Spanish-speaking countries.[27]

Episodes

No.Title [28][a]Original release date [29]
1"Hot Springs and Vows"
Transliteration: "Onsen to Chikai" (Japanese: 温泉と誓い)		April 9, 2024 (2024-04-09)
2"The Courage to Take The Step"
Transliteration: "Fumidasu Yūki" (Japanese: 踏み出す勇気)		April 16, 2024 (2024-04-16)
3"L14 Term"
Transliteration: "L14 Ki" (Japanese: L14期)		April 23, 2024 (2024-04-23)
4"Let's Fight It Out"
Transliteration: "Shinken Shōbu" (Japanese: 真剣勝負)		April 30, 2024 (2024-04-30)
5"Competitor"
Transliteration: "Raibaru" (Japanese: ライバル)		May 7, 2024 (2024-05-07)
6"The Morning Sun of Tomorrow"
Transliteration: "Ashita no Asa" (Japanese: あしたの朝)		May 14, 2024 (2024-05-14)
7"Graduation Commemorative Game"
Transliteration: "Sotsuki Rēsu" (Japanese: 卒記レース)		May 21, 2024 (2024-05-21)
8"The Way of Survival in Bicycle Race"
Transliteration: "Keirin to Iu Ikikata" (Japanese: 競輪という生き方)		May 28, 2024 (2024-05-28)
9"I Don't Know"
Transliteration: "Wakarimasen!" (Japanese: わかりません！)		June 4, 2024 (2024-06-04)
10"Thanks"
Transliteration: "Taisha" (Japanese: 代謝)		June 11, 2024 (2024-06-11)
11"Bicycle Race Arena"
Transliteration: "Keirinjō" (Japanese: 競輪場)		June 18, 2024 (2024-06-18)
12"To the Future"
Transliteration: "Mogake, Mirai e!" (Japanese: もがけ、未来へ！)		June 25, 2024 (2024-06-25)

Notes

  1. ^ All English titles are taken from Ani-One Asia.

References

  1. ^ a b c "Rinkai! Project About Women's Cycling Gets Anime, Manga". Anime News Network. March 25, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  2. ^ 伊東 泉 CHARACTER リンカイ！Project 公式サイト. rinkai-pj.com (in Japanese). Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  3. ^ 平塚 ナナ CHARACTER リンカイ！Project 公式サイト. rinkai-pj.com (in Japanese). Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  4. ^ 第2回「リンカイ！LIVEきゃんぷ」5月19日（金）20:20～ライブ配信！ゲストに弥彦巫子役の長谷川玲奈さんが登場！！. rinkai-pj.com (in Japanese). May 18, 2023. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  5. ^ 弥彦 巫子 CHARACTER リンカイ！Project 公式サイト. rinkai-pj.com (in Japanese). Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  6. ^ 第3回「リンカイ！LIVEきゃんぷ」6月15日（木）16:00～ライブ配信！ゲストに那古屋役の北守さいかさんが登場！！. rinkai-pj.com (in Japanese). June 12, 2023. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  7. ^ 那古屋 紗智 CHARACTER リンカイ！Project 公式サイト. rinkai-pj.com (in Japanese). Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  8. ^ 第4回「リンカイ！LIVEきゃんぷ」7月17日（月）19:30～ライブ配信！ゲストに高松役の杉山里穂さんが登場！！. rinkai-pj.com (in Japanese). July 14, 2023. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  9. ^ 高松 絹早 CHARACTER リンカイ！Project 公式サイト. rinkai-pj.com (in Japanese). Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  10. ^ 第5回「リンカイ！LIVEきゃんぷ」8月16日（水）19:50～ライブ配信！ゲストに熊本役の日向未南さんが登場！！. rinkai-pj.com (in Japanese). August 8, 2023. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  11. ^ 熊本 愛 CHARACTER リンカイ！Project 公式サイト. rinkai-pj.com (in Japanese). Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  12. ^ "Rinkai! Women's Cycling Project Unveils More Cast, Anime's TV Debut Next Spring". Anime News Network. November 25, 2023. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  13. ^ 久留米 美虹 CHARACTER リンカイ！Project 公式サイト. rinkai-pj.com (in Japanese). Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  14. ^ a b c "Rinkai! Women's Cycling Anime Reveals 3 More Cast Members". Anime News Network. April 16, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  15. ^ a b 第8回「リンカイ！LIVEきゃんぷ」12月14日（木）20:20～ライブ配信！ゲストに広島役の高橋雛子さん、玉野役の遠野ひかるさんが登場！！. rinkai-pj.com (in Japanese). December 8, 2023. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  16. ^ 第11回「リンカイ！LIVEきゃんぷ」2月26日（月）20:20～ライブ配信！ゲストに防府役の小市眞琴さん、前橋役の村井美里さんが登場！！. rinkai-pj.com (in Japanese). February 19, 2024. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  17. ^ a b c "Rinkai! Women's Cycling Anime Adds 5 More Cast Members". Anime News Network. April 23, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  18. ^ 第9回「リンカイ！LIVEきゃんぷ」12月27日（水）20:20～ライブ配信！ゲストに立川役の和久井優さんが登場！！. rinkai-pj.com (in Japanese). December 21, 2023. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  19. ^ 第10回「リンカイ！LIVEきゃんぷ」2月10日（土）19:20～ライブ配信！MC佐々木李子さん、和久井優さん！ゲストに向日町役の東内マリ子さんが登場！. rinkai-pj.com (in Japanese). February 13, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  20. ^ a b "Rinkai! Women's Cycling Anime Unveils 4 More Cast Members". Anime News Network. April 30, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  21. ^ コミック『リンカイ！アザレア』4月9日(火)マンガBANG！にて連載開始！. rinkai-pj.com (in Japanese). March 27, 2024. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
  22. ^ Dennison, Kara (March 28, 2023). "Women's Cycling Project Rinkai! Announces Anime and Manga Adaptations". Crunchyroll. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  23. ^ "TVアニメ「リンカイ！」が本日4月9日より放送開始！" (in Japanese). 9 April 2024.
  24. ^ "2024春アニメ・最速放送＆放送日順まとめ一覧！ これを見れば見逃しなし！" (in Japanese).
  25. ^ "Rinkai! Women's Cycling Anime's Video Unveils Opening Song, Staff, April 9 Debut". Anime News Network. February 21, 2024. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  26. ^ "Ani-One Asia Licenses Astro Note, Rinkai! Anime".
  27. ^ "Jonu Media licencia Rinkai!, con simucast en Jonu Play cada martes" (in Spanish). 6 April 2024.
  28. ^ "Sutōrī | "Rinkai!" Project Kōshiki Saito" STORY | リンカイ！Project 公式サイト [Story | "Rinkai!" Project Official Site]. rinkai-pj.com (in Japanese). Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  29. ^ "On'Ea | "Rinkai!" Project Kōshiki Saito" ONAIR | リンカイ！Project 公式サイト [On Air | "Rinkai!" Project Official Site]. rinkai-pj.com (in Japanese). Retrieved April 9, 2024.
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