Paradox Live


Paradox Live is a Japanese media mix project created by Avex Pictures and GCREST. The project features 29 voice actors and is centered on rap battles between each faction.

Summary

In the near future, amidst the Hip-Hop culture rises a new movement called "Phantom Live". The rappers create illusions linked to their emotions using chemically reactive accessories that contain a metal called "phantometal" with their own DNA to enthuse young people on a brilliant stage. Behind the scenes, however, they suffer from "traumatic illusions" as a side effect.
The Paradox Live's story follow four groups who are immensely popular with their respective genres. BAE, The Cat's Whiskers, cozmez and Akan Yatsura. They will lead the way to the legendary club called CLUB PARADOX where the mysterious gathering occurs. In order to prove that their own music is the number 1, they participate in battles.
After a disaster that caused the collapse of CLUB PARADOX and prevented the final battle between the winning group and the legendary duo Buraikan, the club has been rebuilt with a brand new competition to take place. Four new groups–VISTY, AMPRULE, 1Nm8, and Goku Luck –have joined the ring alongside the current cast. With different music styles, the music groups try to fight to the top.

Characters

BAE

BAE are a trio of friends who attend the same international private university. Their songs are upbeat and make use of Japanese, English, and Korean lyrics. The characters were designed by Akane Aki.
;Allen Sugasano
;Yeon Hajun
;Anne Faulkner

The Cat's Whiskers

The Cat's Whiskers is a four-person team whose songs combine elements of hip hop and jazz. The members all work at Bar 4/7, owned by the team's leader Naoakira. The characters of The Cat's Whiskers were designed by Kuniharu Komiya.
;Naoakira Saimon
;Yohei Kanbayashi
;Ryu Natsume
;Shiki Ando

Cozmez

Cozmez is a duo consisting of the Yatonokami twins Kanata and Nayuta. Their songs are mainly trap music, with their lyrics often revolving around the hardships of their childhood and living in the slums. In 2021, Cozmez was declared the winning team of the original Paradox Live competition. The characters were designed by Kinako.
;Kanata Yatonokami
;Nayuta Yatanokami

Akanyatsura

Akanyatsura is a five-person group whose members are associated with the Suiseki clan, a yakuza group. They consider each other family. Their songs are mainly dance-floor related, using elements of street urban and/or international instrumentals. The characters were designed by Harada.
;Iori Suiseki
;Zen Gaho
;Hokusai Masaki
;Satsuki Ito
;Reo Maruyama

Buraikan

Buraikan is a legendary hip hop duo that had gone mysteriously underground for about a decade before the beginning of the main story. Their songs are mainly throwback music, stemming from the late 90s/early 00s. The characters were designed by Suoh.
;Chisei Kuzuryu
;Haruomi Shingu

VISTY

VISTY is a four-member idol group struggling with their falling popularity due to their center member leaving. Their songs have mixed hip-hop. The characters were designed by Kazari Tayu.
;Shogo Yamato
;Toma Hikage
;Aoi Kureha
;Kantaro Misuji

AMPRULE

AMPRULE is a master-servant duo consisting of Hajun's half-brother, Dongha, who desires to destroy him in the upcoming competition, and Chunsung, the Yeon family butler who pledges absolute allegiance to Dongha. Their songs have a high-class atmosphere, but with negative lyrics. The characters were designed by Uri.
;Yeon Dongha
;Baek Chungsung

1Nm8

1Nm8 is a three-member unit who all live under the same roof together. Their songs consist of pure, synth-pop. The characters were designed by Hou.
;Kei Miyama
;Itsuki
;Rokuta

Goku Luck

Goku Luck is a four-member group consisting of a prison guard and three prisoners. They specialize in punk-rock. The characters were designed by Lack.
;Yuto Inukai
;Ryoga Tosa
;Shion Kaida
;Kenta Mikoshiba

Discography

Singles

Albums

Video albums

Other charted songs

Anime

At the end of the Paradox Live 2nd dope show live concert, it was announced that the project will be receive an anime television series adaptation titled Paradox Live: The Animation. It is produced by Pine Jam and directed by Naoya Ando, with scripts written by Takayo Ikami, character designs handled by Koji Haneda, and music composed by Taku Iwasaki. The cast will reprise their roles in the series. The series premiered on October 3, 2023, on Tokyo MX and other networks. The opening theme song is "Rise Up" by the groups BAE, The Cat's Whiskers, Cozmez, and Akan Yatsura, while the ending theme song is "Every Day Every Night" by the group Buraikan. Crunchyroll licensed the series outside of Asia. Plus Media Networks Asia has licensed the series in Southeast Asia. while Deep has licensed it for Russia. Russia is the only country which made a full dubbing of the series with all songs being dubbed as well.