Avex Pictures has announced that their multimedia project Paradox Live will be receiving a television anime series in 2023. More production information about the anime and its international release will be revealed at a later date. 

Avex made the official announcement during their worldwide stream of the Paradox Live Dope Show concert. They also uploaded a 30-second teaser trailer to confirm the anime’s production progress. 

The Paradox Live media mix project is a collaboration between Avex Pictures and GCREST. The series focuses on rap battles between different factions, similar to King Records’s Hypnosis Mic: Division Rap Battle series. Several singles and albums have been released since 2019. 

The franchise primarily features four rap groups within its storyline. Each faction consists of: 

BAE — A trio of friends from the same international private university that rap in Japanese, English, and Korean. Akane Aki designed BAE’s characters. 

• • Gakuto Kajiwara as Allen Sugasano 
• • Ayumu Murase as Yeon Hajun
• • 96Neko as Anne Faulkner

The Cat’s Whiskers —  A four-person team whose musical style features a combination of hip hop and jazz. Kuniharu Komiya designed the characters in this group. 

• • Ryouta Takeuchi as Naoakira Saimon  
• • Yuu Hayashi as Yohei Kanbayashi
• • Natsuki Hanae Ryuu Natsume  
• • Junta Terashima as Shiki Ando 

Cozmez — A duo consisting of twins Kanata and Nayuta Yatonokami. Their songs focus on the hardships of their childhood and life in the slums. Kinako designed the Cozmez members. 

• • Yuusuke Kobayashi as Kanata Yatonokami  
• • Toshiyuki Toyonaga as Nayuta Yatonokami  

Akanyatsura —  A five-person team whose members are connected to the yakuza Suiseki clan. Every member considers each other family. Harada designed the members for this group. 

• • Takayuki Kondou as Iori Suiseki 
• • Shima as Gaho Zen 
• • Shunichi Toki as Masaki Hokusai  
• • Tasuku Hatanaka as Satsuki Ito  
• • Shougo Yano as Reo Maruyama  

Paradox Live takes place In the near future, when hip-hop culture has inspired a new movement called “Phantom Live.” Rappers of all kinds now have the power to create illusions linked to their emotions using special accessories called “phantometal” that help them inspire people on the bright stage.  However, the price they have to pay for these new powers are the traumatic illusions that haunt them.  

Four rap groups (BAE, The Cat’s Whisker’s, cozmez and Akanyatsura) gather at a legendary club called CLUB PARADOX, where each of them participate in intense rap battles to prove whose music is number one. 

Source: Avex Pictures, Paradox Live Website