Anime enthusiasts first encountered Jun Maeda’s storytelling with Angel Beats in 2010, a series that delves into the struggles of high school students challenging injustices in the afterlife.
More than a decade later, Maeda revisits themes from his acclaimed work in Heaven Burns Red, a mobile RPG co-created by Key and Light Flyer Studio. This new project showcases Maeda’s signature narrative style, blending emotional depth with engaging gameplay.
Journey alongside Ruka Kayamori in Heaven Burns Red where music and battles unite against alien foes (Photo: Ruka Kayamori/P.A. Works)
Renowned for his impactful storytelling in titles such as Clannad and Air, Maeda gained recognition during his time as a co-founder of the visual novel studio Key.
According to Comic Natalie, Heaven Burns Red, which launched in February 2022, integrates elements of Angel Beats through special collaboration events. The third such event is slated for December 27, 2024.
Beloved Characters Make a Comeback in Heaven Burns Red
Unlike most of Maeda’s earlier works, Angel Beats originated as a television anime before expanding into other formats. Despite initially lacking attachment to his past creations, Maeda was inspired to revisit Angel Beats by the enthusiastic team at Light Flyer Studio.
Reflecting on his involvement, Maeda acknowledged the show’s success as a testament to the producer’s vision and the dedication of its fans.
In Heaven Burns Red, players guide Ruka Kayamori, a protagonist with a strong musical identity akin to Angel Beats characters, as she leads her band “She Is Legend” while battling alien adversaries known as “Cancer.”
The upcoming event focuses on Shiori Sekine, the bassist from Girl’s Dead Monster, a band central to Angel Beats. Maeda shared that creating Sekine’s narrative posed challenges due to the absence of a preexisting backstory.
A Renewed Focus on Creativity
The enduring appeal of Angel Beats, which has expanded into OVAs, manga, and a visual novel, has reignited Maeda’s passion for storytelling.
He views his resurgence as an opportunity to overcome perceptions of irrelevance. With this newfound confidence, Maeda is now developing a fresh anime project, Summer Pockets, set to debut in April 2025.
Released globally on November 15, 2024, Heaven Burns Red is available on iOS and Android devices. For fans eager to revisit Angel Beats, the series remains streamable on Crunchyroll.
