The official website for Honō no Tōkyūjo: Dodge Danko has released creditless versions of the anime’s opening and ending sequences, giving fans a clear look at the animation paired with its theme songs. The videos arrive shortly after the series premiered on July 6, adding to the ongoing promotional rollout for the long-awaited dodgeball anime.
A New Generation Carries the Dodgeball Legacy
Honō no Tōkyūjo: Dodge Danko serves as the official sequel to Tetsuhiro Koshita’s classic sports manga Honō no Tōkyūji: Dodge Danpei. The original series ran in Shogakukan’s CoroCoro Comic from 1989 to 1995 before receiving a 47-episode television anime adaptation that aired between 1991 and 1992.
More than three decades later, Koshita returned to the franchise with Honō no Tōkyūjo: Dodge Danko, which began serialization on the Weekly CoroCoro Comic website in November 2022. The sequel quickly gained attention and earned a nomination in the web manga category at the Next Manga Award the following year.
Instead of revisiting Danpei Ichigeki as the protagonist, the story follows his daughter, Danko. Set in Japan’s Reiwa era, the anime introduces a new lead who inherits her father’s passion for dodgeball while beginning a journey of her own.
Danko’s Mission to Revive Her School’s Dodgeball Club
At the heart of the series is Danko’s determination to rebuild a dodgeball club that no longer exists. She joins forces with her childhood friend Chinko and begins recruiting teammates while facing rivals on the court.
While the anime honors the spirit of the original Dodge Danpei, it also updates the formula for modern audiences. The story combines fast-paced sports action with friendship, teamwork, and personal growth, making it accessible to viewers who are discovering the franchise for the first time.
The focus on rebuilding a team gives the series an underdog narrative that complements its competitive matches. Rather than relying only on nostalgia, Dodge Danko aims to introduce a fresh cast and new challenges while preserving the energetic style that made the original manga memorable.
Momoiro Clover Z and i☆Ris Perform the Theme Songs
The anime features two well-known Japanese music acts for its opening and ending themes. Momoiro Clover Z performs the opening song, “Kaishin no Ichigeki” (“A Masterful Play”), while voice actress and idol group i☆Ris performs the ending theme, “Welcome to Azatosa World.”
Both songs are showcased in the newly released creditless opening and ending videos, allowing fans to enjoy the animation without on-screen credits. The clean versions highlight the colorful visuals and energetic sequences created for the series.
Before the anime premiered, Momoiro Clover Z also released a lyric video for the opening theme, giving fans an early listen to the song. The release of the creditless videos now completes the promotional rollout surrounding the anime’s debut.
Directed by Hiroshi Ikehata at Studio Cue, Kazuho Hyōdō handles series composition, while Narihito Sekikawa handles character designs and serves as chief animation director.
The anime’s soundtrack is composed by Yasunori Iwasaki and Ren Tsukagoshi, whose music supports both the emotional story moments and the high-energy dodgeball matches throughout the series.
The production team also has plenty of source material to work with. As of August 2025, the Dodge Danko manga had been collected into six volumes, providing a strong foundation for future episodes if the adaptation continues beyond its initial run.
Premiere Date and Where to Watch
Honō no Tōkyūjo: Dodge Danko premiered on July 6 on Tokyo MX and BS11 at 11:00 p.m. JST. The series later expanded its Japanese broadcast with an MBS airing on the following day, following an advance screening of the first two episodes held before the television debut.
Fans outside Japan can stream the anime on Crunchyroll, which is simulcasting the series for international audiences. The platform continues to be a major destination for anime adapted from CoroCoro Comic titles.
With its next-generation protagonist, experienced production staff, and newly released creditless opening and ending sequences, Honō no Tōkyūjo: Dodge Danko is building on the legacy of one of Japan’s classic sports anime while introducing the franchise to a new audience.
