Monster Strike (anime)

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Monster Strike
Original net animation
Directed byKazuya Ichikawa
Produced byNao Hirasawa
Written by
  • Yōichi Katō[a]
  • Jirō Ishii[b]
Music by
  • Hideki Sakamoto (#1–14)
  • Satoru Kōsaki (#15–51)
  • Keiichi Hirokawa (#15–51)
  • Kuniyuki Takahashi (#17–51)
  • Ryūichi Takada (#37–51)
Studio
Released October 10, 2015 December 3, 2016
Runtime8 minutes
Episodes51 (List of episodes)
Original net animation
Mermaid Rhapsody
Directed byToshiya Niidome[c]
Produced byNao Hirasawa
Written byJirō Ishii[b]
Music by
  • Satoru Kōsaki
  • Keiichi Hirokawa
  • Kuniyuki Takahashi
  • Ryūichi Takada
Studio
  • Studio Hibari (animation production)
  • Ultra Super Pictures (production)
ReleasedAugust 14, 2016
Runtime51 minutes
Original net animation
Rain of Memories
Directed byHideki Tachibana
Produced byNao Hirasawa
Written by
  • Yōichi Katō[a]
  • Jirō Ishii[b]
Music by
  • Satoru Kōsaki
  • Keiichi Hirokawa
  • Kuniyuki Takahashi
  • Ryūichi Takada
Studio
  • Connect (animation production)
  • Ultra Super Pictures (production)
ReleasedDecember 3, 2016
Runtime47 minutes[1]
Anime film
Monster Strike The Movie
Directed byShinpei Ezaki
Produced byNao Hirasawa
Written by
  • Yōichi Katō[d]
  • Jirō Ishii[d]
Music byMonaca
Studio
  • Liden Films (animation production)
  • Ultra Super Pictures (production)
ReleasedDecember 10, 2016
Runtime101 minutes
Original net animation
An Encore and Continuance - Pandora's Box
Directed byKazuya Ichikawa
Produced byNao Hirasawa
Written by
  • Yōichi Katō[a]
  • Jirō Ishii[b]
Music by
  • Satoru Kōsaki
  • Keiichi Hirokawa
  • Kuniyuki Takahashi
  • Ryūichi Takada
Studio
  • Studio Hibari (animation production)
  • Ultra Super Pictures (production)
ReleasedDecember 31, 2016
Runtime9 minutes
Original net animation
The Long Awaited Utopia
Directed byTakayuki Hamana
Produced byNao Hirasawa
Written by
  • Yōichi Katō[a]
  • Jirō Ishii[b]
Music byMONACA
StudioYokohama Animation Laboratory
ReleasedMarch 25, 2017
Runtime15 minutes
Original net animation
2nd Season
Directed byTakayuki Hamana
Produced byNao Hirasawa
Written by
  • Yōichi Katō[a]
  • Jirō Ishii[b]
Music byMonaca
StudioYokohama Animation Laboratory
Released April 1, 2017 September 2, 2017
Runtime9–17 minutes
Episodes23 (List of episodes)
Original net animation
A Rhapsody Called Lucy -The Very First Song-
Directed byKazuya Sakamoto
Produced by
  • Nao Hirasawa
  • Teppei Sunamura
Written byYōichi Katō
Music by
  • Keiichi Hirokawa
  • Kuniyuki Takahashi
  • Ryūichi Takada
StudioLiden Films Kyoto Studio
ReleasedMay 3, 2017
Runtime21 minutes
Original net animation
MSonic! D'Artagnyan's Rise to Fame
Directed byKeido Dei
Produced by
  • Nao Hirasawa
  • Teppei Sunamura
Written byYōichi Katō
Music byMonaca
StudioLiden Films
Released June 14, 2017 June 19, 2017
Runtime10–20 minutes
Episodes5
Original net animation
The Fading Cosmos
Directed byTakayuki Hamana
Written by
  • Yōichi Katō[a]
  • Jirō Ishii[b]
Music byMonaca
StudioYokohama Animation Laboratory
Released October 7, 2017 January 6, 2018
Runtime8–24 minutes
Episodes13 (List of episodes)
Original net animation
Sorcery in the Big City
Directed byDaizen Komatsuda
Produced by
  • Shigeaki Miyata
  • Hiroaki Matsūra
  • Shirō Kanemori
Written byYōichi Katō
Music byRyō Sakai
StudioSanzigen
ReleasedDecember 1, 2017
Runtime40 minutes
Episodes1
Original net animation
Monster Strike the Animation: Trouble in Monster Strike
Directed byToshihiro Aramaki
Produced by
  • Takeshi Itō
  • Osamu Uchida
  • Mayumi Tachikawa
  • Akira Itō
StudioMarza Animation Planet
ReleasedJune 22, 2018
Runtime4 minutes
Episodes1
Original net animation
Monster Strike the Animation
Directed by
List
    • Yūki Nakamura (#1–12)
    • Manabu Himukai (#13–17)
    • Yudai Yamaguchi (#18–37, 51–59, 61, 63)
    • Takanori Tsujimoto (#38–50, 58, 60, 62)
Produced by
List
    • Atsuko Ōgami (#1–12, 18–24)
    • Yasuhiro Katō (#13–17, 25–44, 59)
    • Yūichi Kameyama (#18–24, 58)
    • Katsunori Ōuchi (#38–33)
    • Tetsuya Kobayashi (#45–50)
    • Yasuhira Miki (#58–60, 63)
    • Keisuke Ishikawa (#58)
    • Masaki Kikuchi (#58)
    • Hirofumi Ishi (#58, 62)
    • Yūsuke Ogura (#58)
    • Federico Colpi (#58, 62)
    • Lee Jieway (#58, 63)
    • Takahiro Tsuzuki (#60)
    • Tetsuo Yoshida (#60)
    • Akihiko Yanamori (#62)
    • Kayo Nakayama (#62)
    • Ippei Tanaka (#63)
    • Degin Lv (#63)
Written by
List
    • Masaya Honda (#1–24, 38–63)
    • Yoshio Fukushima (#25–37)
    • Yūta Okuyama (#38–44)
    • Jun Tsugita (#58–63)
Music by
List
Studio
List
    • ILCA (#1–12, 18–24)
    • Anima (#1–12, 18–24)
    • CGCG Studio (#13–17, 38–44, 58–59, 63)
    • Dynamo Pictures (#25–37, 51–57, 61)
    • Studio Gooney's (#45–50, 60, 62)
Released July 8, 2018 December 31, 2019
Runtime10–16 minutes
Episodes63 (List of episodes)
Anime film
Sora no Kanata
Directed byHiroshi Nishikiori
Produced byKiyotaka Waki
Written byTakayo Ikami
Music byMasaru Yokoyama
StudioOrange
ReleasedOctober 5, 2018 (2018-10-05)
Runtime97 minutes
Anime film
Lucifer - Zetsubō no Yoake
Directed byKōbun Shizuno
Written byMasaya Honda
Music byMasaru Yokoyama
StudioAnima
Dynamo Pictures
ReleasedNovember 6, 2020 (2020-11-06)
Runtime127 minutes

Monster Strike (Japanese: モンスターストライク, Hepburn: Monsutā Sutoraiku) is an anime series based on the role-playing physics game of the same name developed by Mixi for iOS and Android platforms. An anime film adaptation titled Monster Strike The Movie was released on December 10, 2016. A second anime film, titled Monster Strike The Movie: Sora no Kanata, was released on October 5, 2018 in Japan. A third film Monster Strike the Movie: Lucifer - Zetsubō no Yoake was slated to be released in June 2020, but was delayed to November 6, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2][3]

The series' ending theme is a cover of Queen's "We Will Rock You" performed by Japanese vocalist Gloria.[4] After a break, the ending theme switched to several songs by White Ash: "Strike", "Knock On Doors In You", "Mad T.Party (1865-2016)", and "Drop", all of which are from the band's August 17, 2016, EP Quest, including "Monster", a song composed for the MS Grand Prix 2016 Championship.[5]

A second season of Monster Strike has been announced and premiered on April 1, 2017.[6] The plot of the second season revolves around Ren, Aoi, Akira, Minami, and a new American transfer student named Mana dealing with problems caused by monsters manifesting in real life outside of the Monster Strike game. The season was split into two parts, with Monster Strike The Animation: The Fading Cosmos premiering on October 7, 2017.[7]

The Monster Strike anime got its first spin-off on May 3, 2017 with the A Rhapsody Called Lucy -The Very First Song- OVA episode. This lead into the MSonic! D'Artagnyan's Rise to Fame special mini-series that premiered on June 14, 2017. Both A Rhapsody Called Lucy and MSonic! are set in a separate continuity from the main Monster Strike anime.[8][9]

Plot[edit]

Ren Homura, a middle school student who moves back to his hometown with his mother and sister, but he apparently cannot remember much of his life there. After having to get his cellphone repaired, he finds that the repairman installed Monster Strike onto it, and he later is attacked by a man who forces him into a real life game of Monster Strike, summoning a monster from within the game to attack Ren. Ren manages to summon a monster of his own, the diminutive dragon Oragon, and with help from his classmate Aoi Mizusawa, as well as an alter ego awoken by his own missing memories, Ren defeats the man's monster, seemingly freeing him from the control of an evil entity. This brings Ren into the world of the town's Monster Strike Stadium leagues, where people play Monster Strike in what appears to be real life but are advanced holograms, as well as Aoi's desire to reunite her friends Akira Kagetsuki and Minami Wakaba into becoming a team of Monster Strike players. However, Akira will not play on a team because Ren is nothing like their former fourth member Haruma, and the air-headed Minami has become possessed by the same evil presence that forced other people to attack Ren and Aoi.

Characters[edit]

Main characters[edit]

Ren Homura (ほのお レン, Homura Ren)
Voiced by: Yūsuke Kobayashi
The protagonist. He cannot seem to remember anything about his life in his old town, but when his memories temporarily resurface he becomes an ace Monster Strike player. His signature monsters are Oragon, Fenrir X the Monsterwolf (ほのおよこしまおおかみフェンリルX, Enjarō Fenriru Ekkusu) and Ryoma the Visionary (維新いしん奇跡きせき 坂本さかもと龍馬りょうま, Ishin no Kiseki Sakamoto Ryōma, voiced by Taishi Murata) who Transcends into Hero of the Restoration, Ryoma (維新いしん回天かいてん英傑えいけつ 坂本さかもと龍馬りょうま, Ishin Kaiten no Eiketsu Sakamoto Ryōma).
Aoi Mizusawa (水澤みずさわ まもる, Mizusawa Aoi)
Voiced by: Lynn
Ren's classmate. After helping Ren out in his first real world Monster Strike battle, she begins to plan him joining her old Monster Strike team, having already given him a special ring that allows him to properly control the apparently real monsters. Her signature monsters are Fox Metal the Legend (きつねあなのフォックスメタル, Koketsu no Fokkusu Metaru, voiced by Itaru Yamamoto) and Napoleon the Valiant (英雄えいゆう ナポレオン, Eiyū Naporeon, voiced by Eri Suzuki).
Akira Kagetsuki (かげがつ あきら, Kagetsuki Akira)
Voiced by: Kengo Kawanishi
Another of Ren's classmates, and one of Aoi's now former teammates at playing Monster Strike competitively. He is a perfectionist who cannot see Ren as replacing their former fourth teammate Haruma. His signature monster is Kamui (神威かもい), and he also has John Manjiro (ジョン万次郎じょんまんじろう, Jon Manjirō, voiced by Daiki Hamano).
Minami Wakaba (若葉わかば 皆実みなみ, Wakaba Minami)
Voiced by: Juri Kimura
Another of Ren's classmates and one of Aoi's former Monster Strike teammates. She is very airheaded, and is an otaku who often mimics and references popular anime and manga. When she is introduced, she is under the control of the mysterious entity possessing people to lead to real life Monster Strike matches. Her signature monster is Dead Rabbits, Ltd. (デッドラビッツLtd., Deddo Rabittsu Rimiteddo, voiced by Chinami Hashimoto and Yuna Yoshino) and she also has Al-mi'raj (アルミラージ, Arumirāji).
Oragon (オラゴン)
Voiced by: Jun Fukushima/Atsushi Abe
A monster that Ren summons from his phone after Monster Strike is installed and he is facing off against a man possessed by the evil entity. Oragon claims to be the Prince of the Monster World who has come to the human world to become stronger, but most people believe he is simply a creation of the game.
Haruma Kagutsuchi (かみ倶土 はる, Kagutsuchi Haruma)
Voiced by: Daisuke Ono
Haruma was previously the fourth member of Aoi, Minami, and Akira's Monster Strike team until he moved out of Kaminohara for reasons they cannot remember. After Ren defeats Doom, it is hinted that Haruma is somehow responsible for his lost memories, as well as the memories of the others. They track Haruma down in Shibuya, only to be easily defeated in Monster Strike, resulting in his demand that they become the top players in Kaminohara before speaking to him, again. After they succeed, he still refuses, and it is revealed that he is being controlled by Memento Mori, the Spirit of War (たたかえしん メメント・モリ, Ki no Tōshin Memento Mori, voiced by Sayaka Ohara), one of the War Gods posing as his allegedly dead mother, so they seek to free him from her control. His signature monster is Underworld Rebel Lucy (反逆はんぎゃく堕天使だてんし ルシファー, Hangyaku no Datenshi Rushifā, voiced by Yōko Hikasa).
Mana Livingston (Mana rivingusutonu)
Voiced by: Hisako Kanemoto (Season 2)
A Transfer Student from America becomes friends with the Main Cast and learns about Monster Strike Game, even obtaining her own ring and Partner.

Supporting characters[edit]

Taiyou Shirahama (白浜しらはま 太陽たいよう, Shirahama Taiyō)
Voiced by: Katsuyuki Konishi
A student from another homeroom in Ren and Aoi's middle school who appears to inform them about Minami's odd behavior. He seems to be aware of the mysterious figures leading people to be possessed. His signature monster is Loki, God of Mischief (狡知こうちかみ ロキ, Kōchi no Kami Roki, voiced by Junichi Yanagita). He is secretly the number 1 player in all of Kaminohara, and is possessed by the War God Nirvana, Inferno of War (ほのおたたかえしんニルヴァーナ, Honō no Tōshin Niruvāna, voiced by Takehito Koyasu).
Jun Nikaido (二階堂にかいどう じゅん, Nikaidō Jun)
Voiced by: Shizuka Ishigami
Kaminohara Middle School's student council president. She is the 4th ranked MS player in the area and challenges the recently-formed MS Club members to determine the fate of their club. Her monster is Cherry Spirit Sakura (はなくにせい さくら, Hana-no-Kuni no Sei Sakura, voiced by Ikumi Hayama).
Sanjo Takii (滝井たきい さん, Takii Sanjō)
Voiced by: Subaru Kimura
A jock at Kaminohara Middle School who is turned on by being put down by women. He is the 3rd ranked MS player in Kaminohara and attacks the group in the local history museum's Roman art wing, battling them with Dark Usurper Zeus (てん邪神じゃしんダークゼウス, Tenjashin Dāku Zeusu, voiced by Rikiya Koyama).
Akane Noda (野田のだ あかね, Noda Akane)
Voiced by: Rie Takahashi
A student at Kaminohara Middle School who is obsessed with Minami's family cafe. She even goes so far as to take a part time job at a rival chain store and provide bad service to get people to go to the Wakaba family store. She is the 2nd ranked MS player and uses Melodious Snow Bow (もり歌姫うたひめ 白雪姫しらゆきひめリボン, Mori no Utahime Shirayukihime Ribon, voiced by Yurika Kubo).
Mariko Kobayashi (小林こばやし 茉利まり, Kobayashi Mariko)
Voiced by: Haruka Yamazaki
One of Haruma's new MS teammates. She is dressed in Harajuku fashion. She uses the monster Alice, Queen of Wonderland (不思議ふしぎくに女王じょおうアリス, Fushiginokuni no Joō Arisu, voiced by Haruka Watanabe).
Shino Ichinose (一ノ瀬いちのせ 志乃しの, Ichinose Shino)
Voiced by: Saori Ōnishi
One of Haruma's new teammates. She claims to have psychic powers that allow her to accurately predict the outcomes of her MS matches and often gets nosebleeds. Her monster is Himiko, Ruler of Yamatai (邪馬台国やまたいこく女王じょおう 卑弥呼ひみこ, Yamataikoku Joō Himiko, voiced by Kaori Nazuka) who slide Evolves into Himiko, Queen of Wa (倭国わのくに女王じょおう 卑弥呼ひみこ, Wakoku no Joō Himiko).
Kaoru Owada (大和田おおわだ かおる, Ōwada Kaoru)
Voiced by: Hiroki Takahashi
Haruma's other MS teammate. He likes to show off his muscles, and believes a well-developed upper body is key to victory. His monster is Romeo Possessed (デモンズ・ロミオ, Demonzu Romio, voiced by Ryouta Takeuchi).

Other characters[edit]

Genma Kagutsuchi (かみ倶土 玄馬げんば, Kagutsuchi Genma)
Voiced by: Kenjiro Tsuda
Genma, otherwise known as "K", is the first champion of Kaminohara's MS Colosseum. He lures Ren and his friends to the colosseum to battle Izanami the Inviter (黄泉よみ大神だいじん イザナミ, Yomotsu Ōkami Izanami, voiced by Asami Seto), who transforms into the corrupted Izanami Zero (イザナミれい, Izanami Zero). Genma is also possessed by one of the War Gods, Doom, the Tide of War (みずたたかえしんドゥーム, Mizu no Tōshin Dūmu, voiced by Kenta Miyake).
Karin Homura (ほのお 花梨かりん, Homura Karin)
Voiced by: Rie Murakawa
Ren's little sister.
Mitsuki Homura (ほのお さんがつ, Homura Mitsuki)
Voiced by: Mamiko Noto
Ren's mother.
Dolph Wakaba (ドルフ若葉わかば, Dorufu Wakaba)
Voiced by: Yasuhiro Mamiya
Minami's father. He runs the family café with Minami after. He dresses like a soldier but his personality far from tough and imposing as his appearance would suggest.
Lyra Kiskill (キスキル・リラ, Kisukiru Rira)
Voiced by: Kana Hanazawa
A mysterious young woman Ren and his friends encounter on their trip to Okinawa. She is actually a monster who has been captured by the American military during their tests on weaponizing Monster Strike.
Lieutenant Amanda Jensen (アマンダ・ジェンセン中尉ちゅうい, Amanda Jensen Chūi)
Voiced by: Yuki Kaida
A lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. She is Dolph's friend's daughter who shows Ren, Aoi, Minami, and Akira around Okinawa. She is secretly trying to free Lyra Kiskill from her superiors in the Navy.
Colonel James Styles (ジェイムズ・スタイルズ大佐たいさ, Jeimuzu Sutairuzu Taisa)
Voiced by: Shō Hayami
An American military officer working with the company NADTDcom to find a way to control Monster Strike monsters for the American military's gain. He uses a powerful monster named Oceanus.

Episodes[edit]

Season 1 (2015-16)[edit]

No. Title Original air date
1"The First Strike!"
"Kore ga Hajime no Sutoraiku!" (これがはじめのストライク!)
October 10, 2015 (2015-10-10)

Ren returns to the town of his childhood, Kaminohara. Strangely, Ren is unable to recall any memories of the town.

Meanwhile, his smartphone installs a mysterious game called Monster Strike — heralding the start of a desperate battle!
2"Slingshot Away! Call Me Oragon!"
"Yubi de Hippare! Oragon!" (ゆびでヒッパレ!オラゴン!)
October 10, 2015 (2015-10-10)

Ren is forced into a heated battle with the bestial Fenrir X.

Unable to control his companion Oragon and on the verge of defeat, a girl appears before Ren. Who could she be?
3"Aoi Mizusawa's Secret"
"Mizusawa Aoi" (水澤みずさわまもる)
October 17, 2015 (2015-10-17)

Almost every junior high student in Kaminohara plays Monster Strike.

After a brief meeting, Aoi invites Ren to a special place—one where MS players gather.
4"A Night at the Colloseum"
"Mayonaka no Monsuto Koroshiamu" (真夜中まよなかのモンストコロシアム)
October 24, 2015 (2015-10-24)
5"Mall Brawl"
"Shoppingu Mōru no Kettō!" (ショッピングモールの決闘けっとう)
October 31, 2015 (2015-10-31)
6"The Glinting Blade"
"Senkō no Katana" (閃光せんこう)
November 7, 2015 (2015-11-07)
7"Operation Recruit Akira"
"Kagetsuki Akira Kan'yū Keikaku!" (かげ月明げつめい 勧誘かんゆう計画けいかく)
November 14, 2015 (2015-11-14)
8"Evil Eye Minami"
"Jagan demo Wakaba Minami da zo!" (邪眼じゃがんでも若葉わかば皆実みなみだぞ!)
November 21, 2015 (2015-11-21)
9"SOS! A Shocking Video?!"
"Aoi no Hazukashisugiru Dōga!" (あおいずかしすぎる動画どうが)
November 28, 2015 (2015-11-28)
10"Shopfront Shocker"
"Shōten-gai Sensen Ijō Ari" (商店しょうてんがい戦線せんせん異状いじょうあり)
December 5, 2015 (2015-12-05)
11"Welcome, Minami!"
"Minami, Nakama Haittatte yo" (皆実みなみ仲間なかまはいったってよ)
December 12, 2015 (2015-12-12)
12"Ora-gone?!"
"Oragon Kiki Ippatsu!" (オラゴン危機ききいちはつ)
December 19, 2015 (2015-12-19)
13"Impossible Task"
"Chōzetsu Kōrin" (超絶ちょうぜつ降臨こうりん)
December 26, 2015 (2015-12-26)
14"Izanami"
"Izanami Shisu" (イザナミ)
January 2, 2016 (2016-01-02)
15"Beware the Warrior God"
"Tōshin Kōrin" (たたかえしん降臨こうりん)
March 26, 2016 (2016-03-26)
16"Counter! A Strike Shot for the Ages!"
"Hankō no Sutoraiku Shotto" (反攻はんこうのストライクショット)
March 26, 2016 (2016-03-26)
17"Pieces of Memories"
"Kioku no Himitsu" (記憶きおく秘密ひみつ)
April 2, 2016 (2016-04-02)
18"Where Art Thou, Haruma?"
"Haruma o Sagase" (はるさが)
April 9, 2016 (2016-04-09)
19"Lucy the Annihilator"
"Senmetsu no Rushifā" (殲滅せんめつのルシファー)
April 16, 2016 (2016-04-16)
20"From the Ring, Hope"
"Hikaru Sutoraiku Ringu" (ひかるストライクリング)
April 23, 2016 (2016-04-23)
21"Come One and All: MS Club"
"Kitare! Monsutobu" (きたれ!モンスト)
April 30, 2016 (2016-04-30)
22"The Saber Amid the Blossoms"
"Hiken! Sakurafubuki" (けんさくら吹雪ふぶき)
May 7, 2016 (2016-05-07)
23"Dark Usurper Zeus"
"Tenjashin Dāku Zeusu" (てん邪神じゃしんダークゼウス)
May 14, 2016 (2016-05-14)
24"Melodious Snow Bow"
"Mori no Utahime Ribon" (もり歌姫うたひめリボン)
May 21, 2016 (2016-05-21)
25"Nirvana, Inferno of War"
"Honō no Tōshin Niruvāna" (ほのおたたかえしんニルヴァーナ)
May 28, 2016 (2016-05-28)
26"Assemble, Assault, and Assail"
"Asu ni Mukatte Ute!" (アスにかってげきて!)
June 4, 2016 (2016-06-04)
27"An Accidental Double Date"
"Gesu na Daburu Dēto" (ゲスなダブルデート)
June 11, 2016 (2016-06-11)
28"Booya! Return to Shibuya"
"Futatabi Shibuya e" (ふたた渋谷しぶや)
June 18, 2016 (2016-06-18)
29"Alice in a Mad Wonderland"
"Arisu In Maddorando" (アリス・イン・マッドランド)
June 25, 2016 (2016-06-25)
30"The Scarlet Shrine Maiden"
"Shintaku no Miko" (神託しんたく巫女ふじょ)
July 2, 2016 (2016-07-02)
31"Blade Versus Gun"
"Kami no Yaiba to Akuma no Jūkō" (かみ悪魔あくま銃口じゅうこう)
July 9, 2016 (2016-07-09)
32"The Flock of Bahamut"
"Sen no Bahamūto" (せんのバハムート)
July 16, 2016 (2016-07-16)
33"The Indomitable Dragon"
"Fumetsu no Doragonsupiritto" (不滅ふめつのドラゴンスピリット)
July 23, 2016 (2016-07-23)
34"Ryoma vs. Lucy"
"Ryōma vs Rushifā" (龍馬りょうまvsルシファー)
August 6, 2016 (2016-08-06)
35"Death's Embrace"
"Shi o Omoe" (おも)
August 13, 2016 (2016-08-13)
SP"Mermaid Rhapsody"
"Māmeido Rapusodi" (マーメイド・ラプソディ)
August 14, 2016 (2016-08-14)
special episode: Minami's father, a former mercenary, is invited to an American naval party. Ren and the gang end up heading to Okinawa with him for summer break. On a sandy beach, Ren meets a mysterious girl."Help me..." The girl leaves Ren with those words as she disappears.Ren is drawn to the girl and the meaning of those words. He makes it his mission to save her, and uncover the truth. Who is the girl? Why did she ask Ren for help? The girl's true identity slowly unveils...
36"The Imprisoned Lily"
"Higanbana no Rōgoku" (彼岸花ひがんばな牢獄ろうごく)
August 20, 2016 (2016-08-20)
37"In Darkness, Ryoma"
"Kuro no Sakamoto Ryōma" (くろ坂本さかもと龍馬りょうま)
August 27, 2016 (2016-08-27)
38"The Truth of K"
"Kei no Shinjitsu" (Kの真実しんじつ)
September 3, 2016 (2016-09-03)
39"Akira and Haruma"
"Akira to Haruma" (あかりはる)
September 10, 2016 (2016-09-10)
40"Gather in Kaminohara! - You need help? I'm there! -"
"Kessei! Ribon shin'eitai?" (結成けっせい!リボン親衛隊しんえいたい)
September 17, 2016 (2016-09-17)
41"Off the Charts Performanc"
"XFLAG PARK"
September 24, 2016 (2016-09-24)
42"The Sun Sets On Orochi"
"Yakumotatsu Ōma no Yoru" (八雲やくもつ 逢魔のよる)
October 1, 2016 (2016-10-01)
43"An Offering To Orochi- Dance Until You Break!"
"Yakumo no Ouma no Yoru" (はち岐ノもりにえおんな)
October 8, 2016 (2016-10-08)
44"An End to the Past"October 15, 2016 (2016-10-15)
45"World Ender Babel"October 22, 2016 (2016-10-22)
46"The Descent of Angels"October 29, 2016 (2016-10-29)
47"Ziggurat of Chaos"November 5, 2016 (2016-11-05)
48"Oraternative Memories"November 13, 2016 (2016-11-13)

A petrifying attack hits Oragon as he makes a stand. Oragon, on his last dregs of strength, begins to glow. A light flashes,

parting to reveal the depths of Oragon's memories...
49"Karma, Light of War"November 19, 2016 (2016-11-19)

Karma, the Light of War appears.

Ren and friends battle to reclaim their memories, but there's something about Karma's arms...
50"Of Light and Flame"November 26, 2016 (2016-11-26)
The party is increasingly weakened by Karma's debuffs, but Akira realizes a path to victory and dashes forward with Kamui.
51"Strike Shot! An End and New Beginnings"December 3, 2016 (2016-12-03)
52
Ren is thrown into despair as he is confronted with an amnesiac Aoi, Minami, and Akira, but then a familiar voice comes from his smartphone.

Monster Strike 2 (2017)[edit]

No. overall No in season Title Original air date
51.50"The Long-Awaited Utopia"
Transliteration: "Zen'Yasai Supesharu `Katsubō no Hate no Risōkyō" (Japanese: 渇望かつぼうての理想郷りそうきょう転校生てんこうせい超絶ちょうぜつきゅう)
March 26, 2017 (2017-03-26)
A recap of the first season.
521"The Transfer Student Is Impossible-Level"
Transliteration: "Tenkōsei wa chōzetsu-kyū?" (Japanese: 転校生てんこうせい超絶ちょうぜつきゅう)
April 1, 2017 (2017-04-01)
There are still monsters about, and the gang is spending their days fighting them. They go to school during the day, and when they're not at school, they protect the city from monsters. But their peaceful routine is interrupted by the arrival of Mana Livingstone: a transfer student from America who's got the craziest ideas about Japan!
532"The Karmic Fist Of Wrath"
Transliteration: "Edo ni todoroku fundo no gō ken" (Japanese: 穢土えどとどろ忿怒ふんぬごうけん)
April 8, 2017 (2017-04-08)
Ren agrees to take Mana around to see the town, but she's anxious about and uncomfortable around Monster Strike. When Ren gives her a MS ring, however, she gladly accepts it, thinking it's an engagement ring. When she realizes her mistake, she runs off in shame... and that's when a monster makes it move.
543"Walpurgis Night"
Transliteration: "Warupurugisunoyoru" (Japanese: ワルプルギスのよる)
April 15, 2017 (2017-04-15)
Mana and Walpurgis save the day at the last minute by defeating Fudou Myouou. Mana is now a full-fledged member of the team. But who is Walpurgis, and what does she want?
554"Chicken Skewers Manliness and the Voyager"April 22, 2017 (2017-04-22)
Maya has another crazy idea in her head: she wants to see Ren's "manliness". Ren takes her to a place that sells chicken skewers, where he meet the very manly Sinbad. But their manly meal is interrupted when Azazel comes to collect on Sinbad's debts, and he doesn't care how what happens to the people around him!
565"Seventh Galaxy Explosion"April 29, 2017 (2017-04-29)
576"Holy Healing Hot Springs"May 6, 2017 (2017-05-06)
587"The Beautiful Angel's Steamy Case File"May 13, 2017 (2017-05-13)
598"CEO Madarame"May 20, 2017 (2017-05-20)
609"A World with No Fighting"May 27, 2017 (2017-05-27)
6110"The Singularity of All Creation"June 3, 2017 (2017-06-03)
6211"Even the Fortune Teller Is Baffled! Where's the Energy Point"June 10, 2017 (2017-06-10)
6312"The King of Terror"June 17, 2017 (2017-06-17)
6513"The Great Seer Nostradamus"June 24, 2017 (2017-06-24)
6614"The Eternal Endless Cycle"July 1, 2017 (2017-07-01)
6715"Each of Their Feelings"July 8, 2017 (2017-07-08)
6816"Robin Hood (Evolution)"July 15, 2017 (2017-07-15)
6917"The Moon's Eternal Dreamer"July 22, 2017 (2017-07-22)
7018"Tsukuyomi VS Tsukuyomi: Zero"July 29, 2017 (2017-07-29)
7119"The Lady Pirate Alwida's Arduous Battle"August 5, 2017 (2017-08-05)
7220"Admiral Navis the God Killer"August 12, 2017 (2017-08-12)
7321"The Scheming of Blackbeard Teach"August 19, 2017 (2017-08-19)
7422"The Truth of Mazu"August 26, 2017 (2017-08-26)
7523"The Last Guardian"
Transliteration: "Saigo no ban'nin" (Japanese: 最後さいごばん)
September 2, 2017 (2017-09-02)

Monster Strike 3 (2018-19)[edit]

No. overall No in season Title Original air date
7624"Beginning of the End"
Transliteration: "Owarinohajimari" (Japanese: わりのはじまり)
October 7, 2017 (2017-10-07)
7725"Power Unmatched: Miroku Rises"
Transliteration: "Attōtekina chikara no sa! Tachifusagaru miroku" (Japanese: 圧倒的あっとうてきちからちふさがるミロク)
October 14, 2017 (2017-10-14)
7826"Mana's Hidden Truth"
Transliteration: "Akasa reru Mana no shinjitsu" (Japanese: かされるマナの真実しんじつ)
October 21, 2017 (2017-10-21)
7927"Saving Mana"
Transliteration: "Mana no Setsuyaku" (Japanese: マナの節約せつやく)
October 28, 2017 (2017-10-28)
8028"Yomi, Assassin of the Underworld"
Transliteration: "Mana o sukue! Sorezore no ketsui" (Japanese: マナをすくえ!それぞれの決意けつい)
November 4, 2017 (2017-11-04)
8129"Lucy vs. Yomi"
November 11, 2017 (2017-11-11)
8230"Target: Mana Anima"
November 18, 2017 (2017-11-18)
8331"What I must do, only I know."
November 25, 2017 (2017-11-25)
8432"Ryoma VS Miroku"
December 6, 2017 (2017-12-06)
8533"Ryoma, Heart Ablaze"
December 13, 2017 (2017-12-13)
8634"Mana, Angel of Love"
December 20, 2017 (2017-12-20)
8735"Vanishing into the Cosmos"
December 27, 2017 (2017-12-27)
8836"What Was Left Behind"
January 6, 2018 (2018-01-06)

Films[edit]

There have been two anime films based on the Monster Strike anime series.

Monster Strike The Movie[edit]

An anime film adaptation titled Monster Strike The Movie was released on December 10, 2016.[10][11]

Monster Strike The Movie: Sora no Kanata[edit]

A second anime film adaptation titled Monster Strike The Movie: Sora no Kanata was released on October 5, 2018. Studio Orange animated the film.[12]

Monster Strike the Movie: Lucifer - Zetsubō no Yoake[edit]

A third anime film adaptation title Monster Strike the Movie: Lucifer - Zetsubō no Yoake was slated to be released in June 2020, but was pushed to November 6, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[3]

Reception[edit]

On YouTube, the anime series had been watched 100 million times by August 2016, and over 200 million times as of June 2017.[13]

Monster Strike The Movie grossed ¥740 million ($6.8 million) at the Japanese box office.[14] The second film, Sora no Kanata, has grossed ¥364,672,100 yen ($3.26 million) in Japan as of October 16, 2018.[15] Both films have grossed a combined ¥1,104,672,100 ($10.06 million) at the Japanese box office as of October 16, 2018.

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f Series Composition (シリーズ構成こうせい)
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Story (ストーリー)
  3. ^ The official Monster Strike YouTube channel credits Kazuya Ichikawa for direction in the episode's description, however, the ending credits give the Director (監督かんとく) credit to Toshiya Niidome (しんとめ俊哉としや).
  4. ^ a b Story Composition (ストーリー構成こうせい)

References[edit]

  1. ^ "映画えいが公開こうかいスペシャル「レイン・オブ・メモリーズ」【モンストアニメ公式こうしき】". アニメ モンスターストライク公式こうしき (Monster Strike Official YouTube). December 3, 2016. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  2. ^ "Monster Strike The Movie: Lucifer Zetsubō no Yoake Rescheduled for November After COVID-19 Delay". Anime News Network. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Monster Strike The Movie: Lucifer Zetsubō no Yoake's New Trailer Reveals November 6 Debut". Anime News Network. September 10, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  4. ^ "Monster Strike Mobile RPG Gets TV Anime, 3DS Port in 2015". Anime News Network. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  5. ^ Inc., Natasha. "WHITE ASHが全曲ぜんきょく「モンスト」の新作しんさくリリース、初回しょかいばんジャケにルシファー降臨こうりん". natalie.mu. Retrieved 15 January 2017. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  6. ^ "Monster Strike Anime's 2nd Season Reveals Cast, Visual". Anime News Network. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  7. ^ "Monster Strike: The Fading Cosmos Anime Previewed in Video, Visual". Anime News Network. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
  8. ^ "Monster Strike Anime Gets Special Episode For Golden Week". Anime News Network. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  9. ^ "Monster Strike Gets New 5-Episode Idol Spinoff Anime Special". Anime News Network. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  10. ^ "Monster Strike the Movie Earns 439 Million Yen in Opening Weekend, Tops Japan's Box Office (Updated)". Anime News Network. December 12, 2016. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
  11. ^ "モンスターストライク THE MOVIE はじまりの場所ばしょへ(2016)". allcinema (in Japanese). Stingray. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
  12. ^ http://anime-movie.monster-strike.com/
  13. ^ ""Monster Strike" Web Anime Viewed Over 200 Million Times Worldwide". Crunchyroll. June 20, 2017. Archived from the original on November 24, 2018. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  14. ^ "Box Office Gross, TV Anime Adaptations". Someanithing: Anime DVD/BD Sales in Japan. Archived from the original on October 23, 2018. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  15. ^ "The Laws of the Universe: Part 1 Opens at #1, Natsume Film Falls to #5". Anime News Network. 2018-10-16.

External links[edit]