Azur Lane: Slow Ahead!
A four-panel manga and anime spin-off of Azur Lane.
Azur Lane: Slow Ahead! is a Japanese four-panel manga series written and illustrated by Hori, based on the Chinese side-scrolling shoot 'em up video game Azur Lane by Shanghai Manjuu and Xiamen Yongshi. The series has been published in Ichijinsha's Manga 4-koma Palette magazine since March 2018. An anime television series adaptation co-produced by Yostar Pictures and Candy Box aired from January to March 2021.
- type
- Manga and anime series
- genre
- Four-panel comedy, moe anthropomorphic
- original_run
- March 2018 – present (manga)
- anime_season_1_airdates
- January 12 – March 30, 2021
- publisher
- Ichijinsha (Manga 4-koma Palette)
- based_on
- Azur Lane video game by Shanghai Manjuu and Xiamen Yongshi
Lore & Background
The manga Azur Lane: Slow Ahead! is written and illustrated by Hori and serialized in Ichijinsha's Manga 4-koma Palette since March 2018. It features the starter characters HMS Javelin, IJN Ayanami, USS Laffey, and KMS Z23. The plot depicts moe anthropomorphic interpretations of World War II battleships attending an academy. An anime adaptation was announced on December 24, 2019, directed by Masato Jinbo and written by Yū Satō at Yostar Pictures and Candy Box, with character designs by Hiromitsu Hagiwara and music by Shade. The first season aired from January 12 to March 30, 2021, on Tokyo MX and other networks, with opening theme 'Longing for!' by Emi Nitta and ending theme 'Midday-Color Siesta' by Yui Sakakibara. Crunchyroll streamed the series, and an original video animation was bundled with the second Blu-ray volume released on July 7, 2021.
Reader's Guide
Azur Lane: Slow Ahead! serves as a lighthearted, slice-of-life spin-off of the popular mobile game Azur Lane, focusing on the daily lives of its ship-girl characters rather than combat. Its significance lies in expanding the franchise's media presence through a four-panel manga format and a subsequent anime adaptation, which introduced the characters to a broader audience. The series is notable for featuring the four starter characters from the original game—Javelin, Ayanami, Laffey, and Z23—as central figures. The anime's first season was produced by Candy Box and Yostar Pictures, while the second season, announced at the 'Azur Lane 6th Anniversary Fes.' event on September 10, 2023, was handled solely by Candy Box with a new director and character designer. The series' legacy includes its role in sustaining interest in the Azur Lane franchise through 2026, with the second season premiering in July of that year. Its availability on Crunchyroll helped reach international viewers, and the inclusion of an OVA further enriched the release.
Did You Know?
- The manga is written and illustrated by Hori and published in Ichijinsha's Manga 4-koma Palette since March 2018.
- The anime adaptation was announced on December 24, 2019.
- The first season aired from January 12 to March 30, 2021, on Tokyo MX.
- As of the latest information, only one season of the anime has been produced.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Azur Lane: Slow Ahead!?
It is a four-panel comedy manga and anime spin-off of the Azur Lane video game franchise, built around lighthearted slice-of-life gags with the shipgirl cast. The manga has been running since 2018, and a single-season anime adaptation aired in early 2021.
Who created Azur Lane: Slow Ahead!?
The series is written and illustrated by Hori, who handles both the scripting and artwork in the four-panel format. It is published in Ichijinsha's Manga 4-koma Palette magazine.
When did the Azur Lane: Slow Ahead! anime air?
The anime television adaptation ran from January 12 to March 30, 2021, as a single season. It was co-produced by Yostar Pictures and Candy Box.
What genre is Azur Lane: Slow Ahead!?
The series is squarely a four-panel comedy with moe anthropomorphic elements, focusing on comedic daily-life moments rather than the combat-heavy action of the source material. Each episode is essentially a string of short, self-contained gags with no overarching plot arc.
What is Azur Lane: Slow Ahead! based on?
It is a spin-off of the Azur Lane mobile game, a side-scrolling shoot 'em up developed by Shanghai Manjuu and Xiamen Yongshi. The manga and anime rework the game's anthropomorphized warship characters into a lighthearted comedy setting.
More in Anime television series based on video games 1-24
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