LONA, the first TV anime series based on an original concept by screenwriter Akiko Nogi, is scheduled to air in Spring 2027.

Akiko Nogi, the screenwriter who has worked on numerous dramas and films including the shared universe dramas 'Unnatural' and 'MIU404,' and the film 'Last Mile,' is in charge of the original story and script for her first TV anime, ' LONA ,' which is scheduled to air in Spring 2027, and a teaser PV has been released.

Official TV anime 'LONA'
https://lona-animation.com/

TV Anime 'LONA' Teaser PV | Broadcasting Scheduled for Spring 2027 - YouTube


'LONA' is a brain science adventure anime set in the Laboratory of Optics and Neural Analysis, where researchers Ao and Sango confront the world by encountering the 'lingering thoughts of the deceased.'

The original story and screenplay are handled by Akiko Nogi, a screenwriter with a strong reputation for crime suspense works. While Nogi has worked on numerous dramas and films, this will be her first TV anime, although she has experience with anime, specifically the film 'Inu-Oh'.

The director is Takashi Katagiri, who also directed 'SPY×FAMILY: Code:White,' and the planning and animation production will be handled by WIT STUDIO, which has worked on titles such as 'Attack on Titan' and 'SPY×FAMILY.'

Comments from the main staff and cast are as follows:

Original story and screenplay by Akiko Nogi
With the overflowing talent of Director Katagiri, the vibrant energy of Producer Yamanaka, the trustworthy President Wada, and WIT STUDIO, we have finally made it this far with this formidable team. The total number of meetings and working hours since 2020 has been nauseatingly enormous, and the number of staff members is enormous. Making anime is truly awe-inspiring, even terrifying. We aim to create expressions that only anime can achieve! With the setting of a large synchrotron radiation facility, which I have always dreamed of, we will challenge the brain and the world. Stay alive. Stay tuned!

Director Takashi Katagiri:
Something that only happens once in a lifetime has happened. We were able to make an anime based on a script by Ms. Nogi.
I think many people had a faint hope of that happening. I was one of them.
I remember the excitement I felt when I first read the script as if it were yesterday.
And I envy all of you who will be watching this anime from now on.
I can't believe you all can have the same experience I did!
LONA is interesting. Please look forward to it!

Original character design by Posuka Demizu:
I approached this project with the goal of creating characters who truly live and feel like they're here. Exploring the characters' inner lives while designing them was challenging, but it allowed me to become deeply immersed in the project. Initially, I was amazed by the world-building, and I couldn't stop reading the script from the very beginning!

Character design by Yudai Iino:
I was truly surprised when I was asked to work on LONA as a character designer.
At the same time, I became anxious about whether I could handle the job.
However, as I gained a deeper understanding of this work, I was able to develop a more positive outlook.
Please support LONA.

Music by Yuko Sebu:
In recent years, I've had several opportunities to be personally deeply impressed by the fascinating expressive power of animation, and I've been wanting to do more music for animation. It was at this time that Ms. Nogi invited me to work on this project at the Academy Awards ceremony.
What a wonderful coincidence!
To everyone at WIT STUDIO, Director Katagiri, and everyone else who is so clearly enjoying the creative process, I'm having an absolutely fantastic time!

Animation producer Kazuki Yamanaka:
Six years have already passed since the project was launched in 2020.
We started out wondering how we were going to turn this into a video, but we had so many meetings and lots of back-and-forth. It's finally taking shape, and we're almost ready to share it with everyone.
Production is still in full swing. Led by Katagiri-kun and Iino-san, everyone is working hard every day, thinking and challenging themselves to live up to the power of Nogi-san's script. I'm happy that we have so many reliable and creative staff members.
We have a fantastic production team, and we're confident we can deliver a great product!
Only 10 more months!!! Please wait!!!

Planning by Takeshi Wada (President and CEO of WIT STUDIO):
So many people have come together for the story written by Akiko Nogi. The story begins with people trying to solve big mysteries by analyzing very small things, a story born from interviews at 'SPring-8' in Harima, Hyogo Prefecture. Each and every frame that is gradually completed exceeds my expectations and I am amazed every day, thinking, 'This is so good!' To celebrate WIT STUDIO's 15th anniversary, we bring you the original TV animation 'LONA'!

The role of Ao is played by Minako Kotobuki:
I'm Minako Kotobuki, and I'll be playing the role of Ao. I'm also one of the people who was drawn to 'LONA.' During the audition, I was deeply moved by the passionate and warm message I received from director Katagiri and screenwriter Nogi about their commitment to this project.
It's amazing how everyone can respect each other so much while working towards the same goal in an original work.
Voice recording has begun, and I'm happy to be a part of the team. I hope you'll join the 'LONA' team too.

Anna Nagase plays the role of Sango:
When I first read the project proposal at the audition, I was drawn in by the words 'brain,' 'thoughts of the dead,' and 'bright light,' and I was immediately captivated by the world of the work. I remember feeling excited with anticipation for this unknown story.
Furthermore, when I learned that the original story and script were by Akiko Nogi, my desire to participate grew even stronger, and I gave my all in the audition. I am very happy to be able to play the role of Sango.
I'm really looking forward to seeing what fate awaits the coral in the future. I hope you all look forward to it too!

Infinite role: Izumi Fuka
I'm Izumi Fuka, and I'll be voicing Mugen. Mugen! Just who is he...?! He's big and cute!
It's an exciting story that sparks curiosity and intrigue, a tale woven by the connections between people in a world where 'something' seems to be at play, and the developments that surely arise because of that 'something'...
I'm really looking forward to creating this work together with top creators and for everyone to see it!
thank you!!!

The synopsis of the work is as follows:

A slightly futuristic, broken world.
People will face a new crisis.
'I was attacked by someone who was supposed to be dead.'
The government has entrusted the handling of this situation to a specialized organization.
Laboratory of Optics and Neural Analysis, commonly known as LONA.
Researcher Ao and apprentice Sango,
By analyzing the brains of the deceased, we will get closer to unraveling the mystery of the situation.
What thoughts and memories do people have before they die, and what do they leave behind?
Numerous memories etched into nerve cells.
What they saw in the depths of that world was...

The original TV anime 'LONA' is scheduled to air in Spring 2027.

·staff
Original story and screenplay: Akiko Nogi
Director: Takashi Katagiri
Original character design: Posuka Demizu
Character design: Yudai Iino
Sub-character designs: Ayumi Yamada, Keisuke Okura
Image design: syo5
Art Setting & Mechanical Design: Satoshi Takabatake, Kazushi Fujii
Art Director: Yumiko Kuga
3DCG director: Shigenori Hirosumi
Directors of Photography: Kentaro Minegishi, Miori Miyagi
Edited by: Kiyoshi Hirose (editz)
Color design: Hanami Tanaka
Sound Director: Hata Shoji
Music: Hiroko Sebu
Animation Producer: Kazuki Yamanaka
Planning and animation production: WIT STUDIO

·cast
Blue: Kotobuki Minako
Coral: Anna Nagase
Infinite: Izumi Fuka

©WIT STUDIO/LONA COMMITTEE