Those eagerly anticipating the Spring 2022 anime season have a mystery full of twists and turns to enjoy with Tomodachi Game. Based on Mikoto Yamaguchi and Yuuki Satou’s manga by the same name, this psychological drama follows five friends pitted against each other in a strange villain’s game.
The Tomodachi Game anime release date is confirmed for April 6, 2022.
So far, most of the main voice cast has been announced including Chiaki Kobayashi (recently as Askeladd in Vinland Saga) as the protagonist Yuuichi Katagiri. Familiar voices such as Reina Ueda — known for her role as Kanao Tsuyuri in Demon Slayer — and Minami Takayama — famous for Conan Edogawa in Detective Conan — also appear.
- Chiaki Kobayashi as Yuuichi Katagiri
- Yume Miyamoto as Shiho Sawaragi
- Satomi Amano as Yutori Kokorogi
- Tomohiro Ono as Makoto Shibe
- Daiki Hamano as Tenji Mikasa
- Reina Ueda as Maria Mizuse
- Shizuka Itou as Tsukino
- Minami Takayama as Manabu-kun
Along with the voice cast, the opening and ending themes for Tomodachi Game have also been announced. Starting off each episode will be the Tomodachi Game OP Nana Mizuki’s Double Shuffle. The ED track, Light Day, will be performed by saji.
What will happen in Tomodachi Game episode 1?
Yuuichi Katagiri and his friends are planning a class trip. Each student needs to come up with a sizable sum before the deadline, and while the goal is ultimately reached, tragedy strikes. Before class president and vice president Shiho Sawaragi and Makoto Shibe can turn in the collected cash, it’s stolen from Shiho’s locker.
Following the theft, Shiho and Makoto stop showing up to school — leading many of their classmates to speculate about their innocence. Yuuichi, however, is unwilling to accept that his friends could be responsible. Together with fellow friends Tenji Mikasa and Yutori Kokorogi, he’s convinced that they have to meet up with Shiho and Makoto to hear the other side of the story.
That meeting occurs sooner than expected. Yuuichi receives a mysterious letter in the mail signed by Shiho telling him to meet her in front of the school at night. When he arrives, he’s surprised to see his entire friend group there who have all received mysterious letters from each other. In the confusion, none of them notice an unknown assailant who knocks them unconscious and drags them away.
Each of them awakens in a strange room with white walls. Before they can comprehend what is going on, they’re accosted by a character from their childhood — Manabu-kun, a malicious doll from a canceled children’s program. Manabu-kun explains the rules of the game: one among them is the thief, but by participating in the game, they may earn the money to pay off their friend’s debt.
With tensions high, four of the five friends agree to participate in the game to clear the debt no matter what. It’s only Yuuichi who shows hesitation. While he announces that his friends mean more to him than any sum of money, deep down, he wonders who truly is at fault.
Will there be more news about Tomodachi Game at Anime Japan 2022?
Those lucky enough to attend AnimeJapan 2022 can get a sneak peek of the anime along with an exclusive prize! Head to the King Amusement Creative Booth (A22) on either March 26th or 27th to enter the ‘Challenge from Manabu-kun’. A mystery question will be posed at the booth. Provide the correct answer to receive a promotional sticker! Prizes are limited so don’t wait!
The booth will be hosted by Riddler — a media company known for its collaborative riddle challenges with large IPs such as Dead By Daylight and Pokémon Legends: Arceus. As of now, it’s unknown what Tomodachi Game’s puzzle will be. But given that the event lasts two days, there’s plenty of time for fans to wrack their brain… or take to Twitter for hints.