“Sabikui Bisco” (錆喰いビスコ), translated in English as “Rust-Easter Bisco,” is an upcoming Japanese sci-fi anime series based on the series of light novel written by Shinji Cobkubo.
Upon the release of the novel in 2018, “Sabikui Bisco” soon became a hit in Japan, winning the Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi! award that same year as the No. 1 most popular light novel in the New Work and Overall ranking categories.
Early in 2021, it was announced that “Sabikui Bisco” would be receiving an anime TV series adaptation by studio OZ. The announcement was made at the Kadokawa Light Novel Expo 2020 — the world’s largest light novel event. The event, which was held in March 2021, brought together several light novel series writers from Kadokawa’s Light Novel imprints — which all welcomed the announcement with an ovation.
This article provides more details about what the upcoming series is all about, the release date, and other relevant information you need to know about “Sabikui Bisco.”
When Will the Sabikui Bisco Anime Premiere?
The producers of the show first announced on the anime’s official Twitter account on Oct. 15, 2021, that the series would premiere in January 2022. The announcement came with the release of the first official teaser video for the show.
Subsequently, another full promotional video was released on the official website of the upcoming TV anime. The video previews the opening theme song “Kaze no Oto Sae Kikoenai” (“Even the Wind Is Silent”) and also reveals further details about the premiere. The premiere is scheduled to be held on Jan. 10, 2022, on Tokyo MX, BS11, Sun TV, and Abema.
What’s not clear yet, however, is its distribution in the West.
Where Can You Watch the Sabikui Bisco Anime?
There’s no news yet about where the anime series will be streaming. BuddyTV will bring you updates about where you can watch “Sabikui Bisco” as soon as we have them.
What Is Sabikui Bisco (Rust–Eater Bisco) About? (Plot Synopsis)
“Sabikui Bisco” is an action-adventure story set in post-apocalyptic Japan. In the far future, Japan is plagued by an epidemic that originated from mushroom spores known as “Rusty Wind,” which has ravaged lives. The only cure when this plague-like wind blows is an elixir mushroom known to purify “rust disease.”
Bisco Akaboshi, aka the “Man-Eating Mushroom,” is a young man (aged 17 in the novel series) and a wanted criminal archer whose arrows instantly grow mushrooms wherever they land. However, he is in truth a “Mushroom Protector,” a person who spreads fungi in order to enrich the land and return it to its previous state. His primary weapon, common to all Mushroom Keepers, is a bow with arrows coated in special spores that causes a variety of giant mushrooms to instantly grow wherever the arrowheads pierce.
Bisco ventures on a journey through the wastelands of post-apocalyptic Japan searching to find the rust-eating mushroom after his teacher falls prey to the “rust disease.” On his way, he meets a giant crab Akutagawa (アクタガワ), and the dashing young doctor Milo Nekoyanagi in Imihama. Milo is also on the same cause: to find the miracle drug.
Together, Bisco Akaboshi and Milo venture through the wasteland of post-apocalyptic Japan in search of this cure for their loved ones and possibly the entire population. They will have to do that while contending against some angry citizens who believe that the “Rusty Wind” plague is caused by an evil mushroom, and Bisco Akaboshi’s tribe of Mushroom Guardians should be held accountable for the presence of the evil mushroom.
Sabikui Bisco Main Characters
The main Sabikui Bisco characters you can expect to see in this anime series include:
Bisco Akaboshi:
This character is the protagonist in “Sabikui Bisco.” Bisco Akaboshi is a young man from a rejected tribe of Mushroom Guardians who are under his mentor Jabi. Jabi becomes infected by the epidemic, which has swept through the land, and the young yet audacious Bisco Akaboshi is on the search for a miracle mushroom. The character is played by Ryota Suzuki. Interestingly, Suzuki will also perform the closing theme titled “Hoko” (Howl) alongside Natsuki Hanae.
Milo Nekoyanagi:
Milo is the deuteragonist of the “Sabikui Bisco” series. Milo is on the quest to find the miracle mushroom so he can cure his sister who is also a victim of the “Rusty Wind” epidemic. The character is played by Natsuki Hanae.
Pawoo Nekoyanagi:
Pawoo Nekoyanagi, sister of Milo Nekoyanagi, is a vigilante and a supporting character in the series. The character is played by Reina Kondou.
Jabi:
Jabi plays a supporting role; however, his role is very key in the plot of the “Sabikui Bisco” series. Jabi is Bisco’s mentor and teacher, one to whom Bisco considers himself indebted, hence his decision to embark on the journey to find the miracle mushroom so he can cure his mentor. The character is played by Shiro Saito.
Kurokawa:
Kurokawa is a prefectural governor in the “Sabikui Bisco” series. The character is played by Kenjiro Tsuda.
Who Is the Writer and Director of Sabikui Bisco?
The original novel series was published in 2018 by ASCII Media Works under the Dengeki Bunko label and was licensed by Yen Press in North America for production in English on May 21, 2021. The novel series was written by Shinji Cobkubo and illustrated by the duo K Akagishi and Mocha. The novel was immediately followed by the first series of its manga adaptation in 2019, which was also written by Shinji Cobkubo and illustrated by Yusuke Takahashi.
The upcoming anime adaptation is written by Sadayuki Murai and directed by Atsushi Ikariya. For a storyline as immersive as “Sabikui Bisco,” you need the best hands on the job. Here’s a little bit more on Sadayuki Murai and Atsushi Ikariya:
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Sadayuki Murai: Born in Nara, Japan, Sadayuki is a writer and producer with several works to his name already. He’s best known for “Perfect Blue” (1997), ”Millennium Actress” (2001), and ”Knights of Sidonia” (2014). Some of his other works include “Godzilla: Ultraman Nexus” (2005), “Ultraseven X” (2007), and “City on the Edge of Battle” (2018). He was nominated for the Annie Awards in 2004 under the Outstanding Writing in an Animated Feature Production category.
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Atsushi Ikariya: Atsushi Ikariya (also known as Atsushi Itagaki) is a Japanese animator and a renowned name in the Japanese film industry. Atsushi worked many years with the studio White Fox and is best known for his work as animation director of “Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion.” He was also director, character designer, and chief animation director for “ID: INVADED” and “ID: INDEED.” Atsushi is not only directing the “Sabikui Bisco” anime series but he is also in charge of character design alongside Ai Asari. As the director, he will be assisted by Daisuke Mataga.
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Contributing Writer, BuddyTV
