Japanese television station NTV's program licensing catalog lists the upcoming anime Death Parade at 12 30-minute episodes. The anime, which expands on the Anime Mirai short Death Billiards will premiere on January 9 after an advance screening on December 28.

The catalog describes the story:

Queen Dequim is a bar in a corner of the world where the souls of dead people gather. Gray-haired bartender Dequim is responsible for judging the souls. “Welcome to Queen Dequim.” With no idea that they have died, two souls walk into the bar. Dequim welcomes the customers, who are clueless as to what is going on. “I'm going to ask you to bet your life and play games,” he declares. The souls must put their best efforts into playing various games for a chance to get out of the bar. Judgment will be based on the outcome of the games. As the games unfold, the souls' true colors are bared. At the end, Dequim finally reveals that he is the judge. What judgment will he hand down to the two? Various views on life and a spectrum of sorrows surface from the judged souls, and as he experiences these emotions with Dark-haired woman, the usually emotionless Dequim begins to feel changes within himself. What is life really all about? What is man's true nature? The story unfolds as it poses these questions.

The regular cast includes:



Tomoaki Maeno (Akatsuki no Yona, Pretty Rhythm Rainbow Live) as Dequim (just "the Bartender" in the original short), the bartender and arbiter at the bar Queen Dequim (floor 15). He shows no emotion and always talks quietly. He takes pride in his job and never forgets to show visitors respect. Tomoaki Maeno (Akatsuki no Yona, Pretty Rhythm Rainbow Live) as Dequim (just "the Bartender" in the original short), the bartender and arbiter at the bar Queen Dequim (floor 15). He shows no emotion and always talks quietly. He takes pride in his job and never forgets to show visitors respect.

Asami Seto (Tari Tari, Valvrave the Liberator) as Black-Haired Woman, a clerk who works at Queen Dequim. Along with Dequim, she keeps an eye on the guests. She's strong of spirit and says what she thinks.



Rumi Ookubo (Yuyushiki, Barakamon) as Nona, Dequim and Ginti's boss. From her own place on the 90th floor, she manages all the other floors. In spite of her young appearance, she's wise and experienced. Rumi Ookubo (Yuyushiki, Barakamon) as Nona, Dequim and Ginti's boss. From her own place on the 90th floor, she manages all the other floors. In spite of her young appearance, she's wise and experienced.

Yoshimasa Hosoya (Haikyu!!, Kids on the Slope) as Ginti, an arbiter, like Dequim, from floor 15. He has a very violent nature and only thinks of himself.





Kouki Uchiyama (Soul Eater, Ping Pong) as Clavice, the elevator attendant. A mysterious boy who is always cheerful and smiling, he is usually seen with Nona. He often makes fun of Ginty and makes him angry.





Ryoko Shiraishi (Zettai Karen Children, Sket Dance) as Queen. She used to be in the same profession as Dequim, but now she works in the information department, editing the dead's memories. She's very talkative, loves alcohol, and is good friends with Nona.





Ryoka Yuzuki (The Last -Naruto the Movie-, Kill la Kill) as Castra, the organizer of of the dead. She separates various types of deceased, and decides which bar they will be sent to. She has a sweet-tooth and is always sucking on a candy.





Tesshô Genda (Akira, Gonna be the Twin-Tail!!) as Oculus, an old man who is closest to God. As the observer of all the floors, he is Nona's boss, and was the man who created the judgement system. His trademark are the flower buds on his head and chin.

Yuzuru Tachikawa will return to direct the series at Madhouse, and as with the short, he will also provided the scripts, original concept, and storyboards. Shinichi Kurita will also return as character designer and animation director.

Under the Anime Mirai program with which the original short was created, the Japan Animation Creators Association (JAniCA) receives money from the Japanese government's Agency for Cultural Affairs, and it distributes most of those funds to studios who will train young animators on-the-job.

Thanks to WTK for the news tip