The first episode of "Akiba's Trip The Animation" introduced the vampire-slaying characters of the show.
The year 2017 is poised to be a great year for anime, as hit franchises like "Attack on Titan," "Full Metal Alchemist," among others make their comeback to the big and small screens. However, one show in particular, "Akiba's Trip The Animation," originally a video game franchise, arrived on the small screen to the delight of several of its fans.
One striking show feature, in particular, had been "Akiba's Trip The Animation" characters' "punny" names. Apparently, these are significant puns, too, since the jokes will serve as a running joke throughout the show's story arcs.
Punny, funny names
Each character's name in "Akiba's Trip The Animation" warranted a double reading, according to Crunchyroll. One character, Tamotsu Denkigai, referenced both Akiba, a well-known business for electronics, as well as the otaku context of "controlling one's urges in the face of temptation." Another character, Arisa Ahokainen, gleaned her last name from the Finnish word for "glade," but also sounds like the Japanese way of calling someone an idiot.
The report implied that these puns were significant in explaining the characters' dispositions in "Akiba's Trip The Animation." This could mean that Tamotsu Denkigai would be the more rational character, while Arisa Ahokainen would be the hot-tempered, holier-than-thou character.
What is 'Akiba's Trip The Animation'
Originally a video game franchise, "Akiba's Trip The Animation" was launched by popular anime channel Funimation on Jan. 4, 2017. It's set in the Otaku Mecca of Akihabara, where players battle Vampires that lurk in the vicinity. According to Comicbook, these vampires primarily prey tourists and locals in the shopping area, and can be defeated by direct sunlight--and stripping them down to their underwear.
The series "Akiba's Trip The Animation" follows the life of Tamotsu Denkigai after he nearly dies under the hands of a vampire. A heroine named Matome Mayonaka--which means "middle of the night" in Japanese"--saves him, and together, they form a group to defeat the night predators.
Excited to know more about the series? "Akiba's Trip the Animation" can be watched on Funimation or on Crunchy Roll starting Jan. 11 (for those without subscriptions).