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Toshiba Streams 1st Double Circle Anime Episode

Japanese electronics corporation Toshiba began streaming the first episode, titled "Energy and Power," of its Double Circle net anime series on Wednesday.

Toshiba is collaborating with the city of Kawasaki in Kanagawa Prefecture to create the series. The meaning of the title Double Circle is a reference to the infinity symbol and the community that "evolves infinitely by the energy and ICT [information and communication technology] in the smart community project."

The story centers on the residents of Kawasaki who incorporate the ideas of "energy, environment, and activation of the regional economy using ICT."

Kinako (Gatchaman Crowds) is handling the anime's character design, and Michael Karawata is designing the costumes.

The cast is as follows:

Nobuhiko Okamoto as Asagi (pictured second from left), a serious government employee who works on the “Make a Smart Town Project” at the Kawasaki City ward office. However, rather than being elite, he is the type of person who sweats a lot. He is at the age where he can understand both the dreams of young people and the reality of adults, so he wants to create a good environment in the town by doing maintenance on parks and plots of green land. He always works his hardest to make people happy. After transforming, he has the ability to use water and ice attacks.

Asami Seto as Akane (pictured far left), an 24-year-old engineer who works at the Toshiba Community Center. She has confidence in her stamina, and is a tough woman who works reckless overtime with a cool face. Her hobby in front of others is motorcycle-riding, but in fact, she loves cute things to death. If she lets her guard down, it seems as if the girliness she keeps bottled up will explode. After she transforms, she has the skills to attack with wind.

Daisuke Namikawa as Emu (pictured second from left), a 32-year-old foreigner who lives in a boat house. He speaks in rigid Japanese, and has traveled around the entire world carrying lumber on a large ship, but finally decided to stay in Japan. After he transforms, he has the powers of the earth.

Chiwa Saito as Nanoha (pictured far right), an IT child prodigy. After she transforms, she has the power of the sun.

Yui Horie as Tama-chan (pictured at top), a 13-year-old who may have come from outer space.

The series will consist of six 5-6 minute episodes, and the second episode will be available in the beginning of January. Toshiba previously streamed a promotional video for the anime last month.