Trickster (Japanese TV series)

Trickster, full title known as , is a 2016 Japanese anime television series produced by TMS Entertainment and Shin-Ei Animation. It is directed by Masahiro Mukai and written by Erika Yoshida, with original character designs by Peach-Pit, adapted character designs by Shinya Yamada and music by Yuki Hayashi. It began airing on October 4, 2016 on Tokyo MX and Yomiuri TV. A manga adaptation of the anime by Mantohihi Binta began its serialization on June 20, 2016. A prequel original video animation split into two parts, titled "Episode 00", was released on December 22, 2016.
Plot.
The story is set in 203X, and the have been assembled under the mysterious detective Kogoro Akechi. Together, this group takes on cases both great and small. One of their junior members, Kensuke Hanasaki, is out solving a case one day when he happens upon Yoshio Kobayashi. Kobayashi, who has an undying body because of an "unidentifiable fog," wishes his own death and refuses contact with others. After seeing his abilities in action, Kensuke offers Yoshio a deal: join the Boy Detectives' Club and help them solve cases, and in exchange he will find a way to help Yoshio die.
The apathetic Yoshio accepts this deal begrudgingly, unaware of how different his life will become. Although he does not have much use for people, he gradually begins to acknowledge the group as he spends more time with them while solving cases.
The encounter between the two eventually leads them to the connection between the criminal nicknamed "Fiend with Twenty Faces" (Kaijin Nijuu Menso) and Kogoro Akechi.
Production.
The anime production, inspired from "The Boy Detectives Club" (1937) and "The Fiend With Twenty Faces" (1936) novels written by Edogawa Ranpo, was unveiled by TMS Entertainment on June 1, 2016, with the anime's official website listing the series' main staff, main cast, synopsis and broadcast dates. Along with the anime, the project will include a manga, stage play, and a live-action film adaptation.
Broadcast.
The series began airing on Tokyo MX at 1:05am and Yomiuri TV at 1:59am on October 4, 2016. It will later air on BS11 at 1:30am on October 5, 2016. The anime's first opening theme song from episodes 1 to 12 is "Kimi Dake no Boku de Iru Kara" by Gackt, while the first ending theme song, titled "1Hope Sniper", is performed by Azusa Tadokoro. From episodes 13 to 24, the second opening theme song is by Azusa Tadokoro, while the second ending theme song is by Gackt. It will be released across 8 Blu-ray home video release volumes, totalling 24 episodes. Crunchyroll is simulcasting the anime. Funimation is currently streaming a simuldub on their website, starting with the first episode on November 3, 2016.
A prequel OVA written by Gō Zappa and Takeshi Miyamoto, titled "Episode 00", was released on December 22, 2016. The OVA consists of two parts with each part running for 25 minutes, totalling 50 minutes.
Adaptations.
Manga.
Binta's manga adaptation began serialization in Kodansha's July 2016 issue of "Magazine Special" on June 20, 2016. The manga series has been compiled in one "tankōbon" volume as of October 2016; the first volume was released on October 17, 2016.