Dog Days (anime)

Dog Days
Official Dog Days poster
ドッグデイズ (Doggu Deizu)
Genre	Action, Adventure, Fantasy
TV anime
Directed by	Keizo Kusakawa
Produced by	Project DD
Written by	Masaki Tsuzuki (original creator)
Music by	Maiko Iuchi Susumu Natsume Yui Isshiki I've (Sound Production)
Studio	Seven Arcs
Network	Tokyo MX, Tochigi TV, Gunma TV, Chiba TV, TVK, TV Saitama, Mainichi Broadcasting System, Inc., Chubu-Nippon Broadcasting, BS11
Original run	April 2, 2011 – June 25, 2011
Episodes	13 (List of episodes)
Manga
Written by	Masaki Tsuzuki
Illustrated by	Takyua Fujima
Published by	Kadokawa Shoten
Demographic	Shonen
Magazine	Newtype, Comptiq, Comp Ace
Original run	April 2011 – ongoing
Light novel
Written by	Masaki Tsuzuki
Illustrated by	Kiro Hahane
Published by	Kadokawa Shoten
Demographic	Male
Imprint	Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko
Magazine	Newtype
Original run	June 2011 – ongoing
Anime and Manga Portal

Dog Days (ドッグデイズ, Doggu Deizu^?) is a 2011 Japanese fantasy anime television series created by Masaki Tsuzuki and produced by Seven Arcs and Aniplex under the direction of Keizo Kusakawa. The series aired on Tokyo MX and other channels from April 2, 2011 to June 25, 2011. The story revolves around a boy named Cinque Izumi, who is summoned to an alternate world by Princess Millhiore in order to defend Millhiore's country from the neighboring kingdom of Galette.^[1] A second anime season has been announced.^[2]

Plot

Cinque Izumi is a cheerful and athletic half-Japanese, half-English boy who studies at Kinokawa International School in Japan, and has a normal life everyday until he suddenly got summoned to the alternate world of Flonyard (フロニャルド, Furonyarudo^?). The people there look no different from humans, except for one thing; they have animal ears and tails. The one who summoned him is Millhiore, the dog-like Princess of the Biscotti Republic (ビスコッティ共和国^?), who requested his assistance in their war against the forces of the feline-like Galette Lion Army (ガレット獅子団領, Garetto Shishi Gundan^?).

After responding to Millhiore's plea, he receives a sacred weapon, the Palladion (パラディオン, Paradion^?), and is appointed as a Hero to fight for Biscotti in a war that unlike the ones in Earth, is waged with special rules and no casualties, in a fashion similar to a sports competition with the purpose to raise funds for the Kingdoms involved, where the winner faction claims a larger sum than the losing side. After winning his first battle for Biscotti, Cinque learns that when a hero is summoned into Flonyard he becomes unable to return to his homeworld, a fact that Millhiore also was unaware of.

The scientists of Biscotti promise to Cinque to find a way for him to return home in 16 days, the remaining time until his meeting with his friend Rebecca Anderson whom he promised to spend the last three days of his Spring Break with. Until then, he decides to keep serving Millhiore as Biscotti's hero.

Characters

Earthlings

Cinque Izumi (シンク・イズミ, Shinku Izumi^?)

Voiced by: Mamoru Miyano

A 13-year-old half-Japanese, half-British boy from Cornwall and the protagonist of the series. He is summoned to the alternate world of Flonyard, the Kingdom of the Biscotti Republic as Princess Millhiore's "Hero". He wields the Divine Sword of Biscotti, Palladion, a weapon that despite being originally a sword, can assume different forms according to its owner's preference (Cinque usually makes a staff of it). He has a cheerful and straightforward personality, always going at his own pace. Athletic and acrobatic, he loves sports as well. He was a first-year middle school student in Japan's Kinokawa International School prior to the summon. He can fire destructive energy beams from the tip of Palladion. At the end of the first season, he confesses his love to Millhi.

Rebecca Anderson (レベッカ・アンダーソン, Rebekka Andāson^?)

Voiced by: Mikako Takahashi

Nicknamed Becky (ベッキー, Bekkī^?) by Cinque, Rebecca is a 13-year-old girl who studies at Japan's Kinokawa International School and a close friend of Cinque's. She has a busybody attitude and is the one who understands Cinque the best, and usually feels lonely when he is not around, implying she has a crush on Cinque. She goes to Cinque's house every morning to wake him up for school. She has a love for fashion, games, manga, and fantasy-themed novels. She was looking forward to a promise that she made with Cinque, that "her family (she and her mother) and Cinque's family (Cinque and his parents) would go flower-viewing during the last three days of Spring Break".

Nanami Takatsuki (ナナミ・タカツキ^?)

Voiced by: Nana Mizuki

Cinque's older cousin and an acquaintance to Becky. She is also Cinque's rival in the Iron Athletics, a game closely related to Ninja Warrior.

People of Flonyard

Biscotti Republic

Millhiore F. (Firianno) Biscotti (ミルヒオーレ・F （フィリアンノ）・ビスコッティ, Miruhiōre Firianno Bisukotti^?)

Voiced by: Yui Horie

Affectionately nicknamed Millhi (ミルヒ, Miruhi^?), Millhiore is the 14-year-old Princess of Biscotti Republic with a gentle and hardworking personality. Despite being young and inexperienced for a leader, she is loved by everyone in the nation. She is also a singer at the same time, holding events and concerts and appearing in person in front of everyone despite her status. She is also the one who summoned Cinque to Flonyard in the first place by sending her dog familiar, Tatsumaki, to open up a portal on Earth while Cinque attempted to jump off from some heights in school (because of his love for circus acrobatic acts), and is the owner of one of Divine Swords pair, Excelide. She chose Cinque as her beloved hero after watching him taking part in an athletic competition on Earth with her stargazing powers, but was unaware that a summoned hero cannot return to his homeworld and only found about that when it was too late. At the end of the first season, Millhi confesses her love to Cinque.

Éclair Martinozzi (エクレール・マルティノッジ, Ekurēru Marutinojji^?)

Voiced by: Ayana Taketatsu

Nicknamed Écle (エクレ, Ekure^?), Éclair is the 14-year-old female Knight of Biscotti as well as the captain of the Imperial Guards unit directly under Millhiore's command. She has been training as a knight since childhood, and is proficient in dual-sword wielding. She bears great admiration towards Millhiore and holds her with utmost respect. She is always troubled by Cinque's "ignorance of the ways of the world", and has a very serious attitude, albeit stubborn. In addition, she serves as the foil to Cinque, and is a tsundere towards him much like Rebecca. A running gag is that she has an inferiority complex about her ears, as they are smaller in size but are drooping down as compared to the other characters. She can unleash shock waves from her blade.

Riccotta Elmar (リコッタ・エルマール, Rikotta Erumāru^?)

Voiced by: Nana Mizuki

Nickmamed Rico (リコ, Riko^?), Ricotta is the Chief Researcher of the National Research School of Biscotti despite being the same age as Cinque. She is an extremely intelligent individual who is friendly at the same time, but her curiosity tends to get the better of her in various situations. She has a lot of friends in the Knights of Biscotti. She is working hard to solve Cinque's "problem", and is always intrigued by machinery that she does not know about and wants to analyze them. Tends to finish her sentences with "~de arimasu".

Rolan Martinozzi (ロラン・マルティノッジ, Roran Marutinojji^?)

Voiced by: Takehito Koyasu

Leader of the Knights of Biscotti, an earnest and hardworking man which earned the trust of Millhiore. Millhiore thinks of him as a brother figure. Also Eclair's brother.

Brioche d'Arquien (ブリオッシュ・ダルキアン, Buriosshu Darukian^?)

Voiced by: Yōko Hikasa

A freelance knight in the Knights of Biscotti, she is also known as "Strongest in the Land", surpassing the "Strongest of Biscotti". Extremely proficient in the usage of an ōdachi, she is almost unbeatable in battle. She has a love for wine, and is elegant and quiet. She is the leader of the Onmitsu Squad (オンミツ部隊, Onmitsu Butai^?), whose mission is to protect a certain secret. She uses "sessha" and "de gozaru" in her speech, a formal archaic form of speech much used by samurai in the past. It is revealed near the end of the anime that Brioche is actually a celestial canine who has been working behind the scenes with Yukikaze for more than a hundred years to suppress and seal any demons that may threaten the peace in Flonyard.

Yukikaze Panettone (ユキカゼ・パネトーネ, Yukikaze Panetōne^?)

Voiced by: Kana Asumi

Affectionately nicknamed Yukki (ユッキー, Yukkī^?), she is a foxgirl and another freelance knight in the Knights of Biscotti who frequently works with Brioche. The chief (next-in-command after Brioche) of the Omitsu Squad, she looks upon members of the squad as brothers, be it dogs or foxes. She instantly got along with Cinque when they first met. Yukikaze makes use of agile movements in battle, as uses various weapons such as bare fists, tantō, bows, and etc. She admires Brioche a lot and addresses her with "Oyakata-sama" (My Lady), a very formal archaic form of speech used when one addresses his/her lord in the past. It is revealed near the end of the anime that Yukikaze is actually a fox deity who has been working behind the scenes with Brioche for more than a hundred years to suppress and seal any demons that may threaten the peace in Flonyard.

Amelita Tremper (アメリタ・トランペ, Amerita Toranpe^?)

Voiced by: Asami Seto

Millhiore's secretary who schedules everything for her, from official work, wars, and even concerts. As someone who Millhiore trusts, there are a lot of situations which she interacts with Rolan, hinting a romantic relationship between the two.

Rizel Conchiglie (リゼル・コンキリエ, Rizeru Konkirie^?)

Voiced by: Mana Hirata

The head of the Maid Squad in Firianno Castle, she manages the cleanliness of the castle, as well as the health and safety of Millhiore. She always keep her eyes closed, which is also her charm point.

Emilio Alcide (エミリオ・アラシード, Emirio Arashīdo^?)

Voiced by: Yūki Ono

Percy (パーシー, Pāshī^?)

Voiced by: Mana Hirata

Evita Salles (エビータ・サレス, Ebīta Saresu^?)

Voiced by: Miyu Matsuki

Senate (元老院^?)

Voiced by: Kazuo Oka, Inchika Etigoya, and Junpei Asashina

Tatsumaki (タツマキ^?)

Homura (ホムラ^?)

Konoha (コノハ^?)

Galette Lion Army

Leonmitchelli Galette des Rois (レオンミシェリ・ガレット・デ・ロワ, Reonmisheri Garetto de Rowa^?)

Voiced by: Ami Koshimizu

Affectionately known as Leo, she is the 16 year-old leader and Princess of the Galette Lion Army. During their childhood, Leo and Millhiore were very close friends, but Leo started avoiding her after learning about her tragic destiny. She dislikes being called a Princess, and prefers to be called "Her Majesty". A brave warrior, she uses heavy armor (hidden underneath semi-revealing clothing) and weapons in battle. As the leader of Galette, she has to carry the burden of living up to the expectations of her people. Witnessing Millhiore and Cinque's deaths in the near future (within one month from the point where this truth was shown to the audience) by her star-reading power, she desperately tries to avoid it at all costs and that appears to be the reason why she initiates wars with Biscotti at an alarming rate. She talks with a masculine tone, her speech pattern similar to that of an old man (frequently uses "washi" and "jaa"). She enjoys being petted by Millhiore.

Gaul Galette des Rois (ガウル・ガレット・デ・ロワ, Gauru Garetto de Rowa^?)

Voiced by: Tetsuya Kakihara

The 13 year-old Prince of Galette and Leo's younger brother. A confident and powerful warrior of Galette, albeit hot-blooded and sort of a gag character at times. His battle style resembles Cinque's, making use of light armor and agile movements. He seems to connect to Cinque through battles, and views him as a rival. He also fights honorably, much like his sister. Directly under his command are General Godwin, the Imperial Guard trio "Genoise", etc. He is a Prince that everyone of Galette adores, and Leo claims to willingly relinquish the throne to him when he gets mature enough as she views him to be a more suitable ruler. He likes battles and Millhiore.

Framboise Charley (フランボワーズ・シャルレー, Furanbowāzu Sharurē^?)

Voiced by: Takahiro Sakurai

A reporter on Galette's side, his job is to take the role of the announcer during battle broadcasts, and he does that with passion.

Godwin Dorure (ゴドウィン・ドリュール, Godowin Doryūru^?)

Voiced by: Norio Wakamoto

A general of Galette, he respects Gaul as his commander a lot despite Godwin being much older and experienced. Enjoys letting loose completely on the battlefield, he wields a battle axe with a gigantic steel ball attached to it in battle and is feared by all.

Bernard Sabrage (バナード・サブラージュ, Banādo Saburāju^?)

Voiced by: Daisuke Ono

A general of Galette and also the leader of the Knights of Galette. He supports Leo not in just battles, but also on official matters. He often takes the position of the commentator during battle broadcasts. He has a long history with Rolan of the Biscotti Republic, and is a friend of his. Happens to be married.

Noir Vinocacao (ノワール・ヴィノカカオ, Nowāru Vinokakao^?)

Voiced by: Kana Hanazawa

An expressionless and quiet girl who is a member of the Imperial Guard unit Génoise (ジェノワーズ, Jenowāzu^?), a Super Sentai-like trio of warriors who serve directly under Gaul's command. She excels in the usage of throwing knives and short swords, and defeats her opponents with elegant techniques. Though she looks as though she is always deep in thoughts, she frequently forgets about the most important of things.

Jaune Clafoutis (ジョーヌ・クラフティ, Jōnu Kurafuti^?)

Voiced by: Yoriko Nagata

A cheerful girl and another member of Génoise who speaks with a queer Western intonation. She wields a gigantic battle axe in battle with seemingly minimal effort. Her current aim is to win General Godwin in a battle, whom she currently lost to 92 times.

Vert Far Breton (ベール・ファーブルトン, Bēru Fāburuton^?)

Voiced by: Minako Kotobuki

A gentle rabbitgirl and another member of Génoise who is an airhead at the same time. Using a bow as her weapon, her prowess and accuracy with it is of master-class. Despite that, she is known to be "destructively clumsy" out of battle, during normal days.

Violet (ビオレ・アマレット, Biore Amaretto^?)

Voiced by: Sakura Tange

A catgirl who leads the Galette Lion Army's Imperial Guard.

Rouge Piedmont (ルージュ・ピエスモンテ, Rūju Piesumonte^?)

Voiced by: Yukika Teramoto

Jean Casoni (ジャン・カゾーニ, Jan Kazōni^?)

Media

Anime

Main article: List of Dog Days episodes

The series, produced by Aniplex and Seven Arcs, is directed by Keizo Kusakawa, series composition by Masaki Tsuzuki, character designs by Osamu Sakata, music by I've Sound, Maiko Iuchi, Susumu Natsume and Yui Isshiki, and produced by the production company Project DD. The series aired from April 2, 2011 to June 25, 2011 on Tokyo MX, Tochigi TV, Gunma TV, Chiba TV, TVK, TV Saitama and MBS, with subsequent runs on Chubu-Nippon Broadcasting and BS11. Six DVD and Blu-ray Disc volumes will be released by Aniplex between July 27, 2011 and December 21, 2011.^[3] The series' opening theme is "Scarlet Knight" by Nana Mizuki, and the ending theme is "Presenter" by Yui Horie, both produced and composed by Elements Garden. A second anime season has been announced.^[2]

Light novel

A light novel adaptation of Dog Days, illustrated by Kiro Hahane, was serialized in the March 2011 issue of Kadokawa Shoten's Newtype magazine, and released by Kadokawa Shoten in June 2011 under its Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko imprint.

Manga

A manga adaptation illustrated by Takuya Fujima began serialization in multiple magazines by Kadokawa Shoten. The first story was serialized in the April 2011 issue of Newtype; the second story was published in the May 2011 issue of Comptiq; the third story is scheduled to be serialized in Comp Ace.

References

1. ^ "Dog Days TV Anime to Debut This April". Anime News Network. January 5, 2011. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-01-05/dog-days-project-to-debut-this-year. Retrieved February 2011. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "Dog Days Anime 2nd Season Green-Lit". Anime News Network. October 2, 2011. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-10-02/dog-days-anime-2nd-season-green-lit. Retrieved October 5, 2011. 
3. ^ "Dog Days DVD/BD Volumes" (in Japanese). Aniplex. http://www.dogdays.tv/bd_dvd/index.html. Retrieved June 27, 2011. 

External links

• Official website
• Dog Days (anime) at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia