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| (Image Source: Starmometer/Crunchyroll/Overgeared Animation Partners) |
Crunchyroll, the global destination for anime fandom, returns to Anime Festival Asia (AFA) in Singapore for its fourth consecutive year and is bringing the talent behind Overgeared and the music-filled world of Ki Ni Natteru Hito Ga Otoko Janakatta to its 2026 edition, taking place on November 27–29 at the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Meet The Cast And Creative Team Behind Overgeared
Fans will get an inside look at the making of Overgeared during a special AFA Day Stage panel on November 28 where Japanese voice actor Tatsumaru Tachibana who is the voice of Grid, director Ayako Kono, and executive producer Nobuhiro Osawa will share insights into what it takes to bring the anime to life. A special live reading will offer a fresh way to experience the characters while a separate meet-and-greet session will give fans the opportunity to interact with the guests in person. Kono previously served as an episode director on Love Live! at Sunrise and assistant director on After the Rain at WIT STUDIO before directing the Sword Art Online The Movie -Progressive- series. Overgeared marks her debut as a TV anime director. Osawa, as President of EGG FIRM Inc., oversees anime projects spanning planning, financing, and production. His chief producer credits include Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation, Sword Art Online, and Is It Wrong To Try To Pick Up Girls In A Dungeon? Tachibana, on the other hand, began his career as a stage and musical theatre performer before making his voice acting debut in Case File nº221: Kabukicho. He has since voiced characters including Eisaku Ohtomo in Aoashi, Basen in The Apothecary Diaries, and Gregory Violet in Black Butler: Public School Arc before stepping into the world of Overgeared as the voice of Grid.
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| Overgeared Director Ayako Kono (Image Source: Starmometer/Crunchyroll) |
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| Overgeared Executive Producer Nobuhiro Osawa (Image Source: Starmometer/Crunchyroll) |
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| Tatsumaru Tachibana, the voice of Overgeared's Grid (Image Source: Starmometer/Crunchyroll) |
Ready To Forge? Enter Grid’s Forge At The Crunchyroll Booth
At Crunchyroll’s booth (J01), fans can put their forging skills to the test with a larger-than-life puzzle wall inspired by Grid’s extraordinary craftsmanship. After assembling weapons in the interactive challenge, visitors can strike a pose at a 3D photo installation featuring Grid. Those who complete the challenge will receive a specially designed Pagma’s Rare Book notebook while stocks last.
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| (Image Source: Starmometer/Crunchyroll) |
Meet Mariya Ise And Hitomi Kuroi For An Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Look At Ki Ni Natteru Hito Ga Otoko Janakatta
Japanese voice actress Marika Ise will take to the AFA Day Stage on November 29 where she will share insights into her experience voicing Mitsuki Koga and the process of bringing the character to life. She made her voice acting debut at the age of 16 and has since built a career spanning over 20 years across anime, video games, foreign film dubbing, narration, and theatre. Her notable roles include Killua Zoldyck in Hunter x Hunter, Senju Kawaragi in Tokyo Revengers, and Serie in Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. Ise will be joined by series producer Hitomi Kuroi, a member of Aniplex Inc. who has worked on numerous anime productions including Sword Art Online, The Irregular At Magic High School and My Love Story With Yamada-kun At Lv999. Kuroi will offer a producer’s perspective on the panel, giving fans a look at the work behind bringing anime stories to the screen. Fans will then have the opportunity to meet both in person during a special meet-and-greet session.
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| Marika Ise, the voice of Mitsuki Koga in Ki Ni Natteru Hito Ga Otoko Janakatta (Image Source: Starmometer/Crunchyroll) |
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| Ki Ni Natteru Hito Ga Otoko Janakatta Producer Hitomi Kuroi (Image Source: Starmometer/Crunchyroll) |
Across all three days of AFA Singapore 2026, fans can also look forward to a range of interactive activities and photo opportunities at the Crunchyroll booth with plenty of ways to immerse themselves in the world of anime and celebrate the characters they love. For more information about the AFA Singapore 2026, visit the event's official website at https://animefestival.asia/afasg26/.
