Starwing Paradox: Prequel Film 'As One' Reveals Star-Studded Cast!
The upcoming anime movie As One is generating buzz, especially after the official website revealed four more voice cast members. This feature-length film is a prequel to the now-ended Starwing Paradox arcade game by Square Enix, and it's being co-produced by Square Enix and animation studio Sunrise (also known as Bandai Namco Filmworks).
Set to premiere in theaters on August 22, As One introduces a completely original story that takes place 20 years before the events of the game. The main character is Yō, a high school student who dreams of becoming a musician. However, his parents disapprove, and he begins to grow distant from his bandmates. One day, he hears a mysterious voice calling out for help—and is suddenly transported in a flash of bright light.
That voice belongs to Rako, a robot mechanic living on a distant planet called Meguriboshi, where two rival nations are in a tense truce over energy resources. While handling dangerous space debris, Rako loses consciousness and somehow forms a connection with Yō, setting off a story that links two worlds.
The film has announced four new voice actors:
Haruka Shiraishi as Rako, the robot mechanic
Shunsuke Takeuchi as Vigo, a soldier and Rako’s close friend
Yōko Hikasa as Kizana, a mysterious researcher
Ryūhei Maruyama as Rurowa, Rako’s father
Interestingly, Ruki Shiroiwa, a member of the J-pop boy group JO1, will voice the lead role of Yō, marking his debut as a voice actor.
The film is directed by Kobun Shizuno, who is known for having directed multiple Detective Conan movies. The character designs are by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, famous for his work on Evangelion and Summer Wars. The script is handled by experienced writers, including Shatner Nishida, Kana Matsui, and Masaya Honda.
Starwing Paradox originally launched in Japanese arcades in 2018 and featured large, immersive cockpit-style gaming machines for team battles. The game’s story focused on a futuristic war over a special energy source called “Hoshinochi” (Star Blood) on the planet Meguriboshi.
With As One, fans will get a deeper look at this complex world, and how Earthlings like Yō become involved in the war for energy and peace across the stars.