Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress

Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress (甲鉄城のカバネリ Kōtetsujō no Kabaneri) is an anime series by Wit Studio. The series was directed by Tetsurō Araki and written by Ichirō Ōkouchi, with music by Hiroyuki Sawano and original character designs by Haruhiko Mikimoto. The series premiered on Fuji TV's Noitamina block on April 8, 2016 and ended on June 30, 2016 with a total of 12 episodes. A prologue for the anime premiered for a week in theaters across Japan starting March 18, 2016. Amazon streamed the series on their Amazon Prime Instant Video service. Two compilation films premiered in Japanese theaters on December 31, 2016 and January 7, 2017. Crunchyroll and Funimation will co-release the anime on Blu-ray and DVD in the United States; Crunchyroll also acquired the merchandise rights. A new anime project has been announced for 2018.

   

Plot

   A mysterious virus appears during the industrial revolution that transforms infected humans into Kabane (カバネ, "corpses") and rapidly spreads. Kabane are aggressive, undead creatures that cannot be defeated unless the glowing heart, which is protected by a layer of iron, is pierced. Unfortunately, most melee weapons and the steam-pressure guns used by the bushi (武士, "soldiers") are not very effective against them.

   On the island country Hinomoto (日ノ本), people have built fortress-like "stations" to shelter themselves from these creatures. People access the stations and transport wares between them with the help of armored steam locomotives (駿城 hayajiro). One day, a hayajiro hijacked by the Kabane crashes into Aragane Station and they overrun the city. A young engineer called Ikoma uses the opportunity to test with success his anti-Kabane weapon, the "piercing gun" (ツラヌキ筒 tsuranuki zutsu), but is infected in the process, although he manages to resist the virus and become a Kabaneri (カバネリ), a human-Kabane hybrid. Assisted by Mumei (無名, "Nameless"), another Kabaneri who appears to help them, Ikoma and the other survivors of the station board the Kōtetsujō(甲鉄城, "Armoured Fortress") and depart to seek shelter elsewhere, fighting the hordes of Kabane along the way.

Characters

Ikoma (生駒)

Voiced by: Tasuku Hatanaka

A young boy who makes a living as a steamsmith at Aragane Station. He and his good friend Takumi developed a bolt gun-like weapon called a piercing gun in order to defeat the Kabane. When Aragane Station is invaded by Kabane, Ikoma is able to successfully test his piercing gun but is bitten by a Kabane in the process. He is able to prevent the virus from reaching his brain by blocking his carotid arteries, transforming him into a Kabaneri.

Mumei (無名)

Voiced by: Sayaka Senbongi

A mysterious and anonymous girl who boards the hayajiro Kotetsujo and appears at Aragane Station. She is revealed to be a Kabaneri as well as a very strong and agile fighter, capable of killing dozens of Kabane with ease. She became a Kabaneri through a surgical operation as the result of her desire to become stronger. Constant fighting can leave her sleepy and like Ikoma, requires blood to stop herself from attacking other people. Her birth name is Hozumi (穂積) and she was named Mumei by Biba when she became a Kabaneri.

Ayame Yomogawa (四方川 菖蒲 Yomogawa Ayame)

Voiced by: Maaya Uchida

The eldest daughter of the Yomogawa family, which governs Aragane Station. After her father is infected, she becomes the leader of the Aragane survivors. Despite her noble status, she's reasonable and understanding, even offering her blood to the Kabaneri. She is also an expert Archer using a steam powered bow.

Kurusu (来栖)

Voiced by: Toshiki Masuda

A young Bushi who serves the Yomogawa family as Ayame's personal bodyguard. Among Bushi his skill with a sword is considerable. He is usually somber and honest, and he maintains his honor as a Bushi. Despite resenting Ikoma, he eventually recognizes the Kabaneri's usefulness. He is later given a reinforced katana that can pierce a Kabane's heart with ease.

Takumi (逞生)

Voiced by: Yūki Kaji

Ikoma's best friend and fellow steam smith, who helped him develop his piercing gun. He dies, shot by Biba, after sacrificing his life for Ikoma.

Kajika (鰍)

Voiced by: Kanae Oki

Ikoma and Takumi's friend and fellow steam smith. A friendly and warm-hearted girl takes care of the children that lost their families to the Kabane.

Yukina (侑那)

Voiced by: Mariya Ise

A crew member of the Kotetsujo. A stoic and taciturn girl who, despite being only an apprentice, becomes the Kotetsujo's engineer and driver out of necessity.

Sukari (巣刈)

Voiced by: Ryōta Ōsaka

A steam smith who lives at Aragane Station. Despite his aloof personality, he's a good mechanic and a decent fighter.

Kibito (吉備土)

Voiced by: Kensuke Satou

A Bushi who serves the Yomogawa family. Unlike other Bushis, he's reasonable and even friendly to the Kabaneri. He and his fellow Bushi are later given reinforced bullets that can penetrate the Kabane more easily.

Suzuki (鈴木)

Voiced by: Maxwell Powers

The train's chief mechanic who has hair like a 17th-century wig and speaks with English phrases. Also served as narrator for each episodes' preview.

Biba Amatori (天鳥 美馬 Amatori Biba)

Voiced by: Mamoru Miyano

The Leader of the Hunters (狩方衆 Karikatashū) and the eldest son of the Shogun. Charismatic, ruthless and manipulative, he inculcated Mumei in his philosophy of strength superiority. He greatly resents his father for exiling him and intends to destroy the Kongokaku (the Shogun's power seat) using Kabane and every technology available to him.

Horobi (滅火)

Voiced by: Aya Endō

A Kabaneri member of the Hunters. She's turned into a Black Fog (黒煙 Kuro Keburi) by Biba in order to destroy the Iwato Station, only for the virus to go out of control and mutate her even more. She only stops at the sight of Biba at which point he callously murders her.

Uryuu (瓜生)

Voiced by: Kaito Ishikawa

The Captain of the Hunters, who serves under Biba Amatori.

Opening