In an exciting move to promote their Harry Potter anime project, Studio YHBT released two new sketches. The compelling new production images depict Harry with his owl, Hedwig, and pair our hero with Draco Malfoy. Drawn in the slick, clean style that YHBT is known for, the sketches provide some tangible hints to this highly anticipated anime series.



The as-yet unnamed project, which we have been following since it was announced earlier this year, is an anime adaptation of the globally popular Harry Potter books. The adaptation is set at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, an all-male institution for the training of young wizards and follows Harry, an orphan who might be the key to saving humanity from the danger posed by the evil Voldemort.  He-who-shall-not-be-named is unleashing Death Eaters, terrible monsters with an unholy magic of their own, on an unsuspecting Muggle public, and must be vanquished.  With the help of their familiars, whose powers are called upon through magical cards, the young wizards must subdue the Death Eaters and train them to fight against their cruel master.  Led by the benevolent headmaster Dumbledore, students collect spells which increase their strength, to aid them in the capture of Death Eaters.

Raised by his aunt and uncle as a Muggle, Harry had no idea he was a wizard until an owl brought him an invitation to Hogwarts on his eleventh birthday.  Now firmly established at the school with his best friend Ron, he must contend with a new roommate.  There's something very strange about the mysterious new transfer student.  Why does he insist on showering alone?  And why is it that every time Harry changes into his pajamas, the geeky new boy with the bushy hair blushes?  Harry, however, has other, more pressing matters to contend with.  The hopes of both the wizarding and non-wizarding world are pinned on his abilities, but how can he save humanity when he can't even muster the courage to confess his feelings to his rival, Draco?

Studio YHBT is known for their yaoi-themed projects, and has provided quality depictions of alternative lifestyles in series that appeal to both teens and adults.  YHBT's flagship series, Boys Punch, is a fan-favorite on both shores. The studio has strongly hinted that this theme will continue with the Harry Potter series.  While yaoi is culturally acceptable in Japan, questions have been raised regarding how this will be accepted in the Western world.  Studio YHBT said that studies of the Harry Potter fandom online indicate that yaoi content would be fairly well received by the majority of readers.  It is, however, unknown at this time exactly how much yaoi content will be included -- but the sketch of Harry and Draco leaves us with some very open-ended questions.

A gaming card tie-in has recently been confirmed.  This clarifies the studio's decision to use magic cards rather than the familiar wands.  It is highly likely the first series of the collectible card game will hit the US market as soon as April 1st, 2009.  The anime will premiere in Japan before then, and it is a certainty that English-language fan-subs will be available online almost immediately after the air-date.  For a more legal means of acquiring the series, JESTer has already purchased North American distribution rights.

With the production moving forward and hopefully merchandising firmly in place, all we can do is sit back and wait.


[Editor's note: Yes, this and every other story posted on April 1st, 2008 on the site was an April Fool's Joke. We hoped most of you laughed with us.]