Akikan!


Akikan! is a Japanese light novel series about a group of anthropomorphic soda cans who do battle. It was created by Riku Ranjō, with illustrations by Hiro Suzuhira, known for her artistry in Shuffle!. The first novel was released on May 24, 2007, and as of April 24, 2009, eight volumes have been published by Shueisha under their Super Dash Bunko label. A manga adaptation began serialization in Ultra Jump on October 18, 2008, an anime adaptation began airing on January 3, 2009. On December 22, 2008, an early release of the first episode was streamed on the internet through Bandai Channel. On the day the final episode aired on March 28, 2009, an Akikan! OVA followed on October 23, 2009. At Anime Weekend Atlanta 2011, Sentai Filmworks announced that they have licensed both TV series and OVA and was released in 2012.

Story

Akikan is the unlikely story of high school boy Kakeru Daichi, whose can of melon soda magically transforms into a human girl. More "akikan" girls begin appearing, each of them needing to be infused with carbon dioxide from their respective drink types to survive. The akikans were created as part of the 'Akikan Elect' to determine whether steel cans or aluminium cans are superior. The akikans must battle each other until only the strongest type is left standing.

Characters

Owners

;Kakeru Daichi
;Najimi Tenkuji
;Misaki Miyashita

Akikans

;Melon
;Yell
;Budoko
;Shiruko
;Mai
;Miku

Others

;Yurika Kochikaze
;Goro Amaji
;Hidehiko Otoya
;Airin Kizaki

Media

Light novels

The original light novels written by Riku Ranjō and illustrated by Hiro Suzuhira began release on Shueisha's Super Dash Bunko label from May 24, 2007 with ten volumes released as of October 19, 2015

Manga

A manga adaptation illustrated by Momotaro Miyano began serialization in Shueisha's Ultra Jump magazine from October 18, 2008 to April 18, 2009.

Anime

An anime television series adaptation by Brain's Base aired in Japan between January 3, 2009 and March 28, 2009. A special episode aired on February 15, 2009 instead of usual one: this was half-hour three-part live-action show with Akikan voice actors and musicians. An original video animation episode was released on October 23, 2009. The series and OVA has been licensed in North America by Sentai Filmworks for release in 2012.
The series uses three pieces of theme music, two openings and one ending theme. The opening themes are "The Miracle Plan is Complete!" by Charmy Queen for episodes 1-6 and "Juicy Extacy" by Little Non for episodes 7-12. The ending theme is "Love Air Recycling" by Nomiko and TECHNOBOYS PULCRAFT GREEN-FUND, which has different variations in each episode with guest artists sometimes.
The first and second openings released on single discs. The ending theme released on single disc too. The OVA-version of ending theme released as part of OST disc.