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Gibiate
Key visual
ジビエート
(Jibiēto)
GenreAction, Fantasy
Created byRyō Aoki
Anime television series
Directed byMasahiko Komino[1]
Written byRyō Aoki
Music byYuzo Koshiro
StudioLunch Box
Studio Elle[1]
Licensed by
Original networkTokyo MX, AT-X, BS Fuji
Original run July 15, 2020 – September 30, 2020
Episodes12 (List of episodes)
icon Anime and manga portal

Gibiate (Japanese: ジビエート, Hepburn: Jibiēto) is an original Japanese anime television series produced by Yoshitaka Amano, directed by Masahiko Komino at studios Lunch Box and Studio Elle and written by Ryō Aoki. It aired from July to September 2020.

Plot

[edit]

In 2030, Japan, a virus known as "Gibia" has infected humans throughout the world and turns them into different forms of monsters based on their age, sex, and race. A samurai, a ninja and a monk from the early Edo period travel through time and arrive in a ruined Japan. They aid a professor working on a cure for the virus and face ceaseless attacks from Gibias. They start the dangerous journey to find other survivors and must not only deal with monsters, but also outlaws that attack travelers for food.

Characters

[edit]
Sensui Kanzaki (神崎 千水, Kanzaki Sensui)
Voiced by: Tetsuya Kakihara[2]
An exiled samurai transported forward in time to post-apocalyptic Tokyo. He was involved in the second Japanese invasion of Korea where he became known as the Slayer of Thousands while using a two sword style, with his katana, Suigetsumaru, and western sword, Halbert. He returned from the inconclusive invasion to relative obscurity, and served Jouzen Matsumoto. Matsumoto was indecisive during the Battle of Sekigahara where he made poor decisions, causing his downfall. This was when Sensui first encountered Kenroku from the Western Army, who challenged Sensui to a duel, but as they were evenly matched, Kenroku withdrew.
Kenroku Sanada (真田 兼六, Sanada Kenroku)
Voiced by: Hiroki Tōchi[2]
An exiled shinobi from the past who is transported forward in time to post-apocalyptic Tokyo with Sensui Kanzaki. He proclaims that he is a relative of Yukimura and Masayuki Sanada.
Yukinojyo Onikura (鬼倉 雪之丞, Onikura Yukinojō)
Voiced by: Michio Hazama[2]
A huge warrior monk from Honganji, the main base of warrior monks known as Ishiyama Honganji who fought against Oda Nobunaga in the past. He is also transported forward in time to post-apocalyptic Tokyo. He has the word "evil" tattooed on his forehead and wields a spiked club called Douzan.
Kathleen Funada (船田 キャスリーン, Funada Kyasurīn)
Voiced by: Yukiyo Fujii[2]
A young scientist who is working with her mother to find a cure for the Gibia virus. It is later revealed that she unwittingly caused Sensui, Kenroku and Yukinojyo to be brought from the past when she wished wish for strong men to help humanity as she saw three flaming comets falling to Earth. The comets were in fact flaming pieces broken from Yoshinaga's spaceship and the ship's matter acted on her brainwaves, turning her wish into reality.
Dr. Yoshinaga (ヨシナガ博士, Yoshinaga Hakase)
Voiced by: Shūichi Ikeda[3]
A doctor working on a cure for the Gibia virus, but also coincidentally its cause on Earth. It is revealed that he and the Meteora were from another planet. If people there drank the blood of the god, Soma, they would gain special powers, but those who were incompatible would become monsters. He had been working on an artificial version, when his fiancee, Meteora, accidentally drank some and became a monster. When chaos enveloped the planet, he left with Meteora and the failed blood samples in a cryogenic capsule, to create a vaccine to save her. However, the ship broke up on approach to Earth and the capsule, with Meteora and the samples fell to Earth first, causing the Gibia outbreak.
Yurika Funada (船田 ユリカ, Funada Yurika)
Voiced by: Emi Ito[3]
Kathleen's mother and a doctor.
Ayame Hatonami (鳩波 彩愛, Hatonami Aya)
Voiced by: Hiroki Nanami
A former policewoman who joins Kathleen's group. Her preferred weapons are a pair of tonfa. She is seeking to arrest her father, a former criminal who escaped from prison. Ayame had to kill her own mother before she transformed into a monster after she was wounded by a Gibia.
Renjiro Hatonami (鳩波 蓮司郎, Hatonami Renjirō)
Voiced by: Kōji Ishii[4]
The former head of small group of yakuza and Ayame's father. He survived the Gibia pandemic by being locked up in jail and escaped when the jail was attacked by Gibia. He leads a small band of former convicts calling themselves the Gallients.
Guren Soshigaya (祖師谷 紅蓮, Soshigaya Guren)
Voiced by: Hozumi Gōda[4]
He is second in command of the Gallients. He has been with Renjiro since the yakuza era. His weapon is a two-handed pistol.
Isao Mikimoto (美樹本 伊佐夫, Mikimoto Isao)
Voiced by: Hiromi Sakimoto[3]
A member of the Gallients who was in prison for murder. He is a former Olympic pole vaulter and specializes in attacks utilizing his skill with a spear.
Katsunori Hamuro (葉室 克典, Hamuro Katsunori)
Voiced by: Ryōhei Kimura[4]
A member of the Gallients and a former prisoner.
Hidenori Sakuma (佐久間 秀典, Sakuma Hidenori)
Voiced by: Fukushi Ochiai[4]
An overweight member of the Gallients and a former prisoner.

Production and release

[edit]

During Anime Expo 2019, Gibiate Project revealed that they are producing an original anime television series. Ryō Aoki is writing and planning the project, as well as serving as its executive producer. Masahiko Komino serves as director, animation character designer, adapting Yoshitaka Amano's original character designs into animation, as well as serving as chief animation director.[1] Lunch Box and Studio Elle are in charge of animation production,[1] with Naoki Serizawa designing the monsters, and Yuzo Koshiro composing the series' music.[5] Other artists such as Japanese doll maker Mataro Kanabayashi the Third, bladesmith Kunihisa Kunihisa, calligrapher and artist Sisyu, and Hideo Komatsu the president of the shamisen company Komatsuya Co., Ltd. are also listed as collaborators.

The series was set to premiere at Anime Expo 2020, but was cancelled on account of the COVID-19 pandemic,[6] and aired a special PR program on July 8, 2020,[7] before airing the series from July 15 to September 30 of the same year, on Tokyo MX and other networks.[4] The opening theme song is "Gibiate",[8] while the ending theme song is "Endless", both performed by Sugizo, with the former featuring the Yoshida Brothers, and the latter featuring Maki Ohguro. The Chinese version of the ending theme was covered by VOGUE5.

Crunchyroll streamed the series as a Crunchyroll Original anime in North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, and the Middle East.[9] The series is licensed by Medialink in Southeast Asia for streaming on Ani-One Asia's YouTube channel, as well as on the Chinese streaming service iQIYI.[10][11]

No.Title [12]Original release date
1"Spirited Away"
Transliteration: "Kamigakushi" (Japanese: 神隠し)		July 15, 2020 (2020-07-15)
During the Tokugawa period in Edo, the samurai, Sensui Kanzaki, and the shinobi, Kenroku Sanada, are being taken to exile by boat. They become caught in a furious storm and are transported forward in time to a devastated Tokyo which is in ruins. They see a man who transforms into a monster before their eyes and then attacks them. They are saved by Kathleen Funada and the old man Maeda who take them to a compound of surviving humans. She and Dr. Yoshinaga explain that the monsters are the result of the virus known as "Gibia" which has infected humans throughout the world.
2"Beyond the Maelstrom"
Transliteration: "Uzu no Mukō" (Japanese: 渦の向こう)		July 22, 2020 (2020-07-22)
Sensui and Kenroku are integrated into the community and try to adapt to the new world. One night, old man Maeda returns to the compound with a samurai sword for Sensui but he is followed by Gibia. They are beaten off, but later the spotlights fail and flying Gibia attack in earnest. Maeda is captured and wounded by a Gibia but he is rescued by Sensui who then attacks the Gibia with the sword, slicing them to pieces. More Gibia break through the defences and begin to attack the people. Kenroku joins the battle, initially using wire as his weapon before discovering the effectiveness of hand grenades. Later, the survivors of the attack prepare to leave, and Maeda asks Kenroku to kill him before the virus in his wounds turn him into a monster. As they leave two unknown men watch them as they discuss leaving the city themselves to find a new source of food.
3"The Third Man"
Transliteration: "Dai-san no Otoko" (Japanese: 第三の男)		July 29, 2020 (2020-07-29)
Following the Gibia attack, the seven survivors plan to move to the Niigata area and board a boat to mainland Asia. Dr. Yoshinaga leads an expedition to collect his Gibia vaccine research, but when they reach the helicopter on the rooftop they see an unconscious man on another roof. Yoshinaga pilots the helicopter to investigate, but a huge female Gibia known as Meteora releases supersonic waves destabilizing the helicopter, then shoots out appendages from its mouth and grabs onto it. Kenroku and Sensui try to free the helicopter but fail, so Sensui attacks the monster with his sword. Meanwhile, the unconscious man, a huge monk named Yukinojyo Onikura recovers and helps the rest of the team leap to safety, however the soldier Brian is injured by Meteora. Sensui is unable to kill Meteora, but Kenroku crashes the helicopter into it before leaping to safety. Later, while Yoshinaga is treating Brian's injury, the soldier transforms into a Gibia.
4"Danger Zone"
Transliteration: "Kiken Chitai" (Japanese: 危険地帯)		August 5, 2020 (2020-08-05)
The Gibia, which once was the soldier Brian, attacks Yoshinaga but it is killed by Adam. The group splits up to gather supplies for their trip to Niigata and Yurika finds a samurai exhibit containing Sensui’s katana Suigetsumaru and his western sword, Halbert, while Yukinojyo recovers his spiked club, Douzan. They suddenly come under attack by lizard-like Gibia, but after fighting their way outside, they find more waiting for them on the ground and others flying in the air. Sensui, Kenroku and Yukinojyo cut a path through the monsters. The six survivors manage to escape in a camper van, however Sensui is exhausted. As talk turns to the past, Kenroku recalls when he first met Sensui during the Battle of Sekigahara when they were on opposing sides, however, due to the vagaries of war they were both exiled together. Back in the present, the group's van blows a tire, the noise attracting the attention of nearby Gibia which advance toward the stricken vehicle.
5"Evil vs. Bushido"
Transliteration: "Aku tai Bushidō" (Japanese: 悪 対 武士道)		August 12, 2020 (2020-08-12)
Kenroku and Yukinojyo fight off the flying the Gibia while other monsters advance towards the stricken van. Suddenly, Adam, with the knowledge that his infected wound will turn him into a Gibia, walks towards them and sets off a massive C-4 explosion, killing himself and the monsters. As the survivors escape, Yukinojyo is embarrassed by the taunts of Kenroku about never knowing a woman and his suggestion that the monk marry Yurika. This causes Yukinojyo to think back to the time when he was involved in the Ishiyama Hongan-ji War and the lonely death of his master, Douzan, just before he was spirited into the future. When the group stops for a break at a gas station, Kathleen is captured by a band of escaped convicts who call themselves the Galients. Their leader, Renjiro Hatonami, challenges Sensui to a duel, but Sensui easily disarms him and the Galients decide to withdraw. Later, Yoshinaga slowly drives the van into a dark tunnel, but they find it blocked with broken vehicles and infested with Gibia. The three warriors exit the van to fight the Gibia, but when Kathleen steps outside and throws hand grenades to clear the debris she falls and is threatened by a Gibia.
6"Desperate Situation"
Transliteration: "Zettai Zetsumei" (Japanese: 絶体絶命)		August 19, 2020 (2020-08-19)
Leader of the escaped convicts, Renjiro Hatonami, recalls how he survived the Gibia pandemic while locked up in jail. Meanwhile, Kathleen is threatened by a Gibia and the three warriors rush to her aid, however she is saved by Ayame, a former policewoman. As Kathleen faints, she recalls her early years with her parents and her father's death. After all the Gibia in the tunnel are finally slaughtered, Kathleen invites Ayame to join their group. Ayame agrees while the scene is watched from a distance by Hatonami's band, the Galients. Kathleen's group reach an onsen and relax for a while, where Sensui recalls the death of his parents and destruction of the Kanzaki clan, his adoption and training by Halbert before he died from an illness. It was the time when the Shimazu clan invaded Kuushuu to attack the Ōtomo clan. Ōtomo was aided by Sensui's later master, Jouzen Matsumoto, from whom he received his katana, Suigetsumaru. As they leave the onsen in their van, Kathleen's group realize that they are being followed by the Galients and Ayame recognizes her father.
7"Dream Road to Death"
Transliteration: "Shi e no Mudō" (Japanese: 死への夢道)		August 26, 2020 (2020-08-26)
The Galients are running out of food and supplies and so they try to stop the van of Kathleen's group, however they encounter Meteora Gibia again which is blocking the road. Although it initially has a human appearance, Meteora transforms into an armored beast and advances towards the vehicles. Sensui and Kenroku, aided by Yukinojyo, vainly try to stop it. Suddenly, Ayame uses an abandoned vehicle to drive it off the road bridge where it is carried away by swiftly flowing water. Sensui collapses from his previous injuries while Ayame tries to convince her father to stop attacking them and fight the Gibia instead. Later, Kathleen's group stop at a food factory but lizard Gibia are there. Ayame uses her tonfa to dispatch them and the group enter the facility to rest, however, Yurika is stabbed by the stinger of a almost dead Gibia.
8"Letter of Farewell"
Transliteration: "Wakare no Tegami" (Japanese: 別れの手紙)		September 2, 2020 (2020-09-02)
Yurika is stabbed in the foot by the stinger of a Gibia, but Dr. Yoshinaga hopes that the stinger may be empty of venom. While everyone rests and Sensui lays in bed stricken with a fever, Yurika leaves the facility. Later, Kathleen finds a letter from her mother in which she promises to return if she does not become a Gibia. Ayame and Kenroku leave the others to gather medical supplies from another store and encounter some lizard Gibia but manage to kill them. Meanwhile, a large group of Gibia surround the food factory, and Yukinojyo goes outside alone to confront them, locking Kathleen, Dr. Yoshinaga and Sensui inside.
9"Until It All Burns Out"
Transliteration: "Moetsukiru Made" (Japanese: 燃え尽きるまで)		September 9, 2020 (2020-09-09)
Ayame and Kenroku return from gathering supplies to find many dead Gibia, including Yurika's mother who had transformed into a Gibia, and Yukinojyo who died protecting Kathleen. Meanwhile, the Galients' van breaks down, and while Mikimoto, Hamuro and Sakuma are searching for food in a warehouse, they find a nest of Gibia. To avoid being attacked after nightfall, they destroy the Gibia with fire and explosives. Dr. Yoshinaga suggests that their group check out a nearby Gibia Virus Treatment Research Center to see if they can make use of any research they may find. That night, under a red moon, Kenroku recalls the past - his friend Shion who taught him how to use the kusarigama and who died on the night of a red moon.
10"New Allies"
Transliteration: "Aratanaru Nakama" (Japanese: 新たなる仲間)		September 16, 2020 (2020-09-16)
Dr. Yoshinaga and the group arrive at the Gibia Virus Treatment Research Center to find the site infested with Gibia. As they prepare to fight them, Renjiro Hatonami and his Galients arrive and attack the Gibia in return for being saved earlier. Together, the two groups clear the area of Gibia and sit down to eat together, becoming allies in the fight against Gibia. Renjiro begins to reconcile with his daughter, Ayame, and Dr. Yoshinaga continues his research for a vaccine. Meanwhile, the Meteora Gibia emerges from the nearby bay.
11"Illusory Love"
Transliteration: "Maboroshi no Ai" (Japanese: まぼろしの愛)		September 23, 2020 (2020-09-23)
The female humanoid Meteora Gibia has followed the human survivors, and Sensui and Kenroku try unsuccessfully to stop it. It seeks out Dr. Yoshinaga who is working on the vaccine, but Kenroku uses explosives to blow it out of the building and it falls to its death. Suddenly, Yoshinaga emerges from the building and reveals that he and Meteora are aliens, and he tells the story of the Gibia virus' journey to Earth. With Meteora dead, he injects Ayame with the Gibia virus and then himself. Ayame becomes a Gibia and kills Hamuro, Mikimoto, Sakuma and then Soshigaya who tries to protect Hatonami with his life. Sensui and Kenroku manage to kill the Ayame Gibia, but Yoshinaga is still alive and is continuing to transform into a monster.
12"A Life's End"
Transliteration: "Inochi no Hate ni wa" (Japanese: 命の果てには)		September 30, 2020 (2020-09-30)
Yoshinaga transforms into a Gibia similar to Meteora but retains his consciousness. Kenroku and then Sensui try to stop him, but he is to fast and his skin is too tough to penetrate, causing Sensui to break his katana. Yoshinaga continues to transform and becomes a flying Gibia similar to the one Ayame did. Yoshinaga explains how the three warriors from the past came to the present through pieces of his spaceship falling to Earth. Hatonami gives Sensui his katana, and then attacks Yoshinaga, sacrificing himself, but exploding multiple sticks of dynamite attached to his body. This severely damages Yoshinaga and Sensui finishes of Yoshinaga by severing his head. Kenroku and Kathleen then board a boat to leave for the Asian mainland, but Sensui refuses to join them after revealing that he was wounded by Yoshinaga and may become a Gibia. Kathleen hands Sensui a tracking beacon in case he survives as a human, and he turns back to attack the hordes of Gibia approaching the port.

Reception

[edit]

The reception was largely unfavorable, with most of the criticism aimed towards the CGI and story.[13][14]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Gibiate

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Gibiate is a Japanese original television series that aired from July 2020 to September 2020, consisting of 12 episodes and set in a post-apocalyptic 2030 ravaged by the "Gibier" virus, which mutates infected humans into monstrous forms based on their age, sex, and nationality. The story follows a time-displaced from the early and a female shinobi who arrive in this dystopian world, joining a doctor dedicated to developing a cure while battling both the mutated creatures known as Gibier and hostile human survivors. The series was conceived as a collaborative project emphasizing Japanese cultural elements, such as and , produced by renowned artist —who provided the original character designs—alongside calligrapher and artist Sisyu and executive producer Ryō Aoki. Directed by Masahiko Komino at studio L-A-UNCH·BOX, with animation support from Studio Elle, Gibiate features music by the Yoshida Brothers and for the opening theme and featuring for the ending. Originally planned for a major reveal at a event in May 2020, production faced delays due to the but proceeded to premiere as a Original, targeting global audiences with its blend of historical and sci-fi themes.

Synopsis

Plot

In 2030, a devastating virus called Gibiate ravages the world, infecting humans and transforming them into monstrous creatures known as Gibia, with forms determined by the victim's age, sex, and race. The outbreak originates in Japan and spreads globally, collapsing society within months and turning urban centers like Tokyo into perilous wastelands overrun by these beasts. Survivors eke out existence in fortified enclaves, defended against not only the relentless monsters but also bands of human outlaws preying on the weak, as no cure exists and infection proves invariably fatal. Into this apocalypse arrive Kanzaki Sensui, a skilled , and Sanada Kenroku, a stealthy , both hailing from Japan's early and mysteriously hurled forward in time by an unknown phenomenon. Disoriented but resolute, they quickly cross paths with Kathleen Funada, the young assistant to a dedicated racing to develop an . Impressed by the warriors' prowess with traditional weaponry, Kathleen enlists their aid, forging a trio united by the shared goal of eradicating the and restoring hope to humanity. The narrative follows the group's arduous across Japan's shattered terrain—from desolate cities to remote wildernesses—where they battle ferocious Gibia hordes and navigate treacherous encounters with antagonistic survivors. Their quest centers on collecting rare materials and insights, blending Edo-era lore with the professor's scientific endeavors to refine a potential cure, all while evading capture and uncovering fragments of the virus's enigmatic origins. These trials underscore a narrative arc of perseverance, briefly touching on amid cultural clashes between eras. The story builds to a tense climax as escalating threats force a final reckoning with the virus's most dangerous incarnations and the fractured remnants of human resistance. In the series' resolution, the protagonists' relentless pursuit culminates in confronting the origins of the , though humanity's fate remains uncertain in a world forever scarred by the plague.

Setting

The world of Gibiate is set in 2030, a post-apocalyptic devastated by the , a that has infected humans globally and transformed them into monstrous entities known as Gibia. This viral outbreak has led to widespread , with ruined urban landscapes dominating the landscape, particularly in , where crumbling cities and abandoned infrastructure symbolize the loss of modern . Survivor enclaves persist amid the desolation, consisting of small groups scavenging for limited resources in a environment marked by constant danger from both the mutated creatures and environmental decay. The Gibiate virus exhibits a highly variable transformation process, mutating infected individuals into diverse animal-like monsters depending on factors such as their age, sex, and race, resulting in forms ranging from agile predators to hulking beasts. occurs through stings from existing Gibia, triggering irreversible cellular changes that complete within hours, rendering the host a vector for further spread. These symptoms and transformations have eradicated much of humanity by 2030, fostering a atmosphere where scarcity of food, medicine, and safe havens exacerbates human conflicts. The setting uniquely fuses historical and futuristic elements due to the integration of Edo-era Japanese culture, as time-displaced and from the early 17th century navigate this sci-fi wasteland. This cultural blend juxtaposes feudal warrior traditions—such as and stealth tactics—with advanced scientific efforts to combat the , highlighting how ancient knowledge aids in and defense against Gibia hordes. Societal impacts include divided human factions, with outlaws raiding enclaves for supplies and researchers pursuing cures in fortified outposts, underscoring themes of resilience amid cultural and temporal dislocation.

Characters and cast

Main characters

Sensui Kanzaki is a skilled swordsman and from the early , renowned as the "Senningiri" or Thousand Men Slasher for his prowess in battle using twin swords. Honorable and disciplined, he demonstrates adaptability in the face of unfamiliar challenges, often prioritizing protection over unnecessary violence despite his warrior background. Voiced by in Japanese. Throughout the series, Kanzaki evolves by confronting moral dilemmas of survival in a displaced era, forging bonds with his companions amid interpersonal tensions and the threats of monstrous foes. Kenroku Sanada serves as an agile and scout from the , a blood relative of the famed , excelling in strategic combat with tools like , , and improvised explosives. Cheerful and quick to learn, he embraces modern elements with enthusiasm, providing reconnaissance and tactical support to the group. Voiced by in Japanese. Sanada's arc involves adapting to technological disparities, navigating group dynamics through his energetic personality, and resolving ethical conflicts in their quest for survival. Yukinojyo Onikura is a robust from the , originating from the temple and known for his bold yet nuanced demeanor, wielding a massive club in combat while drawing on spiritual insights to guide the team. His mystical knowledge proves invaluable in deciphering ancient threats and fostering unity among the time-displaced allies. Voiced by Michio Hazama in Japanese. Onikura develops through shared hardships, balancing his firm resolve with moments of vulnerability, as he grapples with the group's moral choices and the isolation of temporal displacement. Kathleen Funada is a determined young in the post-apocalyptic world of 2030, assisting in research for a cure to the Gibier virus that transforms humans into monsters, utilizing her expertise and resourcefulness in defensive tools like tasers. Optimistic and knowledgeable, she bridges the gap between the modern survivors and the historical arrivals, driven by a commitment to humanity's restoration. Voiced by in Japanese. Her growth arc highlights overcoming despair through collaboration, managing interpersonal conflicts with the warriors, and facing ethical quandaries in their pursuit of a remedy amid relentless dangers.

Supporting characters

Ayame Hatonami is a skilled survivor and ally to the main group, serving as a former with strong combat abilities, including proficiency in hand-to-hand fighting and weaponry. She is the daughter of Renjiro Hatonami and aids in battles against threats during the journey, often providing tactical support and protection for vulnerable members. Voiced by Hiroki Nanami in the Japanese version, her role emphasizes resilience in the post-apocalyptic world. Dr. Yoshinaga is a key minor encountered by the protagonists, dedicated to researching and developing a cure for the Gibier virus that transforms humans into monsters. He operates from a hidden facility, offering crucial intel on the virus's origins and potential antidotes, while experimenting on infected samples to advance medical efforts. Voiced by , his contributions expand the lore around scientific resistance against the pandemic. Renjiro Hatonami, Ayame's father, is a grizzled survivor and swordsman who provides occasional guidance and relics from pre-virus , drawing on his knowledge of historical artifacts to aid the group's quest. As a minor recurring figure, he represents enduring family ties amid chaos and supplies weapons or historical context for subplots involving cultural preservation. Voiced by , his presence highlights intergenerational survival strategies. Yurika Funada serves as a minor doctor and survivor, acting as Kathleen's and offering medical assistance during encounters with the infected. She contributes to subplots by treating injuries from Gibier attacks and sharing insights into early outbreaks, underscoring themes of familial support in isolated communities. Voiced by Emi Itō, her role adds emotional depth to survivor networks. Among antagonists, Katsunori Hamuro leads a band of outlaws who raid travelers for food and resources in the lawless wasteland, motivated by instincts turned predatory in the virus-ravaged . His group poses episodic threats through ambushes and territorial conflicts, designed with rugged, post-apocalyptic aesthetics including makeshift armor and weapons scavenged from ruins. Voiced by Ryōhei Kimura, Hamuro exemplifies human adversaries exploiting the chaos beyond monstrous foes. The Gibier serve as primary monster variants, transforming infected individuals into grotesque creatures whose designs and abilities vary based on the host's age, sex, race, and cultural background, creating diverse episodic threats like agile humanoid beasts or massive amalgamations. These antagonists drive conflict by overwhelming groups with sheer numbers and adaptive mutations, forcing reliance on over brute force in encounters. Their role expands the world's horror elements without individualized , emphasizing the virus's indiscriminate horror. Other minor survivors and figures, such as Hidenori Sakuma, appear in brief subplots to deliver intel on safe routes or relics, bolstering the ensemble's world-building through fleeting alliances. Voiced by Fukushi Ochiai, Sakuma represents transient human connections in the narrative. English dub cast details for these supporting roles remain limited in available records, with primary emphasis on the Japanese performances.

Production

Gibiate Project and development

The Gibiate Project was formed in as a collaborative initiative to create a global centered on themes of Japanese culture and survival action, led by artist and producer Ryō Aoki. The project aimed to blend traditional Japanese elements like and aesthetics with modern narratives, positioning itself as a endeavor to promote "Wa" (harmony) through top-tier creators from , games, and industries. It was officially announced at the 2019 closing ceremony in on July 7, where Amano, Aoki, and other key figures unveiled the project as an original series slated for summer 2020. Conceptual development was spearheaded by , who handled script planning and the original story, integrating and horror elements drawn from Japanese historical motifs—such as Edo-period warriors—and contemporary sci-fi tropes of apocalyptic . This framework emphasized themes of resilience and hope in a dystopian world ravaged by a monstrous , with characters navigating life-and-death struggles to restore . The narrative's core—a time-displaced group confronting existential threats—was designed to evoke Japanese cultural values while appealing to international audiences through high-stakes action. The project's collaborative aspects involved renowned Japanese artists for key creative roles, including Amano on character designs, Sisyu on title design, and international-standard promotion to foster global reach. Music contributions came from figures like and the Brothers, blending traditional with modern orchestration, while initial reveals featured trailers and showcased at events like 2019 to build anticipation. This all-star team approach underscored the project's ambition as a "Japanese-themed" IP for worldwide dissemination. Pre-production spanned from the 2016 inception through scripting completion in , marking the transition to animation production ahead of the planned 2020 broadcast. Early milestones included the July 2019 trailer debut, which highlighted the survival-action premise, and subsequent releases that visualized the virus-altered world and historical-futuristic fusion. By late , the project had solidified its creative foundation, setting the stage for full production despite global delays from the .

Staff and animation

Masahiko Komino served as the director of Gibiate, overseeing the overall production and contributing as chief , , and animation character designer across all episodes. His direction emphasized dynamic action sequences, drawing from his prior experience in animating intense battles in series like JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders. Komino also handled key for the opening and ending sequences, ensuring a cohesive visual tone that blended historical aesthetics with post-apocalyptic horror. The series composition was handled by Ryō Aoki, who structured the narrative across episodes 3 through 12, building on the project's original concept. Character designs originated from , the renowned artist known for his work on Final Fantasy, providing ethereal and detailed illustrations that influenced the 's aesthetic. (See the Music section for details on composer Yuzo Koshiro's contributions.) Monster designs were created by Naoki Serizawa, tailoring the Gibia-infected creatures to reflect variations based on age, sex, and race. Special effects were supervised by Yoshiyuki Ōta, enhancing the transformative and elements. Animation production was led by studios L-a-unch·BOX and Studio Elle, with L-a-unch·BOX under Komino's presidency handling core direction and Studio Elle contributing to key animation episodes. The production incorporated a mix of 2D hand-drawn animation for character movements and expressions, led by animators such as Takeshi Asō, alongside 3D CGI directed by Masato Taira for environmental elements and monster depictions. This hybrid approach allowed for complex battle scenes and virus-induced transformations, where CGI facilitated the rendering of grotesque, varied monster forms that would be challenging to animate solely in 2D.

Music

Composition

Yuzo Koshiro, a prominent Japanese composer renowned for his pioneering work in video game music, including soundtracks for Streets of Rage (known as Bare Knuckle in Japan) and ActRaiser, composed the original score for Gibiate. His background in blending electronic synthesis with diverse genres, honed through decades of game audio production, informed his contributions to this anime project. As a key member of the Gibiate Project, Koshiro collaborated closely with creators like Yoshitaka Amano and Naoki Serizawa to infuse the series with a distinctly Japanese musical identity. The score's style emphasizes Japanese traditional elements integrated with action-driven rhythms, creating a that evokes the series' fusion of Edo-period aesthetics and futuristic horror. Tracks feature instruments such as the for rhythmic, rock-infused tension in combat scenes and the flute for melancholic, ambient cues that heighten the post-apocalyptic desolation. This approach draws on Koshiro's signature fusion of traditional Japanese sounds with electronic synth layers, producing intense beats for survival chases and subtle horror motifs during virus-induced transformations. Orchestral swells underscore historical flashbacks, contrasting with synthetic pulses to amplify the narrative's cultural and temporal clashes. Recording and production occurred in tandem with the Gibiate Project, involving sound director Hozumi Goda and Jinnan Studio, where live performances of traditional instruments were combined with digital synthesis tools. This hybrid method allowed for the score's versatility, enabling seamless transitions between serene ambient pieces and high-energy electronic sequences without relying on extensive orchestral ensembles. Koshiro's process prioritized thematic motifs, such as the shamisen-driven theme for protagonist Sensui Kanzaki, to maintain cohesion across episodes. In the narrative, serves as an integral atmospheric layer, emphasizing urgency through pulsating synth rhythms in action set pieces and evoking dread with dissonant, wind-instrument drones during monstrous encounters. By mirroring the protagonists' displacement across time, the score reinforces themes of and cultural , often carrying pivotal scenes with its evocative samurai-era influences adapted to a dystopian context.

Theme songs

The opening theme for Gibiate is the instrumental track "GIBIATE", performed by the featuring . This rock-fusion piece blends the traditional Tsugaru sounds of the with 's riffs, creating an energetic fusion that evokes the series' themes of amid . Composed by Kenichi Yoshida and , with arrangement and sound production by , the track was released as a single on January 8, 2020, as part of the broader Gibiate Project's emphasis on Japanese artistic collaboration. The ending theme, "ENDLESS -Across the Time-", features vocals by and is composed and arranged by , with lyrics by Ryo Aoki and drums by Shinya. This emotional rock highlights themes of loss and enduring hope, as reflected in its depicting fading comets, vanished peaceful days, and the miraculous light of stars persisting through change. Released as a single on May 20, 2020, it underscores the Gibiate Project's integration of prominent musicians to amplify the anime's narrative of resilience in a virus-ravaged world. Both themes tie into the Gibiate Project's cultural mission, showcasing collaborations among renowned Japanese artists like the shamisen duo Yoshida Brothers, rock guitarist SUGIZO (of LUNA SEA and X Japan), veteran vocalist Maki Ohguro, and drummer Shinya (of Dir en Grey and X Japan). The opening sequence integrates dynamic montages of the main characters—samurai Sensui Kanzaki, ninja Yuna, and doctor Kathleen Rutledge—alongside glimpses of Gibia monsters transforming from humans, synced to the shamisen's intense plucks and guitar solos for a sense of urgent action. The ending sequence, in contrast, employs softer visuals of character reflections and post-apocalyptic landscapes, aligning with the ballad's introspective tone to emphasize emotional bonds and the passage of time.

Release

Broadcast

Gibiate premiered in on July 15, 2020, airing weekly on Wednesdays across , AT-X, and BS Fuji until the series finale on September 30, 2020, comprising a total of 12 episodes. The broadcast schedule followed a standard summer cour format, with episodes airing in the timeslot to target adult audiences; specifically, broadcast each episode at 22:00 JST, while AT-X followed at 23:00 JST, and BS Fuji provided satellite coverage for broader national reach beyond 's primary Kanto region. Each episode ran for approximately 24 minutes, typical for television anime. The production faced potential disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in post-recording, but the team implemented measures to avoid delays, opting instead for a special preview program on July 8 prior to the official debut. The broadcast was managed under the GIBIATE PROJECT production committee, with key funding and distribution oversight provided by collaborators including Nexon, Age Global Networks, and Crunchyroll, ensuring coordinated airing across the networks. https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/latest/2020/6/14/original-tv-anime-gibiate-announces-premiere-date-in-japan
https://myanimelist.net/anime/40074/Gibiate
https://www.facebook.com/100057657660514/videos/anime-gibiate-finally-the-anime-airing-starts-today/638470953448821/
https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-06-15/gibiate-anime-reveals-more-cast-july-8-premiere/.160629
https://en.myshows.me/view/67500/
https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-05-01/gibiate-anime-reveals-3rd-promo-video-with-english-subtitles/.159154
https://www.facebook.com/Anitrendz/posts/gibiate-new-visualthe-anime-is-slated-to-premiere-on-july-15note-theres-will-be-/2758460217724814/
https://gibiate.com/anime/en/cast.html
https://myanimelist.net/anime/40074/Gibiate

Distribution and home media

Gibiate was simulcast internationally on Crunchyroll starting July 15, 2020, with English subtitles available outside of Asia, as part of its status as a Crunchyroll Original series. In Southeast Asia, the series was licensed to Medialink and streamed on the Ani-One Asia YouTube channel with subtitles in multiple languages. It was also made available on iQIYI for audiences in China and surrounding regions, featuring Chinese subtitles. These streaming arrangements facilitated broad accessibility in North America, Europe, and parts of Southeast Asia shortly after its Japanese premiere. An English-dubbed version of Gibiate was not produced or released by major licensors such as or . The series remains available primarily in its original Japanese audio with English subtitles on platforms like and . In , the GIBIATE PROJECT released a made-to-order limited-edition Blu-ray BOX set containing all 12 episodes across two discs, including original artwork by and additional special features; shipping began in March 2021 after a delay from the planned December 2020 due to impacts on production. International home media distribution has been limited, with a collector's edition Blu-ray released in by on November 11, 2024, featuring Japanese audio and English subtitles. A similar edition was issued in the and by on November 11, 2024, also with English subtitles. DVD releases have not been widely produced outside . Licensing deals for global distribution were announced in June 2020, with securing rights for and streaming in most regions excluding , emphasizing the project's aim for international appeal from its inception.

Reception

Critical response

Gibiate received mixed-to-negative critical reception, with reviewers frequently criticizing its poor pacing, clichéd plot elements, and subpar CGI animation that undermined its ambitious premise. Anime News Network's preview guide described the series as featuring "uninspired and drawn out" storytelling, with generic post-apocalyptic tropes and time-travel gimmicks that failed to coalesce into a compelling , while the animation suffered from "ugly CG monsters" and inconsistent character designs that diluted Yoshitaka Amano's signature style. Critics highlighted weak character development and inconsistent tone as major flaws, noting that archetypes like the stoic and mysterious lacked depth, serving primarily as vehicles for repetitive monster battles rather than evolving arcs. In a "This Week in Anime" column, likened the execution to "low-budget schlock," pointing to exposition-heavy pacing that resembled a "PowerPoint presentation" and unresolved plot threads, such as the virus's origins, which were underutilized despite the series' theme. echoed this, calling the story "nearly nonexistent" with unexplained concepts and shock-value deaths that failed to elicit emotional investment, further hampered by wooden dialogue and a tone that veered into unintentional . On the positive side, some reviewers praised the project's ambitious scope as a global collaboration blending Japanese, British, and American influences, along with cultural themes of survival and heritage. Amano's monster designs were occasionally noted for their "honestly cool" aesthetic, even if poorly realized in CGI, and the integration of music by Yuzo Koshiro and the Yoshida Brothers provided standout moments amid the flaws. Screen Rant acknowledged the "big ambitions" in its marketing as a thrilling post-apocalyptic tale, though ultimately deemed the execution incoherent with ridiculous visuals and lackluster fights. Overall, while Gibiate was seen as a sincere but misguided effort evoking B-movie charm, its technical shortcomings led to consensus as one of 2020's weaker anime entries.

Audience metrics

Gibiate garnered notably low audience ratings across major anime tracking platforms, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction among viewers. On MyAnimeList, the series holds an average score of 3.82 out of 10, calculated from 24,781 user ratings, positioning it as one of the lowest-rated completed full-length TV anime series in the platform's history. This score dipped below 4.00 shortly after its completion in late 2020, marking a record low for such series at the time. On IMDb, it averages 4.1 out of 10 based on 231 user votes. Crunchyroll, where it streamed as an original, reports a user average of 2.4 out of 5 from 3,791 ratings.
PlatformAverage RatingNumber of RatingsNotes
3.82/1024,781Lowest for completed TV series post-release; ranked #14,358 overall.
4.1/10231User-voted aggregate.
2.4/53,791Streaming platform average.
3.333/1097Arithmetic mean from site users; ranked #10,171 out of 10,326.
Viewership metrics indicate limited engagement, particularly in domestic where it aired on networks like AT-X and , though specific TV ratings data remains scarce and suggests underwhelming performance given its niche timeslot and low online traction. On streaming platforms, completion rates were poor; statistics show 18,446 users completed the series, while 19,299 dropped it, yielding a drop rate of approximately 51% among those who started watching. This high abandonment aligns with its reputation for poor retention during the Summer 2020 season, where it led in drop percentages at 40.7% mid-airing. Commercial performance was modest, with Blu-ray volumes in Japan achieving limited sales under 1,000 units each across releases, underscoring its lack of mainstream appeal. No significant international merchandise lines emerged, further highlighting constrained . Post-release, Gibiate's legacy centers on its notoriety as a benchmark for low-quality , frequently cited in rankings of the worst-rated series due to its aggregate scores and high drop rates.

References

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  14. https://gibiate.fandom.com/wiki/Kathleen_Funada
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  20. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/yoshitaka-amanos-new-anime-series-after-10-years-gibiate-coming-in-summer-2020-world-premier-trailer-at-anime-expo-today-300880241.html
  21. https://gibiate.com/en/art/amano.html
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  27. https://gibiate.com/en/art/koshiro.html
  28. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=138478
  29. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xntJmqwKhkM
  30. https://vgmdb.net/product/8411
  31. https://gibiate.com/anime/en/music.html
  32. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-01-08/yoshida-brothers-sugizo-perform-opening-song-for-yoshitaka-amano-gibiate-anime-series/.155157
  33. https://www.animesonglyrics.com/gibiate/endlesstoki-wo-koete
  34. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-07-01/gibiate-anime-ending-video-previews-sugizo-maki-ohguro-song/.161303
  35. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ckit8sN4VEs
  36. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86PIptzdfLo
  37. An Edo era time traveling samurai and shinobi appear in the post apocalyptic ruins. Helping a doctor who has dedicated his career for researching the cure for ...
  38. GIBIATE was supposed to be the centerpiece of a huge anime event in Shanghai on May 1st, where all-star creators team will be present to reveal the final PV and ...
  39. In 2030, Tokyo. A disease named GIBIATE has infected humans throughout the world. Infected people turn into different forms of monsters (Gibia) based on their ...Missing: summary | Show results with:summary
  40. A samurai and a ninja from the early Edo period travel together through time and arrive in a ruined Japan to aid a professor working on a cure for the virus.Reviews · Synopsis · Episode 1 · Anime - Interest Stacks
  41. Dec 24, 2022 · Aiding a professor who aims to find a cure for humanity, the three go about fighting off monsters and defending the innocent against those that ...
  42. People are turning into monsters thanks to a mysterious disease known as Gibia. But hope still isn't lost, as a samurai named Sensui Kanzaki and a ninja named ...
  43. Oct 8, 2020 · What happens when you get time travelers from the samurai-era travel to a near-distant future of 2030 where the world is overrun with a deadly ...
  44. Jul 9, 2020 · The search for a cure to the Gibia infection becomes even more complicated with the sudden arrival of Sensui Kanzaki and Kenroku Sanada, a ...
  45. Jul 16, 2020 · Gibiate, as the virus is known, spreads when a creature, known as a gibia, stings a human. It is irreversible.Missing: origins Venice symptoms process
  46. https://gibiate.com/jp/blog/articles/xkiuzpdjyuwfz64t.html
  47. https://gibiate.com/jp/blog/articles/rf0equp4xtrzp7nn.html
  48. https://screenrant.com/worst-anime-one-star/
  49. https://myanimelist.net/featured/2341/The_Most_and_Least_Popular_Anime_of_Summer_2020
  50. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12350092/
  51. https://myanimelist.net/anime/40074/Gibiate/stats
  52. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/ratings-anime.php?top50=worst_bayesian
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