JOKER GAME (2016)
A stylish Japanese anime spy thriller set on the eve of World War II, following the covert operatives of the shadowy D Agency.
JOKER GAME - Series Information
- Original Title: ジョーカー・ゲーム
- First Air Year: 2016
- Last Air Year: 2016
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Animation, Mystery
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 25 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 12
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: April 5, 2016 (United States - TV-14), April 5, 2016 (Canada - 18+), April 5, 2016 (Australia - M), April 5, 2016 (Brazil - 14), April 5, 2016 (Mexico - B-15)
- Networks: AT-X
- Alternative Titles: 代号D机关 (CN), JOKER GAME (TW), Joker Game (US)
- Production Companies: Production I.G, Glovision, KADOKAWA, Hakuhodo DY Music & Pictures, movic, AT-X, Sony Music Entertainment (Japan), Sammy, Frontier Works
- Production Countries: Japan
JOKER GAME - Plot
Taking place in the year 1937 on the eve of World War II, the story involves a mysterious spy training organization known as the "D Agency." The organization is established by Lieutenant Colonel Yuuki from the Imperial Japanese Army. His ideals lead him to recruit people beyond military academy graduates and personnel, while training them to become skilled agents in arts of manipulation. These agents would become a specialized team to conduct operations. One such antihero agent, under the name Jirou Gamou, goes on a harrowing mission to uncover secret documents titled "Black Notes," while battling forces from within and without his own ranks.
JOKER GAME - Trailer
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JOKER GAME - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Kenyu Horiuchi
- Mika Kanda
- Tessyo Genda
- Daigo Fujimaki
- Shou Okumura
- Takahiro Sakurai
- Hiro Shimono
- Yuki Kaji
- Shunichi Maki
- Kazuya Nakai
Writers
- Taku Kishimoto
Executive Producers
- Rui Kuroki
- Daijo Kudo
JOKER GAME - FAQs
Where can you stream JOKER GAME online?
JOKER GAME is available to stream on Crunchyroll, including via the Crunchyroll Amazon Channel. The series can also be purchased digitally through Amazon Video and Apple TV Store for those who prefer to own a copy.
Is JOKER GAME based on a novel?
Yes, JOKER GAME is adapted from a series of spy novels by Japanese author Koji Yanagi. The books, published from 2008 onward, follow the covert D Agency operatives across interconnected short-story missions set in the lead-up to World War II.
What is JOKER GAME about?
Set in 1937 Japan on the eve of World War II, JOKER GAME follows the D Agency, a secretive spy organization founded by Lieutenant Colonel Yuuki. Each episode spotlights a different agent undertaking dangerous intelligence missions involving manipulation, deception, and survival in a world sliding toward global conflict.
Who are the main voice actors in JOKER GAME?
The principal voice cast includes Kenyu Horiuchi as Lieutenant Colonel Yuuki, Takahiro Sakurai as Tazaki, Hiro Shimono as Miyoshi, Yuki Kaji as Hatano, Kazuya Nakai as Fukumoto, and Ryohei Kimura as Kaminaga, among others.
Why does JOKER GAME use an anthology format?
JOKER GAME adopts an anthology structure to mirror its source novels, giving each D Agency operative a standalone episode. This approach highlights the individuality of each spy, reinforces the series' theme that no single agent is more important than the mission, and keeps the storytelling fresh across all 12 episodes.
How many episodes does JOKER GAME have?
JOKER GAME consists of 12 episodes across its single season, which aired in 2016. There are also 2 additional special episodes available under Season 0, bringing the total episode count to 14 when including those bonus entries.
Who composed the music for JOKER GAME?
The score for JOKER GAME was composed by Kenji Kawai, a celebrated Japanese composer known for his atmospheric and cinematic work on productions such as Ghost in the Shell and Fate/stay night. His compositions lend the series a tense, period-appropriate sonic atmosphere.
How was JOKER GAME received by critics?
JOKER GAME earned generally positive reviews for its mature tone, atmospheric period setting, and intelligent spy-thriller plotting. Critics praised its restraint and stylish direction, though some noted the anthology format could make it harder to build deep emotional investment in individual characters across its short run.
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