introduction
“Hello, anime fans, I have some eagerly awaited information for you! Starting in April 2024, we’ll dive deep into the new anime ‘Gods’ Games We Play,’ exploring its unique highlights, style, themes, and the captivating characters.
Furthermore, we’ll be bringing you exclusive, precious information only available here, direct from Japan. Let’s jump into this new adventure together!”
What is “Gods’ Games We Play”?
“Gods’ Games We Play,” a Japanese light novel penned by Kei Hosone, carries the subtitle “The Ultimate Brain Battle of a Boy Who Challenges the Gods” for its web version and the first book volume.
The illustrations are provided by Tomose Shunsaku, and the series has been serialized on Kakuyomu since September 2020, with book publication by MF Bunko J (KADOKAWA) starting in January 2021.
This fantasy narrative centers on a prodigious boy who takes on games created by the gods and a girl who was once a deity herself.
Coinciding with the release of the first volume, a promotional video featuring the voice and narration of Sora Amamiya as Laesche was released, receiving endorsements from over 30 professionals in the gaming and light novel industries.
As part of its media expansion, a manga adaptation illustrated by Kapiko Toriumi began serialization in “Monthly Comic Alive” (KADOKAWA) from the October 2021 issue. A television anime adaptation is also scheduled for broadcast in 2024.
synopsis
“Gods’ Play,” a brain game created by bored gods, challenges Laesche, a former goddess awakened from a long slumber, who seeks the era’s best gamer.
She finds Fei, the “best rookie in recent years.” Together, they tackle a game no one has beaten due to its whimsical and unreasonable gods.
Despite its difficulty, it’s a game worth enjoying to the fullest. Thus begins the ultimate battle of wits between a genius gamer, a former goddess, and their friends against the supreme gods.
Character Introductions
Fay Theo Philus：フェイ・テオ・フィルス
Currently 17 years old, he quickly made a name for himself as the most noteworthy newcomer in recent years by securing three consecutive victories in the “Games Beyond the Divine” shortly after being recognized as an apostle.
He is deeply passionate about games and possesses exceptional gaming skills, rarely relying on the special ability, Divine Decree (Arise), granted to apostles.
Leoleshea ：竜神レオレーシェ
The main heroine of the story is a former deity who awoke from a 3000-year slumber. Her age remains unknown, but to return to her divine status, she decides to take on “Gods’ Play” alongside Fei.
Like Fei, she has a profound love for games. According to the story’s setting, she was the first character to be created.
highlights
- Unique Worldview and the Setting of the Gods: The concept of the ultimate brain game “Gods’ Play,” created by gods out of boredom, captivates readers. The whimsical nature of the gods and the exploration of the relationship between humans and deities offer an intriguing worldview.
- The Charm of Protagonist Fei and Main Heroine Laesche: The combination of Fei, known as the best rookie in recent years and a genius game boy, and Laesche, a former deity awakened from a 3000-year slumber, adds depth to the narrative. Their growth and deepening bond through the challenges of “Gods’ Play” are key highlights.
- The Special Ability, Divine Decree (Arise): The strategy surrounding the special ability “Divine Decree (Arise)” granted to apostles, and Fei’s approach to taking on games without relying on this ability, adds tension to the story.
- The High Difficulty of “Gods’ Play”: The challenge of “Gods’ Play,” a game so difficult that no one has fully conquered it, offers a thrilling experience for readers. The game’s rules and the intellectual battles of the challengers enhance the story’s allure.
- Media Mix Expansion: Starting as a light novel, expanding to manga, and eventually being adapted into an anime, the media mix allows fans to enjoy the world and characters from various perspectives.
Combined, these elements make “Gods’ Games We Play” a captivating work that enthralls readers and viewers alike.
The style and themes
The style and themes of “Gods’ Games We Play” can be characterized as follows:
Style
This work is heavily fantasy-oriented, marked by a meticulously constructed world and complex game rules.
The narrative revolves around the intellectual battles at the intersection of gods and humans, highlighting the relationships and interactions between them.
The characters are richly developed, with their strategies and growth being key to the storyline.
Additionally, the balance between light-hearted dialogue and serious moments keeps the readers engaged without becoming monotonous.
Themes
The primary themes are challenge and growth. The protagonists, Fei and Laesche, face the unprecedented challenge of “Gods’ Play,” pushing beyond their limits in the process.
Another significant theme is the relationship between humans and gods, exploring human potential and the possibility of coexistence with deities through the game crafted by the gods.
Furthermore, themes of friendship, trust, and discovery through play enrich the narrative. These themes are explored in depth alongside the development of character relationships, offering readers much to ponder.
Overall, “Gods’ Games We Play” leaves a lasting impression on its audience through captivating characters, thought-provoking games, and profound themes.
STAFF & CAST
Gods’ Games We Play Staff and Cast
Staff
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Original Creator | Kei Hosone (Published by MF Bunko J “Gods’ Games We Play” / KADOKAWA) |
| Character Design Original | Tomose Shunsaku |
| Director | Tatsuya Shiraishi |
| Series Composition & Script | NTL |
| Character Design | Yoshihiro Watanabe (Frontier One) |
| Chief Animation Director | Ryo Kobayashi |
| Main Animator | Joji Oshima |
| Sub Character Design | Eriko Yoshiga (Liden Films Kyoto Studio), Makoto Eto, Shuhei Miwa |
| Monster & Effect Design | Hirokazu Oda |
| Design Works | Takeshi Watanabe, Shun Nakajima, Dai Nikawa |
| Art Director | Ken Naito (Studio Tulip) |
| Art Setting | Barnstorm Design Lab, Toshinari Tanaka, Satoshi Yuri, Hiroyuki Oyama |
| Color Design | Akira Hashioka |
| 3D CGI Director | Katsuji Yamazaki (Liden Films) |
| Director of Photography | Keisuke Nozawa (Graphinica Sapporo Studio) |
| Editor | Misaki Enokida (Edits) |
| Sound Director | Noboru Haraguchi |
| Sound Effects | Yuki Hayashi |
| Sound Production | Bit Groove Promotion |
| Music | Gin (BUSTED ROSE) |
| Music Production | Pony Canyon |
| Animation Production | Liden Films |
| Production | Gods’ Hunger Production Committee |
| Opening Theme | “NewGame” by AliA |
| Ending Theme | “I’m GAME!” by Hina Tachibana |
Cast
| Character | Actor |
|---|---|
| Fei | Nobunaga Shimazaki |
| Leo Laesche | Akari Kitō |
| Pearl | Hina Tachibana |
| Nel | Kanna Nakamura |
| Miranda | Ami Koshimizu |
Cast Comments
Nobunaga Shimazaki, the voice actor for Fei
“This work is exactly as the title suggests; it’s about gods who love games and Fei-kun and his friends, who also adore games, enjoying divine versus human game showdowns, sometimes bearing the future of humanity and sometimes not.
As a gamer myself, I find many aspects of this story relatable, especially Fei, whose every action and word is deliberate and meaningful, providing me with a lot of inspiration.
I’m committed to bringing to life the joy and love for games that Fei and his companions experience, so that everyone can fully enjoy it. Please look forward to it.”
Akari Kitō, the voice actress for Leo Laesche
“This series is about the characters taking on various games, so it’s fun to watch while thinking about how you would clear the games yourself.
Laesche loves games and is a deity who truly enjoys them from the bottom of her heart, so I hope everyone can watch the series while enjoying the games just like Laesche does! I think it’s a fun series that allows viewers to engage actively with the story.”
Hina Tachibana, the voice actress for Pearl Diamond
“I’m Hina Tachibana, and I have the pleasure of voicing Pearl Diamond! Ever since I read the original work, I’ve been thrilled by the nail-biting matches, wondering how they’ll turn out in the anime.
Pearl may look cute, but she’s a girl with more than a few quirks! The anime will depict each character’s individuality, their Divine Decrees, and their feelings towards the games, so please look forward to the broadcast!”
Kanna Nakamura, the voice actress for Nel
“I’m Kanna Nakamura, and I have the honor of voicing Nel. Nel-chan is straightforward and a good girl, but she’s also a bit of an airhead. Interestingly, she speaks in a samurai-like manner.
There’s plenty of room for retorts as she seriously delivers her lines with a twist. But she’s competent and a hard worker, so please give her your support.
This series features a variety of intellectual games. Watching along with the characters, trying to figure out the gods’ strategies and what comes next, makes it all the more enjoyable. I appreciate your support for the series!”
Ami Koshimizu, the voice actress for Miranda
“I have been cast to voice Miranda. The story is enriched by the performances of challengers facing various games with the world at stake and the unique game masters.
It’s a wonderful work that will have you gripping your hands with excitement while also bringing smiles to your face, so please look forward to the broadcast!”
Evaluation in Japan
It’s refreshing and interesting.
The latest fantasy work by Kei Hosone is captivating. The text is easy to read, and there’s a unique sensation of vivid scenes coming to mind.
In this story, the protagonist embarks on a journey through the games of the gods, searching for clues about a woman he vaguely remembers. It suggests that the protagonist has a mysterious past linked to his special abilities.
The narrative intricately unfolds the connections between the world, the protagonist, and his companions, featuring gods who enjoy games with distinct personalities.
One of the heroines being a former Dragon God adds to the ambiance, reminiscent of “The Record of the End of the World,” a favorite of mine, making me think, “I’ve been waiting for this.”
Easy to read and rather solid brainstorming.
“Gods’ Games We Play” features gods who create elaborate games for humans, with a focus on a team led by the main protagonist and heroine attempting to conquer these challenges.
Despite the lure of an unprecedented reward, no one has yet succeeded. The story blends a straightforward and engaging world setting with complex games that demand strategic thinking, offering a mix of easy engagement and depth.
The author’s track record suggests an ability to keep the story fresh and engaging moving forward.
Gaming is great!
Humanity faces off against immensely powerful gods and their absurdly unreasonable games. The games are so perplexing that not even the rules or victory conditions are clear, yet the protagonist, Fei, doesn’t complain but instead exclaims, “This is fun!”
His passion for gaming shines through. What particularly resonated with me was the importance of being able to say, “That was fun,” regardless of winning or losing.
Both humans and gods may feel frustration in defeat, but it’s this very frustration that spurs the declaration, “Let’s do it again!”
This story reminds us of the significance of such moments. It’s recommended for anyone looking to get fired up by epic intellectual battles (games)!
Official website and official X
Lastly.
“Thank you for reading! I’m looking forward to the new anime ‘Gods’ Games We Play’ starting in April 2024.
It’s exciting to think about what stories and characters await us. I hope this anime brings joy to everyone as well. Let’s continue to enjoy the world of anime together!”
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