In Febri.jp’s multi-part interview with writer Asaura, he revealed the original gyaru concept for Chisato and how it changed to what it is in Lycoris Recoil. Along with this, Asaura also shared other interesting info about the show, including the real-life inspiration for LycoReco café.
While written by Asaura, series director Shingo Adachi also had a big influence on the show, even in the beginning. When asked about Adachi’s influence, Asaura shared that the biggest contribution of the director is the character of Chisato. Originally, Chisato was supposed to be a picky gyaru character, with a personality that’s closer to Fuki Harukawa – her rival and Takina’s former team leader. This changed when Adachi came on board the show as he suggested that Chisato be a more positive and bright character. In case you’re unfamiliar, a gyaru is a Japanese fashion sub-culture whose hallmarks are bright makeup, tanned skin, and colored hair. In the context of anime, a gyaru is typically an energetic and outgoing character. Think Marin Kitagawa from My Dress-Up Darling. Aside from Chisato’s change to be more of a positive and cheerful character, the original concept of Lycoris Recoil has undergone major changes. For one, the show’s story was originally much darker. Read More: Lycoris Recoil Originally Had a Much Darker Story According to Creator
Lycoris Recoil (also called LycoReco by fans) is an original anime series by A-1 Pictures that’s directed by Shingo Adachi and written by Asaura. It stars Chika Anzai as Chisato Nishigiki and Shion Wakayama as Takina Inoue. The series is set in an alternate version of Japan that’s kept safe from terrorists and criminals by “Lycoris”, an all-female group of spies and assassins. Lycoris agents are deployed to take down criminal activity, and these operations are undertaken without the public knowing. The story begins with Takina, a Lycoris agent who is reprimanded and demoted for disobeying direct orders during one operation. Because of this, she is assigned to work in an undercover café called LycoReco. Alongside Takina in her new post is Chisato, a Lycoris agent who is carefree and cheerful. But beneath her happy-go-lucky exterior, Chisato is one of the best Lycoris agents who is an expert at both shooting and dodging incoming attacks. Despite her skills, Chisato does not take the life of any of her enemies. New Lycoris Recoil episodes are released every week on Crunchyroll.
