Zenshu episode 1: Anime Director enters the world of her favorite anime

Modified Jan 05, 2025 21:30 GMT

Zenshu episode 1: Anime Director enters the world of her favorite anime — Natsuko Hirose as seen in Zenshu episode 1 (Image via MAPPA)

With the release of Zenshu episode 1, fans expected to witness a story depicting the lives of animators within an animation studio. While the anime began just that way, it soon took a wild turn that saw the protagonist Natsuko Hirose enter the world of her favorite anime movie, A Tale of Perishing.

Zenshu is an original anime series produced by MAPPA. Directed by Mitsue Yamazaki and written by Kimiko Ueno, the anime follows the story of genius anime director Natsuko Hirose. While everyone expected her to create another masterpiece, with no experience in love, she struggled to draw the movie's storyboard.

Zenshu episode 1: Natsuko Hirose defeats an army of Voids using her new power

Natsuko Hirose as seen in Zenshu episode 1 (Image via MAPPA)

Zenshu episode 1, titled Starting Line, opened by describing Natsuko Hirose's career. After she became an animator, her skills soon saw her debut as a director of a TV series. The TV series became a social phenomenon, causing everyone to expect the same from her next project as well. Unfortunately, having no experience in love, she struggled to draw the storyboards for the romance anime film.

She would start drawing the storyboards but was never satisfied with them. Hence, she would throw them away, causing the production to be at a standstill. She was so persistent about her work that she would not let anyone help her. The good thing is that she had a supportive producer, who believed in her skills and made sure she ate her meals on time.

Natsuko and Producer as seen in Zenshu episode 1 (Image via MAPPA)

Later as Natsuko was scrolling through social media, she realized that the director of her favorite anime movie, A Tale of Perishing had passed away due to suspected food poisoning. Unfortunately, Natsuko later goes through the same ordeal.

After learning about the anime director's death, Natsuko decides to watch A Tale of Perishing while having the lunch the producer bought for the staff. Unfortunately, Natsuko happens to eat the clam lunch that was way past its expiry.

This incident causes Natsuko Hirose to collapse and enter the world of A Tale of Perishing. Immediately after she gained consciousness, she was attacked by a Void.

Fortunately, the Nine Soldiers arrive at the scene on time and rescue Natsuko. At the time, Natsuko believed that Luke Braveheart and others were anime fans who were cosplaying, but was soon hit with the reality. She had been reborn in the world of her favorite anime.

Luke Braveheart as seen in Zenshu episode 1 (Image via MAPPA)

Upon realizing this, Natsuko thinks back to the events in the movie and remembers that the Last City was going to be attacked by an army of Voids. Hence, she warned Luke Braveheart and others about the impending danger. Unfortunately, the Nine Soldiers do not believe her story and keep partying.

According to what Natsuko remembered, the Nine Soldiers defeated the Voids in the story but Unio lost her life. She willingly sacrifices her life to protect her friend Luke Braveheart, causing the protagonist to plunge into depression.

The story starts unfolding just that way as the army of Voids attacks the Last City and Unio prepares to sacrifice her life for her friends. Just then, Natsuko's pegbar starts speaking to her, asking her to draw.

Unio as seen in Zenshu episode 1 (Image via MAPPA)

While she asked the pegbar for some hints on what she had to draw, she received no help. Soon after, Natsuko Hirose had a brilliant idea. She knew what could stop the army of Voids and started drawing a storyboard. With that, the anime revealed that Natsuko Hirose had been granted the power to re-animate scenes.

This plan worked as the creature she drew came to life and wiped out the army, preventing Unio from sacrificing her life. Soon after, Natsuko collapsed from exhaustion. However, it seemed like Luke Braveheart had come to accept her.