The official website for the upcoming sci-fi anime feature film AS ONE announced today that Ruki Shiroiwa , a member of the Japanese boy band JO1 , will voice the male protagonist of the film, Yoh. This is his first voice acting role. The film's distributor GAGA's official YouTube channel is now streaming a short clip to introduce Shiroiwa's voice as Yoh for the first time. Shiroiwa's comment on the official X (formerly Twitter) reads: I am Ruki Shiroiwa, and I will play the protagonist Yoh in “AS ONE.” I heard that they saw my solo music video work “Himawari” and asked me if I would be a good fit for the protagonist, Yoh. I was very surprised, but I was also very happy because I love watching anime myself. Even before my appearance was revealed, I saw the release of information about the film and was nervous that so many people were looking forward to it. But more than that, I braced myself once again to make an absolutely great film. It was my first challenge as a voice actor, but with the support of the people around me, I did my best. It is an interesting story that I have been drawn to as I have read it many times. Please look forward to its release. Shiroiwa also posted a short message video on GAGA's official YouTube channel , saying, "I was very nervous because it was my first attempt at voice acting, but with the support of the people around me, I think I really made the best of it. I love this story myself, so I hope you are looking forward to the release of the film." RELATED: AS ONE Anime Movie Teaser Trailer Announces August 22 Release Date 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) , GAGA official YouTube channel 1 , 2 ©SQUARE ENIX/SUNRISE ©ASONE Production Committee
