Last November, game company Sprite announced on their official Twitter account, sprite/fairys, their adult visual novel Ao no Kanata no Four Rhythm: Beyond the sky, into the firmament would be receiving an anime adaptation. Aokana is described as an “adventure game where girls ride the skies and fall in love” by Sprite.  Now, the official website for Aokana has announced that the anime adaptation will premiere in winter 2016. The original promotional image from sprite/fairys Twitter post announcing the adaptation can be seen below.

The adaptation will be produced by Gonzo. Gonzo is well known for animating shows such as Samurai 7, Last Exile, Strike Witches, Full Metal Panic!, and Basilisk. It will be directed by Fumitoshi Oizaki. Oizaki had previously worked on Romeo x Juliet, Etotama, and Astarotte’s Toy. The series composition will be handled by Reiko Yoshida. Yoshida’s previous works include Bakuman, K-ON!, and Girls und Panzer.

The original Aokana PC game was developed by Sprite. This is Sprite’s second game after their debut title Love, Election, and Chocolate. The main scenario writer and planner was Nachi Kio. Kio previously worked on The Fruit of Grisaia. The scenario writers assisting Kio were Ryoichi Watanabe and Ryusuke Mutsu. Watanabe previously worked on Harumade and Kururu. Mutsu previously worked on Sakaagari Hurricane. Elements Garden composed the game’s soundtrack, and Mami Kawada worked on both the opening and ending theme for the game. The ending theme is described as a “grand ending theme song.” KOTOKO provided an insert song for the game. The art director is Suzumori while Itsuka Yuki would help co-design the characters with Suzumori.

A synopsis of the series is provided by Anime News Network:

The story is set on an archipelago of four islands far south of Japan or even the South Seas. It is all but a different world from modern Japan. From the discovery of anti-gravitons came the dream invention of anti-graviton shoes (“grash”) that let people fly the skies. They introduce people to a new realm by enabling flight with just one’s own body strength, without feathers or engines. This led to the rise of the sport of “Flying Circus” (dogfight race).

The protagonist who once hoped for a future in this sport suffered a setback due to an overwhelming defeat, and withdrew from the sport for this and some other reason. However, he met the transfer student Asuka Kurashina, and in teaching her to fly the skies, the old passion returned. He takes part in the Flying Circus again.

Here are the opening movies, as well as a PV shown at Comiket 85 for the game:

The designs of the main heroines from the game/anime can be seen below:

The original Aokana PC game was released on November 28, 2014. Aokana will receive a PS Vita port in 2016.

If you are interested at all in the anime or the game, please check out their official website here.

SOURCES: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5