Jersey Crusaders

Jersey Crusaders (ジャージー・クルセイダーズ, Jājī Kuruseidāzu) is an upcoming Japanese-American mecha anime television series and mixed-media franchise created by Aaron Montalvo and produced by Hollowfox Entertainment and Production I.G. with Wit Studio, AkaKen and IG Zwei as animation production facilites.

This is the first original anime series from Hollowfox Entertainment in years since Koga & Naga and is considered a spiritual successor to both Production I.G and Hollowfox titles, let alone being a spiritual successor to the former's Lagrange: The Flower of Rin-ne and the latter's Harmony Unleashed: Jaegermeisters in terms of having tone, crew and story.

The series' first season started from September 27, 2019 through May 1st, 2020 in Japan on TV Tokyo, AT-X and its affiliates and will have a simulcast release in North America on HCN+ at the launch date alongside an English dub the next week after its Japanese airing. The cable television airing of the series airs on Atomix Central through the Chromix block on March 14, 2020.

Season 2 was in development and production since August 2020 once the COVID-19 pandemic slows down. The second season is set to air on TV Tokyo and its affiliates as well as simulcasted through MontalVue in North America in February 12, 2020.

About the Show
In 2016, Montalvo considered making another Jaegermeisters series, however he dropped it to focus on the current Harmony Unleashed projects. However, he is open to make a spiritual installment to it with the same staff behind Lagrange and Attack on Titan, which are co-operated from Production I.G.

Later on, the series is in development with Montalvo involved as an executive producer, chief storyteller and concept design. In 2018, Wit Studio and Xebec were involved in the production with AkaKen (fka Ivannimation Samurai Studios) and Production I.G. developing the series in co-operation with the studios. Netflix is co-financing and providing worldwide streaming rights due to the partnership with HolCom and Hollowfox.

In 2019, After I.G. Port is set to transfer Xebec to Sunrise due to monetary reasons, the series' first season is close to being finished and it led to problems. However, due to I.G.'s involvement and XEBECzwei transferred to Production I.G. under the name IG Zwei, it will join Wit Studio and the first season's animation is done.

While Montalvo is in charge of story and concept, Naoyoshi Shiotani (Psycho-Pass, Blood-C: The Last Dark) is the chief director, Character and mecha concept designs will be provided by Chinatsu Kurahana (Aquarion Evol, Fire Emblem, Samurai Flamenco) and Yoji Shinkawa (Metal Gear Solid, Left Alive). The writing team will be Yuya Takahashi (Kamen Rider Ex-Aid, Tiger & Bunny), Yuichi Nomura (Lagrange: The Flower of Rin-ne, AICO Incarnation), Junichi Fujisaku (Blood+, Atom: The Beginning) and the writing duo of Eiji Umehara and Aya Takaha (Pokemon: The Power of Us).

Consulting the writing to seem a little western-influenced, Montalvo, Brian Ash (The Boondocks), Benjamin Townsend (Monsuno, Bravest Warriors), Josh Hamilton (My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, Voltron: Legendary Defender) and Brandon Auman (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Star Wars: Resistance) are involved.

Kyoji Asano (Attack on Titan, Star Fox Zero: The Battle Begins) will be the director of the series and is an animation supervisor and will join Chizuru Kobayashi (Lagrange: The Flower of Rin-ne) and Takumo Norita (Broken Blade) as character designer. Chief Animation Directors will be Keita Nagahara (Pokemon: The Power of Us, Assault Lily Bouquet) and Satoshi Kadowaki (Attack on Titan, Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign) with Takuya Matsubara (Lagrange: The Flower of Rin-ne) as Chief Mecha Animation Director and Animation Mecha Design adapting Shinkawa's design with Atsushi Takeuchi (Mass Effect: Paragon Lost, Guilty Crown).

During the second run of Jersey Crusaders since it resumed on March 13, 2020, Production I.G. and Hollowfox Entertainment has announced a second season and is in development, with production not yet started due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, it has been announced that Naoyoshi Shiotani will not return for the series' second season as chief director. Toshimasa Suzuki (Lagrange: The Flower of Rin-ne, The Pilot's Love Song, The Price of Smiles) will replace Shiotani as chief director for Season 2. The theme for Season 2 is about a certain "Space Race with giant robots".

Amid the statement and allegation that Jersey Crusaders was the reason Wit Studio won't return for the final season of Attack on Titan (and MAPPA replaces them), Montalvo takes responsibility and apologizes for Wit Studio not being involved in a series that he likes, despite the statement that "At least MAPPA isn't like Deen or JC Staff, which angered anime fans after studio-switching drastically ruined shows like One Punch Man and Seven Deadly Sins".

Season One
In the year 2031 in Union Jersey City, Giant Robots improve the facts of life with transportation and construction. It could be either be for the necessary things in life, or just people riding them to do whatever they want. It's a utopia for the whole universe that it could be shared with any country.

Scott Ryder, a big fan of giant robots and college graduate, wishes he could travel places on a giant robot, has been assigned on a job at Mirren's, which is a specialty for giant mecha robots. While he reunites with his high school friend and current employee, Aaliyah Morgan, and meets a robot enthusiast and mechanic supervisor, Mr. Mirren, he will have a decent time at work to fix giant robots.

Until one day, when an opportunity for both Scott and Aaliyah to pilot a giant robot for the very first time has come, the robot they pilot became sentient with its movements, feelings, and motives that led to an unusual and yet satisfying bond between the two individuals that will strengthen a robot's way of energetic life. That is leading to its potential, gaining Allan Joneson's interest to see itself on the press, but a price must be paid.

Season Two
After the giant robot tournament came to an end, as well as Allan's career crashing down after he was exposed, Mirren's Mecha Workshop's business soared a lot with mecha enthusiasts, drivers, and travelers around the city. And Scott and Aaliyah became more aware of their love for each other with themselves and the JR-C. However, a "Space Force" type of person came to endorse their business for a Space Race, which recruits the experienced mecha drivers into a journey in space. Especially, when they are dealing with the General's son, an experienced mecha space enthusiast.

English

 * Jeannie Tirado
 * Eric Bauza
 * Aleks Le
 * Tony Azzolino
 * Jason Marnocha
 * Todd Haberkorn
 * Trevor Devall
 * Nolan North
 * Xanthe Huynh
 * Xander Mobus
 * Rachelle Heger
 * Wally Wingert
 * Jake Eberle

Episodes
The series is planned for 26 episodes. The first thirteen episodes will stream to Netflix weeks after the first part has been done, and it's through a deal with HolCom Networks since it's involved alongside Netflix due to their partnership in 2016.

The series will run simultaneously on the same day as Japan on HCN+ with the Japanese dub to stream before the English dub hits HCN+ a week later. The series' English dub will premiere on cable television through HolCom Networks' Atomix Central on March 14, 2020 through the Chromix programming block. Alongside its announcement, Season 2 is confirmed to be in development for a release around early 2021 due to the production and development slowed down due to the Coronavirus pandemic. With the production done, the first 13 episodes will be aired on TV Tokyo and streamed simultaneously on MontalVue in February 12, 2021.

Montalvo has announced that Funimation has licensed the home video rights to the series in North America and United Kingdom (right after Funimation bought Manga Entertainment UK). Hanabee also licensed the home video rights to the series in Australia and New Zealand.

International Airings

 * Japan - TV Tokyo, TV Osaka, TV Aichi, BS Japan, AT-X
 * Asia - Animax, Chromix Network
 * United States
 * Streaming: MontalVue, Netflix
 * Television: Montalvo Anitoku (SushiChromix), Montalvo Xtreme (Chromix)
 * Canada - Chromix Network

Ratings

 * United States - TV-MA
 * Canada - 18+
 * Asia - 16
 * United Kingdom - 18
 * Brazil - 18
 * Japan - R15+
 * Latin America
 * Mexico / Ecuador - C (HCN), 18+ (Netflix)

Manga
Manga is in the works at Shueisha and published on the Ultra Jump Magazine. With Montalvo as a supervisor, the manga is written by Yuichi Nomura and illustrated by Shion Mizuki. It is licensed by Viz Media and will be published through the Shonen Jump imprint.

Novels
A light novel series is written by Hideto Iwai with Montalvo and series writer Yuya Takahashi as supervisors and character concept designer Chinatsu Kurahana is set as an illustrator. It will be imprint under Dash X Bunko

Films
Montalvo is interested in bringing two films based on the anime series, one being a live-action film produced under the Hollowfox Filmworks label and another being a full-length anime film set in the same timeline as the series. In July of 2020, Montalvo announced a planned anime film trilogy for the series, with one being a prequel to the series. Months later, Toshimasa Suzuki has been announced to being the films' chief director and Yuya Takahashi will be doing the writing structure.

Chibi Spin-off
On Comic-Con @ Home, Montalvo announced that a chibi-sized short-form spin-off series called "Tiny Jersey Crusaders" produced by Hollowfox Digital Media and Production I.G. with animation produced by Drive. It started airing from November 6, 2021.

Anemone Sprint
A spin-off based in Japan is announced and in development at Signal.MD and AkaKen. Toshiya Shinohara (InuYasha, NagiAsu, Black Butler) will direct the series with Masafumi Nishida (Tiger & Bunny, Re:Main). Chinatsu Kurahana will be doing the character concept designs adapted for animation by Mami Omori and Yuichi Oka, while Yoji Shinkawa will return to develop the mecha designs. In October, Montalvo announced that the series is set to premiere in Spring 2022. Kyoji Asano is set to be the animation chief supervisor.

Music

 * Music by: Makoto Miyazaki, Yutaka Yamada
 * Music Production: Aniplex, Sony Music Records, TV Tokyo Music, Bandai Namco Arts

Opening Theme

 * Voyage by Eir Aoi (Eps. 1-13)
 * (#)Love by supercell ft. Ann and Gaku (Eps. 14-24)
 * Speed Star by GARNiDELIA (Eps. 27-38)

Ending Theme

 * Invincible by Amine (Eps. 1-13)
 * If I Tell You by Flipp Dinero (Eps. 14-26)
 * I Need You by Savage Garden (Eps. 27-38)

Staff

 * Original Work: Hollowfox Entertainment x Production I.G.
 * Original Story, Concept Design and Executive Producer: Aaron Montalvo
 * Planning:
 * Yutaro Ikegaya
 * Mitsuhisa Ishikawa
 * George Wada
 * Kenji Hamada
 * Satoshi Oshita
 * Takayuki Hirobe (TV Tokyo)
 * Yosuke Imai
 * Yoshitaka Hashimoto
 * Kohei Obara (Season 2+)
 * Executive Producer:
 * George Wada (Season 1)
 * Jing Zhou Song (Season 2+)
 * Yukinao Shimoji
 * Katsuji Morishita
 * Maki Terashima-Furuta
 * Hayato Saga
 * Shunji Aoki
 * Kaata Sakamoto (Netflix)
 * Chief Director:
 * Naoyoshi Shiotani (Season 1)
 * Toshimasa Suzuki (Season 2)
 * Directorial Supervisor: Itsuro Kawasaki
 * Director, Animation Supervisor & Sub-Character Designer: Kyoji Asano
 * Story Editor: Yuya Takahashi
 * Character Concept Design: Chinatsu Kurahana
 * Animation Character Design: Chizuru Kobayashi & Takumo Norita
 * Chief Animation Directors: Satoshi Kadowaki, Keita Nagahara, Makoto Oda, Yuichi Oka
 * Key Animator: Takuma Ebisu, Hideki Sakai
 * Mecha Concept Design: Yoji Shinkawa
 * Mecha Animation Design: Takuya Matsubara, Atsushi Takeuchi
 * Mecha Animation Director: Takuya Matsubara
 * Art Director: Michie Watanabe
 * Color Design: Izumi Hirose
 * Director of Photography: Atsuho Matsumoto
 * Editor: Yoshinori Murakami
 * 3DCG Director: Shuhei Yabuta
 * 3DCG Supervisor: Eiji Inomoto
 * 3DCG Production: Orange
 * Sound Director: Shoji Hata
 * Sound Effects: Yasuyuki Konno
 * Music: Makoto Miyazaki & Yutaka Yamada
 * Music Production: Aniplex
 * Music Production Producer: Hiroaki Sano (Sony Music Entertainment Japan)
 * Music Production Co-operation: TV Tokyo Music, Bandai Namco Arts
 * Producers:
 * Toru Kawaguchi
 * Naomi Komatsu
 * Masahiro Sugasawa (TV Tokyo)
 * Sota Saito
 * Yosuke Futami
 * Chinatsu Matsui
 * Animation Producer: Maiko Okada (Wit Studio), Takatoshi Chino (IG Zwei)
 * Production Supervisor: Tetsuya Nakatake (Wit Studio), Takumi Kusakabe (IG Zwei)
 * Animation Production: Wit Studio x IG Zwei
 * Animation Production Co-operation: Production I.G. x AkaKen
 * In Association With: Netflix & Montalvo Television Networks
 * Production: Jersey Crusaders Production Committee
 * Hollowfox Entertainment
 * Production I.G.
 * Bandai Namco Arts
 * Bandai Namco Entertainment
 * Bushiroad
 * Shueisha
 * Dentsu
 * TV Tokyo

English Dub Staff

 * Licensed by: Hollowfox Entertainment
 * License Co-operated by: Funimation (US/UK, Home Video Release), Hanabee (Australasia)
 * In Association With: Bang Zoom! Entertainment
 * Executive Producer: Aaron Montalvo, Yuma Sakata
 * Producer: Eric P. Sherman, Kaeko Sakamoto
 * Line Producer: Brian Ash
 * Script & Story Supervisor (both versions):
 * Brandon Auman
 * Aaron Montalvo
 * Benjamin Townsend
 * Josh Hamilton
 * Brian Ash
 * ADR Script:
 * Mike McFarland
 * Tyson Rinehart
 * Tony Oliver
 * Voice Director:
 * Jamie Thomason
 * Ezra Weisz
 * Casting Director/Co-Producer: Mami Okada
 * Associate Producer: Mio Moroe
 * Production Executive: Jonathan Sherman
 * Sound Supervisor: Patrick Rodman, CAS
 * Recording Engineer: Benjamin Harrington
 * Dialogue Editor:
 * Benjamin Harrington
 * Jun Umeda
 * Yuxin Boon
 * Assistant Engineers:
 * Eric Raichelson
 * April Machado
 * Production Managers:
 * AJ Gam
 * Risa Koitabashi
 * Production Coordinators:
 * Megumi Kunisada
 * Cheri Crisostomo
 * Production Assistant: Risa Koitabashi
 * Video Technical Director: Troy Williams
 * Video Technician: James McAuliffe
 * Spotting: Clark Cheng