Rinkai!
{{Short description|Japanese media franchise}}
{{Infobox animanga/Header
| name = Rinkai!
| image = Rinkai anime key visual.jpg
| caption = Anime key visual
| ja_kanji = リンカイ！
| ja_romaji =
| creator = Mixi
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type = manga
| title = Rinkai! Azalea
| author = Kiyoshi Yamane
| illustrator =
| publisher = Amazia
| publisher_en =
| demographic =
| imprint =
| magazine = Manga Bang!
| first = April 9, 2024
| last =
| volumes =
| volume_list =
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type = TV Series
| director = Takaaki Ishiyama
| producer =
| writer = Hideki Shirane
| music = Shuichiro Fukuhiro
Yoshihei Ueda
Mana Hirano
| studio = TMS Entertainment
| licensee = {{English anime licensee|SA/SEA|Medialink}}
| first = April 9, 2024
| last = June 25, 2024
| episodes = 12
| episode_list =
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Footer|portal=yes}}
{{nihongo|Rinkai!|リンカイ！}} is a Japanese mixed-media project about women's keirin cycling created by Mixi. A manga series by Kiyoshi Yamane titled Rinkai! Azalea began serialization in Amazia's Manga Bang! service in April 2024. An anime television series adaptation produced by TMS Entertainment aired from April to June 2024.
Characters
As per their official profiles, every character is a cyclist each representative from a different Japanese prefecture, associated with a specific velodrome situated there. Each character's surname shares in turn the name of the city which is home to such velodrome.
=Main characters (Protagonists)=
;{{nihongo|Izumi Itō|伊藤 泉|Itō Izumi}}
:The daughter of the owner of an onsen inn establishment, together with her older sister Atsumi they are known as the "On-Sen Sisters". A cycling enthusiast, she became an athlete without having any previous experience in the sport.{{cite web|script-title=ja:伊東 泉 CHARACTER リンカイ！Project 公式サイト|url=https://rinkai-pj.com/character/itoizumi.html|website=rinkai-pj.com|access-date=August 2, 2023|language=ja}}
;{{nihongo|Nana Hiratsuka|平塚 ナナ|Hiratsuka Nana}}
:Born to a Japanese mother and a French father, himself also a cyclist, she achieved entrance to a cycling training institute in the first ever special selection for female athletes, all the while completing school education ahead of schedule.{{cite web|script-title=ja:平塚 ナナ CHARACTER リンカイ！Project 公式サイト|url=https://rinkai-pj.com/character/hiratsukanana.html|website=rinkai-pj.com|access-date=August 2, 2023|language=ja}}
;{{nihongo|Miko Yahiko|弥彦 巫子|Yahiko Miko}}
:{{voiced by|Rena Hasegawa}}{{cite web|script-title=ja:第2回「リンカイ！LIVEきゃんぷ」5月19日（金）20:20～ライブ配信！ゲストに弥彦巫子役の長谷川玲奈さんが登場！！|url=https://rinkai-pj.com/news/20230518_01/|website=rinkai-pj.com|date=May 18, 2023|access-date=July 26, 2023|language=ja}}
:Previously the center of a former local idol group which ended up disbanding due to certain internal issues, she set out to become a cyclist who would be able to earn a living with her own strength alone.{{cite web|script-title=ja:弥彦 巫子 CHARACTER リンカイ！Project 公式サイト|url=https://rinkai-pj.com/character/yahikomiko.html|website=rinkai-pj.com|access-date=August 2, 2023|language=ja}}
;{{nihongo|Sachi Nagoya|那古屋 紗智|Nagoya Sachi}}
:{{voiced by|Saika Kitamori}}{{cite web|script-title=ja:第3回「リンカイ！LIVEきゃんぷ」6月15日（木）16:00～ライブ配信！ゲストに那古屋役の北守さいかさんが登場！！|url=https://rinkai-pj.com/news/20230612_01/|website=rinkai-pj.com|date=June 12, 2023|access-date=July 26, 2023|language=ja}}
:The only daughter of a renowned zaibatsu family of the Tōkai region, after being raised in a sheltered and overly affective way by her parents, she decided to become a cyclist in order to become independent from her family.{{cite web|script-title=ja:那古屋 紗智 CHARACTER リンカイ！Project 公式サイト|url=https://rinkai-pj.com/character/nagoyasachi.html|website=rinkai-pj.com|access-date=August 2, 2023|language=ja}}
;{{nihongo|Kinusa Takamatsu|高松 絹早|Takamatsu Kinusa}}
:{{voiced by|Riho Sugiyama}}{{cite web|script-title=ja:第4回「リンカイ！LIVEきゃんぷ」7月17日（月）19:30～ライブ配信！ゲストに高松役の杉山里穂さんが登場！！|url=https://rinkai-pj.com/news/20230714_01/|website=rinkai-pj.com|date=July 14, 2023|access-date=July 26, 2023|language=ja}}
:Capable both in sports and in the academic field, after graduating from school she found a job at a major firm. Not feeling fulfilled with it, however, she switched through different occupations, from office worker to yoga instructor, until finally becoming a cyclist.{{cite web|script-title=ja:高松 絹早 CHARACTER リンカイ！Project 公式サイト|url=https://rinkai-pj.com/character/takamatsukinusa.html|website=rinkai-pj.com|access-date=August 2, 2023|language=ja}}
;{{nihongo|Ai Kumamoto|熊本 愛|Kumamoto Ai}}
:{{voiced by|Minami Hinata}}{{cite web|script-title=ja:第5回「リンカイ！LIVEきゃんぷ」8月16日（水）19:50～ライブ配信！ゲストに熊本役の日向未南さんが登場！！|url=https://rinkai-pj.com/news/20230810_01/|website=rinkai-pj.com|date=August 8, 2023|access-date=August 18, 2023|language=ja}}
:A sports multi-talent with an innate leader character, she began cycling competitions since the second year of high school, dominating the whole national scene with her prowess.{{cite web|script-title=ja:熊本 愛 CHARACTER リンカイ！Project 公式サイト|url=https://rinkai-pj.com/character/kumamotoai.html|website=rinkai-pj.com|access-date=August 18, 2023|language=ja}}
=Minor characters=
;{{nihongo|Tsutsuji Kurume|久留米 美虹|Kurume Tsutsuji}}
:{{voiced by|Rico Sasaki}}{{cite web|title=Rinkai! Women's Cycling Project Unveils More Cast, Anime's TV Debut Next Spring|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-11-25/rinkai-women-cycling-project-unveils-more-cast-anime-tv-debut-next-spring/.204803|publisher=Anime News Network|access-date=November 25, 2023|date=November 25, 2023}}
:A gold medalist at worldwide competitions and current title holder. Despite not starting as an elite athlete, she changed radically after going through a certain moment of her life, rising all at once to the top position.{{cite web|script-title=ja: 久留米 美虹 CHARACTER リンカイ！Project 公式サイト|url=https://rinkai-pj.com/character/kurumetsutsuji.html|website=rinkai-pj.com|access-date=November 28, 2023|language=ja}}
;{{nihongo|Chigiri Toyohashi|豊橋 契|Toyohashi Chigiri}}
:{{voiced by|Yukari Anzai}}{{cite web|title=Rinkai! Women's Cycling Anime Reveals 3 More Cast Members|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-04-16/rinkai-women-cycling-anime-reveals-3-more-cast-members/.209897|publisher=Anime News Network|access-date=April 16, 2024|date=April 16, 2024}}
;{{nihongo|Suzu Matsusaka|松阪 鈴|Matsusaka Suzu}}
;{{nihongo|Sora Iwakitaira|磐城平 颯来|Iwakitaira Sora}}
:{{voiced by|Yuka Ozaki}}
;{{nihongo|Remi Hiroshima|広島 恋未|Hiroshima Remi}}
:{{voiced by|Hinako Takahashi}}{{cite web|script-title=ja:第8回「リンカイ！LIVEきゃんぷ」12月14日（木）20:20～ライブ配信！ゲストに広島役の高橋雛子さん、玉野役の遠野ひかるさんが登場！！|url=https://rinkai-pj.com/news/20231208_01/|website=rinkai-pj.com|date=December 8, 2023|access-date=January 14, 2024|language=ja}}
;{{nihongo|Midori Maebashi|前橋 緑|Maebashi Midori}}
:{{voiced by|Misato Murai}}{{cite web|script-title=ja:第11回「リンカイ！LIVEきゃんぷ」2月26日（月）20:20～ライブ配信！ゲストに防府役の小市眞琴さん、前橋役の村井美里さんが登場！！|url=https://rinkai-pj.com/news/20240219_01/|website=rinkai-pj.com|date=February 19, 2024|access-date=March 3, 2024|language=ja}}
;{{nihongo|Rika Matsudo|松戸 梨花|Matsudo Rika}}
:{{voiced by|Minami Shinoda}}{{cite web|title=Rinkai! Women's Cycling Anime Adds 5 More Cast Members|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-04-23/rinkai-women-cycling-anime-adds-5-more-cast-members/.210122|publisher=Anime News Network|access-date=April 23, 2024|date=April 23, 2024}}
;{{nihongo|Rio Kishiwada|岸和田 リオ|Kishiwada Rio}}
:{{voiced by|Rena Maeda}}
;{{nihongo|Yakuko Toyama|富山 薬子|Toyama Yakuko}}
:{{voiced by|Hiromi Kawakami}}
;{{nihongo|Momoka Tamano|玉野 桃花|Tamano Momoka}}
:{{voiced by|Hikaru Tono}}
;{{nihongo|Kōme Hōfu|防府 幸梅|Hōfu Kōme}}
:{{voiced by|Makoto Koichi}}{{fact|date=May 2024}}
;{{nihongo|Remu Tachikawa|立川 麗夢|Tachikawa Remu}}
:{{voiced by|Yū Wakui}}{{cite web|script-title=ja:第9回「リンカイ！LIVEきゃんぷ」12月27日（水）20:20～ライブ配信！ゲストに立川役の和久井優さんが登場！！|url=https://rinkai-pj.com/news/20231221_01/|website=rinkai-pj.com|date=December 21, 2023|access-date=January 14, 2024|language=ja}}
;{{nihongo|Miyako Mukomachi|向日町 京子|Mukomachi Miyako}}
:{{voiced by|Mariko Higashiuchi}}{{cite web|script-title=ja:第10回「リンカイ！LIVEきゃんぷ」2月10日（土）19:20～ライブ配信！MC佐々木李子さん、和久井優さん！ゲストに向日町役の東内マリ子さんが登場！|url=https://rinkai-pj.com/news/20240202_01/|website=rinkai-pj.com|date=February 13, 2024|access-date=February 16, 2024|language=ja}}
;{{nihongo|Sawamitsu|澤光}}
:{{voiced by|Kazuya Ichijō}}{{cite web|title=Rinkai! Women's Cycling Anime Unveils 4 More Cast Members|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-04-30/rinkai-women-cycling-anime-unveils-4-more-cast-members/.210358|publisher=Anime News Network|access-date=April 30, 2024|date=April 30, 2024}}
;{{nihongo|Yamada|山田}}
Media
=Manga=
A manga series by Kiyoshi Yamane titled {{nihongo|Rinkai! Azalea|リンカイ！アザレア|Rinkai! Azarea}} began serialization in Amazia's Manga Bang! service April 9, 2024.{{cite web|script-title=ja:コミック『リンカイ！アザレア』4月9日(火)マンガBANG！にて連載開始！|url=https://rinkai-pj.com/news/20240327_01/|website=rinkai-pj.com|date=March 27, 2024|access-date=March 29, 2024|language=ja}}
=Anime=
An anime television series was announced alongside the manga series at the AnimeJapan 2023 event.{{cite web|title=Rinkai! Project About Women's Cycling Gets Anime, Manga|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-03-24/rinkai-project-about-women-cycling-gets-anime-manga/.196383|publisher=Anime News Network|access-date=March 25, 2023|date=March 25, 2023}}{{cite web|last=Dennison|first=Kara|title=Women's Cycling Project Rinkai! Announces Anime and Manga Adaptations|url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2023/03/28/womens-cycling-project-rinkai-announces-anime-and-manga-adaptations|website=Crunchyroll|access-date=March 28, 2023|date=March 28, 2023}} The series is produced by TMS Entertainment and directed by Takaaki Ishiyama, with Hideki Shirane handling series composition, Hiromi Ono designing the characters, and Shuichiro Fukuhiro, Yoshihei Ueda and Mana Hirano composing the music.{{cite web|url=https://100studio.jp/news/487/|title=TVアニメ「リンカイ！」が本日4月9日より放送開始！|date=9 April 2024|language=Japanese}} It aired from April 9 to June 25, 2024 on Tokyo MX and BS Fuji.{{cite web|url=https://www.animatetimes.com/news/details.php?id=1709084406&p=2|title=2024春アニメ・最速放送＆放送日順まとめ一覧！ これを見れば見逃しなし！|language=Japanese}} The opening theme song is "Windshifter", performed by Rico Sasaki, while the ending theme song is "Override!", performed by the main cast.{{cite web|title=Rinkai! Women's Cycling Anime's Video Unveils Opening Song, Staff, April 9 Debut|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-02-21/rinkai-women-cycling-anime-video-unveils-opening-song-staff-april-9-debut/.207816|publisher=Anime News Network|access-date=February 21, 2024|date=February 21, 2024}}
Medialink licensed the series in South and Southeast Asia for streaming on Ani-One Asia's YouTube channel.{{Cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-04-04/ani-one-asia-licenses-astro-note-rinkai-anime/.209543|title=Ani-One Asia Licenses Astro Note, Rinkai! Anime}} Jonu Media also licensed the series for Spanish-speaking countries.{{cite web|url=http://misiontokyo.com/noticias/jonu-media-licencia-rinkai-con-simucast-en-jonu-play-cada-martes|title=Jonu Media licencia Rinkai!, con simucast en Jonu Play cada martes|date=6 April 2024|language=Spanish}}
==Episodes==
{{Episode table
| background =
| overall =
| title =
| titleR = {{cite web|url=https://rinkai-pj.com/story/|title=Sutōrī {{!}} "Rinkai!" Project Kōshiki Saito|language=ja|script-title=ja:STORY {{!}} リンカイ！Project 公式サイト|trans-title=Story {{!}} "Rinkai!" Project Official Site|website=rinkai-pj.com|access-date=April 9, 2024}}{{efn|All English titles are taken from Ani-One Asia.}}
| airdate =
| episodes =
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 1
| Title = Hot Springs and Vows
| TranslitTitle = Onsen to Chikai
| NativeTitle = 温泉と誓い
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|4|9}}
| ShortSummary =
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 2
| Title = The Courage to Take The Step
| TranslitTitle = Fumidasu Yūki
| NativeTitle = 踏み出す勇気
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|4|16}}
| ShortSummary =
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 3
| Title = L14 Term
| TranslitTitle = L14 Ki
| NativeTitle = L14期
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|4|23}}
| ShortSummary =
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 4
| Title = Let's Fight It Out
| TranslitTitle = Shinken Shōbu
| NativeTitle = 真剣勝負
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|4|30}}
| ShortSummary =
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 5
| Title = Competitor
| TranslitTitle = Raibaru
| NativeTitle = ライバル
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|5|7}}
| ShortSummary =
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 6
| Title = The Morning Sun of Tomorrow
| TranslitTitle = Ashita no Asa
| NativeTitle = あしたの朝
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|5|14}}
| ShortSummary =
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 7
| Title = Graduation Commemorative Game
| TranslitTitle = Sotsuki Rēsu
| NativeTitle = 卒記レース
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|5|21}}
| ShortSummary =
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 8
| Title = The Way of Survival in Bicycle Race
| TranslitTitle = Keirin to Iu Ikikata
| NativeTitle = 競輪という生き方
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|5|28}}
| ShortSummary =
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 9
| Title = I Don't Know
| TranslitTitle = Wakarimasen!
| NativeTitle = わかりません！
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|6|4}}
| ShortSummary =
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 10
| Title = Thanks
| TranslitTitle = Taisha
| NativeTitle = 代謝
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|6|11}}
| ShortSummary =
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 11
| Title = Bicycle Race Arena
| TranslitTitle = Keirinjō
| NativeTitle = 競輪場
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|6|18}}
| ShortSummary =
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 12
| Title = To the Future
| TranslitTitle = Mogake, Mirai e!
| NativeTitle = もがけ、未来へ！
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|6|25}}
| ShortSummary =
}}
}}
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://rinkai-pj.com/|Project official website}} {{inlang|ja}}
- {{Anime News Network|anime|27605}}
{{TMS Entertainment}}
Category:Mass media franchises
Category:2024 anime television series debuts