The Mystic Archives of Dantalian | |
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Directed by |
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Music by |
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Original work |
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Original character design |
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Original run |
July 16, 2011 - October 1, 2011 |
Genre |
Mystery, Fantasy, Gothic fiction, Magic, Adventure, Supernatural, Historical, Action |
Running time |
25 minutes per episode |
Episodes |
12 (+ 1 OVA) |
- For the original publication, see Light novel.
- For the first adaptation, see Manga.
- For the titular library of the franchise, where Phantom Books are sealed, see Dantalian's Bookshelf.
The Mystic Archives of Dantalian (ダンタリアンの書架 Dantalian no Shoka) or Bibliotheca Mystica de Dantalian is an anime produced by studio GAINAX, under the direction of Yutaka Uemura. The production was announced in The Sneaker magazine, in June, 2010. It was broadcasted originally by TV Tokyo in 2011. The anime is an adaptation of the light novel of the same name, written by Gakuto Mikumo, with original character design of G-Yuusuke.
Other TV stations that aired the anime around the same time were TV Aichi, TV Osaka, TV Setouchi and TVQ Kyushu. It was distributed on Internet by broadcasters such as Bandai Channel and MovieGate. The series was also released, with English subtitles, on media websites such as Crunchyroll, NicoNico, Animax UK, Anime on Demand and Funanimation.[1][2][3][4]
Kadokawa released DVDs and Blu-ray discs from September 2011 to February 2012.[4][5] Drama CDs are bonus content of the limited editions of the first and second volumes of the DVDs and Blu-ray discs.[6][7] In November 2016, Funimation announced the production of a box with 2 DVDs containing all episodes with English subtitles. It released in February 14, 2017.[8]
The anime has 12 episodes and 1 OVA, released in 2012 as cross-promotion with the release of the manga adaptation, volume 5. An introduction show was broadcasted days before Episode 1. A DJCD was released in November 9, 2011. The soundtrack was released in two discs, in October 12, 2011.[3][4]
The logo used for the anime and its products and advertisement was created by SHIRONAGASU WORKS.[9] Kumiko Uehara from the Alice and the Pirates line of the Japanese Lolita fashion boutique chain Baby, the Stars Shine Bright contributed with the costume designs.[10][11]
Synopsis[]
The story takes place in England after World War I. Hugh Anthony Disward inherits an old mansion and a personal library from his grandfather. In the basement of the mansion, he meets a mysterious girl, Dalian. She is the gateway to the Dantalian's Bookshelf, a depository containing forbidden knowledge of the demons in the form of Phantom Books. These artifacts endanger the balance of the world, but people are fascinated by the taboo. Hugh and Dalian solve cases with their ability to access the Dantalian's Bookshelf and to summon the powers of the Phantom Books to their advantage.
Overview[]
Compared to the manga, the anime adaptation is more faithful to the original source. As seen in the light novel, each story was given a number to indicate its position in the series chronology. Episode 3 and Episode 8 are composed of two small stories each. Consequently, although the anime was broadcasted in twelve weeks, there were fourteen stories released, excluding the OVA.
Armand was explored more as comic relief in the anime. He even becomes a possible love interest for Kamilla, although the characters never meet in the original. The anime distanced itself the most from the original in Episode 12. Although it's loosely based in the Book of Atonement story, the anime conclusion was used as a way to make the main characters interact one last time and to further explore the relationship between Hugh and the girl in white. Like in the original, the anime conclusion doesn't try to solve all plot points.
Characters, setting and music are heavily influenced by culture and history of post-WW1 Europe. The architecture of London and Oxford is especially prominent. There's many references to real-life brands, figures and art, including movies and other literary works.
Episodes[]
Episode 01 | Original airdate: July 16, 2011 | ||
Turn-Up Book | 仕掛け絵本 | Shikake Ehon | |
Episode 02 | Original airdate: July 23, 2011 | ||
Book of Fetus | 胎児の書 | Taiji no Sho | |
Episode 03 | Original airdate: July 30, 2011 | ||
Book of Wisdom / Queen of the Night | 叡智の書 / 月下美人 | Eichi no Sho / Gekkabijin | |
Episode 04 | Original airdate: August 6, 2011 | ||
Book of Soul Exchange | 換魂の書 | Kankon no Sho | |
Episode 05 | Original airdate: August 13, 2011 | ||
The Magician's Daughter | 魔術師の娘 | Majutsu-shi no Musume | |
Episode 06 | Original airdate: August 20, 2011 | ||
Libricide | 焚書官 | Funsho-kan | |
Episode 07 | Original airdate: August 27, 2011 | ||
The Perfumer | 調香師 | Chōkō-shi | |
Episode 08 | Original airdate: September 3, 2011 | ||
Book of Equivalence / Book of Relationship | 等価の書 / 連理の書 | Tōka no Sho / Renri no Sho | |
Episode 09 | Original airdate: September 10, 2011 | ||
Book of Twilight | 黄昏の書 | Tasogare no Sho | |
Episode 10 | Original airdate: September 17, 2011 | ||
Phantom Score | 幻曲 | Maboroshi-kyoku | |
Episode 11 | Original airdate: September 24, 2011 | ||
The Mystic Archives of Rasiel | ラジエルの書架 | Rajieru no Shoka | |
Episode 12 | Original airdate: October 1, 2011 | ||
Song of the Unseen Tomorrow | まだ見ぬ明日の詩 | Mada Minu Ashita no Uta | |
OVA | Original airdate: August 9, 2012 | ||
The Briar Princess | 荊姫 | Ibarahime |
Opening/ending[]
The opening theme is "Cras numquam scire" by Yucca, with recitation by Daisuke Ono, voice actor of Hugh. The ending theme is "yes, prisoner" by maRIONnetTe.[1] A single containing two versions of each song, normal and instrumental, was released by Nippon Columbia in August 24, 2011.[12] The ending sequence is a live action short by EDP Graphic Works.[1] Episode 1 and Episode 12 have no opening sequence.[13][14]
Staff[]
Kanji[1] | Rōmaji[1] | Role[1] |
上村泰 | Yutaka Uemura | Director, Episode Director, Storyboard |
三雲岳斗 | Gakuto Mikumo | Original Creator |
Gユウスケ | G-Yuusuke | Original Character Design |
木野下澄江 | Sumie Kinoshita | Character Design, Animation Director |
立川譲 | Yuzuru Tachikawa | Episode Director, Storyboard |
赤松康裕 | Yasuhiro Akamatsu | Director of Photography |
山賀博之 | Hiroyuki Yamaga | Art Director, Planning, Script |
高星晴美 | Harumi Takaboshi | Color Design |
竹澤聡 | Satoshi Takezawa | Color Design |
砂山蔵澄 | Kurasumi Sunayama | Script |
浦畑達彦 | Tatsuhiko Urahata | Script |
今石洋之 | Hiroyuki Imaishi | Storyboard |
春藤佳奈 | Kana Harufuji | Storyboard |
中山勝一 | Katsuichi Nakayama | Storyboard |
板垣伸 | Shin Itagaki | Storyboard |
小林治 | Osamu Kobayashi | Episode Director, Storyboard |
富田浩章 | Hiroaki Tomita | Episode Director, Storyboard |
むらた雅彦 | Masahiko Murata | Episode Director, Storyboard |
井畑翔太 | Shōta Ihata | Episode Director, Storyboard |
佐伯昭志 | Shouji Saeki | Episode Director, Storyboard |
中澤勇一 | Yuichi Nakazawa | Episode Director |
岩浪美和 | Yoshikazu Iwanami | Sound Director |
辻陽 | Yo Tsuji | Music |
野崎博樹 | Hiroki Nozaki | Sound Effects |
高村和宏 | Kazuhiro Takamura | Animation Director |
小野田将人 | Masahito Onoda | Animation Director |
堀元宣 | Motonobu Hori | Animation Director |
徳田賢朗 | Kenrō Tokuda | Animation Director |
小田真弓 | Mayumi Oda | Animation Director |
清丸悟 | Satoru Kiyomaru | Animation Director |
白石直子 | Naoko Shiraishi | Animation Producer |
高橋祐一 | Yūichi Takahashi | Animation Producer |
小林潤香 | Junka Kobayashi | Producer |
武田康廣 | Yasuhiro Takeda | Producer |
紅谷佳和 | Yoshikazu Beniya | Producer |
田村ゆり | Yuri Tamura | Editing |
山川吉樹 | Yoshiki Yamakawa[15] | Episode Director, Storyboard (OVA only)[15] |
Eyecatches[]
The eyecatches showing Dalian and the girl in white were created by Hirofumi Araki with music by Yo Tsuji. The composer created three different tunes for the eyecatches.[1][16]
Talk Event[]
On June 29, 2011, The Mystic Archives of Dantalian: First Pre-Screening / Talk Event (『ダンタリアンの書架』先行試写会・トークイベント Dantalian no Shoka: Senkō Shisha-kai / Tōku Ibento) was held in Tokyo, attended by director Yutaka Uemura, producer Yasuhiro Takeda and the voice actors of Hugh and Dalian. Notably, the producer was wearing an excessively warm, custom-made folk costume ordered from Scotland. Cras numquam scire played throughout the event. The first episode was shown.
- Daisuke Ono, Hugh's voice actor, revealed that one of the challenges to adapt the series was making the reading of a Phantom Book interesting for the viewers. Voice, music and movement were explored for this purpose.
- According to Daisuke Ono, Hugh and Dalian express more their emotions in the anime compared to the original.
- Director Yutaka Uemura traveled to England to study influences for the anime. Producer Yasuhiro Takeda researched about England costumes, meals and hierarchy. He went to Fukushima, in a resort with a British motif, where he learned about monarchy, aristocracy, tea and other aspects of 20th century Britain.
- Director Yutaka Uemura was inspired by scary fairy tales as the ones told by the Brothers Grimm.
- Miyuki Sawashiro, Dalian's voice actor, praised Daisuke Ono's voice and said that girls will be especially pleased with it.
- She found difficult to do the scenes where Hugh and Dalian still don't know each other, since she has a good relationship with Daisuke Ono.[17][18]
Dalian and Huey Night[]
On September 30, 2011, the Dalian & Huey Night (ダリアン&ヒューイ ナイト Darian & Hyūi Naito) was held in Tokyo, attended by the voice actors of Hugh and Dalian, and Yucca, singer of the opening. The final episode was screened. Tickets to participate were given to fans who bought the first limited edition DVD or Blu-ray disc.
- Miyuki Sawashiro, Dalian's voice actor, jokingly said that Hugh probably died after losing so much blood in the final episode.
- The voice actors agreed that they have a similar, calm behavior.
- Acting as Hugh and Dalian, the voice actors gave comical counseling by answering messages sent by fans to the official Twitter of the anime.
- Daisuke Ono, Hugh's voice actor, revealed that he forgot his costume on the train on his way to the venue. He had to quickly buy a new outfit before the event.
- Yucca sang the opening theme.
- Yucca used a mock Crastinus Dies Nunquam Sciat as lyrics sheet.[19][20]
DJCD[]
On November 9, 2011, Nippon Columbia released The Mystic Archives of Dantalian DJCD. It's a 64-minute recording of Daisuke Ono and Miyuki Sawashiro talking as if they were producing a radio program. Divided into six parts, the CD has funny dialogue and offstage stories told by the voice actors of Hugh and Dalian. The DJCD doesn't add to the anime plot. The content is directed to the fans of the series and/or fans of the voice actors. Fans of the anime will enjoy the adaptation even more after listening to the DJCD.
- In interview, the voice actors affirmed that they found difficult to keep the fast pace of a radio program. They couldn't reflect too much about their words. However, that made the recording more authentic.
- They admitted that the recording could be better. They lost some opportunities for a nice exchange. However, they wouldn't change the original recording.
- Miyuki Sawashiro often talked like Dalian, although that was unplanned.
- Both voice actors felt nervous after learning that they would have to record the DJCD.
- Both voice actors expressed their wish to be part of a The Mystic Archives of Dantalian movie. Miyuki Sawashiro would even visit England to experience the atmosphere and taste the local pastries.
- The voice actors affirmed that they have similar behaviors, but their different ways of thinking made the DJCD interesting.
- According to Miyuki Sawashiro, although the DJCD is not historically accurate like the rest of the anime, it's a funny recording that will please every fan of the series. She affirms that the staff bursted into laughter while listening to it.[21]
Apps[]
Dalian was added on Yome Collection in October 4, 2011. The app contained illustrations and audios of characters from animes and other media. The user could raise the "affection level" for each character by performing actions such as caress, kiss, listen and gift. Voiced by Miyuki Sawashiro, Dalian was a rude bad-mouthed girl during the earlier levels, but she became more tender when the affection level was increased. Support to Yome Collection ended in August 2016.[22][23]
- In October 2011, those who followed the Yome Collection Twitter account and that ranked in the top 100 users with most affection with Dalian had the chance to receive an autograph of Miyuki Sawashiro.[24]
- Yome Collection had an alarm function in which the voice of a character was used to wake up the user. Those who followed the Yome Collection Twitter account and used this function between November and December of 2011 had the chance to receive an autograph of the voice actors. Those who were woken up by Dalian could receive an autograph of Miyuki Sawashiro.[25]
In November 14, 2011, BIGLOBE released an alarm clock app using the anime as theme. It contains fourty exclusive voice records of Miyuki Sawashiro as Dalian. The user can be woken up by Dalian's voice. It contains about twenty illustrations. The user can choose his favorite to appear when the alarm clock rings.[26]
In September 8, 2011, The Mystic Archives of Dantalian theme was added for the Kisekae touch, an app that changes the smartphone's home screen, icons, navigation drawers, etc.[27]
In June 16, 2016, GAINAX announced that The Mystic Archives of Dantalian animated avatars became available for Mobage, a portal and social network for games in Japan.[28]
DVDs/Blu-ray discs[]
The cover used by Funimation to announce the DVD is a prototype with typos and Lorem ipsum.[8]
- The Funimation DVD, released in February 2017, contains the OVA, trailers and the opening and ending with no text.[8]
The art of the Japanese DVDs and Blu-ray discs, released from September 2011 to February 2012, was created by SHIRONAGASU WORKS, with illustration drawn by Sumie Kinoshita.[9]
- The background of these arts contain the lyrics of Cras numquam scire.[9]
The limited edition of the Japanese DVDs and Blu-ray discs include a mock Phantom Book. Each volume is called "Codex" and contains two episodes and additional content.
- Codex 1: Book of Fairy; includes the first drama CD.[6]
- Codex 2: Book of Styx; includes the second drama CD.[7]
- Codex 3: Book of the Salamander's Seal; includes The Mystic Archives of Dantalian: First Pre-Screening / Talk Event.[29]
- Codex 4: Book of Arawn; includes Dalian & Huey Night.[30]
- Codex 5: Book of the Sage; includes The Mystic Archives of Dantalian: Introduction - "The Testimony of the Accomplices".[31]
- Codex 6: Crastinus Dies Nunquam Sciat; includes audio commentary by Daisuke Ono, Yutaka Uemura and Miyuki Sawashiro.[32]
Each Codex has a different menu.
- The menu of Codex 6 shows the 1852 book Memoirs of the Life of Sir Walter Scott by John Gibson Lockhart. Sir Walter Scott was a Scottish historical novelist, poet, playwright, and historian.[33] John Gibson Lockhart was a Scottish writer and editor. He is best known as the author of the biography of his father-in-law Sir Walter Scott, which has been called the second most admirable biography in the English language.[34]
- Another book shown in the menu of Codex 6 is The History of England, published in 1800 and authored by John Lingard, an English Roman Catholic priest and historian.[35]
- The menu of Codex 1 shows the XXXVII volume of The Connoisseur. It was a magazine published in London from 1901 to 1992, dealing with luxury topics such as fine art, collectibles and antique furniture. The page shown describes a clock owned by Henry VIII of England.[36][37]
Amazon Japan included a limited "Dalian cork coaster" as bonus content to the limited edition of Codex 1.[6]
Trivia[]
- The previous and subsequent works of GAINAX were Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt and Medaka Box, respectively.[38]
- The author Gakuto Mikumo mentioned the development of the anime in the afterword of the light novel volume 6.[39]
- To promote the anime, volumes 1 to 7 of the light novel were released with new covers depicting the character designs from the adaptation.[40]
- The official Twitter account of the anime was active from July 2011 to March 2012.[41]
- Between September and October, 2011, The Mystic Archives of Dantalian - codex:EXTRA (「ダンタリアンの書架」codex:EXTRA Dantalian no Shoka codex:Ekisutora) was held in Shinjuku and Akihabara. The limited event exhibited costumes, posters, sketches and other items to promote the anime, which was reaching its conclusion. The costume designs, as seen in the anime, created by Baby, the Stars Shine Bright were displayed.[42][43]
- Baby, the Stars Shine Bright sold dresses, headwear, umbrellas and other items in collaboration with the anime.[44]
- Other official products related to the anime were mugs, clear files, phone straps, stickers, tote bags, towels, curtains, pendants, keychains, pillow cases, cushions, handkerchiefs, t-shirts, pocket watches, etc.[41]
- GAINAX sold a 2012 calendar which includes illustrations of their works, including The Mystic Archives of Dantalian.[41]
- In October 8, 2011, Bushiroad released Dalian's card sleeve as part of the Sleeve Collection HG.[45]
- In collaboration with GAINAX, the Karel Capek coffee shop sold tea cans, cups and sauces with illustrations inspired by The Mystic Archives of Dantalian and created by Japanese writer and illustrator Utako Yamada.[41]
See also[]
- Opening
- Ending
- Bibliotheca Mystica de Dantalian Suite
- Drama CD
- OVA
- The Mystic Archives of Dantalian (light novel)
- The Mystic Archives of Dantalian: Introduction - "The Testimony of the Accomplices"
References[]
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