Breaking News: Unveiling 'Yohane the Parhelion' - A Game-Changer for Anime Fans Everywhere!

Love Live, a renowned Japanese idol franchise, centers around high school girls who embrace the role of idols – performers skilled in singing, dancing, acting, and modeling. One of its recent sub-franchises, 'Yohane the Parhelion', focuses on an idol named Yohane, who envisions herself as a magical girl witch in a vast fantasy realm. Originally starting as a collection of fantasy illustrations by Taira Akitsu, the Parhelion sub-franchise has evolved into two notable projects across different mediums. Thus, the Yohane brand distinguishes itself within the immense Love Live universe.

Undoubtedly, the central figure in 'Yohane the Parhelion' is the idol Yohane, who showcases her vocal talents not only in the Love Live franchise but also in the Yohane sub-franchise. Aika Kobayashi, a real-life Japanese idol, lends her voice to this character. Interestingly, Kobayashi has previously graced Anime Expo with her presence, having performed at the esteemed Los Angeles mega-convention on several occasions. Given this, it is an opportune moment to provide updates on two significant Love Live projects: an isekai anime with an idol theme and a retro-inspired combat-exploration game.

‘Sunshine in the Mirror’: A Fantastical Spinoff Anime to a Love Live Favorite

Titled Sunshine in the Mirror, this enchanting and isekai-based spinoff anime introduces a captivating rendition of the beloved Love Live girls. Making its debut on Crunchyroll in late June, the anime presents a fantastical journey intertwined with the mesmerizing concept of isekai. Below is the official description of this enthralling series:

A girl known to all, yet her story remains unknown. Numazu, a scenic port town bordered by the sea and mountains, is where Yohane has lived apart from others since childhood. "What I desire, where I truly belong..." In a mysterious world, she navigates with a constant struggle to be true to herself. "Genjitsu no Yohane: Sunshine in the Mirror" unveils a new dawn.

To promote 'Sunshine in the Mirror,' Aika made a special appearance at the announcement panel of Bandai Namco Filmworks, the anime studio affiliated with Bandai Namco's extensive library of properties spanning games and more. Currently, Yohane the Parhelion: Sunshine in the Mirror is airing on Crunchyroll as part of their Summer 2023 anime lineup.

‘Blaze in the Deepblue’: An Idol’s Aquatic Metroidvania

Apart from the anime series, Yohane is also involved in an intriguing gaming venture, which showcased an exclusive demo at the Inti Creates booth during the convention. Titled 'Yohane the Parhelion: Blaze in the Deepblue', this 2D exploration game is slated for release in the upcoming winter.

Focusing on Yohane's exploration of an enigmatic underwater temple, the game seamlessly combines platforming and 2D exploration. Players will encounter fantastical renditions of idols, engaging in magic-based combat. The Anime Expo demo showcased the exciting feature of unlocking characters and attack moves by delving into different layers of the temple. Developed by Inti Creates, known for their expertise in 2D games, "Blaze in the Deepblue" features a retro pixel art style enhanced with detailed 2D artwork and animations for its narrative elements. Aika Kobayashi, the main voice actress for the game, and her entourage visited the Inti Creates booth immediately after the Filmworks panel, drawing a crowd of dedicated Love Live fans eager to witness her reaction to the game's demo on the convention floor.

"Yohane the Parhelion: Blaze in the Deepblue" is scheduled to release on November 16, 2023, and will be available on PS5, PS4, Switch, Xbox Series S/X, Xbox Games Store, and Steam. Pre-orders are currently open on Steam.