We have seen sci-fi anime where the MC has no limbs, and now we get to see an anime where the protagonist just has his brain!
Yes, we mean that literally, just a brain turned into a weapon.
Ex-Arm the TV animation is coming! Thanks to everyone who supported me! We will announce more about it later!
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Ex-Arm is based on a manga written by Hi-Rock and illustrated by Shinya Komi, and has fourteen tankobon volumes so far.
The anime adaptation was announced to premiere in 2020. Let’s discuss its release date and plot in this article.
1. Release Date
The 12th volume of the series revealed that it was getting an anime adaptation and is planning to move forward.
The Ex-Arm anime is officially going to air on January 11, 2021 and would run for a duration of 12 episodes. Crunchyroll announced that it would be streaming the anime as a part of the Crunchyroll Original series.
Komatsu Mikako, one of the voice actors, took to Twitter to tweet about her role, and confirmed that the series would air in Fall 2020!
There also seems to be some confusion regarding the broadcast period. Some tweets say July while the others say October. What is going in?
2. Cause of Delay
Ex-Arm was supposed to premiere in July before the Covid-19 pandemic affected the anime industry.
The official website of the anime announced that the anime had been delayed to Fall 2020.
The TV animation ‘Ex-Arm scheduled for broadcasting from July will be postponed to Fall 2020, in regards to the coronavirus pandemic’s influence. First of all, with the safety of the production team as the top priority, we are working hard to deliver the best work. We appreciate your understanding.
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The production committee explained the pandemic’s adverse effects and promised to deliver a quality performance while keeping the health of the staff and cast in mind.
With such promising news, let’s see what makes the anime so interesting.
3. Popularity of the Franchise
Komi and Hi-Rock launched Ex-Arm in 2015 and finished in 2019 under Shueisha’s Grand Jump magazine.
The manga garnered so much attention that a sequel was kicked off in August 2019 under Ex-Arm EXA.
The anime adaptation was announced to premiere in 2020.
With fourteen complete tankobon volumes, the upcoming anime holds a lot of promise.
I. Fans’ Expectations from the Anime
While there is no word of the cast and staff, the manga lovers are here to incite excitement about the franchise.
The fans were hooked from the start as they appreciated that the manga is realistic.
MC is turned into a super-advanced weapon in the future, but the fact that he has no clue what is going on, or how to use his powers drives home that he is human.
Though somewhat similar to Ghost in the Shell, it is completely different. It has a more grounded future, has the same physical reality as the present.
But the mystery surrounding the cast, studio, and staff have all played a big role in increasing the curiosity for this anime. Let’s see what it has in store for us.
4. Expected Plot
The story revolves around Akira Natsume, a high school boy who seems to have a phobia of electronic devices despite being good at diagnosing them.
In 2014, Akira resolved to better himself and get a girlfriend just like his older brother, but before he could even start, he got into an accident.
Fast forward 16-years, a policewoman and her android partner activate a highly advanced AI superweapon called EX-ARM and put it into full control of their ship.
It turns out the AI is actually Akira’s brain.
This sci-fi thriller is Akira’s journey with Minami and Alma to regain his lost memories, his body, and to know what happened in these past years.
Akira is just a brain, so what is going to stop us from imagining him as MODOK from Marvel? Well, the visuals!!
5. New Key Visuals & Trailer
The staff of the anime revealed the main visuals in the Ex-Arm manga. The official character designs were also revealed later this year.
Main visual of ‘Ex-Arm’ is released. Drawn by Shinya-sensei, please look forward to the coming future!
English Translation, Twitter Tranlate
We can see a big supporting cast that has yet not been revealed.
Though the original creator, Shinya Komi, has drawn the key visuals, the anime’s official character designer hasn’t been revealed.
The official Twitter account of the anime tweeted a Key Visual back in May with the old broadcast date of July 2020.
The TV animation will begin broadcasting in July 2020. We wish you the best summer, and we will release detailed information in the future. Look forward to it!
English Translation, Twitter Translate
In a human body wearing a tech-glove, Akira gives the impression that he may have been fulfilled his wish of getting a body…or possession?
The staff recently released the character designs of the main cast.
The official website also released a trailer of Ex-Arm to promote their manga and also to hint at the anime adaptation.
Akira’s consciousness lies within a weapon, and we also get a glimpse of all the main characters. The video features some of the intense CG fight scenes that we can expect from the anime.
So how exactly are the makers of Ex-Arm going to attract attention from the fans? Do they like this sort of obscurity?
6. Fan Reactions
Many anime lurkers are excited about the new sci-fi and hope to get a trailer soon.
But many are on the fence, as the art of the visuals is very good, but with no news on the studio, they are reluctant.
Manga readers are waiting for the anime to air so that they can go back to re-reading Ex-Arm later.
The anime will be a good push for those who like seinen, mysteries, with a bit of sci-fi added to it. With fourteen volumes, there’s a lot to cover!
Now that we know the series will be futuristic (with androids!) let’s discuss the staff or the crew that we know of, behind it.
7. Cast & Staff
Let’s look into the technical details of this upcoming anime to check what influences the production of ‘Ex-Arm.’ While most of the staff is not revealed, the following are the known cast and staff members for Ex-Arm:
I. Staff
| Position | Staff |
| Director | Kimura Yoshikatsu |
| Character Design | Komi Shinya |
| Studio | Visual Flight |
II. Cast
| Character | Voice Actor | Famous Works |
| Alma | Kitou Akari | Nezuko (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba), Kotoko (Kyokou Suiri) |
| Minami | Komatsu Mikako | Izumi (Ajin), Lupusregina (Overlord) |
| Akira | Saitou Souma | Yamaguchi Tadashi (Haikyuu), Tatsumi (Akame ga Kill) |
8. About Ex-Arm
Set in the year 2030, the story follows Akira Natsume, a high school boy who seemingly died in a traffic accident 16-years ago.
Only to know, that his brain was taken out and had become a part of an advanced weapon.
Akira co-operates with the EX-ARM Countermeasure Division to regain his lost memories and body.
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