"Paranghyou no Yohane - SUNSHINE in the MIRROR -" was announced as an official spin-off of "Love Live! Sunshine!!". The story centers around a protagonist modeled after Tsushima Yoshiko, and the manga has been serialized ahead of the anime's broadcast in July. The atmosphere is similar to that of an isekai reincarnation story. All members of Aquors appear in the story, but the term "school idol" is never used, and it is set in a different world from the original. How did this work, which has a unique worldview and centers around Tsushima Yoshiko, or rather Yohane, come to be made into an anime? We would like to share the story behind it!
What kind of story is it?
The story takes place in Numazu, a port town surrounded by sea and mountains. Ever since childhood, Yohane has struggled to fit in and has avoided interacting with those around her. However, she has dreams and hopes. What does she want to do? Where does she belong? The adventure of this clumsy, yet honest Yohane, who continues to forge ahead in her own way, begins now.
About the Work
The story is set in Numazu, an alternate world similar to Numazu City, the setting of "Love Live! Sunshine!!." As mentioned above, the protagonist Yohane is modeled after Yoshiko Tsushima, and the other characters are also based on members of Aquors. The character introduction order is also different from that of Aquors. While the protagonist in the original work is Chika Takami, she is introduced around the middle of the story. Since the series is not about school idols, there is no concept of grade level, and the characters are not introduced in order by grade level. However, Hanamaru (who is in the same grade as Yohane in the original work) is introduced after Yohane, so it is possible that the setting from the school idol era may have been retained to some extent. As a spinoff that doesn't focus on "school idols," this is the first work in the series' history without the word "Love Live!" in the title. It's an original story, being an official spinoff despite being set in a completely different world.
Announcing its Existence and Moving Toward a Manga Adaptation
The existence of "Paranhi no Yohane" was first announced on October 30, 2020. A trailer was published in a magazine released on that day. The illustrated serialization began in a magazine released on December 15. During a livestream broadcast on February 22, 2021, it was announced that the work would be developed into multiple titles. The manga adaptation, "Paranhi no Yohane -Unpolarized Reflexion-," was announced during a live broadcast on June 30, 2021, and began serialization in a magazine released on February 28, 2022. It was a very innovative attempt to cast a character other than the protagonist as the protagonist in a world separate from school idols.
I thought it was an April Fool's joke, but...
On April 1, 2022, about one month after the manga began serialization, a promotional video announcing the anime adaptation was released for one day only. Anyone who saw this PV would have no doubt believed it was an April Fool's joke. In fact, at the time, the organizers publicly declared it to be an April Fool's joke. However, things began to move forward dramatically. At an Aquors concert on June 26th of the same year, it was officially announced that the series would be adapted into an anime. This must have surprised fans who attended the concert. This was truly a case of truth coming from a lie. Then, at a concert on February 12, 2023, it was announced that the TV anime would air in July of the same year. This will be the first new work for "Love Live! Sunshine!!" since the movie.
Other Hoax Projects!
On April 1, 2023, a video was uploaded for one day only, announcing that a game based on Phantom Yohane would be released. Naturally, this was an April Fool's joke. The game introduction in the video was so authentic that it made me want to try playing it for myself. Perhaps one day, just like the anime adaptation, it will actually be made into a game.
Summary of the Anime Adaptation History
As an official spin-off of the Love Live! series, it has been incredibly well-crafted from the production announcement to the present. Yoshiko (though she'll probably correct me) must be thrilled to be able to play the main character, even though she was just one of the members up until now. I'm sure voice actress Aika Kobayashi must also be incredibly happy. I'm looking forward to the anime airing! That's all for now. Thank you for reading.
