The opening animation of original golf anime Sorairo Utility, which premieres in Japan on January 3 JST (effectively January 4 at 1 AM JST), has been released on the show’s YouTube channel.
Beyond its pleasant aesthetic and character drawings, the Sorairo Utility opening integrates much of the show’s production credits in a fun manner, such as the way series composer Yu Sato‘s name and role are featured as part of a café’s exterior design. The style is strongly reminiscent of Masashi Ishihama‘s opening animation for Encouragement of Climb Season 2.
The opening song is “Be the hero!” by Masayoshi Oishi featuring Airi Suzuki. The article will be updated with the opening’s storyboard and unit direction credits once those are available.
[Update: Series director Kengo Saito shares storyboard, unit director, and animation director credits for the opening with Aya Takafuji (Arknights [Perish in Frost] and Arknights [Prelude to Dawn] character designer) and Reo Itoyama (Arknights “So Long, Adele: Home Away From Home” PV storyboard artist and unit director).
Saito also storyboarded and unit directed the ending animation, in addition to having solo animation director and key animator credits]
Sorairo Utility follows Minami, an ordinary girl who hopes to find a “Special Something.” She comes to befriend Haruka, a talented golfer who works part-time at a golf practice range, and Ayaka, an aspiring influencer.
Sorairo Utility was originally a 2021 short storyboarded by Akira Amemiya (Gridman Universe director). The TV series will be streamed on HIDIVE, ADN, Aniverse, the Ani-One Asia YouTube channel, and other platforms.
Staff (series)
• Director and character designer: Kengo Saito (Sorairo Utility short, Arknights Anime PV Full Version)
• Series composer and co-scriptwriter: Yu Sato (The Legendary Hero Is Dead)
• Original concept cooperation: Kota Nozomi (Sorairo Utility short writer)
• Color designer: Hitoki Takeda (Gridman Universe)
• Background art director: Yoshitaka Kudo (The Vexations of a Shut-In Vampire Princess assistant background art director)
• Compositing director: Wu Jiann-horng (Selection Project)
• Animation production: Yostar Pictures
Cast
• Miyu Takagi as Minami Aoba
• Yurina Amami as Haruka Akane
• Ayasa Gotou as Ayaka Hoshimi
Source: Sorairo Utility YouTube channel
