Kokoro Connect is a Japanese light novel series written by Sadanatsu Anda, with illustrations by Shiromizakana. The series includes 11 volumes published by Enterbrain between January 2010 and March 2013. Two manga adaptations have been published by Enterbrain and Kadokawa Shoten. A 13-episode anime adaptation directed by Shin'ya Kawatsura, written by Fumihiko Shimo, and produced by Silver Link aired in Japan between July and September 2012. Four additional episodes aired on December 30, 2012.
Plot
The story primarily involves five high school students — Taichi, Iori, Himeko, Yoshifumi, and Yui — who are all the only members of the Student Cultural Research Club at the high school they attend. They all face various supernatural, sense-altering phenomena in their daily lives, all seemingly caused by a cryptic entity which refers to itself as 'Heartseed', who is intent on using the phenomena to test the characters for an unknown goal. As the five undergo these phenomena, the strength of their bonds will be tested.
Kokoro Connect began as a light novel series written by Sadanatsu Anda, with illustrations by Yukiko Horiguchi under the pen name Shiromizakana. Anda entered the first novel in the series, originally titled Hito Tsunagari Te, Doko e Yuku, into Enterbrain's 11th Entertainment Awards in 2009 and the novel won the Special Prize. The first volume, renamed Kokoro Connect Hito Random, was published on January 30, 2010 under Enterbrain's Famitsu Bunkoimprint. The main series ended with the tenth release of the novels on March 30, 2013, and a side-story collection was released on September 30, 2013. During their panel at Anime Expo 2018, J-Novel Club announced that they have licensed the light novel.
Manga
A manga adaptation illustrated by Cuteg was serialized in Enterbrain's Famitsu Comic Clear online manga magazine between October 22, 2010 and August 23, 2013. Enterbrain published five tankōbon volumes between May 14, 2011 and September 14, 2013. Seven Seas Entertainment began releasing the series in North America in August 2014. A second manga based on the anime adaptation, illustrated by Na! and titled Kokoro Connect On Air, was serialized between the August 2012 and April 2013 issues of Kadokawa Shoten's Nyantype magazine. A single volume was released on March 30, 2013. Enterbrain published two volumes of an anthology titled Magi-Cu 4-koma Kokoro Connect on July 25 and September 25, 2012.
Drama CDs
Enterbrain released a drama CD titled Kokoro Connect Natsu to Mizugi to Bōfūu on February 16, 2011. A second drama CD titled Kokoro Connect Haru to Date to Imōto Gokko was released on January 6, 2012.
Anime
An anime adaptation was directed by Shin'ya Kawatsura and produced by Silver Link. The anime's screenplay is written by Fumihiko Shimo, the character designs are by Toshifumi Akai, and the sound director is Toshiki Kameyama. The cast is the same with the drama CD cast. Of the 17 episodes, the first 13 were aired in Japan between July 8 and September 30, 2012 and were also simulcast by Crunchyroll. The four remaining episodes aired on AT-X on December 30, 2012. The anime was released on seven Blu-ray Disc /DVD compilation volumes between October 24, 2012 and April 24, 2013. Sentai Filmworks licensed the series in North America and released the first 13 episodes on BD/DVD on October 22, 2013, and the remaining four on December 10, 2013. Hanabee has licensed the series in Australia. The anime has seven pieces of theme music: three opening themes and four ending themes. The first opening theme is "Paradigm" by Eufonius and is used for the first ten episodes. The episodes released on BD and DVD replace "Paradigm" with "Kimochi Signal" by Sayuri Horishita. Beginning with episode 12, the opening theme is "Kimi Rhythm" by Masaki Imai. The first ending theme is "Kokoro no Kara" by Team Nekokan feat. Junca Amaoto for the first five episodes. The second ending theme is "Cry Out" by Team Nekokan feat. Atsuko for episodes six through ten. The third ending theme is "Salvage" by Team Nekokan feat. Rekka Katakiri for episodes 11 through 13. The fourth ending theme is "I Scream Chocolate" by Team Nekokan feat. Lia for episodes 14 through 17. An insert song titled "Milkshake" sung by Sayuri Horishita was used in episode 17. At an advance screening of the anime series on June 24, 2012, voice actorMitsuhiro Ichiki had supposedly auditioned for a character role and was invited to the event to allegedly be announced as a surprise cast member. It was then revealed at the event that Ichiki was to in fact be chosen as Head of Public Relations, with his audition revealed to be a candid-camera style fake. While Ichiki accepted the role as head of PR, criticism of the event led to a flow of criticism directed towards the staff and voice actors involved on blog websites and Twitter accounts, as well as people not directly involved. The staff of the show posted an official statement on September 2, 2012 apologizing for "insufficient consideration regarding performers" leading to "widespread discomfort and misunderstanding," promising to seriously reflect on the incident in the future. They had also cancelled the Internet radio program Kokoro Connect Bunken Shinbun as a result. Ichiki also posted a statement the same day, mentioning how he felt no ill will towards the staff as a result of the incident and denies any bullying or harassment taking place.
