Tag Archives: Anime 2026

Manga Anime

The Ribbon Hero Hits Netflix 8 August — Tezuka’s Princess Knight Returns

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Singapore gets to stream this one from day one. The Ribbon Hero — a new anime feature film based on Osamu Tezuka’s foundational manga Princess Knight (Ribbon no Kishi) — premieres exclusively on Netflix worldwide on 8 August 2026, with the final trailer and a preview of the English dub landing yesterday.

THE RIBBON HERO | Final Trailer — via Netflix Anime on YouTube

What Is The Ribbon Hero?

Princess Knight is one of manga’s foundational texts. First serialised in 1953 by Osamu Tezuka — the creator behind Astro Boy and Black Jack, widely called the Father of Manga — it follows Princess Sapphire of the kingdom of Silverland, born with both a boy’s blue heart and a girl’s pink heart after a mischievous angel’s prank. Because the law only allows a male heir to rule, her parents present Sapphire to the kingdom as a prince, hiding her identity to keep the scheming Duke Duralumon from seizing the throne.

The new film updates this premise with a darker, more dramatic tone. In The Ribbon Hero, Silverland is destroyed by a mysterious catastrophe called Nergal. Sapphire rebuilds her life in the neighbouring kingdom of Goldland — only for the same force to find her again. The modern visual treatment reimagines the magical girl transformation sequences that Princess Knight helped pioneer, giving them a contemporary edge while staying true to the spirit of Tezuka’s original.

The Ribbon Hero — Princess Sapphire in an action scene, Netflix anime film based on Osamu Tezuka's Princess Knight
Image courtesy of Netflix

The Team Behind the Film

The Ribbon Hero is produced by Twin Engine and directed by Yuuki Igarashi at the newly formed studio OUTLINE — this is Igarashi’s feature-length directorial debut. Character designs are by Kei Mochizuki and Mai Yoneyama, bringing a contemporary sensibility to Tezuka’s classic character silhouettes while keeping the iconic ribbon imagery that gives the film its title.

This is the first new Princess Knight anime in roughly three decades. The original 52-episode TV series aired in 1967 and has been deeply influential on the magical girl genre — you can draw a direct line from Sapphire to Sailor Moon, Cardcaptor Sakura, and beyond.

The Ribbon Hero final trailer — Netflix anime film, August 2026
Image courtesy of Netflix

Voice Cast

The Japanese voice cast, as revealed via Fandom Post, includes:

  • Sapphire — Saya
  • Pine — Seiran Kobayashi
  • Velvet — Koko Ichiyama
  • Zirko — Mayumi Shintani
  • Rock — Yoshimasa Hosoya
  • Hecate — Mito Tsukino
  • Chorogy — Yusuke Tezuka
  • Chick — Lunlun
  • Tack — Debidebi Debiru
  • Pope — Haruhiko Jou

An English dub has also been confirmed — a full English dubbed trailer is now live on Netflix’s official YouTube channel — though the complete English voice cast has not yet been officially announced.

The Ribbon Hero official trailer — Netflix anime, Princess Knight
Image courtesy of Netflix

Streaming from 8 August — Singapore Included

Netflix is making this a global-simultaneous premiere, which means Singapore subscribers can watch The Ribbon Hero the moment it drops on 8 August. For local fans who grew up watching Astro Boy and other Tezuka classics — a fixture on Singapore TV for decades — this is the most high-profile Tezuka anime adaptation in recent memory, and it arrives on a platform most Singapore households already have access to.

Keep an eye on more upcoming anime releases on the blog as streaming dates are confirmed.

Manga Anime

Nia Liston: The Merciless Maiden Anime Premieres October 6 — First PV Revealed

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Mark October 6 on your calendar. Nia Liston: The Merciless Maiden (凶乱令嬢ニア・リストン) — the dark fantasy light novel that has sold over 1.8 million copies in Japan — is getting its anime adaptation this autumn, and the first PV is already out.

Nia Liston: The Merciless Maiden — original key visual, the maiden in blood
The original key visual that launched a phenomenon — Nia Liston, steeped in crimson.

From Page to Screen

Written by Umikaze Minamino and published under Hobby Japan’s Gagaga Bunko imprint, Nia Liston: The Merciless Maiden follows the story of the titular noble girl — feared across the kingdom for her ruthless reputation — as the truth behind her iron-clad persona unravels. The series has reached 1.8 million copies in circulation, and a manga adaptation illustrated by Kabuto Kodai has been running alongside it.

The anime adaptation is being produced by KONAMI Animation, under the direction of Motoki Nakanishi.

Voice Cast

The lead roles have been confirmed:

  • Honoka Inoue as Nia Liston
  • Kazahana Izumi as Rinokis
  • Rina Motoizumi as Hildetora
  • Rina Hidaka as Reliared
Nia Liston character art
Character designs for the anime carry the sharp, high-contrast aesthetic that defined the light novel covers.

First PV

Nia Liston first PV thumbnail — Nia close-up with Japanese title
The first PV is already live on the MBS animation official channel.

Premiere Details

Nia Liston: The Merciless Maiden premieres October 6, 2026 on TOKYO MX, MBS, and BS Nittele in Japan. International streaming details have not yet been announced — we will update as soon as a platform is confirmed. Keep an eye on the official anime website for the latest updates.

Manga Anime

Kabaneri Turns 10: Mumei Ranman 1/6 Scale Figure Pre-Orders Now Open

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Ten years after its April 2016 debut on Fuji TV’s Noitamina block, Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress is back in the spotlight. WIT Studio has launched the Mumei Ranman (無名爛漫) 10th anniversary campaign, commemorating the beloved steampunk action anime with a short animation and a striking 1/6 scale collectible figure — and pre-orders are open right now.

The Anime That Put WIT Studio on the Map

Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress Mumei Ranman 1/6 scale figure — face close-up detail
Image courtesy of Union Creative

If you were watching anime in 2016, Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress was impossible to miss. Produced by WIT Studio and directed by Tetsuro Araki — who had just blown audiences away with Attack on Titan Season 1 — it blended a steam-powered alternate-Edo setting with relentless zombie-action pacing. Kabaneri themselves are half-human, half-Kabane hybrids: cursed enough to wield monstrous strength, aware enough to fight on humanity’s side.

At the centre of it all was Mumei, a fearless young Kabaneri voiced by Ayaka Senbongi, whose iconic scar, her weapon, and her impossible speed made her one of the most memorable anime leads of the year. The series was followed by a recap film trilogy and the 2019 sequel film The Battle of Unato, available on Netflix — which Singapore fans can still stream today.

The Mumei Ranman Anniversary Campaign

Kabaneri Mumei Ranman figure — lower body and weapon detail
Image courtesy of Union Creative

The Mumei Ranman campaign was inspired by a commemorative illustration drawn by original character designer Haruhiko Mikimoto, depicting Mumei in a vibrant yukata-based look paired with her signature weapon. To bring the illustration to life, the original production team reunited: Tetsuro Araki handled storyboards and unit direction, Ichiro Okouchi (whose credits include Code Geass and Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury) wrote the script, and Yasuyuki Ebara reprised his role as character designer.

The resulting short animation, titled Koutetsujou no Kabaneri: Mumei Ranman, depicts Mumei trying on makeup for the very first time — a warm, character-driven slice-of-life moment that long-time fans will find endearing. The short is already circulating online with English subtitles.

The 1/6 Scale Figure — Every Detail Accounted For

Kabaneri Mumei Ranman figure — back view showing Kabaneri infection mark
Image courtesy of Union Creative

Manufactured by Union Creative under the full supervision of both Haruhiko Mikimoto and Tetsuro Araki, the 1/6 scale Mumei Ranman figure stands approximately 260mm tall. The sculpt captures Mumei mid-step, one foot raised and firearm in hand, dressed in the flowing pink patterned kimono from the campaign illustration. Close-up shots reveal the makeup blush sculpted onto her face, the fine cloth folds of her outfit, and — for fans who look closely — the Kabaneri infection scar on her back. It is a figure clearly made with the series’ lore in mind, not just the art.

  • Scale: 1/6
  • Height: Approx. 260mm (including base)
  • Material: PVC / ABS
  • Manufacturer: Union Creative
  • Japan price: ¥35,000 (before tax) via IG Port Online Store, pre-orders close 30 September 2026
  • Estimated shipping: June–July 2027

Singapore fans can pre-order the figure through online importers and hobby retailers that carry Union Creative products. Local anime merchandise specialists typically list Union Creative releases within a few weeks of the Japanese announcement, so keep an eye on the major hobby shops.

If you are new to Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress, the series and its sequel film are available on Netflix in Singapore — a good excuse to catch up before the figure ships next year. For more anime news and collectibles, check out our dedicated section.

Manga Anime

Kusunoki’s Flunking Her High School Glow-Up Gets TV Anime

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DMM Pictures announced on 23 July that Kusunoki’s Flunking Her High School Glow-Up — the popular romance manga by Mitsuki Mii — is getting a TV anime adaptation, with Passione and Hayabusa Film on animation. A teaser PV is already live on YouTube, and the timing could not be better: Volume 8 hits Japanese shelves on 28 July, just days after the announcement.

Two Reinventions, One Complicated Situation

Kusunoki's Flunking Her High School Glow-Up anime key art featuring the two lead characters
Image courtesy of DMM Pictures

The story centres on Keisuke Shizuki, who completely reinvented himself before starting high school — new look, new social circle, new confidence — after a rough middle school experience. His one remaining problem: he still freezes up around beautiful girls. Enter Shizuka Kusunoki, the school’s most striking student, who has pulled off an equally dramatic transformation but has no idea how to actually connect with people. She asks Keisuke for help fitting in. The two quietly bond over their shared history of reinvention, and what starts as an awkward favour slowly becomes something more.

Serialised on Pixiv Comic under Ichijinsha’s Comic Pool imprint since October 2022, the manga has gathered a solid readership over its eight volumes. The English edition from Kodansha USA is available through major online retailers, so SG readers chasing a romance manga with genuine heart and a self-improvement angle can already dig in ahead of the anime premiere.

The Studio and Creative Team

Kusunoki's Flunking Her High School Glow-Up official anime title logo
Image courtesy of DMM Pictures

Passione — the studio behind Spice and Wolf: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolf and High School DxD Hero — is co-producing with Hayabusa Film. Midori Yui directs and handles series composition. Character designs come from Kōji Haneda, who drew the expressive, character-driven visuals for The Faraway Paladin. Composing the score is Hyadain, known for the catchy, high-energy soundtrack work on Rent-a-Girlfriend.

Watch the Official Teaser PV

Kusunoki’s Flunking Her High School Glow-Up Teaser PV — via DMM Pictures on YouTube

Lead Voice Cast

Character art from the Kusunoki's Flunking Her High School Glow-Up anime adaptation
Image courtesy of DMM Pictures

Yūto Uemura — familiar to fans as Fuutarou Uesugi in The Quintessential Quintuplets — takes on Keisuke Shizuki. Voicing Shizuka Kusunoki opposite him is Tomori Kusunoki, known as Shirokusa Kachi in Mix Ore. The casting is a neat touch: Tomori Kusunoki is playing a character who shares her surname, which should be a talking point among fans once the anime airs.

No premiere season or streaming platform has been confirmed yet. Watch the official anime site (Japanese) for updates, and check back on GameTrader’s anime coverage as more details land.

Manga Anime, News

JO1 Sings “IGNITE” as Opening Theme for Tokyo Revengers Season 4 on Disney+

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J-pop group JO1 will perform the opening theme for Tokyo Revengers: War of the Three Titans Arc, the fourth season of the hit anime series. The track is titled “IGNITE”, and it will debut alongside the season premiere on October 2, 2026 — broadcasting at 25:53 JST on MBS, TBS, and CBC in Japan, with simultaneous global streaming on Disney+ including Singapore from day one.

Season 4 picks up after the brutal Tenjiku arc and thrusts Takemichi Hanagaki into a three-way war between Toman (led by Mikey), Rokuhara Tandai (under South Terano), and the mysterious new faction Brahman, helmed by Senju Kawaragi. LIDEN FILMS returns to handle animation under director Maki Kodaira.

Senju Kawaragi, leader of Brahman in Tokyo Revengers War of the Three Titans Arc
Senju Kawaragi leads Brahman — one of three rival factions driving Season 4’s conflict.

JO1 is a nine-member Japanese boy group under LAPONE Entertainment, formed in 2020 through the Produce 101 Japan television competition. The group has steadily built an international following with their high-energy performances and polished choreography, including a 2026 North American tour. An anime opening theme tie-in of this scale marks a meaningful milestone for JO1 — and “IGNITE” is expected to land well with their growing Southeast Asian fanbase.

Official Trailer 3 for Tokyo Revengers: War of the Three Titans Arc (via AnimeSelect)
Tokyo Revengers War of the Three Titans Arc key visual character
New character visuals for War of the Three Titans Arc hint at a dramatically expanded cast.

For Singapore fans, Disney+ delivers the simulcast on day one — no waiting, no delays. We covered the original Season 4 premiere announcement back in June, but this theme song reveal adds an exciting new layer to one of the most anticipated titles of autumn 2026.

JO1 group photo
Image courtesy of LAPONE Entertainment

With the opening theme confirmed, expect a full “IGNITE” music video and promotional tie-ins in the weeks ahead. Keep an eye on our Manga & Anime coverage as October approaches.

Manga Anime

One Piece Episode 1170: Luffy vs. Scopper Gaban — Tonight on Crunchyroll

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The Elbaf arc delivers one of its biggest moments tonight — One Piece Episode 1170, titled “Get the Key! Luffy vs. Scopper Gaban,” simulcasts on Crunchyroll at 10:15 PM SGT this Sunday, 19 July 2026, right alongside the Japanese broadcast on Fuji TV. If you’ve been following the arc since it kicked off in April, this is the episode you’ve been waiting for.

#1170 PREVIEW | ELBAPH | ONE PIECE — via ONE PIECE Official – ENG on YouTube

What Happened in One Piece Episode 1169

Intense combat preview still from One Piece Episode 1170
Image courtesy of Toei Animation

Last week’s Episode 1169 — “The Legend Lurking in Elbaph: The Identity of the Mountain-Eater” — was a slow-burn that paid off hard in its final minutes. As the Straw Hats searched a sacred throne room on Elbaf for the key to Prince Loki’s chains, a cheerful local who called himself “Mr. Ya” stepped forward to help. He then revealed himself as Scopper Gaban, a member of the Roger Pirates and one of the handful of people who ever sailed to Laughtale. Rather than simply handing over the key, Gaban challenged Luffy to take it by force — setting up tonight’s episode perfectly.

Who Is Scopper Gaban, Roger’s Left Wing?

Young Scopper Gaban in a flashback scene from One Piece
Image courtesy of Toei Animation

Scopper Gaban holds near-mythic status in One Piece lore. As a member of Gol D. Roger’s crew he was regarded as Silvers Rayleigh’s equal in combat, a warrior so feared he earned the nickname “Mountain-Eater” — after single-handedly cutting down every tree on a mountainside to protect Roger from a pirate army. When the Roger Pirates disbanded he drifted to Elbaf, married a giant woman named Ripley, and fathered a son, Colon. He has lived quietly there for twenty years, hidden in plain sight among the giants.

Young Scopper Gaban wielding dual axes in a jungle — One Piece anime
Image courtesy of Toei Animation

His weapon of choice is a pair of heavy axes, backed by advanced Haki. No Devil Fruit, no tricks — just raw power refined during the era when Roger’s crew was the most dangerous on the seas. In terms of sheer combat pedigree, Luffy has arguably never faced anyone with deeper roots in the story of the One Piece itself.

What to Expect from Episode 1170

The official preview from Toei Animation confirms both Luffy and Zoro are drawn into the confrontation. Gaban is not a villain — he is a gatekeeper who wants to know whether Luffy has what it takes to be a worthy successor to Roger’s will. That framing makes the fight as emotionally loaded as it is action-packed: the current king of the pirates-in-waiting, facing down a living legend from the age that set everything in motion. The preview imagery of axes and Haki suggests a clash that will test Luffy’s growth since his training with Rayleigh, and Zoro’s presence hints the fight will escalate well beyond a simple one-on-one.

How to Watch One Piece Episode 1170 in Singapore

Singapore fans can stream One Piece Episode 1170 on Crunchyroll from 10:15 PM SGT on Sunday, 19 July 2026. The simulcast runs at the same time as the Fuji TV broadcast in Japan. If you’re holding out for Netflix, Episode 1170 lands there on 25 July. Last week’s Episode 1169 is already up on both platforms if you need to catch up before tonight. More anime coverage is on GameTrader every day.

Manga Anime

Patlabor EZY File 2 Opens 14 August — Free Classic TV Streaming Has Started

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Classic mecha anime Patlabor EZY is entering high gear — the second theatrical compilation, File 2, opens in Japan on 14 August 2026, and to celebrate, Bandai Namco Filmworks has kicked off Patlabor Intensive Month 2026, including free daily streaming of the original Patlabor TV series on YouTube. For fans who grew up with the franchise — or those who have simply always meant to catch up — this is the most active Patlabor has been in years.

Patlabor EZY File 2 theatrical poster — August 14 2026 roadshow
Image courtesy of Headgear / Bandai Namco Filmworks

What Is Patlabor EZY?

Patlabor EZY is the latest chapter of the Headgear franchise that began in 1988. Set in 2036 — 38 years after the events of the original TV series — it follows a new generation of pilots in the Tokyo Metropolitan Police’s Special Vehicles Section 2 (SV-2), still piloting the iconic Ingram Labor mechs but now policing crimes driven by AI and runaway automation. The core creative team behind the original franchise, including general director Yutaka Izubuchi, returned to build it, with legendary composer Kenji Kawai — who scored both the original Patlabor films and Ghost in the Shell — back on music duties. J.C.STAFF handles animation production.

The series runs eight episodes split across three theatrical films. File 1 opened on 15 May 2026 with the first three episodes; File 2 delivers episodes 4–6 as standalone stories on 14 August; and File 3 will close the series with a continuous arc.

Patlabor EZY File 2 — official 60-second trailer via バンダイナムコフィルムワークス チャンネル on YouTube (Japanese)

Patlabor EZY File 2: What’s in Store on 14 August

The File 2 trailer opens on a missing bullet case and quickly spirals into something stranger — a mysterious young girl, sudden landslides, and situations that push SV-2’s rookie crew well beyond standard police work.

The leads are Kuga Towa (voiced by Sumire Uesaka), the impulsive Ingram pilot, alongside her unit commander Atori Kippei (Kikunosuke Toya). Connecting EZY to the original run is Shigeo Shiba (veteran Shigeru Chiba), a part-time advisor who acts as a living encyclopedia of Special Vehicles Section 2 history — a welcome bridge for longtime fans.

Patlabor EZY File 1 theatrical poster showing the full cast lineup including Kuga Towa and Atori Kippei
Image courtesy of Headgear / Bandai Namco Filmworks

Patlabor Month 2026: Free Streams, Pop-Ups and More

Bandai Namco Filmworks has declared 17 July – 10 August “Patlabor Intensive Month 2026”, timed to build momentum for the theatrical run. The most accessible event right now: two episodes of the classic Patlabor ON TELEVISION (1989) are posted free on YouTube every day, uploaded at 9 PM JST on the official Bandai Namco Filmworks channel and available for 24 hours each. This started yesterday (17 July) — check back nightly to keep up.

Patlabor EZY — an Ingram Labor in action amid Japanese city signage
Image courtesy of Headgear / Bandai Namco Filmworks

The wider Patlabor Month calendar (most events Japan-based):

  • 7–16 August: Pop-up shop at Marui Shinjuku Annex 6F, with new and classic merchandise
  • 10 August (Patlabor Day): Special YouTube broadcast with cast and director Izubuchi at 9 PM JST; Fuji Soba third-round collab kicks off
  • 10–31 August: AR Ingram Photo Contest on X — post with #全国出動ARイングラム for a chance to win director-signed bromides
  • 11 August: Patlabor REBOOT (Yasuhiro Yoshiura’s 2016 short) streams free on YouTube for 24 hours
  • 14 August: File 2 theatrical opening; Patlabor REBOOT arrives on U-NEXT
  • 15 August: File 2 stage greeting at Shinjuku Piccadilly with cast and director
  • 7 Aug – 14 Sep: Suntory TAG LIVE LABEL x Patlabor limited cans (¥900, seven random designs, select vending machines nationwide)

There is no confirmed Singapore or international theatrical date for File 2 at this stage. Fans planning a Japan trip this August will want to add a cinema session to the itinerary. For everyone else, the free nightly streaming of the original TV series on YouTube is the most practical way in — and 38 years on, the Ingram is still cool.

Manga Anime

From Far Away Anime Reveals Cast and October 4 Debut

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Thirty-five years after the first chapter appeared in LaLa magazine, the TV anime adaptation of Kyoko Hikawa’s landmark shōjo manga From Far Away (彼方から, Kanata Kara) is officially real. A teaser promotional video released today alongside the full voice cast and a confirmed October 4 premiere — and for anyone who grew up on the Viz Media English volumes, this one lands a little differently.

A Shōjo Classic That Earned Its Reputation the Hard Way

Kyoko Hikawa original manga art of Izark and Noriko from From Far Away
Image courtesy of Kyoko Hikawa / Hakusensha

From Far Away ran in Hakusensha’s LaLa magazine from September 1991 through October 2002, collected into 14 tankōbon volumes. The setup reads deceptively simply: ordinary high schooler Noriko is hurled into a parallel fantasy world and lands near Izark, a formidable young warrior carrying a curse-like destiny. What made the series stand out — and what kept it in readers’ memories long after it ended — is that Noriko arrives unable to speak or understand a single word of the local language. Communication is earned, not handed over. Meanwhile, an ancient prophecy frames her arrival as the trigger for an unstoppable catastrophe.

The series won the 35th Seiun Award for best science fiction comic in 2004 and surpassed four million copies in circulation. Hakusensha licensed the English release to Viz Media, which published all 14 volumes between November 2004 and January 2007 — which means Singapore’s manga community had a very clean window to read it. If you never got around to it, there is now a deadline.

The Teaser PV, Cast and Production Team

TVアニメ『彼方から』ティザーPV | 2026.10.4～ON AIR!! — via NBCUniversal Anime/Music on YouTube

Studio DEEN is producing the anime. The director is Noriyuki Abe — known in Singapore for bringing Bleach, Yu Yu Hakusho, and Flame of Recca to the screen — and this marks a notable move into shōjo territory for him. Series composition is by Rika Takasugi; character design by Eiji Abiko; music by Takeshi Hama. Kyoko Hikawa is credited as original work supervisor, keeping the adaptation in close conversation with her vision.

The confirmed main cast, per the Natalie announcement (Japanese):

  • Noriko Tachiki — Tomoyo Kurosawa, best known internationally for her role as Violet in Violet Evergarden
  • Izark Kia Tarj — Kentarō Kumagai
  • Rachef — Yūichirō Umehara, known for Made in Abyss and Black Clover
  • Keimos Lee Goda — Eiji Takeuchi

The teaser leans into atmosphere over action — a close-up of Izark, the alien landscape, a sense of a world that operates by rules Noriko does not yet understand. It reads as faithful to the manga’s tone.

Premiere Date and What Singapore Fans Can Watch

From Far Away Kanata Kara teaser PV still showing Izark close-up, October 2026
Image courtesy of Studio DEEN / 彼方から Production Committee

From Far Away premieres on TOKYO MX on October 4 at 24:00 JST — that is 11 PM SGT on October 4. ABC TV follows on October 10, WOWOW on October 13. No international streaming deal has been announced as of today; we will update this post when a platform confirms rights for Singapore and Southeast Asia. International licensing for Studio DEEN productions has gone various ways in recent years, so it is genuinely to be confirmed.

In the meantime, the full teaser is on NBCUniversal Anime/Music’s YouTube channel, and the official anime site is live with the key visual. For more anime and manga news, browse our full archive.

Manga Anime, News

Tsugumi Project TV Anime Announced — Cult Manga from France

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One of the more intriguing anime announcements to land this week is not a sequel, not a reboot, and not based on a manga you have probably heard of — yet. On 14 July 2026, Tsugumi Project (虎鶫 とらつぐみ ―TSUGUMI PROJECT―) officially received a TV anime adaptation, complete with a teaser visual and a first teaser PV from the official production. Singapore anime fans who love their science fiction dark, their action kinetic, and their post-apocalyptic lore dense should take note.

Tsugumi Project official anime teaser key visual showing Leone and Tsugumi in the irradiated wasteland
Image courtesy of TSUGUMI PROJECT Production Committee

What Is Tsugumi Project?

Written and drawn by artist ippatu, Tsugumi Project is a survival science-fiction action manga set in a devastated far-future Japan. Two centuries of extreme radiation have transformed the island into a forbidden zone — a no-man’s-land overrun by grotesquely mutated creatures that bear little resemblance to anything living today.

At the centre of the story is Leone, a soldier framed for a crime he did not commit and torn from his family. His punishment doubles as a suicide mission: infiltrate the irradiated zone and recover a classified weapon codenamed TSUGUMI. What he finds instead is a mysterious girl — and a journey through Old Japan that defies everything he was told about the place.

Critics and fans have compared its atmosphere and visual ambition to BLAME!, Spriggan, and AKIRA — rarefied company that gives you an instant calibration for the kind of dark, dense, aesthetically ambitious science fiction this series delivers.

Tsugumi Project manga interior page showing the irradiated wasteland and creature design
Image courtesy of TSUGUMI PROJECT Production Committee

From France to Japan — An Unusual Road to Anime

The origin story of Tsugumi Project is almost as unusual as the story itself. French publisher Ki-oon debuted the manga in France in 2019 — before it ever appeared in Japan. The series became a genuine hit with French and European readers, winning a dedicated following in a market that has long embraced manga wholeheartedly.

Only in 2021 did Kodansha begin serialising it in Japan through Weekly Young Magazine, reversing the typical flow of manga publication. By the time the Japanese run concluded with volume 7 in 2023, the manga had built a readership on both sides of the world. It is now complete in seven volumes — which bodes well for a cohesive anime adaptation.

Tsugumi Project manga page showing action sequence and character design
Image courtesy of TSUGUMI PROJECT Production Committee

The Anime: Teaser PV and What We Know

TVアニメ 『虎鷫 －TSUGUMI PROJECT－』 Teaser PV — via NBCUniversal Anime/Music on YouTube

The official teaser site at toratsugumi.jp and the series’ X account @toratsugumi_PJ are both live. The short teaser PV above delivers the first animated glimpse of the post-apocalyptic world ippatu created — all jagged, radiated ruin and looming creature silhouettes.

The production carries the banner of the TSUGUMI PROJECT Production Committee, with NBCUniversal Anime/Music among the credited partners — a label with strong international distribution reach that typically points toward global streaming availability, though no specific platforms have been confirmed yet.

What remains to be confirmed: the animation studio, director, voice cast, and premiere date. Author ippatu said of the announcement, as reported by Dengeki Online (Japanese): “It’s quite a surprise! This happened because everyone read it.”

Tsugumi Project character artwork from the Dengeki Online announcement feature
Image courtesy of TSUGUMI PROJECT Production Committee

What SG Anime Fans Should Know

Tsugumi Project is a completed seven-volume story — adapting a finished manga typically allows production teams to plan a proper beginning, middle, and end without rushing or padding. For Singapore fans of hard SF action anime, the BLAME!/AKIRA comparison is not hyperbole: this is dense, atmospheric, and unafraid to let silence and creature design do the narrative heavy lifting.

The series has been available in English through selected international channels, and a number of SG fans have already found it through fan communities and import channels. An anime adaptation with NBCUniversal involvement is likely to land on a major global streaming platform — watch @toratsugumi_PJ on X for updates. Until then, the seven-volume manga is the ideal preparation.

For more upcoming anime, check our Manga & Anime section.