At the “Hypnosis Mic -Division Rap Battle- in AGF2024” event on Sunday, it was announced that the Hypnosis Mic -Division Rap Battle- project is getting a new film. Japan’s first interactive film is scheduled to release on February 21, 2025.
A Unique Interactive Experience
What traditional movies aren’t tender promises of something different. If audience participation, the story will change. With the help of phone vote, viewers can really vote in real time, influence the storyline including Third Division Rap Battle winner on screen. This also means that the ending for every screening will be very slightly different depending on the audience’s choices on that particular night.
The Creative Team Behind the Film
The film will be directed by Takanori Tsujimoto, known for his work on Resident Evil: Vendetta. The script will be written by Yūichirō Momose, the creator of the Hypnosis Mic franchise’s plot, characters, and gaming events. Kazui, who worked on the original designs, will return as the character designer. The film is being produced at Polygon Pictures and distributed by TOHO NEXT.
(A-1 Pictures had previously animated the Hypnosis Mic television anime with a different main team.)
Background of Hypnosis Mic
King Records’ hypnosis mic is a special rap themed project which started in September 2017. It pits rap battle voice actors against each other in voice acting roles of their own creative characters. The project quickly picked up pace and in April 2018 its first full album, Enter the Hypnosis Microphone was released. It was that year that the project reached the top of Japan’s charts for most popular voice actor Twitter accounts.
The franchise has (already) branched onto manga, a mobile game, live events and stage performances.
Anime and Smartphone Games
Aired in October 2020, Hypnosis Mic -Division Rap Battle- Rhyme anima was the first anime. Hypnosis Mic -Division Rap Battle- Rhyme Anima PLUS premiered in October 2023 and was its sequel. The first season was streamed by Funimation, and the second as aired by Crunchyroll.
The franchise also includes two smartphone games. The first, Hypnosis Mic -Alternative Rap Battle-, was released in March 2020. Hypnosis Mic -Dream Rap Battle- was announced in April 2023, with a new game being in development.
By bringing rap battles to a new dimension, this hard hitting creative is an exciting step in the development of the unique Hypnosis Mic franchise. When it comes to theaters next February 2025, fans will be able to influence their own story.
