by Renowned manga creator Yoko Kamio, best known worldwide for the iconic romance series “Boys Over Flowers,” is taking on a brand-new challenge with her first full-scale anime production, “Prism Rondo.” Kamio serves as the original creator, character designer, and scriptwriter for the project, marking a major milestone in her long and influential career.
Produced by WIT STUDIO—the studio behind global hits such as Attack on Titan—and directed by Kazuto Nakazawa, known for B: The Beginning, “Prism Rondo” is a completely original anime that will stream exclusively on Netflix worldwide starting January 15.
Set in London in the early 1900s, the series tells a delicate and emotionally rich coming-of-age love story between a British nobleman and a Japanese exchange student. With its refined visuals, historical setting, and heartfelt romance, Prism Rondo is already attracting attention from fans of shojo manga, historical dramas, and anime romance alike.
We spoke with Yoko Kamio about how she became involved in the project, what inspired the story, and what she learned from working in animation for the first time.
How Did “Prism Rondo” Begin? A DM That Changed Everything
Kamio revealed that the project began in an unexpected way.
Kamio:
“About five years ago, I received a direct message on social media from Daiki Sakurai, the planner and producer of the project. To be honest, I wondered if it might be a scam (laughs). But I decided to meet him anyway.”
At that meeting, Sakurai proposed an ambitious concept:
A shojo-style anime about a Japanese girl who travels overseas alone to pursue her dream of becoming a painter during the Meiji era.
“I found the idea incredibly fascinating,” Kamio explained.
“Shojo manga is my specialty, so we immediately said, ‘Let’s do it.’ I wrote a full plot the very next week.”
The project moved forward quickly from there, showing just how naturally Kamio connected with the concept.
Why London? The Influence of Classic Romance
One of the earliest creative decisions was choosing the story’s setting.
Kamio:
“At first, we considered France because it’s closely associated with painting. But France was a republic at the time and didn’t have aristocrats. I wanted to portray a romance similar to Pride and Prejudice, so England felt like the perfect choice.”
This decision shaped the series’ identity, blending:
- British aristocratic culture
- Japanese perspectives abroad
- A restrained, elegant romance rooted in historical realism
London became the ideal backdrop for a story about love, ambition, and personal freedom.
Writing All 20 Episodes: A Rare Approach
Unlike many anime projects, Prism Rondo was developed with a complete story structure from the start.
Kamio:
“I wrote the script outline for all 20 episodes from beginning to end and submitted it to the director’s team.”
After that, Assistant Director Emi Fujii adjusted pacing and details to better suit animation storyboards, ensuring the story would shine as an anime rather than feeling like a manga adaptation.
This approach allowed the series to maintain a clear emotional arc while fully embracing the strengths of animation.
Core Theme: A Woman Who Chooses Her Passion
At the heart of Prism Rondo is a strong thematic message.
Kamio:
“I wanted to portray a woman who pursues what she truly loves. In the early 1900s, life wasn’t easy for women. Many were expected to give up their dreams and marry.”
The protagonist, Riri, lives in an era when independence was rare for women. The story carefully asks:
- How does a woman live honestly in a restrictive society?
- What does it mean to choose passion over convention?
- Can love exist without sacrificing one’s dreams?
These questions give Prism Rondo emotional depth that resonates even with modern audiences.
Discovering the World of Anime Production
Although Boys Over Flowers was previously adapted into anime, Kamio says this project was completely different.
Kamio:
“Back then, I focused on drawing the manga and left the animation to the studio. This was my first time being deeply involved in anime production.”
She was surprised by how collaborative the process was.
“Anime is truly created by many people. Seeing how everyone contributes ideas—from directors to animators—was incredibly stimulating.”
Ending the Story Together: A Creative Highlight
One of the most memorable parts of the process was deciding how the story should end.
Kamio:
“Because it’s a 20-episode series, we absolutely had to conclude the story properly. We had many discussions about the ending, and those conversations were really fun.”
Director Kazuto Nakazawa encouraged open discussion, and the staff’s strong attachment to the characters often influenced the plot.
“There were moments when I changed the story because the staff cared so deeply about certain characters. That feeling of ‘everyone creating it together’ really defines animation.”
Why “Prism Rondo” Is Worth Watching
For beginners and longtime fans alike, Prism Rondo offers:
- A self-contained, complete story
- Beautiful historical visuals by WIT STUDIO
- A gentle yet powerful romance
- A rare anime original created by a legendary shojo mangaka
It also represents a meaningful evolution for Yoko Kamio herself—bridging manga and anime through hands-on collaboration
Basic Information at a Glance
- Title: Prism Rondo
- Original Creator / Script / Character Design: Yoko Kamio
- Director: Kazuto Nakazawa
- Animation Studio: WIT STUDIO
- Streaming Platform: Netflix (worldwide exclusive)
- Release Date: January 15
- Episodes: 20
- Genre: Romance, Historical Drama, Coming-of-Age
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With its elegant storytelling, international setting, and heartfelt themes, “Prism Rondo” is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about original anime releases of the year—and a memorable new chapter in Yoko Kamio’s career.
