Kamitsubaki City Under Construction Season 1: A Mesmerizing Blend of Music, Mystery, and Mayhem

Kamitsubaki City Under Construction (神椿市建設中, Kamitsubaki-shi Kensetsuchū), a 2025 anime from Kamitsubaki Studio and PIEDPIPER, is a bold, genre-bending addition to the Summer 2025 lineup. Directed and written by Kōdai Kakimoto, with Sōki Tsukishima overseeing the world-building, this multimedia project—spanning anime, rhythm games, visual novels, and tabletop RPGs—delivers a visually striking, narratively ambitious, and musically transcendent experience. Season 1, which premiered on July 3, 2025, on TBS and Crunchyroll, introduces a post-apocalyptic world where song is survival, and five young women, known as the Witchlings, wield magical voices to battle monstrous Tesseractors. While not without flaws, this anime stands out as a unique and captivating experiment that pushes the boundaries of storytelling and animation. Here’s an in-depth review of Season 1, exploring its strengths, weaknesses, and what makes it a must-watch.

Setting and World-Building: A Dystopian Metropolis with Depth

Set seven years after a cataclysmic disaster that nearly wiped out humanity, Kamitsubaki City Under Construction unfolds in the titular Kamitsubaki City, a futuristic terrarium-like metropolis rebuilt with cutting-edge technology. The city is a beacon of hope, divided into six distinct districts, each with its own personality: from the administrative hub of District Zero to the chaotic nightlife of District Two and the hazardous, off-limits outskirts of District Six. This richly detailed setting, crafted by Sōki Tsukishima, feels alive and layered, with each district reflecting both the city’s prosperity and its underlying decay.

The narrative introduces Tesseractors, monstrous entities born from human malice and desire, which threaten the city’s delicate balance by disrupting infrastructure and digital systems. Only the Witchlings—five girls with the “Song of Purification”—can combat these creatures. This premise blends sci-fi, dark fantasy, and supernatural elements, creating a world that feels both familiar and alien. The show’s exploration of human emotions as a source of both destruction (Tesseractors) and salvation (the Witchlings’ songs) adds a philosophical depth that elevates it beyond typical action anime.

However, the world-building, while ambitious, can feel overwhelming. Episode 0, which serves as the premiere, leans heavily on exposition, introducing a barrage of concepts—Fragments, Tesseractors, and the city’s socio-political structure—without fully resolving them. Some viewers have noted that the dense setup feels like “the first half of a beginning chapter,” leaving audiences eager for more clarity in subsequent episodes.

Characters: The Heart and Voice of Kamitsubaki

The Witchlings—Kaf Morisaki, Rime Tanioki, Haru Asanushi, Sekai Yorukawa, and Koko Rinne—are the emotional and narrative core of the series. Each girl hails from a different district, bringing unique personalities and backstories that reflect the city’s diversity:

• Kaf Morisaki (voiced by Kaf): A cheerful, daring resident of District Zero, Kaf is a victim of the disaster seven years ago. Her boldness and willingness to challenge injustice make her a compelling protagonist, though her trauma adds layers of vulnerability.
• Rime Tanioki (voiced by RIM): From District One, Rime is a perfectionist with a fragile interior beneath her composed exterior. Her dynamic with Kaf hints at deeper tensions to be explored.
• Haru Asanushi (voiced by Harusaruhi): A determined optimist from District Two, Haru’s bravery masks her insecurities, making her a relatable underdog.
• Sekai Yorukawa (voiced by Isekaijoucho): Revered as a goddess in District Three, Sekai’s mysterious prophetic powers and glowing eye add an enigmatic quality.
• Koko Rinne (voiced by Koko): From District Four, Koko’s amnesia and dual nature—cool yet childlike—make her a wildcard with untapped potential.

The voice cast, comprised of the virtual artist group V.W.P (Virtual Witch Phenomenon), delivers stellar performances, both in dialogue and song. Their chemistry shines in musical sequences, where their voices blend to create hauntingly beautiful harmonies that drive the narrative. Additional cast members, like Ayane Sakura as Laplus and Hikaru Midorikawa as a mysterious figure, add intrigue, though their roles remain underdeveloped in the early episodes.

Animation and Visuals: A CGI Triumph with Mixed Reception

Produced by Shogakukan Music & Digital Entertainment (SMDE), Kamitsubaki City opts for a fully CGI aesthetic, a choice that sets it apart from traditional 2D anime. The 3D models are well-rendered, blending seamlessly with the vibrant, dystopian cityscapes. The use of color filters and dynamic camera work creates an immersive atmosphere, with District Two’s neon-lit chaos and District Five’s industrial decay standing out. The Tesseractors, with their grotesque, shapeshifting designs, are genuinely unsettling, enhanced by visual effects like blood splatter and glowing eyes.

However, the animation has sparked mixed reactions. Some viewers praise its polished look and fluid action sequences, particularly during the Witchlings’ battles, which combine song and combat in a Broadway-style musical format. Others, particularly on forums like Anime-Planet, have criticized the CGI as “downright ugly,” arguing that it feels jarring compared to traditional anime. The gore—uncensored charred corpses and dismemberments—adds a gritty edge but has been called gratuitous by some, potentially alienating viewers expecting a lighter tone.

Music: The Soul of the Series

Music is the heartbeat of Kamitsubaki City Under Construction. Composed by Kent Asahina, with theme songs “Utahime” (Songstress) and “Fukusū Tenkai” (Multiple Developments) performed by V.W.P, the soundtrack is a standout feature. The Witchlings’ songs aren’t mere background tracks but integral to the plot, serving as weapons against Tesseractors and expressions of the characters’ emotions. The Broadway-style musical format, where characters burst into song mid-story, is a refreshing departure from typical idol anime. Posts on X highlight the music’s ability to captivate, with one viewer noting how it made the episode’s runtime “fly by.”

The integration of music into the narrative is seamless, with each Witchling’s voice reflecting her personality—Kaf’s bold and fiery, Sekai’s ethereal and haunting. The rhythm game Kamitsubaki City Ensemble (released August 2024) further immerses fans in this musical world, letting players explore the city through song. However, some critics argue that the heavy reliance on musical sequences can disrupt the pacing, especially in action-heavy scenes.

Story and Themes: A Promising but Incomplete Start

Season 1’s narrative centers on the Witchlings’ fight to protect Kamitsubaki City while unraveling its dark secrets. The story explores themes of hope, trauma, and the duality of human nature, with Tesseractors symbolizing the destructive power of negative emotions and the Witchlings’ songs representing healing and unity. The premiere (Episode 0) sets a dark, violent tone, with moments of gore and psychological horror that evoke comparisons to Puella Magi Madoka Magica and Metallic Rouge.

While the premise is gripping, the execution has flaws. The heavy exposition in Episode 0 leaves some viewers confused, with one X post describing it as having “zero clue what just happened.” The show’s attempt to balance mystery, action, and musical elements sometimes feels disjointed, and the lack of immediate follow-through on the premiere’s setup has drawn criticism. Yet, the episode succeeds in hooking viewers, as noted in Anime News Network’s Summer 2025 Preview Guide, which praises its ability to “convince me to watch the next episode.”

Reception: A Polarizing Yet Intriguing Debut

Kamitsubaki City Under Construction has sparked diverse reactions. On X, fans like @UnknownDriver17 praise its dark, violent tone and innovative CGI, calling it “so interesting” and unexpected. Others, like @NoMoorXP, give it a cautious 6/10, citing a 50/50 chance on the story’s coherence due to its Metallic Rouge-like vibes. Anime-Planet forums reflect harsher critiques, with some calling the story “nonsensical” and the animation “bad,” though others appreciate the uncensored gore and “Madoka vibes.”

The show’s multimedia roots add to its appeal. The Kamitsubaki City Regenerate visual novel and Kamitsubaki City Ensemble rhythm game, both released before the anime, deepen the lore and engage fans interactively. The prequel novel by Sōki Tsukishima and Fūgayado, published in May 2025, offers additional context, making the anime part of a broader, immersive experience.

Unique Elements: What Sets It Apart

What makes Kamitsubaki City Under Construction unique is its fusion of genres and media. The Broadway-style musical format, where songs drive both plot and emotion, is a rare and risky choice for anime, executed with surprising finesse. The CGI, while divisive, creates a distinct visual identity, and the Tesseractors’ grotesque designs add a horror element rarely seen in musical anime. The multimedia approach—integrating games, novels, and a tabletop RPG—invites fans to co-create the world, a nod to Kamitsubaki Studio’s user-participation project that has built a 20,000-strong community since 2019.

Thematically, the show’s exploration of human darkness and redemption through music offers a fresh take on the post-apocalyptic genre. The Witchlings’ diverse personalities and the city’s stratified districts provide a rich canvas for social commentary, though the series has yet to fully capitalize on this potential in Season 1’s early episodes.

Areas for Improvement

Despite its strengths, Season 1 stumbles in pacing and clarity. The dense exposition and abrupt shifts between gore, music, and mystery can feel disorienting, as noted by viewers on Anime-Planet and X. The CGI, while innovative, may alienate traditional anime fans, and the reliance on gore risks overshadowing the story’s emotional depth. Additionally, the supporting cast, including characters voiced by Ayane Sakura and Hikaru Midorikawa, needs more development to match the Witchlings’ impact.

Verdict: A Bold, Imperfect Gem

Kamitsubaki City Under Construction Season 1 is a daring debut that blends music, sci-fi, and horror into a visually striking, emotionally resonant package. Its unique musical format, compelling characters, and ambitious world-building make it a standout, despite pacing issues and divisive animation. For fans of Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Metallic Rouge, or experimental anime like Sonny Boy, this series offers a fresh, if imperfect, experience. With its multimedia ecosystem and passionate fanbase, it’s poised to grow into a cult classic.

Score: 8/10
Watch it for: The innovative musical format, haunting soundtrack, and intriguing world.
Skip it if: You prefer traditional 2D animation or dislike heavy exposition and gore.
Where to watch: Streaming on ANiMExSUB.iN, Crunchyroll and Crunchyroll Amazon Channel, with a theatrical prequel, Witch’s Daughter -Witchling-, released June 13, 2025.

As the Witchlings’ songs echo through Kamitsubaki City, Season 1 lays a promising foundation. Whether it can harmonize its ambitious elements remains to be seen, but it’s a journey worth taking for those willing to embrace its bold vision.