On Wednesday, March 19, 2025, the creative teams behind the television series Let’s Go Karaoke! and the anime adaptation of Captivated, by You officially announced their targeted release windows for July 2025. This exciting news was shared through the inaugural promotional video for Let’s Go Karaoke!, which has started streaming on the official Kadokawa Anime YouTube channel.
Exciting Developments in Upcoming Anime Releases
The promotional content for Let’s Go Karaoke! unveiled that Shinnosuke Tokudome will be joining the cast, voicing the character Wada, a second-year middle school student. Wada is set to be the junior to the show’s protagonist, Satomi Oka, who is a member of the school choir. Unfortunately, there were no further updates provided regarding the Captivated, by You anime series, apart from its release window in July 2025.
Both of these animes are adaptations of original manga works by acclaimed artist Yama Wayama. Despite the simultaneous announcement, it’s important to note that the two stories are distinct, featuring unique narratives, settings, and characters. They are, however, both produced by Doga Kobo studios, which has sparked some speculation regarding shared staff and resources.
Production Team and Collaborations
As indicated in the latest updates, both series are directed by Asami Nakatani, with Yukiko Tsukahara serving as the assistant director. The scriptwriting is overseen by Yoshimi Narita, while character design is the work of Mai Matsuura, and Takuro Iga is responsible for the music composition.
Story Synopses
Yen Press has acquired the English language rights for both original manga series, providing insights into their captivating stories. The synopsis for Let’s Go Karaoke! sets the stage for a thrilling mix of competition and camaraderie:
“Nothing worries Satomi Oka more than the upcoming final choir competition of his middle school career — right up until he is accosted by a stranger from the shadows who demands, ‘Let’s go karaoke!’ As a yakuza, Kyouji Narita doesn’t scare easily, but a terrifying prospect has driven him to seek Satomi’s help. The boss is holding a karaoke contest, with the loser forced to get a tattoo to be selected and torturously applied by the boss himself! Oka has been to many vocal rehearsals over the years, but never one-on-one karaoke sessions with a gangster!!”
In contrast, Captivated, by You tells a story of individuality and connection among students:
“Hayashi’s frank, guileless demeanor quietly draws the attention of classmates and strangers as he counts all the stairs in school, photographs street signs, and dries sweet potatoes on the classroom balcony. In a world shaped by conformity, Hayashi is refreshingly and unapologetically true to himself. Conversely, Nikaidou has worked very hard to perfect a gloomy, dour façade that keeps his classmates far, far away. While much of the school regards Nikaidou as a bad omen, one student catches a glimpse behind the mask and—undeterred by rumors of bad luck and supernatural powers—begins to pick away Nikaidou’s carefully crafted persona…”
With these intriguing storylines and the promise of engaging characters, both Let’s Go Karaoke! and Captivated, by You are generating considerable excitement among anime fans. With their release approaching, viewers eagerly await more information and updates from the production teams.