Despera

Despera (ですぺら, Desupera) was a planned anime series, directed by Ryūtarō Nakamura, written by Chiaki J. Konaka and featuring character designs by Yoshitoshi ABe. This is the second time all the three main creators of psychological thriller anime Serial Experiments Lain will be collaborating once again for the new project, and it is Nakamura and Konaka's third collaboration after their work on Ghost Hound. The title Despera derives from a poem of the same title by Japanese Dadaist poet Jun Tsuji. Though the title of Tsuji's poem comes from the word "despair" or "desperation",^[2] the official blog states that it can also imply the Spanish word desperado.^[3] A graphic novel serialization relating to the anime is being published in Japanese magazine Animage, beginning from its July 2009 issue.

In 2011, it was announced that the anime adaption has been put on indefinite hold, due to Nakamura having fallen ill. On June 29th, 2013 Ryūtarō Nakamura died due to pancreatic cancer.

Story

The story centers around a 12 year old girl named Ain, who often builds devices despite the lack of scientific background for them. The sci-fi alternative period story is set in Tokyo during the Taishō era in 1922, one year before the 1923 Great Kantō earthquake.^[4]

Characters

Ain (あいん, Ain) - A 12 year old girl who resides in her workshop inside the basement of the Ryōunkaku in Asakusa, Tokyo. A technical genius with no prior scientific knowledge, she is able to create electronic devices far beyond the capabilities of the current era. Some of the devices created include early versions of a modern computer, complete with typewriter keyboards and cathode ray tube display monitors.

Unknown Man - A man in his 30s who is an associate of Ain's. In the prologue chapter of the novel, he claims to be able to see the future through the displays on Ain's computer monitors. His face and identity has yet to be revealed.

Enoki (榎木, Enoki) - A military officer who works for the Japanese army's science institute. He holds the rank of 2nd lieutenant. Enoki is sent to Asakusa to investigate the unstable electrical discharge occurring in the vicinity of the Ryōunkaku.

Kimiyasu Fuenokōji (笛小路公寧, Fuenokōji Kimiyasu) - A Japanese nobleman with the title of viscount. It is unknown what relationship Kimiyasu has with Ain, but he is interested in her unorthodox inventions. He has a primary residence in Sanbanchō of Chiyoda-ku, and a second residence at the Kanda-Surugadai district.

Barbara Andrei (バルバラ・アンドレイ, Barubara Andorei) - A Russian woman of aristocratic origins, Barbara is a refugee who escaped from Harbin during the disownment of the presence of Russians by the Chinese Republic. She lives in the Kanda-Surugadai residence owned by Kimiyasu who has taken her in. Ain is particularly uncomfortable of Barbara's presence as she is frightened of her pale white complexion, presumably having never seen a Russian before.

Chapters

There are thirteen chapters in total during the serialization of the story in Animage magazine, from July 2009 to July 2010.

• 00. "Prologue" (序章, "Joshō")
• 01. "The Girl Below the Twelve Storeys" (十二階下の少女, "Jūnikai shita no shōjo")
• 02. "The Russian Lady of the Mansion" (洋館の露西亜貴婦人, "Yōkan no roshia kifujin)
• 03. "Asakusa Tales" (浅草異譚, "Asakusa itan")
• 04. "Electric Girl Versus Tank Corps" (電気娘対戦車隊, "Denki musume tai sensha tai")
• 05. "From Beyond the Screen" (銀幕の彼方より, "Ginmaku no kanata yori")
• 06. "In the Corner of the Triangular Second Floor" (三角二階の片隅にて, "Sankaku nikai no katasumi nite")
• 07. "The Black Cat of the Twelve-Floor Pagoda" (十二階天塔の黒猫, "Jūnikai tentō no kuro neko")
• 08. "Devil" (魔王, "Maō")
• 09. "Sky" (空, "Sora")
• 10. "Parting" (離別, "Ribetsu")
• 11. "The Nightmare Which Does Not Continue" (続かぬ悪夢, "Tsuduka nu akumu")
• 12. "Meeting" (邂逅, "Kaikō")

Development

Despera graphic novel under serialization in Animage magazine.^[1]

During Sakura-Con 2009 held on April at Seattle, Washington, famed character designer Yoshitoshi ABe revealed that he will be developing a new anime titled Desperant (デスペラント). He also announced that he will be working with many of the staff who worked on Serial Experiments Lain. Details on the storyline were scarce as ABe stated that the anime has not been officially unveiled in Japan, but revealed that it will be set during Japan's Taishō era.^[5] In his official blog the very next day, ABe clarified that the title of the anime is called Despera and not the one he stated earlier, due to a speaking error during the convention announcement.^[6] In his official website, Chiaki J. Konaka has announced a graphic novel serialization in Japanese magazine Animage which will last for one year, with the story penned by him and artwork provided by ABe.

Production was placed on hold due to Nakamura's health issues.^[7] It is unknown whether development will continue following his death in July 2013.

References

External links

• Animage's Despera official blog (Japanese)