The Reflection
Key Visual
GenreSuperhero[1]
Created byStan Lee
Hiroshi Nagahama
Anime television series
Directed byHiroshi Nagahama
Written byYasuyuki Suzuki
Music byTrevor Horn
StudioStudio Deen
Licensed by
Original networkNHK General TV
Original run July 22, 2017 (2017-07-22) – October 7, 2017 (2017-10-07)
Episodes12

The Reflection[a] is a Japanese anime co-created by writer Stan Lee and director Hiroshi Nagahama.[1][2] Studio Deen and Lee's Pow! Entertainment are credited with project planning, with animation production by Studio Deen.[3][4]

The series was directed by Nagahama, with character designs by Yoshihiko Magoshi, scripts by Yasuhiro Suzuki and music by Trevor Horn.[3][5] 9nine sing the end titles song and also appear as themselves in the show.[3][6]

The series was broadcast worldwide at the same time, and the 12 episodes aired on TV in Japan from 22 July to 7 October 2017 on NHK General TV.[7][8] In Europe and the United States, the series was licensed and delivered by Crunchyroll, with English dubbing by FUNimation Entertainment.[3][7] In other regions, such as Asia, the series was distributed by other platforms.[7] In Japan, the series was distributed on Amazon Prime Video and Video Pass.[9]

A Blu-ray disc was released in 2018.[10]

Plot

Some years previously, a mysterious event called The Reflection gave superpowers to various individuals.

Characters

X-On
Voiced by: Shinichiro Miki[11] (Japanese); Vic Mignogna[12] (English)
X-On has the ability to absorb powers from Reflected, but is not one himself.
I-Guy (Ian Izette)
Voiced by: Satoshi Mikami[11] (Japanese); James Kirby[12] (English)
Izette had a hit with the song "Sky Show" and the Reflection has now given him a superpowered voice that he combines with a supersuit.
Eleanor Evans
Voiced by: Mariya Ise[11] (Japanese); Aviva Pressman[12] (English)
Eleanor is a journalist who can teleport over short distances.
Lisa Livingston
Voiced by: Satomi Hanamura[11] (Japanese); Talya Sindel[12] (English)
A wheelchair-using teenager, Lisa is able to transform into a giant robot powered by her imagination.
Michael Holden
Voiced by: Toshihiko Seki (Japanese); Arthur Romeo (English)
Blinded by the event, able only to see other Reflected.
Vy Le
Voiced by: Ryoka Yuzuki (Japanese); Saki Miata[12] (English)
Michael's wife, transformed into a Darkness Reflected.
Wraith/Ethan Evans
Voiced by: Kōki Miyata (Japanese); Demetrius Conley-Williams (Wraith), Zachary Rice (Ethan) (English)
Leader of the Darkness Reflected. Has the ability to project into Eleanor's mind so only she can see him.
Steel Ruler
Voiced by: Yōko Hikasa (Japanese); Yasmina Shaw[12] (English)
Able to manipulate metal.
Mr. Mystic
Voiced by: Tomomichi Nishimura (Japanese); Stan Lee[12] (English)
The creator appears in his own story as a villain.
Flaming Fury
Voiced by: Yūko Sanpei (Japanese); Laila Berzins[12] (English)
A Darkness Reflected who can manipulate fire.
Volt Vortex
Voiced by: Kensho Ono (Japanese); Michael Orenstein[12] (English)
A Darkness Reflected who can manipulate electricity.
Dead Wing
Voiced by: Shōto Kashii (Japanese); Aron Fromm[12] (English)
A Darkness Reflected who has the appearance and abilities of a bat.
Con Man
Voiced by: (Japanese); Zachary Rice (English)
A Darkness Reflected with the power to cause others to hallucinate.
Thru
Voiced by: (Japanese); Matthew McCallum[12] (English)
A Darkness Reflected with the power to pass herself and others through solid objects.
Deborah
Voiced by: Mika Doi (Japanese); Jill Cott[12] (English)
A government agent investigating the Reflected.
Jim
Voiced by: Ryūsei Nakao (Japanese); Kyle Chapple[12] (English)
A friend of X-On with a scarred face.
Clarence
Voiced by: (Japanese); D.J. Rivers (English)
A military officer investigating the Reflected.
Aaron
Voiced by: Tesshō Genda (Japanese); Michael Orenstein[12] (English)
Ian's long time friend and leader of I-Guy's support crew.
Jay, Tim, and Enrico
Voiced by: Yukito Sōma, Hiroo Sasaki, and Yūta Odagaki (Japanese); Isaac Simons, Aron Fromm, and Matt Murray[12] (English)
I-Guy's support crew.
Ninth Wonder/9nine
Voiced by: Themselves
A quartet of Japanese schoolgirls Reflected.

Soundtrack

A 21-track soundtrack album, The Reflection: Wave One – Original Sound Track, by Trevor Horn was released in Japan, the US and UK.[13] A limited edition version in Japan adds three bonus tracks. These are also available as the B-side to a digital single, "Sky Show", released in the US and UK.

The end theme, "SunSunSunrise", is sung by 9nine, produced and co-written by Horn, co-composed by Simon Bloor and Cameron Gower Poole, and with lyrics by Kohei Tsunami.

Notes and references

Notes

  1. ^ Stylized in all caps.

References

  1. ^ a b Japan, Variety (3 July 2017). "New Animated Series 'The Reflection' From Marvel's Stan Lee to Debut in Japan". Variety. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
  2. ^ "長濱博史の夢がかなう! NHK新アニメ「ザ・リフレクション」は新しい映像体験" [Hiroshi Nagahama's dream comes true! NHK's new animation The Reflection is a new visual experience]. Web The Television (in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten. 6 July 2017. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d Ressler, Karen (22 July 2017). "Funimation Reveals The Reflection Anime's English Simuldub Cast". Anime News Network. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
  4. ^ "アメコミ界の巨匠スタン・リー&「蟲師」長濱博史の共同原作アニメ「THE REFLECTION」制作決定" [Production of THE REFLECTION, an animation co-created by American comic master Stan Lee & Hiroshi Nagahama of 'Mushishi', is confirmed]. eiga.com (in Japanese). 11 November 2015. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  5. ^ "スタン・リー×長濱博史のタッグ作、本格始動 UK音楽の巨匠トレバー・ホーンも参加" [Stan Lee and Hiroshi Nagahama's tag-team anime is in full swing, with UK music maestro Trevor Horn also taking part]. eiga.com (in Japanese). 13 November 2016. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  6. ^ "9nine、本人役で出演のスタン・リー総指揮アニメに「涙が止まらなかった」" [9nine member says 'I had tearful eyes' at the Stan Lee executive-produced animation in which they play themselves]. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha. 6 July 2017. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  7. ^ a b c "Anime "THE REFLECTION" Noguchi Producer & Director Hiroshi Nagahama interview, wanting to create a universe with Stan Lee". Gigazine. OSA. 21 July 2017. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  8. ^ "ザ・リフレクション：アメコミを「そのままアニメに」 長濱監督が語る映像表現 スタン・リーへの思い" [The Reflection: Director Nagahama talks about his thoughts on Stan Lee, "straight from the American comics into animation"]. MANTANWEB (in Japanese). 22 July 2017. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  9. ^ "アニメ「THE REFLECTION」PV公開、スタン・リーが「今すぐ帰って観たい」" [Anime THE REFLECTION PV released, Stan Lee says 'I want to go home and watch it now'.]. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha. 5 July 2017. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  10. ^ "'The Reflection' Latest News: 12-Part Series to Be Released on Blu-ray in 2018". www.christianpost.com. 16 August 2017. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
  11. ^ a b c d "Meet the Superhuman Cast of "THE REFLECTION"". Crunchyroll. Retrieved 2017-09-23.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "The Reflection (TV)". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2017-09-23.
  13. ^ Sinclair, Paul (22 August 2018). "Trevor Horn / The Reflection / 2LP vinyl". Super Deluxe Edition. Retrieved 26 November 2023.

External links

Works directed by Hiroshi Nagahama
Stan Lee
Studio Deen television series
Trevor Horn
Categories