UlasanAnime.com – The Otakon 2018 convention featured two highly anticipated anime premieres: High Score Girl and Release the Spyce. Due to scheduling preferences, the author opted to attend the latter, unfortunately arriving a few minutes late and thus missing the initial moments of the premiere.
The series immediately captured the author’s interest due to its compelling premise. Release the Spyce is described as an exciting spy and ninja-themed anime revolving around a group of young women who acquire extraordinary abilities after consuming a special kind of spice. This “spice” is presented as a culinary ingredient, distinct from any illicit substances.
The narrative centers on the protagonist, an 11th-grader who discovers the clandestine organization known as Tsukikage. Her exceptional perception skills, boasting a remarkable 99.99 percentile, allowed her to notice shadowy figures traversing rooftops one night, leading her to the secret group.
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The main character, Momo, is voiced by Anzai Yukari. She is portrayed as a typical “shopping street kid” whose father’s past remains a mystery. The initial two episodes, which were screened at the convention, heavily featured foreshadowing regarding this aspect of her backstory.
Fans who have casually followed the marketing for Release the Spyce in Japan would be aware of the live stage events featuring the voice cast. The core of the story involves the Tsukikage ninjas, with Momo joining their ranks. The organization operates on a master-student system, where experienced ninjas train successors. This structure is necessary because the spice-induced superpowers diminish as the ninjas age.
This master-student dynamic also contributes to the show’s strong voice cast, featuring a roster of talented current voice actresses. While only a few names were initially credited online, the full credits after the second episode confirmed the show’s impressive vocal talent, a common characteristic of Pony Canyon productions.
Beyond the Tsukikage group, the plot also introduces an opposing enemy organization. This rival faction also appears to be comprised entirely of female voice actors, setting up the initial central conflict of the series.
Several elements of the anime’s world-building particularly appealed to the author. The integration of curry and other spice-related themes is a prominent feature. The series also incorporates classic spy tropes, such as intricate interpersonal manipulation and James Bond-esque gadgets.
The animation showcases fluid parkour sequences, with the action emphasizing dynamic movement over direct weapon clashes. The two-part pilot episode even culminated in an exhilarating car chase, highlighting the anime’s commitment to visually engaging action.
The author likens the experience of watching the anime to witnessing two sides of a pun slowly colliding, akin to galaxies merging over millennia or a vehicle crash test in extreme slow motion. This appreciation stems from the enjoyment of a concept evolving and taking on a life of its own.
Momo and her mentor, Yuki (voiced by Numakura Manami), utilize a cinnamon-like stick as their power activation tool. Another character appears to use a bay leaf. As of episode two, there are six active ninjas within Tsukikage. Each student-teacher pair shares the same type of spice, leading to a total of three distinct spices used by the active ninjas.
The media-mix initiative for Release the Spyce has already seen a novelization and manga adaptation released earlier in the year, suggesting these details are further elaborated upon in those formats.
A significant spoiler, impactful yet minor in substance, is mentioned as being available on Twitter. The series is scheduled to premiere in Japan in October. While international streaming details are yet to be confirmed, it is anticipated that Pony Canyon’s usual international partners, such as HiDive, will likely pick up the series. The fact that the full credits for the two-part screening were translated into English further supports this expectation.
