Charlotte (TV series)

Charlotte
Promotional image featuring the main characters (from left to right): Yuu Otosaka, Jōjirō Takajō, Yusa Nishimori and Nao Tomori.
Genre	Comedy drama[1] supernatural[2]
Created by	Jun Maeda
Manga
Charlotte The 4-koma: Seishun o Kakenukero!
Written by	Jun Maeda
Illustrated by	Haruka Komowata
Published by	ASCII Media Works
Magazine	Dengeki G's Comic
Demographic	Seinen
Original run	May 2015 – May 2017
Volumes	3
Anime television series
Directed by	Yoshiyuki Asai
Written by	Jun Maeda
Music by	Jun Maeda Anant-Garde Eyes Hikarishuyo
Studio	P.A. Works
Licensed by	AUS: Madman Entertainment NA: Aniplex of America UK: Anime Limited
Original network	Tokyo MX, CTC, tvk, TVS, GYT, GTV, MBS, CBC, TUT, BS11
English network	SEA: Animax Asia
Original run	July 5, 2015 – September 27, 2015
Episodes	13 + OVA (List of episodes)
Manga
Written by	Jun Maeda
Illustrated by	Makoto Ikezawa Yū Tsurusaki
Published by	ASCII Media Works
Magazine	Dengeki G's Comic
Demographic	Seinen
Original run	September 2015 – February 2019
Volumes	6
Anime and manga portal

Charlotte is a 2015 Japanese anime television series produced by P.A. Works and directed by Yoshiyuki Asai. The anime aired 13 episodes in Japan between July 5 and September 27, 2015. An original video animation episode was released in March 2016. Two manga series were serialized in ASCII Media Works' Dengeki G's Comic. The story takes place in an alternate reality where a small percentage of children manifest superhuman abilities upon reaching puberty. The main character, Yuu Otosaka, is a high school boy who awakens the ability to temporarily possess others. This brings him to the attention of Nao Tomori, the student council president of a school founded as a haven for children with such abilities.

The story was originally conceived by Jun Maeda, who also wrote the screenplay and composed some of the music, with original character design by Na-Ga. Both Maeda and Na-Ga are from the visual novel studio Key, and Charlotte is the second original anime series created by Key following Angel Beats! in 2010. Maeda had thought up the concept for Charlotte long before he was approached in early 2012 to work on a new anime series. Maeda narrowed down the number of main characters compared to Angel Beats! and attempted to put more of a focus on their behavior. Instead of utilizing the same staff that worked on Angel Beats!, the aim for Charlotte was to bring together a team that would add new variety to the creative process to prevent being influenced by the work done on Angel Beats!.

Charlotte was praised for its unpredictability and evocative moments, but its pacing and structure have been criticized as inefficient. It has been described as approachable for a wide audience, and for defying the "moe anime" stereotype. Although the comedic elements have been criticized, overall they were lauded for offering relief from serious moments. The anime has been praised for its excellent animation and expressive cinematography.