The Millionaire Detective Balance: Unlimited
| The Millionaire Detective Balance: Unlimited | |
 Promotional poster | |
| 富豪刑事 BALANCE: UNLIMITED (Fugō Keiji Baransu Anrimiteddo) | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Comedy, detective, mystery[1] |
| Created by | Yasutaka Tsutsui |
| Anime television series | |
| Directed by | Tomohiko Itō |
| Written by | Taku Kishimoto |
| Music by | Yugo Kanno |
| Studio | CloverWorks |
| Licensed by | Aniplex of America |
| Original network | Fuji TV (Noitamina) |
| Original run | April 9, 2020 – present |
| Episodes | 11 |
The Millionaire Detective Balance: Unlimited (富豪刑事 Balance：UNLIMITED, Fugō Keiji Baransu Anrimiteddo) is a Japanese anime television series produced by CloverWorks, directed by Tomohiko Itō and inspired by a novel of the same name written by Yasutaka Tsutsui.[2]
It premiered on April 9, 2020 on Fuji TV's Noitamina anime programming block, but postponed programming after the second episode due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The series will restart its broadcasting on July 16, 2020 from the first episode.[3][4]
Plot
Daisuke Kanbe, a detective with an extreme amount of personal wealth, is assigned to the Modern Crime Prevention Headquarters where officers who have caused problems for the Metropolitan Police Department are sent. There, Daisuke is partnered with Haru Katou who is repulsed by Daisuke's materialistic ways. Challenging mysteries unfold in front of the two detectives, and they must work together to solve them.
Characters
- Daisuke Kanbe (神戸大助, Kanbe Daisuke)
- Voiced by: Yūsuke Ōnuki[5]
- The current head of the eminently wealthy and influential Kanbe family. As a police officer he uses his fabulous wealth and a collection of the very latest technological gadgets to solve crimes in a blunt, straightforward manner, often resorting to outright bribery as his preferred investigative method. He is currently a member of the Modern Crimes Prevention Task Force and frequently works with detective Haru Kato, who is frequently annoyed by Kanbe's materialistic ways. He also relies heavily on his butler, HEUSC. The scale of his wealth is demonstrated when HEUSC reminds him his balance remains Unlimited.
- Haru Katō (加藤春, Katō Haru)
- Voiced by: Mamoru Miyano[5]
- A young detective on the same task force as Kanbe Daisuke, though he was previously a Division 1 detective but was forcibly transferred out after an incident embarrassing to the police. He is passionate about his job but has a quick temper, especially around Kanbe or when innocent people are in danger. In particular he is annoyed by Kanbe's attitude that money can solve any problem.
- Yukihiro Kiyomizu (清水幸宏, Kiyomizu Yukihiro)
- Voiced by: Kōzō Shioya[6]
- The ranking officer of the Modern Crimes Prevention Task Force, Kanbe and Kato's boss. He is very laid-back and quite cheerful and places a great deal of trust in his subordinates. He is usually found at his desk enjoying his hobby of building plastic models.
- Chо̄suke Nakamoto (仲本長介, Nakamoto Chōsuke)
- Voiced by: Akira Kamiya[6]
- The oldest member of the task force and a veteran detective, formerly of the Investigative Division. Kato is highly respectful of Nakamoto's abilities and experience. He comes across as very sympathetic and uses this to manipulate confessions out of criminals. He is a lifelong chain-smoker.
- Shinnosuke Kamei (亀井新之助, Kamei Shin'nosuke)
- Voiced by: Kentarō Kumagai[6]
- Another member of the task force who works only when he wants to and does not particularly enjoy his job. His main goal is to impress Motoyama from Security Division on whom he has a substantial crush. The very mention of her name has a visible effect on his level of enthusiasm.
- Mahoro Saeki (佐伯まほろ, Saeki Mahoro)
- Voiced by: Reina Ueda[6]
- The only woman on the task force with an addiction to sweets and snacks. She is normally found at headquarters either drinking cups of tea or checking for new jobs around the office.
- Teppei Yumoto (湯本鉄平, Yumoto Teppei)
- Voiced by: Shinya Takahashi[6]
- Another member of the task force. He loves gambling with a preference for horse and boat racing.
- Katsuhiro Takei (武井克弘, Takei Katsuhiro)
- Voiced by: Rikiya Koyama[6]
- The current chief of Division 1, Kato's former boss. In the field he prefers to take charge himself, as such all his subordinates place a great deal of trust in him. Despite no longer being Kato's boss he still cares about him.
- Ryо̄ Hoshino (星野涼, Hoshino Ryō)
- Voiced by: Junya Enoki[6]
- A detective from Division 1. He takes his job very seriously. It is implied he was Kato's partner in the past but they now appear to have a strained relationship.
- Suzue Kanbe (神戸鈴江, Kanbe Suzue)
- Voiced by: Maaya Sakamoto[6]
- A genius mechanic who works for Daisuke Kanbe. She uses her innocent appearance to her advantage enabling her to perform undercover work. She and Kanbe live together in the family mansion and have a good relationship. Despite the dangers of her work Kanbe never stops her as he knows she is fully capable. While working together she and Kanbe are a highly effective team.
- HEUSC (ヒュスク, Hyusuku)
- Voiced by: Kazuyuki Okitsu
- Described as Kanbe's personal butler who only communicates through Kanbe's ear piece and the computer screen in his sunglasses. HEUSC is strongly implied to be an advanced Artificial intelligence programme that instantly responds to Kato's requests and can seemingly manipulate other computer systems at will.
Production and release
On January 20, 2020, Noitamina announced that a new anime television series directed by Tomohiko Itō is in production.[7] The series will be animated by CloverWorks, with Taku Kishimoto handing series composition, Keigo Sasaki designing the characters, and Yugo Kanno composing the series' music. The opening theme titled "Navigator" is performed by SixTones while Okamoto's performs the series' ending theme song "Welcome My Friend".[8][6] Aniplex of America licensed the series, and streams the series internationally on FunimationNow, AnimeLab and Wakanim.[9] The series premiered its first two episodes on April 9, 2020 and April 16, 2020 respectively, but had to delay later episodes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[10]
Episode list
 | This section's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. (April 2020) |
| No. | Title | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "I Came, I Saw, I Sponsored" Transliteration: "Kita, mita, katta" (Japanese: 来た、見た、買った) | April 9, 2020 | |
|
Detectives Haru Kato and Shinnosuke Kamei from Japan’s Modern Crimes Prevention Task Force are asked to assist security during the Ginza Classic Car Festival where First Division officers are trying to locate a bomber targeting a foreign prince. Two amateur thieves, Yoko and Hiroshi, observe jewellery stores for potential robbery. The ridiculously wealthy Daisuke Kanbe meets the Police Superintendent and requests a place on a squad of his choice. The bomber is arrested while the thieves accidentally rob a sweet shop, then unknowingly flee in the bombers van with the bomb.During their pursuit Kanbe reveals his butler, HEUSC, is automatically paying for all his damages. Kanbe succeeds in pushing the van into the river where it safely detonates, while Kato rescues the thieves. Costs incurred in this episode: ¥1,369,800,000 | |||
| 2 | "Love can do a lot, money can do everything" Transliteration: "Ai wa Ooku Nashieru ga, Kane wa Subete o Nashieru" (Japanese: 愛は多くを成し得るが、金は全てを成し得る) | April 16, 2020 | |
|
A fashion model, Akiko Hoshida, dies of an overdose. Kanbe arrests two street performers for buying Mescaline and bribes them for their dealer’s name. They identify the model Isezaki as the dealer and witness him selling drugs, but Kanbe decides not to arrest him. They learn Isezaki's drugs come from organised crime group Gondawara Gumi, run by mob boss Umezu. Kato decides to follow Isezaki’s latest girlfriend, only to follow her to Kanbe’s mansion, where he learns she is actually Suzue, Kanbe’s sister working undercover, and she has discovered Umezu is attending a party. Kato infiltrates the party and steals Umezu’s phone, only escaping his bodyguard with help from Mita, a journalist helping the investigation, and Kanbe, who has HEUSC purchase the building before attacking it with sleeping gas. The entire crime group is arrested for drug smuggling and murdering Akiko. Kato confronts Kanbe about his overuse of money. Kanbe reveals he knows Kato was kicked out of Division 1 for accidentally shooting a suspect and now is psychologically unable to fire his gun. Furious, Kato leaves but is later told to attend a symposium on international crime in Hong Kong, with Kanbe. Costs incurred in this episode: ¥83,006,110,000 | |||
| 3 | TBA | July 30, 2020[3][11] | |
References
- ^ "The Millionaire Detective balance:unlimited". Fuji Creative Corporation. February 20, 2020. Archived from the original on February 20, 2020. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
- ^ http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/13206637
- ^ a b Balance:UNLIMITED, 【公式】富豪刑事 (2020-04-22). "【放送日程のお知らせ】 3話以降の放送を延期する旨先日発表させて頂きました 「富豪刑事 Balance:UNLIMITED」につき、 今後の放送予定が決定致しました。 2020年7月16日(木)～ フジテレビ"ノイタミナ"枠にて放送開始予定 （※第１話より毎週放送） →https://fugoukeiji-bul.com/onair/ #富豪刑事BULpic.twitter.com/QGNe7Rrmqg". @fugoukeiji_bul (in Japanese). Retrieved 2020-04-23.
- ^ https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-06-17/the-millionaire-detective-anime-resumes-on-july-30-after-covid-19-delay/.160746
- ^ a b "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time Author Yasutaka Tsutsui's Fugō Keiji Detective Novel Gets TV Anime". Anime News Network. January 23, 2020. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Fugō Keiji Balance: Unlimited Anime Reveals Promo Video, Cast, April 9 Premiere". Anime News Network. March 19, 2020. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
- ^ "Sword Art Online, ERASED's Tomohiko Ito Directs April Anime for Noitamina Block". Anime News Network. January 20, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
- ^ "SixTONES Performs The Millionaire Detective Anime's Opening Song". Anime News Network. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
- ^ Aniplex USA [@aniplexUSA] (March 27, 2020). "📢 SPRING SEASON ANNOUNCEMENT 📢 ❣️ "Kaguya-sama: Love Is War?" begins streaming April 11th! 🔎 "The Millionaire Detective - Balance: Unlimited" begins streaming April 9th! Fans will be able to watch both shows only on @FUNimation!" (Tweet). Retrieved April 10, 2020 – via Twitter.
- ^ Mateo, Alex (April 16, 2020). "The Millionaire Detective Anime Delayed Due to Coronavirus Disease COVID-19". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
- ^ https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-06-17/the-millionaire-detective-anime-resumes-on-july-30-after-covid-19-delay/.160746
External links
- Anime official website (in Japanese)
- Fugō Keiji Balance: Unlimited (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
