One of the most interesting and unconventional anime/manga franchises to become popular in recent years is Kakegurui - Compulsive Gambler. Making high-stakes gambling into a literal way of life, this series' story is a strange twist on the high school setting of a good deal of anime. With its lucky sevens success, it's no surprise that the story has garnered a spinoff prequel that adds to the lore.
Spinoff series Kakegurui Twin is set before the main series, and it's been going for almost as long. Now, it's finally getting an anime adaptation, although some fans and newcomers alike may be unsure of how it's related to the other show. Before the series hits the slots on Netflix later this year, here's what anime viewers should know about the upcoming Kakegurui Twin.
Is Kakegurui Twin Related to Kakegurui - Compulsive Gambler?
Published in the manga magazine Gangan Joker starting in 2015, Kakegurui Twin is a prequel to the original manga Kakegurui - Compulsive Gambler. Like that series, it's written by Homura Kawamoto, although Kei Saiki provides the art this time around instead of Toru Naomura. The story, which focuses on transfer student Mary Saotome, is set a year before the events of the main series, meaning that future rival Yumeko Jabami is still nowhere around.
Much like the main series, the setting of the Hyakkaou Private Academy is one where decisions and the hierarchy of the school itself are decided by gambling. Mary is determined to carve her mark in the school's student body. Of course, with no Yumeko around to be an antagonist to, it shouldn't be much of a gamble... right? Also present is Tsuzura Hanatemari, a girl who looks up to Mary in multiple ways. From there, Mary develops an intense gambling addiction -- one that defines her personality from then on.
So far, the original manga has amassed 12 volumes -- almost as many as the 15 volumes of the main series. Now, it's put it all on the line and scored an official anime adaptation, and one made by one of the most popular anime studios in Japan at that.
Who Is Behind the Kakegurui Twin Anime?
Amazon Prime Video originally released an eight-episode live-action adaption of Kakegurui Twin in 2021, but the anime version was not far behind. This series, which is planned to make its debut on Netflix in August, is being produced by none other than MAPPA. This studio was behind such immense recent hits as the Jujutsu Kaisen anime and the final season of Attack On Titan. Known for its great animation, the studio's trailer for Kakegurui Twin is obviously not too shabby, heavily evoking the color scheme of the original series.
The English voice cast has not yet been announced, meaning that fans in the West will likely have to watch the series with subtitles for a while. Nevertheless, for those who can't get enough of Kakegurui, it's a safe bet that Kakegurui Twin will help to further sate their gambling needs when it hits Netflix later this year.