In addition to JO1 member Ruki Shiroiwa as the male protagonist, Yoh, the official website for the upcoming sci-fi anime feature film AS ONE announced four more main voice cast members today. Haruka Shiraishi (Reiko Kujirai in KOWLOON GENERIC ROMANCE ) voices Rako, a young girl who lives as a robot mechanic on the floating planet Meguriboshi in space. Shunsuke Takeuchi (Alexander Yamato in KING OF PRISM ) voices Vigo, a member of the Purgard team whom Rako looks up to like an older brother. Yoko Hikasa (Mio Akiyama in K-ON! ) voices Kizana, a mysterious researcher who holds the key to the story, and Ryuhei Maruyama is cast as Leroy, Rako's father. Maruyama is a 41-year-old member of STARTO ENTERTAINMENT's male idol group SUPER EIGHT (formerly known as Kanjani Eight), and this is his voice acting debut role. "I am happy to have had the opportunity to experience something that I have never had in my career," said Maruyama. "It took a lot of courage for me to participate in a modern Japanese anime film that is delivered at a very high standard. In particular, I think the main themes of this work are 'connecting feelings' and 'believing in oneself.' In the midst of the grand entertainment, my own role required special skills in playing even though this is my first voice acting work. My character is enigmatic as a person and as part of the work, I am excited to see how you will enjoy it. Please take a look at this mysterious but warm film." RELATED: JO1 Member Ruki Shiroiwa Voices Lead Role in AS ONE Anime Movie AS ONE is set to release in Japan on August 22, 2025 . Kobun Shizuno ( the Case Closed/Detective Conan film series) serves as director, alongside character designer Yoshiyuki Sadamoto ( Neon Genesis Evangelion , The Girl Who Leapt Through Time ) and mechanical designer Ippei Gyoubu ( Mobile Suit GUNDAM Iron Blooded Orphans , and Mobile Suit Gundam the Witch from Mercury ). The anime film is based on Square Enix's arcade game Starwing Paradox , which originally released in Japan in November 2018. It will serve as a prequel to the game's story, taking place 20 years before the game. The synopsis reads (translated): Present-day Earth. Yoh, a high school student who aspires to become a musician, is troubled by his parents' opposition and his bandmates' relationships, and is undecided about his future. One day, as Yoh walks through a Shibuya intersection, a voice echoes in his brain, “Help!" and he is enveloped in a white light. Meanwhile, Meguriboshi floats in space. Just as a ceremony was about to be held to mediate a truce between the Va Led Sei Kingdom and the Ko Country A Slegga, which had been at war for a long time over the energy source "Hoshi no Chi" ("star blood"), a huge piece of orbital debris fall,s and Vigo of the Purugard team was frantically dealing with the situation. Rako, a robot mechanic, takes off in a plane that is still in the process of being serviced to save Vigo, but she finds herself in a critical situation. After a brief flash of light, Rako's heavily damaged plane is able to move the debris to the surface of the sea, but she loses consciousness. Rako, in a coma, meets Yoh in her consciousness. What is the meaning of the encounter between Yoh and Rako? And what is the fate that awaits Yoh and Rako, two in one? Sources: "AS ONE" film official website / X (formerly Twitter) ©SQUARE ENIX/SUNRISE ©ASONE Production Committee
