Sonny Boy

## Fandom

***Sonny Boy*** (サニーボーイ) is an original Japanese anime television series animated by Madhouse and written and directed by Shingo Natsume. The series aired from July to October 2021.

Sonny Boy utilizes non-traditional storytelling, occasionally skipping over major events and instead focusing on various characters' reactions to those events. While fantasy elements are present, the show primarily uses its setting to explore psychological themes such as identity, social expectation, freedom, and loneliness.

## Synopsis

Thirty-six students find themselves and their school building suddenly adrift in a void-like dimension. When supernatural powers awaken in some of them, a sense of detachment begins to divide the group. Despite the student council's attempts to impose order, they clash with the students possessing special abilities, who rebel against their strict control.

This conflict leads them to discover that this world has its own set of rules—and following them is necessary for survival. After one of the students decides to take a leap of faith, the school switches dimensions once again. While they deal with the unique challenges and circumstances that each world presents, the students must unravel the mysterious phenomenon and find a way back home.

## TV Anime

The anime television series was announced on April 28, 2021. The series was animated by Madhouse and written and directed by Shingo Natsume, with original character designs provided by Hisashi Eguchi and Norifumi Kugai adapting the designs for animation. While the first episode was given an early premiere on June 19, 2021, the series officially aired from July 16 to October 1, 2021 on Tokyo MX and other channels. Ging Nang Boyz performed the series' theme song "Shōnen Shōjo".

## Ending Theme

### ED Composer:

GING NANG BOYZ (銀杏BOYZ)

The series was licensed outside of Asia by Funimation. On September 14, 2021, Funimation announced the series would receive an English dub, which premiered on September 16. Following Sony's acquisition of Crunchyroll, the series was moved to Crunchyroll. Medialink licensed the series in South and Southeast Asia and streamed it in their YouTube channel.

* ***Staff***
	+ Original / Director / Screenplay - Shingo Natsume
	+ Character draft - Hisashi Eguchi
	+ Character Design - Norifumi Kugai
	+ Chief animation director - Keita Nagasaka (*Episodes 5, 7, 9*)
	+ Action animation director - Takeo Oda(*Episode 12*)
	+ Art director - Mari Fujino
	+ Color design - Ken Hashimoto
	+ Cinematographer - Akane Fushihara
	+ 3D Director - Yuki Nagahama, Shigenori Hirozumi (*Episode 1*)
	+ Editing - Yoshiko Kimura
	+ Acoustic director - Shoji Hata
	+ BGM - Cornish ( *Episode 10*)
	+ Music Production - Flying Dog
	+ Music Advisor - Shinichiro Watanabe
	+ Music Producer - Yoshimoto Ishikawa, En Shinsui
	+ Producers - Chiki Mukai, Ari Taguchi, Yuko Matsui, Kensaku Wada, Isao Ishikawa, Jitsuro Kikuchi
	+ Animation Producer - Yuichiro Fukushi
	+ Animation production - MADHOUSE
	+ Production - Shochiku, Madhouse, BS Asahi, Marui Group

Sonny Boy's first episode debuted on Funimation's YouTube channel on June 19th but regular broadcasting began from July 16th. A Blu-ray BOX (SHBR- 0639) containing all 12 episodes was released on December 8, 2021.

## Reception

### Accolades

*Sonny Boy* received the Excellence Award in the animation category at the 25th Japan Media Arts Festival. The series was nominated in two categories in the 2022 Crunchyroll Anime Awards Anime of the Year and Director of the Year. The series was also nominated for the *Anime Trending Awards* in four categories "Best in Original Screenplay", "Best in Sceneries and Visuals", "Mystery or Psychological Anime of the Year" and "SciFi or Mecha Anime of the Year".

## External Link

* *TV Anime "Sonny Boy"* ー Official Website
* *TV Anime "Sonny Boy"* Official (@sonnyboy\_anime) - Twitter
* *Sonny Boy* ーWikipedia **JP**
* *Sonny Boy* ーWikipedia **EN**