"Pon's Way" is an original animation set in Onomichi, attracting attention for its unique combination of mahjong and high school girls. Scheduled to air in January of next year, it's already a hot topic as a Winter 2024 anime. Did you know that this anime is being produced in collaboration with a well-known app and company? This article will introduce you to these apps and companies!
Introduction: What's the Story?
Nashiko Topensha is a high school girl living in Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture. Having trouble finding a place to hang out with friends, Nashiko discovers that the former mahjong parlor run by her father is now vacant. Nashiko and her friends, Kawahigashi Pai and Tokutomi Izumi, decide to turn the playground into a place where everyone can play. This story chronicles the everyday lives of Nashiko and her friends, as they enjoy tea, cooking, and even playing mahjong.
Mahjong App "Mahjong Soul"
Mahjong Soul is a mahjong game released in China in 2018. A web browser version was released in Japan in 2019, followed by a smartphone app. Mahjong fans have likely heard of or even played the game. It's free to play online. It's designed to be accessible even for beginners, with clever features like glowing Dora tiles and displaying the number of remaining tiles. It also appeals to younger generations who aren't familiar with mahjong, such as through VTuber promotions. Famous VTubers have large fan bases, so many people are likely eager to try a game recommended by their favorite streamer. Increasing the number of people playing the game in this way will not only increase the popularity of Mahjong Soul, but also lead to the popularity of mahjong as a whole.
Are you overseeing mahjong rules?
It's unclear exactly what part of the production they're involved in, but if they're involved in a mahjong game, it's likely to be related to mahjong rules and terminology. Mahjong can be difficult for beginners, and some people may try to learn mahjong while watching the anime. Therefore, if incorrect information is broadcast, viewers may retain it. Mahjong experts will likely be confused and confused when they realize that the information is incorrect. In this work, the protagonist is a beginner, so the story unfolds as he learns mahjong. Therefore, it's important to provide accurate information about the rules and terminology.
Taiyo Giken Co., Ltd.
Taiyo Giken Co., Ltd. is a company with headquarters in various locations, including Tokyo and Osaka. Taiyo Giken is known for its focus on mahjong-related products, boasting the largest market share in Japan. Their main product is mahjong tables, with a wide variety available, from fully automatic to family-sized mahjong tables. There's an introductory video for the fully automatic mahjong table on their website, which showcases Taiyo Giken's impressive technology. I highly recommend checking it out. I believe Taiyo Giken oversaw the design of the mahjong tables and tiles featured in the series. Since they manufacture their products in-house, I imagine they have a keen eye for the finer details. It's reassuring for the production team to have a company that makes mahjong tables and tiles reviewing their work!
Summary of Collaborating Apps and Companies
It's clear that well-known apps and companies are collaborating on the production. Even just watching the trailer, you can see that they oversaw various aspects of the game, from the rules and techniques of mahjong to the design of the table and tiles. Once the anime actually starts, you'll be able to see in various scenes depictions that show the involvement of Mahjong Soul and Taiyo Giken Co., Ltd. in the production. I think enjoying that kind of "attention to detail" is one of the joys of anime. I'm already looking forward to the broadcast in January next year! That's all for today. Thank you for reading.
