The upcoming two-part Collar x Malice -deep cover- anime movie has received its first key visual, which is illustrated by original character designer Mai Hanamura, and a May 26 and June 23 release date for its two parts respectively. Additionally, two cast members, who are not returning voice actors from the Collar x Malice game, were announced.

The newly announced cast members are Kaede Hondo as Ichika Hoshino and Katsuyuki Konishi as Mitsuru Sowa. As in the game, Ichika is a police officer who has a poisonous collar forcible placed around her neck. Meanwhile, Mitsuru is an original character who is a Metropolitan Police Department inspector. He is dispatched to take command of an investigation of a handgun case that originated from Shinjuku ward. A visual was released for Mitsuru.

The Collar x Malice game was released for PlayStation Vita in 2016 and for Nintendo Switch in 2020. It was developed by Idea Factory’s otome game-centric Otomate brand. Its premise sees Shinjuku being terrorized by a string of murders known as the “X-Day Incidents.” 

Aksys Games, the publisher of Collar x Malice‘s localized Switch version, describes the plot as:

As a young police officer, you must save a city under siege! A terrorist organization’s brutal attack has left you fitted with a deadly souvenir – a poisonous collar that could end your life at any moment. With time running out, five strangers offer their help – but which of them can you trust? Will you be able to save your own neck, and the lives of those around you, or will this case end in disaster?

Hiroshi Watanabe (Xuan Yuan Sword Luminary) is directing Collar x Malice -deep cover- with Sayaka Harada (Noblesse series composer) as script composer, Yukiko Ban (Yowamushi Pedal: Limit Break) as character designer, Masakazu Miyake (Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation) as art director, Imari Katsuragi (Sorcerous Stabber Orphen -Chaos in Urbanrama-) as color designer, and Masaru Yokoyama (Tsurune: The Linking Shot) as music composer. Studio Deen is the animation production company.