Engage Kiss

Engage Kiss is a Japanese mixed-media project created by Aniplex. It consists of a manga series, which began serialization in Manga Up! in July 2022, and an anime television series produced by A-1 Pictures and written by Fumiaki Maruto, with character designs by Tsunako, which aired from July to September 2022. An action RPG mobile game follow-up and sequel is developed by Square Enix under the title Engage Kill.

Engage Kiss
Key visual
GenreRomantic comedy[1]
Created byAniplex
Manga
Written byItachi
Published bySquare Enix
MagazineManga Up!
DemographicShōnen
Original runJuly 2, 2022 – present
Volumes1
Anime television series
Directed byTomoya Tanaka
Written byFumiaki Maruto
Music byYoshiaki Fujisawa
StudioA-1 Pictures
Licensed byAniplex of America[lower-alpha 1]
Original networkTokyo MX, GYT, GTV, BS11, ABC, Mētele
Original run July 3, 2022 September 25, 2022
Episodes13
Game
Engage Kill
DeveloperSquare Enix
PublisherSquare Enix
Music by
  • Mirai Kodai Gakudan
  • Yoshiaki Fujisawa
GenreAction RPG
PlatformAndroid, iOS
Released
  • JP: March 1, 2023

Plot

Bayron City, an artificial island located in the Pacific Ocean near Japan, is troubled by the mysterious appearance of demons. To conceal their existence from the public, the city government hires PMCs that combat and neutralize demon-like monsters called "D-Hazards".

One such PMC called "I&S Office" is run by the protagonist, Shu Ogata. Differing from other PMCs, Shu's only employee is a demon girl named Kisara. Kisara has the appearance of a young girl despite being hundreds of years old, and her combat strength is highly rated. Though Shu does little work and is constantly in need of money, Kisara seems affectionate for him and toils to support him.

Despite Shu's close ties to Kisara, he frequently contacts his ex-girlfriend Ayano Yugiri for help. Ayano and Shu used to work for the same PMC called "AAA Defender Co." until their breakup and Shu's departure from AAA. Ayano claims that their relationship has ended, yet she still gives in to Shu's pleas for help.

Shu appears to be a loser whose livelihood depends on his relationships with two women. However, he has an ambitious goal: to uncover the truth behind the D-Hazard incident long ago in which his parents and sister went missing.

Characters

Engage Kiss

Shu Ogata (緒方 シュウ, Ogata Shū)
Voiced by: Soma Saito[1] (Japanese); Howard Wang[2] (English)
The protagonist who runs a small PMC, I&S Office. He is usually broke as he cannot handle finances well. He is an orphan, as the rest of his parents are presumed to be dead after an incident prior to the events of the series.
Kisara (キサラ)
Voiced by: Saya Aizawa[1] (Japanese); Kayli Mills[2] (English)
A young girl who goes to a high school in Bayron City. She is actually a demon girl who is hundreds of years old. She has the ability to eat the memories of people, including Shu.
Ayano Yugiri (夕桐 アヤノ, Yugiri Ayano)
Voiced by: Lynn[1] (Japanese); Suzie Yeung[2] (English)
Shu's first ex-girlfriend. Although she and Shu have broken up, she still has feelings for him. She is also Akino's daughter and a member of AAA Defender Co. She is slightly older than Shu, and they met when they were both children.
Sharon Holygrail (シャロン・ホーリーグレイル, Sharon Hōrīgureiru)
Voiced by: Rumi Okubo[3] (Japanese); Anairis Quiñones (English)
Shu's second ex-girlfriend, who dresses as a nun of the Seiten Church. She is actually an assassin and a part of an international organization tasked with fighting against D-Hazards.
Kanna Ogata (緒方 カンナ, Ogata Kanna)
Voiced by: Akari Kitō[4] (Japanese); Lisa Reimold[5] (English)
Shu's younger sister. She is also a part-demon girl. Later on in the series, she is freed from an underground area where she was trapped, but ends up fighting Kisara and the others due to her powers. After she is defeated she starts living with Shu.
Akino Yūgiri (夕桐 アキノ, Yūgiri Akino)
Voiced by: Akeno Watanabe[4] (Japanese); Dawn M. Bennett (English)
Ayano's mother and the chairman of AAA Defender Co. She was previously Shu's boss, and continues to support him even after his departure from her company.
Miles Morgan (マイルズ・モーガン, Mairuzu Mōgan)
Voiced by: Kenichirō Matsuda[4] (Japanese); Bill Butts[6] (English)
A private military officer in Bayron City. Shu looked up to him as a father figure, but later on he became possessed by demons and tries to assassinate Shu.
Tetsuya Mikami (三上 テツヤ, Mikami Tetsuya)
Voiced by: Yoshiaki Hasegawa[4] (Japanese); Mark Whitten[5] (English)
Shenhua Hachisuka (蜂須賀 莎花, Hachisuka Shenfa)
Voiced by: Aya Uchida[4] (Japanese); Courtney Lin[5] (English)
The deputy mayor of Bayron City and the eldest daughter of the city mayor.
Linhua Hachisuka (蜂須賀 凛花, Hachisuka Rinfa)
Voiced by: Saori Ōnishi[4] (Japanese); Abby Trott[5] (English)
Mikhail Hachisuka (蜂須賀 ミハイル, Hachisuka Mihairu)
Voiced by: Ryōta Ōsaka[4] (Japanese); Beau Bridgland[7] (English)

Engage Kill

Chloe Tang (クロエ・タン, Kuroe Tan)
Voiced by: Arisa Kōri[3]
She comes from a rich family and is the player's first employee at their PMC. Despite her calm and comoposed personality, she possesses superhuman combat abilities. However, she has a big appetite and gets hungry easily. Since she was 11 years old, she has traveled extensively and experienced a tumultuous life of many ups and downs.
Shiho Takenouchi (竹ノ内 志保, Takenouchi Shiho)
Voiced by: Minami Tsuda[8]
A Japanese woman who works in an administrative role at the Rising Sun Military Corps. In the past, she worked for a shady company where she had to do many repetitive tasks. This has made her unsure of herself, but she is actually skilled and can handle different accounting and everyday tasks effectively.
Aoi Kotobuki (寿 葵, Kotobuki Aoi)
Voiced by: Yukiyo Fujii[9]
She used to be employed by a PMC in North America and frequently takes charge during combat operations. Prior to joining the Rising Sun Military Corps, she was unaware of the existence of demons due to the censorships of the Bayron City authorities. She has a serious and unemotional personality, and often lacks awareness of things that are not directly related to training or fighting.
Emilio Romero Álvarez (エミリオ・ロメロ・アルバレス, Emirio Romero Arubarezu)
Voiced by: Toshiki Masuda[9]
A man who collects information for the Rising Sun Military Corps. He comes from Bayron City's Old Town. In the past, he was involved in illegal activities and he has strong ties to the hidden world of the city. As part of his information-gathering work, he frequently visits various restaurants in the city, which has turned him into a connoisseur of its exquisite food.
Noel (ノエル, Noeru)
Voiced by: Emiri Iwai[9]
A mechanic employed by the Rising Sun Military Corps. She is of mixed American and Indian heritage. Despite often being mistaken for a child, she is actually 19 years old. She feels uneasy around others and acquired her exceptional engineering abilities by spending time alone, tinkering with and repairing machines. She is not typically talkative, but when the conversation revolves around her interests and mechanical creations, she becomes extremely chatty and speaks rapidly in a nerdy manner. She has developed an AI-powered drone called Humpty.

Media

Anime

The anime was first labeled as "Project Engage", which listed Fumiaki Maruto (author of Saekano) and Tsunako (Date A Live illustrator) as the main staff.[10] The details were then announced through the Aniplex booth at the AnimeJapan 2022 event. The series, titled Engage Kiss, is produced by A-1 Pictures and directed by Tomoya Tanaka, with Shunsaku Yano in charge of world setting, Shinpei Wada adapting Megumi Katagiri's demon designs for animation, and Yoshiaki Fujisawa composing the music. It aired from July 3 to September 25, 2022, on Tokyo MX and other channels.[lower-alpha 2] The opening theme song, "Everyone, Scramble" (誰彼スクランブル, Dare-kare Sukuranburu), is performed by Halca.[1][3] The ending theme song, "Love-Brain" (恋愛脳, Renai-Nō), is performed by Akari Nanawo.[4] Crunchyroll licensed the series outside of Asia for an English simulcast and simuldub.[11][12]

Episode list

No.Title[13][14]Directed by[13]Written by[13]Storyboarded by[13]Original air date[15][lower-alpha 2]
1"A Loser and a Demon and a Man and a Woman"
Transcription: "Kuzu to Akuma to Otoko to Onna" (Japanese: クズと悪魔と男と女)
Yoshitsugu KimuraFumiaki MarutoTomoya TanakaJuly 3, 2022 (2022-07-03)
2"The Island of Desire"
Transcription: "Yokubō ni Ukabu Shima" (Japanese: 欲望に浮かぶ島)
Tetsuya AkutsuFumiaki MarutoTetsuya AkutsuJuly 10, 2022 (2022-07-10)
3"The Slightest Terrible Cost"
Transcription: "Honno Wazuka na Hidoi Daishō" (Japanese: ほんの僅かな酷い代償)
Mitsutoshi Satō
Tomoya Tanaka
Fumiaki MarutoAkira YamadaJuly 17, 2022 (2022-07-17)
4"Unobtainable Lingering"
Transcription: "Ubai Kirenai Miren" (Japanese: 奪い切れない未練)
Kōta MoriFumiaki MarutoTakao AboJuly 24, 2022 (2022-07-24)
5"Fleeting Scars"
Transcription: "Utakata no Tsumeato" (Japanese: うたかたの爪痕)
Yūsuke KuboFumiaki MarutoYūsuke KuboJuly 31, 2022 (2022-07-31)
6"Third-Party Demon Killer"
Transcription: "Akuma-goroshi no Daisansha" (Japanese: 悪魔殺しの第三者)
Masahiko SuzukiFumiaki Maruto
Ryūichi Ishida
Naomi NakayamaAugust 7, 2022 (2022-08-07)
7"But It's Okay, That's Enough"
Transcription: "Dakedo Ii, Sore de Ii" (Japanese: だけどいい、それでいい)
Toshihiro MaeyaFumiaki Maruto
Ryūichi Ishida
Ikuo MorimotoAugust 14, 2022 (2022-08-14)
8"The Unwanted Truth"
Transcription: "Nozonde Nakatta Shinjitsu" (Japanese: 望んでなかった真実)
Yoshitsugu KimuraFumiaki MarutoTakuya AsaokaAugust 21, 2022 (2022-08-21)
9"Without Understanding the Tears Shed"
Transcription: "Nagasu Namida no Imi o Shirazu ni" (Japanese: 流す涙の意味を知らずに)
Tetsuya AkutsuFumiaki MarutoTetsuya AkutsuAugust 28, 2022 (2022-08-28)
10"High Hopes for the Worst Case"
Transcription: "Machinozonda Saiaku" (Japanese: 待ち望んだ最悪)
Yūya HoriuchiFumiaki MarutoAtsushi ŌtsukiSeptember 4, 2022 (2022-09-04)
11"Gentle Foolish Lies"
Transcription: "Yasashiku Orokana Uso" (Japanese: 優しく愚かな嘘)
Takashi SakumaFumiaki MarutoTakashi SakumaSeptember 11, 2022 (2022-09-11)
12"Believe in Him"
Transcription: "Kare o Shinjite" (Japanese: 彼を信じて)
Kōta MoriFumiaki MarutoKōta MoriSeptember 18, 2022 (2022-09-18)
13"Unresolved Grand Finale"
Transcription: "Mikaiketsu de Daidanen" (Japanese: 未解決で大団円)
Tomoya Tanaka
Yūsuke Kubo
Fumiaki MarutoTomoya TanakaSeptember 25, 2022 (2022-09-25)

Manga

A manga adaptation of Engage Kiss by Itachi began serialization in Square Enix's online manga magazine Manga Up! on July 2, 2022.[4][16]

No. Japanese release date Japanese ISBN
1 February 7, 2023[17]978-4-7575-8384-9

Game

An action RPG mobile game developed by Square Enix titled Engage Kill was announced on April 24, 2022.[3][18][19] It was released in Japan on March 1, 2023.[20][21][22] The game is a free-to-play RPG genre title with in-app purchases.[23][24]

See also

  • Saekano, a light novel series authored by Fumiaki Maruto
  • Date A Live, a light novel series illustrated by Tsunako
  • Haganai, a manga series illustrated by Itachi

Notes

  1. Through Crunchyroll (formerly known as Funimation).
  2. Tokyo MX lists the series premiere at 24:30 on July 2, 2022, which is effectively 12:30 a.m. JST on July 3.

References

  1. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (March 25, 2022). "Aniplex Reveals A-1 Pictures' Engage Kiss Romantic Comedy Anime With Teaser". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on March 26, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  2. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (August 11, 2022). "Crunchyroll Adds English Dubs for Lycoris Recoil, Engage Kiss Later This Month". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on August 11, 2022. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  3. Loo, Egan (April 24, 2022). "Engage Kiss Comedy Anime Unveils More Cast & Staff, July 2 Debut, halca's Opening Song, Square Enix Game App in 1st Video". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on April 24, 2022. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  4. Loo, Egan (June 4, 2022). "Engage Kiss Comedy Anime Posts 2nd Video, More Cast, Ending Theme Song". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on June 4, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  5. Millsap, Bill [@BillMillsap] (September 26, 2022). "Mikami =@mpwhitten, Kanna =@lisareimold, Mikhail =@BeauVO, Linfa =@AbbyTrott, Shenfa =@thecourtneylin, PMC heads are@gkbowes,@brocktocks,@HenryMasonVoice, and@RicepirateMick(and they all rock!!!)" (Tweet). Archived from the original on September 26, 2022. Retrieved October 3, 2022 via Twitter.
  6. Butts, Bill [@billdozer777] (August 11, 2022). "Welp, cats out the bag. Look forward to hearing yours truly as Miles in Engage Kiss! Huge thanks to @Crunchyroll, @AtlasTalent, @mummynyan, @BillMillsap and @DirectorAkiko for this! Love this brutha. He's a top tier anime dad! Check out the show soon on Crunchyroll!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on August 15, 2022. Retrieved August 15, 2022 via Twitter.
  7. Bridgland, Beau [@BeauVO] (August 28, 2022). "FUN NEWS: You can hear me as Mikhail Hachisuka in the English dub of Engage Kiss on @Crunchyroll. LOOK AT HOW MAGNIFICENT HE IS! He's handsome and the son of the mayor of Bayron City" (Tweet). Archived from the original on August 28, 2022. Retrieved August 28, 2022 via Twitter.
  8. ブラック企業に勤めてドローンの操縦を覚えました。困ったら万能事務員・志保にお任せを!【エンゲージ・キル:キャラ解説#7】. Dengeki Online (in Japanese). ASCII Media Works. March 1, 2023. Archived from the original on March 5, 2023. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  9. 「Engage Kill」に登場する寿 葵ら主要キャラクター3名の情報が公開に。イントロダクションも更新. 4gamer.net (in Japanese). August 15, 2022. Archived from the original on August 15, 2022. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
  10. Hodgkins, Crystalyn (March 23, 2022). "Aniplex Reveals 'Project Engage' With Saekano Writer Fumiaki Maruto, Date A Live Illustrator Tsunako". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on March 23, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  11. "Crunchyroll Reveals Summer 2022 SimulDub Lineup, Including Classroom of the Elite II and More". Crunchyroll. June 22, 2022. Archived from the original on June 22, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  12. Mateo, Alex (June 25, 2022). "Crunchyroll Announces Release Schedule for Summer 2022 Anime Season". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on June 22, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  13. "Sutōrī | Terebi Anime "Engēji Kisu" Kōshiki Saito" Story | TVアニメ「Engage Kiss」公式サイト [Story | TV Anime "Engage Kiss" Official Website]. engage-kiss.com (in Japanese). Archived from the original on June 26, 2022. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  14. "Engage Kiss - Watch on Crunchyroll". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on July 2, 2022. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  15. "On'ea | Terebi Anime "Engēji Kisu" Kōshiki Saito" On air | TVアニメ「Engage Kiss」公式サイト [On Air | TV Anime "Engage Kiss" Official Website]. engage-kiss.com (in Japanese). Archived from the original on July 2, 2022. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  16. 「Engage Kiss」コミカライズ化!. TVアニメ「Engage Kiss」公式サイト. Archived from the original on June 4, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  17. Engage Kiss 1 (in Japanese). Square Enix. Archived from the original on February 3, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  18. スクエニ新作「Engage Kill(エンゲージ・キル)」が発表――今夏の新ラブコメアニメ「Engage Kiss」のスマホゲーム. 4Gamer.net. April 24, 2022. Archived from the original on April 24, 2022. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  19. 『Engage Kill(エンゲージ・キル)』、TVアニメ『Engage Kiss』の放送を記念してAmazonギフト券が当たるキャンペーン開催. Famitsu App (in Japanese). Kadokawa Game Linkage. February 20, 2023. Archived from the original on July 8, 2022. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  20. スクエニ新作アプリ『エンゲージ・キル(Engage Kill)』リリース日が決定!. Dengeki Online (in Japanese). ASCII Media Works. February 20, 2023. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  21. 「Engage Kill」3月1日に配信決定。キサラ(CV.会沢紗弥)&クロエ(CV.香里有佐)が歌う,ゲーム主題歌の情報も. 4Gamer.net (in Japanese). February 20, 2023. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  22. 事前登録者数30万人突破『Engage Kill(エンゲージ・キル)』正式サービス開始日は3月1日に決定!. Famitsu App (in Japanese). Kadokawa Game Linkage. February 20, 2023. Archived from the original on February 23, 2023. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  23. 2023年春配信決定『エンゲージ・キル』各ストアでの事前登録もスタート!PV第1弾公開記念でえらべるPayが当たるキャンペーンも. Famitsu App (in Japanese). Kadokawa Game Linkage. December 8, 2022. Archived from the original on December 8, 2022. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  24. 「Engage Kill」,事前登録受付をApp Store / Google Playにて開始. 4Gamer.net (in Japanese). December 8, 2022. Archived from the original on December 8, 2022. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
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