Watacen Lands TV Tokyo Network Slot With Key Visual, Teaser PV and Cast

Idol anime usually starts at the top of the charts. Watashi wo Center ni Suru to Chikaimasu ka? — Watacen for short — starts at the very bottom, and that is exactly why I am paying attention. The official site just confirmed a TV Tokyo network run across six stations, and with it dropped a key visual, a teaser PV, the core staff, and the main cast.

Ranked last, one fan in line

The story follows Natsuno Mizuki, the least popular member of the national idol group Melty Strawberry. Her handshake lane has exactly one regular: Okuta Koichi. When he swears he will make her the center, she answers with a condition that sounds half joke, half vow — if he actually pulls it off, she will marry him. Jun Wakatsuki's manga on Kodansha's Magazine Pocket leans into that "oshi × only fan" chemistry without drowning it in glitter.

Staff, cast, and a first look

Seiji Kishi directs, Yuko Kakihara handles series composition, Kazuaki Morita designs the characters, and TEAM TillDawn produces the animation. The voice cast so far:

• Hazuki Mikawa as Natsuno Mizuki
• Taihi Kimura as Okuta Koichi
• Mai Kanno as Shirai Awayuki
• Yukari Anzai as Fukuba Hatsune

The teaser PV is already up on YouTube, and the opening theme side lists a track by Yuika. Exact premiere time is still "coming soon" on the on-air page, but a TV Tokyo six-station slot is a solid footing for a series that started as a web-manga darling.

My take

I like idol stories that admit most fans never see their oshi at center stage. The new key visual — pink-and-white costumes, confetti, a packed stage — sells the dream Mizuki is chasing from the bottom of the ranking. I will be watching for the broadcast window next. Full details stay on the official Watacen site.