Kadokawa has confirmed that The Fake Alchemist (Nisemono no Renkinjutsushi) is getting a full TV anime adaptation — and the announcement came with a teaser visual and a commemorative PV. The studio handling the project is Passione, and with over a million copies of the manga sold in Japan, this one has been a long time coming.

From Pixiv Gem to Million-Copy Sensation

The Fake Alchemist began as a self-published webcomic on Pixiv by storywriter Jirō Sugiura and illustrator Umemaru before being picked up for official serialisation on Kadokawa’s KadoComi and Nico Nico Seiga platforms in June 2023. In just three years the manga quietly crossed one million copies in Japan — a remarkable milestone for a series that started as a passion project.

The series is available in English via Yen Press, with five compiled volumes out now — so Singapore fans who want to read ahead of the anime already have a solid head start.

What Is The Fake Alchemist About?

The story is set in the city-state of Orichalconia, a world where alchemy and magic permeate everyday life. A reincarnated Paracelsus ekes out a quiet existence as an alchemist, carefully concealing abilities that far exceed those of everyone around him. His low-key arrangement unravels when he enters into a contract with a shaman slave-girl named Nora — the character at the centre of today’s teaser visual — and later encounters Coco, an elf who has lost all four limbs and five senses.

The premise leans into classic isekai conventions — a hidden overpowered protagonist, unlikely bonds, a richly imagined fantasy world — but the manga’s devoted following suggests Sugiura and Umemaru execute them with enough craft to stand apart from a crowded field.

The Studio: Passione

Production duties go to Passione, the studio known for its work on the Higurashi: When They Cry – GOU and SOTSU reimaginings. Cast, staff, and broadcast schedule details have not yet been announced — Kadokawa says further information will be shared at a later date.

When Can Singapore Fans Watch It?

No streaming partners have been confirmed yet, but given that Crunchyroll covered the announcement today, it remains a natural fit — though nothing is locked in. In the meantime, check out our Manga Anime section for more picks while you wait for a broadcast date.

Last words

A million-copy indie manga earning its anime adaptation with a proven studio attached — The Fake Alchemist is exactly the kind of grassroots-to-mainstream story we love to see. Singapore fans who have been sleeping on the manga now have a very good reason to start reading. We’ll bring you cast and air-date news the moment Kadokawa drops them.